The Water Environment Federation (Alexandria, Va.) encourages members to donate to the following relief agencies working to help Haiti after the catastrophic earthquake that occurred in Port-Au-Prince on Jan. 12.

• Red Cross — Donations can be made to the International Response Fund on the Web site or by calling (800) 733-2767. A $10 donation can be made by texting “Haiti” to 90999.
• Mercy Corps — Donations can be made on the Web site. The organization’s emergency team has been sent to rush critical supplies and other urgent assistance to survivors.
• Habitat for Humanity International — Donations can be made on the Web site. The organization is working to provide shelter solutions for those affected by the earthquake.

If you know someone who has made a positive contribution to the water environment, do not let their efforts go unnoticed. Submit your nomination for the 2010 Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) Annual Awards to the WEF Awards Department. The nomination for WEF Canham Graduate Studies Scholarship is March 1.

The nomination deadline for all other awards that fall under the categories of Individual Service and Contribution Awards, Education Awards, Organization and Association Recognition Awards, Operational and Design Excellence Awards, and Published Paper Awards is April 1. To submit a nomination, see the WEF Awards Web site. For more information, contact WEF Awards Program Coordinator Kelsey Brown at kbrown@wef.org or (703) 684-2477.

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) is developing a new Manual of Practice on membrane bioreactors (MBRs). WEF’s Technical Practice Committee is looking for individuals willing to serve as reviewers. This effort is being led by WEF members Glen Daigger and Adrienne Menniti, both from CH2M Hill (Englewood, Colo.).

The manual will provide the wastewater practitioner with the information necessary to evaluate MBRs for a particular application, size and select the necessary equipment, and supervise the final design of a MBR facility. It also will provide an introduction and overview of MBR technology.

A detailed outline for the manual is available for review, and comments are due Feb. 22. The draft of the manual will be available for review in mid-June. Reviewers must be able to work closely with WEF staff and dedicate expertise and time to ensuring the development of a high-quality manual according to the publication development schedule. Those interested should send a brief resume to WEF Project Manager Britt Sheinbaum at bsheinbaum@wef.org.

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) will present the webcast “Global Strategies To Improve Water Availability: Groundwater Artificial Recharge and Protection” on Feb. 18 at noon (EST). This webcast will provide an overview of effective strategies for protection of groundwater, reuse of reclaimed water, and artificial replenishment and recharge of groundwater supplies.

Webcast participants will learn key elements of an effective groundwater protection program, learn primary schemes for groundwater artificial recharge projects, explore successful artificial recharge projects, and receive an overview of effective state-run groundwater protection. Speakers include Michele Robertson from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality; Bashir Memon and Jim LaMoreaux of P.E. LaMoreaux & Associates Inc. (Tuscaloosa, Ala.); and Heinz Hoetzl of the University of Karlsrühe (Germany).

The registration fee is $155 for WEF members and $195 for nonmembers. The deadline to register is Feb. 16. For more information or to register, click here. The webcast was organized with the support of the WEF Groundwater Committee. Professional Development Hours can be earned for participating in a webcast. For a full list of past and future webcasts, see the WEF Webcast Schedule. If you missed a recent webcast, you can catch up on the discussion by purchasing CD–ROM copies. For more information, send e-mail to registration@wef.org.

Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) members will receive a 10% discount on an individual subscription to Access Engineering, provided through the WEF and McGraw–Hill Cos. Inc. (New York) partnership.

Access Engineering, from McGraw–Hill, is an online engineering resource with industry-leading engineering books delivered to your desktop. Subscribers have access to 14 major focus areas of engineering, from environmental to mechanical topics, and more than 5000 chapters from more than 250 McGraw–Hill titles, including the latest WEF Manuals of Practice (MOPs) and environmental engineering texts.

With Internet access, you can search and read the entire three-volume MOPs Design of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants — MOP 8, Fifth Edition, and Operation of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants — MOP 11, Sixth Edition. Collection systems engineers and managers can find the important resources, such as Wastewater Collection Systems Management — MOP 7, Sixth Edition, and Existing Sewer Evaluation and Rehabilitation — MOP FD-6, Third Edition. Subscribers receive access to new titles as they are added throughout the year.

