Liquid Assets
Penn State Public Broadcasting (WPSU-TV) this month premiered a documentary, “Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure,” examining America’s distressed drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems.
The 90-minute documentary will be available nationwide on public broadcasting stations. The goal is to stimulate community discussion and bring this issue into the public consciousness. The documentary explores major water, sewage and stormwater infrastructure issues facing communities across the country.
An online companion toolkit will help facilitate discussions that extend beyond the broadcast. It includes an outreach guide and other resources. “Liquid Assets” will also be available on DVD through Penn State Media Sales for $24.95 plus shipping and handling. It can be ordered by calling 800/770-2111 or at http://mediasales.psu.edu.
Major funding for “Liquid Assets” was provided by the Colcom Foundation, along with the Associated General Contractors of America, the American Society of Civil Engineers and its Environmental & Water Resources Institute, Insituform Technologies and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies.
Support for community outreach efforts was provided by the National Association of Water Companies, Water Environment Federation, Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association, 3 Rivers Wet Weather, American Public Works Association, American Water Works Association, CH2M HILL, Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association, Gannett Fleming, National Association of Sewer Service Companies, National Utility Contractors Association, Northwest Pipe Company and Plastics Pipe Institute.
You can view a four-minute trailer of the program and get a copy of the supporting toolkit at http://liquidassets.psu.edu. For more information on “Liquid Assets,” contact Jill Filby at jillfilby@psu.edu or 814/863-9912.
Educating Local Officials
The Missouri Rural Water Association (MRWA) is preparing a management circuit rider program to help elected officials on water district boards and city councils. The program will educate decision makers about the regulations affecting water and wastewater systems and the state’s Sunshine (open meeting) law.
Many certified operators in the far southeast portion of the state aren’t authorized to attend training events in central Missouri, and fuel prices place a burden on those who can travel. In response, the association sponsored its first annual Boot Heel Expo, a conference and training event in Sikeston. Call Tom Hyatt at 573/783-1745 or e-mail thyatt@moruralwater.org.
Book Authored About Arkansas Lake
Researchers with the Arkansas Water Resources Center and Beaver Water District staff in Lowell co-authored Beaver Lake and Its Watershed, a 42-page book focusing on facts about the lake and watershed, and answering common questions asked by the public. “This is the first time we assembled such a document,” says Alan Fortenberry, district CEO. “Our goal is to achieve public awareness and education, getting everybody to understand that they’re players in this situation.” Beaver Lake is the source of drinking water for one in eight Arkansans. The book is available from the Beaver Water District, PO Box 400, Lowell, AR 72745. Or call 479/756-3651.
Stormwater Permits Struck Down
In a landmark decision, the Washington Pollution Control Hearings Board struck down two regional stormwater permits issued by the Department of Ecology. The board said they were inadequate to protect Puget Sound and meet the law’s requirements.
The permits focused on traditional engineered stormwater management facilities like detention ponds. The ruling requires cities and counties around Puget Sound to reduce stormwater runoff by using low-impact development techniques. The board also modified the permit’s adaptive management process for water-quality violations, making it more rigorous and accountable.
Puget Soundkeeper Alliance and People for Puget Sound appealed the permits last year. Also appealing the permits were the City of Tacoma, the Port of Seattle, the Pierce County Public Works and Utilities Department, Snohomish County, Clark County, Pacificorp and Puget Sound Energy.
EPA Releases Wastewater Report
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow: 20 Years of Progress, the 2007 report on Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) programs. Since 1987, CWSRF has funded $63 billion in projects. In 2007, the programs reached a new high, providing nearly $5.3 billion in assistance to large and small communities, farmers, small businesses, non-profits and individuals. That includes $240 million for nonpoint source projects. Besides information about new initiatives, the report also recognizes the recipients of the 2007 Performance and Innovation in the SRF Creating Environmental Success (PISCES) Awards. The report is at www.epa.gov/owmitnet/cwfinance/cwsrf/.
Learning Opportunities
Free Water Seminars
ESRI is presenting the following free water seminars on geographic information system (GIS) technology:
• Oct. 7 – Dayton, Ohio
• Oct. 7 – Minneapolis, Minn.
• Oct. 9 – Detroit, Mich.
• Oct. 14 – Allentown, Pa.
• Oct. 14 – Brookfield, Wis.
Call 888/377-4575 or visit www.esri.com.
UW-Madison Engineering Courses
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Engineering Professional Development is offering the following CEU, LU, PDH classes. They are at the Madison campus unless indicated otherwise:
• Oct. 6-7 – Designing Bio/Infiltration Best Management Practices for Storm Water Quality Improvement (K214)
• Oct. 14-15 – Storm Sewer System Design (J977), Las Vegas, Nev.
• Oct. 16-17 – Stormwater Detention Basin Design (J976), Las Vegas, Nev.
• Oct. 27-31 – Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention (J829)
• Nov. 5-6 – Preparing an Effective Municipal Capital Improvements Plan (J974), Las Vegas, Nev.