The Resource Management Inc. (Ashland, N.H.) Residuals Management Facility in New Hampton, N.H., became the 26th organization in the United States and the first in New Hampshire to be certified and admitted to the National Biosolids Partnership (NBP; Alexandria, Va.) environmental management system (EMS) for biosolids program. The facility’s biosolids EMS was independently verified on Oct. 22 by the audit firm KEMA-Registered Quality Inc. (Arnhem, Netherlands). The achievement recognizes that the agency has an effective biosolids EMS. It is one of 100 organizations currently participating in the NBP EMS program.

Register Now for These Specialty Conferences

The Utility Management Conference™
When: Feb. 21–24, 2010

Where: InterContinental San Francisco Hotel

What: Water and wastewater utilities across the country are facing many common management challenges. In 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, American Water Works Association (Denver), Water Environment Federation (Alexandria, Va.), and other national water and wastewater associations agreed to jointly promote effective utility management based on the Five Keys to Management Success and the Ten Attributes of Effectively Managed Water Sector Utilities. The event will illustrate how the keys to management success can be used to achieve these 10 attributes. Click here for more information.

Registration: Click here to register.


Cities of the Future
When: March 7–10, 2010

Where: Boston Marriott Cambridge

What: An interdisciplinary approach will be required to create a sustainable urban infrastructure that will meet the challenges of the 21st century. Interdependent engineered and natural systems and technological advances will be required for the paradigm shift to tomorrow’s eco-cities. The Cities of the Future conference will bring together a diverse group of practitioners who share a vision of an improved urban landscape for future generations and are working to make cities of the future a reality.

Registration: Registration is open now. Sign up for the conference by Feb. 10, and save with the super-saver rate. As an added bonus, one registration fee gives attendees access to technical sessions at this and the Urban River Restoration conference, enabling attendees to customize their learning agendas. Click here to register.


Urban River Restoration
When: March 7–10, 2010

Where: Boston Marriott Cambridge

What: With an increased focus on sustainable practices and a population shift back to cities, as well as an emphasis on a livable urban environment, urban river restoration is under way in many cities, and practitioners are faced with challenges. The conference will initiate a dialogue among the engineering, scientific, regulatory, and stakeholder communities to address these challenges.

Registration: Registration is open now. Sign up for the conference by Feb. 10, and save with the super-saver rate. As an added bonus, one registration fee gives attendees access to technical sessions at this and the Cities of the Future conference, enabling attendees to customize their learning agendas. Click here to register.


Odors and Air Pollutants
When: March 21–24, 2010

Where: Charlotte (N.C.) Convention Center

What: Every 2 years, this conference brings together environmental professionals from around the world for a showcase on odors and air pollution management. With technical sessions and workshops, this event educates attendees about current issues, regulatory requirements, and methods for analyzing problems and finding solutions.

Registration: Registration is open now. Sign up for the conference by Feb. 17, and save with the super-saver rate. Click here to register.

Exhibit at a WEF Specialty Conference

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) specialty conferences provide an excellent opportunity to connect with water and wastewater audiences. If you are interested in exhibiting at a conference, contact Sarah Evans at sevans@wef.org or (703) 684-2400, ext. 7739.

More Upcoming Specialty Conferences

Residuals and Biosolids
When: May 23–26, 2010

Where: Savannah (Ga.) International Trade and Convention Center

Registration: Call (703) 684-2441, or send e-mail to registration@wef.org.


Membrane Applications
When: June 6–9, 2010

Where: Hilton Anaheim (Calif.)

Registration: Call (703) 684-2441, or send e-mail to registration@wef.org.


Collection Systems
When: June 13–16, 2010

Where: Phoenix Convention Center

Registration: Call (703) 684-2441, or send e-mail to registration@wef.org.

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) is pleased to announce its newest Life Members. Life Membership is bestowed upon members who have been active for at least 35 years and have reached age 65.