• Nov. 17-18 – Pumping Equipment and Systems: Selecting, Operating, Maintaining and Troubleshooting (K272), Las Vegas, Nev.
• Nov. 17-18 – Storm Sewer System Design (J892)
• Nov. 19-20 – Stormwater Detention Basin Design (J891)
• Dec. 8-9 – Improving Public Works Construction Inspection Skills Course (K118), Las Vegas, Nev.
Call 608/262-2061 or visit http://epdweb.engr.wisc.edu.
American Public Works Association
APWA has these courses as Web-based broadcasts:
• Nov. 13 – ETHICS ... or Doing the Right Thing
• Dec. 18 – NPDES Good Housekeeping
Call Carrie Merker at 816/472-6100, ext. 5213, or visit www.apwa.net.
American Water Works Association
The organization is offering the following CEU/PDH seminars or Web casts:
• Oct. 15 – Total Coliform Rule: Final, Web
• Nov. 5 – Environmental Values in the Water Industry, Web
• Nov. 13-14 – Mapping Your Course to a Successful Workforce Plan, Ft. Worth, Texas
• Dec. 3-5 – CEO and GM Forum, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
• Dec. 10 – Alamosa: Lessons Learned, Web
Call 800/926-7337 or visit www.awwa.org.
Georgia
The Georgia F.O.G. Alliance is presenting Fats, Oils and Grease Inspector Training on Oct. 8-10 at the Marriott Hotel in Atlanta, Ga. The course includes one 30-minute presentation by a vendor of class-related material each day. Call Xavier Davis at 770/487-7993 or visit www. georgiafog.com.
North Carolina
North Carolina State University is offering these courses at its Raleigh campus unless stated otherwise:
• Oct. 14-16 – Designing Wastewater Irrigation Systems
• Nov. 5-7 – Subsurface Wastewater Operator Training, Plymouth
• Nov. 18-19 – Onsite Wastewater System Inspector Training, Plymouth
Call Joni Tanner at 919/513-1678 or visit www.soil.ncsu.edu/training, then click on “Training, Shortcourses and Workshops.”
Maine
The Maine WasteWater Control Association and York County Community College in Wells have developed a Certificate of Business Management for Wastewater program. Sessions are Thursdays from 8 a.m. to noon at the college.
• Oct. 30-Dec. 18 – Problem Solving
• Jan. 8-Feb. 26, 2009 – Technical Skills/Regulatory Compliance
Call 800/452-8786 or visit www.mwwca.org.
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Water Environment Association is offering Nutrient Removal Technology Workshops at these locations:
• Oct. 9 – New Cumberland
• Oct. 17 – Kulpsville
• Oct. 24 – Indiana
Contact Cindy Rock at 570/549-2204 or visit www.pwea.org.
Calendar
Oct. 1-2
3 Rivers Wet Weather Sewer Conference, Four Points by Sheraton, Pittsburgh, Pa. Call 412/578-8375 or visit www.3riverswetweather.org.
Oct. 5-8
National Rural Water Association Leadership Forum & Technology Exhibit, Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, Reno, Nev. Call 580/252-0629 or visit www.nrwa.org/ev.htm.
Oct. 8-10
Georgia F.O.G. Alliance Grease Inspection Course, Marriott Hotel, Atlanta, Ga. Call Xavier Davis at 770/487-7993 or visit www.georgiafog.com.
Oct. 18-22
WEFTEC.08, McCormick Place, Chicago, Ill. Call 800/666-0206 or visit www.weftec.org.
Oct. 26-30
International Water Conference, Crowne Plaza, San Antonio, Texas. Call 412/261-0710 or visit www.eswp.com/water.
Oct. 27-28
Minnesota Water Resources Conference, RiverCentre, St. Paul, Minn. Call Sara Van Essendelft at 612/624-3708 or visit http://wrc.umn.edu/waterconf/index.html.
Nov. 11-12
Trenchless Road Show, Baltimore, Md. Call Michelle Magyar at 330/467-7588 or visit www.trenchlessroadshow.com.
Nov. 16-19
International Low Impact Development Conference, Westin Seattle, Seattle, Wash. Call 800/548-2723 or visit http://content.asce.org/conferences/lid08/index.html.
Nov. 16-20
American Water Works Association Water Quality Technology Conference and Exposition, Duke Energy Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. Call 800/926-7337 or visit www.awwa.org.
Nov. 17-20
American Water Resources Association Water Resources Conference,
Sheraton Hotel, New Orleans, La. Call 540/687-8390 or visit www.awra.org.
Dec. 2-3
Water Environment Research Foundation Research Forum, Marriott Suites on Sand Key, Clearwater Beach, Fla. Call 703/684-2470 or visit www.werf.org.
Feb. 25-28
Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International, Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville. Education Day Feb. 25; exhibits open Feb. 26-28. Call 800/257-7222 or visit www.pumpershow.com.