Joel A. Cerwick, member since Jan. 1, 1972, Missouri Water Environment Association and Kansas Water Environment Association.
	Photo courtesy of Joel A. Cerwick.
Joseph B. Farrell, member since Jan. 1, 1967, Ohio Water Environment Association.
	Photo courtesy of Joseph B. Farrell.
James L. Greener II, member since Jan. 1, 1968, Ohio Water Environment Association.
	Photo courtesy of James L. Greener II
Richard Helm, member since Jan. 1, 1972, Illinois Water Environment Association and Central States Water Environment Association.
	Photo courtesy of Richard Helm.
Rodger A. McDonald, member since Jan. 1, 1966, Western Canada Water Environment Association.
	Photo courtesy of Rodger A. McDonald.
Ralph E. Pfister, member since Jan. 1, 1975, Illinois Water Environment Association and Central States Water Environment Association.
	Photo courtesy of Ralph E. Pfister.
Daniel W. Smith, member since Jan. 1, 1971, Western Canada Water Environment Association.
	Photo courtesy of Daniel W. Smith.
William S. Kowalski, member since Jan. 1, 1973, New Jersey Water Environment Association. Ed Rogozinski, member since Jan. 1, 1972, Ohio Water Environment Association.

With the explosion of social media sites, you may feel that your utility is missing an opportunity. To help, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) Public Communications and Outreach Committee will present the webcast Hard Conversations for Hard Times: Social Media for Water Utilities on March 11, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (EST).

Find out how Web 2.0 tools can work for your utility. Other utilities and governmental organizations have found effective ways to use new media. Learn how you can put these ideas to work for your own new media strategies. The webcast will discuss the importance of utilities listening to and participating in online dialogue. Everyone in the water industry is a communicator, and using social media is the way people communicate today.

• Are you communicating with the public about health issues? Explaining your regulatory of financial position? You can get your message across in a YouTube video.
• Do you have an event to announce? A tweet might be the most effective alert for people who already indicated on Twitter that they want to follow your news. 
• Do you have photos to share of your utility's employees at work? You can show them off on a Facebook fan page or a Flickr album and might get some good comments.

Featured speakers will include Lt. Col. Kevin Arata, U.S. Army director of online and social media; Jill Horist, public affairs director for the Metropolitan Sewer Reclamation District of Greater Chicago; and Mark Jockers, government and public affairs manager for Clean Water Services (Hillsboro, Ore.).

The Water Environment Association of Texas (Austin) participated in the event H2O4 Texas, held to focus public awareness on the Texas State Water Plan. The plan predicts future water demand and the resources needed for water development, as well as water infrastructure that will be required to meet those demands.

Texas’ population is expected to double by 2060, so the state is facing critical water shortfalls and infrastructure needs. The Texas WEA provided support to Texas State Sen. Kip Averitt, chair of the Senate Natural Resources Committee; and Texas State Rep. Alan Ritter, chair of the House Natural Resources Committee for the event and the ongoing campaign.

The H2O4 Texas event kicked off with the 16-minute video overview Liquid Assets: The Story of Water Infrastructure. State representatives were so impressed with the video introduction to infrastructure issues that they persuaded Penn State Public Broadcasting to make it available to everyone as a link on their Web site http://www.h2o4texas.org.

WEF Member Associations and utilities also can link to the overview of the documentary by following the instructions here. In addition, WEF’s ongoing public education initiative is an excellent resource with customizable art files filled with eye-catching graphics and thought-provoking slogans. See the Water Is Life Web site for more information.

On Nov. 19, the City of Santa Rosa, Calif., officially celebrated the achievement of becoming the 25th wastewater agency in the United States to be certified and admitted to the National Biosolids Partnership (NBP; Alexandria, Va.) environmental management system (EMS) for biosolids program. From left, NBP representative Ed McCormick from East Bay Municipal Utilities District (Oakland, Calif.) presented the NBP EMS certification plaque to Santa Rosa’s Board of Public Utilities Chair Dick Dowad and Vice Chair Robyn Swinth.

For those with business development plans that include the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) offers the opportunity to exhibit with WEF International Pavilions at the Water, Energy Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX); the International Trade Fair for Water, Sewage, Refuse, Recycling, and Natural Energy Sources (IFAT) China and China Water Show; IFAT — International Trade Fair for Water, Sewage, Refuse and Recycling; and a show in Latin America with details to be determined. These opportunities offer cost-effective direct marketing opportunities for equipment manufacturers and service providers at major water and wastewater shows around the world.

WEF Pavilion at WETEX
The Water, Energy Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) will take place March 9–11, at the Dubai (United Arab Emirates) International Convention and Exhibition Centre. This annual event will provide access to Emirati and other growing Arab Gulf and Middle Eastern markets.

WEF Pavilion at the IFAT China and China Water Show 2010 The IFAT China and China Water Show 2010 are now co-located. The show will take place May 5–7 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center in Shanghai, China. This annual event is set to be the leading platform for the environmental industry in China and Asia. WEF Pavilion at IFATMunich — Space Selling Quickly IFAT will take place Sept. 13–17 at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre in Munich, Germany. This show is now hosted every 2 years and is a must-attend event for access to European markets.

The IFAT Munich 2008 show. Click for large image.

• Prominent WEF Pavilion location in exhibit hall.
• WEF Pavilion included on the VIP tours.
• Booth sizes from 9 m² (smaller than most show minimums).
• Shell scheme build-out.
• Furnishings (to include entry desk, table and chairs, wastebasket, literature stand, lighting).
• Carpeting.
• Cleaning services.
• Translation services (as required).
• WEF-sponsored lounge and meeting area with complimentary beverages.
• WEF-sponsored onsite reception.
• Assistance with connecting to the local U.S. Department of Commerce representative.
• Preshow and post-show promotion in WEF publications, including World Water and WE&T.
• Pavilion staffed by WEF employees.
• Aid in obtaining official invitation letters for visas (as needed).
• Assistance with hotel arrangements near the exhibit hall.

For pavilion brochure, benefits, show reports, exhibitor lists, show hours, floor plans, or more information, see www.wef.org/internationalpavilion or contact Laila Sukkariyyah at lsukkariyyah@wef.org, (703) 684-2458, or (703) 650-8516 (mobile).

WEF would like to thank the following exhibiting companies for their support of the 2008 and 2009 WEF International Pavilion Program–CWS in Shanghai, China; IFAT in Munich, Germany; and WETEX in Dubai, United Arab Emirates: ADS LLC, Aqua-Aerobics Systems Inc., Aries Industries/Vac-Con, ASA Analytics, Bio-Microbics Inc., Dwyer Instruments, Groth Corp., Hayward Flow Control Systems, Hydro Instruments, Kemira Chemicals (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Liquid Waste Technology LLC, LobeStar Pump, Mody Pumps Inc., NEFCO Inc., Neuros Co. Ltd., Penn Valley Pump Co. Inc., Pulsafeeder Inc., Red Valve Co., Robbins and Myers Fluid Management Group, Ross Valve Manufacturing Co. Inc., Selwood Pumps, Thern Inc., and World Water Works Inc.

Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) House of Delegate members and Member Association (MA) leaders are invited to attend the WEFMAX meeting March 11–13 at the Sheraton Hotel Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The meeting, hosted by Puerto Rico Water and Environment Association (W&EA), provides an opportunity to discuss challenges, share successes, become better acquainted with WEF staff and MA leaders, and meet WEF Vice President Matt Bond, WEF House of Delegates Speaker-Elect Fran Burlingham, and Puerto Rico W&EA leaders President Warner Palermo, President-Elect Jaime Lope, and WEF Delegate Roberto Maldonado.

Each Member Association is asked to share information on its program and services at the meeting and provide a fact sheet with this information to share. In addition, each Member Association and WEF Delegate-at-Large member has the opportunity to further share information on programs and activities with a 15-minute presentation. Register online here.

Throughout the year, four WEFMAX meetings are being held across North America. The remaining meetings will be held April 8–9 in Alexandria, Va.; May 6–7 in Cleveland; and May 13–14 in San Diego. For more information, click here.

Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) young professionals are invited to attend the 2010 YP Summit, which will offer a variety of professional development sessions on career enhancement topics, such as leadership skills and job advancement. The event will be held March 11 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Carolina, Puerto Rico. The registration fee is $50. Register online or click here for more information.