This year’s CWEA Annual Conference in Sacramento followed CWEA tradition by providing quality and value to our members. The conference was jam-packed with training and networking-oriented events and opportunities, setting new standards with respect to information and training access. As is the tradition for CWEA, this year’s conference was a model for how stretching our boundaries enables better and better events each year. Please read on for highlights of the many great events and programs that took place at AC10. Read more
Giant Check for International Water Improvement Projects!
Black & Veatch recently announced that it is expanding its Bay Area presence with a new office location in downtown San Francisco. As part of its April 15 ribbon-cutting ceremony, the group presented a $20,000 donation to Water for People. Nice work, Black & Veatch!
CWEA Finance Manager Brian Murrary was recently celebrated by the SARBS. He was given an award for his outstanding service, hard work, and dedication over the years. The award was given during the Southern Regional Committee meeting at the CWEA Annual Conference.
Berlinda McCadney, City of Riverside and SARBS President awards a SARBIE to Brian Murray, CWEA Finance Manager
To kick off February, CWEA launched a new and improved web calendar. The new calendar will connect our members to exciting educational opportunities throughout the state. Take a look at events by the day, week or month. View by category (Southern CA Events, Certification/Study Sessions, SSO-WDR Workshops + many more) or search the description text to find what’s happening that interests you most. Click on a listing to find out more, including key contacts, program flyers, on-line registration and even driving directions!
Local section and committee leaders may continue to send activities for posting to calendar@cwea.org.
We hope you find this improved membership benefit useful and can’t wait to see you at one of our events!
4 Star Rating
Charity Navigator, America’s leading charity evaluator, has awarded Water For People its highest rating of four stars for the seventh consecutive year. This award is reserved for charities that demonstrate the highest levels of operational excellence and fiscal management.
Only 2% of the 5,000+ charities rated by Charity Navigator have achieved the remarkable feat of earning this award for seven or more consecutive years.
Founded in 1991, Water For People is a Denver-based private, nonprofit international humanitarian organization that supports the development of sustainable safe drinking water resources and improved sanitation facilities in developing countries. The organization has active water, sanitation, and hygiene education programs in 10 countries in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America.
Great story from Union Sanitary District…
The Chadha Family with USD Mechanics Chris Nicoletti, Mat Grabowski and Louis Rivera (credit: USD)
Three Union Sanitary District employees were recently honored for their efforts to rescue two dogs stranded in Alameda Creek in October.
USD Mechanic Mat Grabowski (CWEA Member) was performing maintenance on USD’s main sewer lines near Alameda Creek when he spotted two dogs standing shoulder-deep in water. Mat attempted to coax the dogs out, but it became clear the smaller dog was stuck and sinking into the soft mud of the creekbed. The stranded dog’s companion wouldn’t leave him as he struggled, his head sinking into the water.
The dogs’ owner, Balvinder Chadha, who had been searching for them came upon the group. The larger dog, Spike, was intent on protecting his distressed friend Leo and kept rescuers at bay. Balvinder worked to get the protective dog out of the way. “Somehow I was able to lure Spike out and grab him,” he said.
CWEA member Barry Pomeroy received the prestigious Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal from the Water Environment Federation. The award was presented during a ceremony at WEFTEC 2009.
The Gascoigne Medal was established in recognition of George Bradley Gascoigne, a prominent consultant who exhibited a great deal of interest in the operation of wastewater treatment plants. The medal is awarded to the author(s) of an article that presents the solution of an important and complicated operational problem within a full-scale, operating wastewater treatment plant that is appropriately staffed. Mr. Pomeroy is being recognized for his article, “Odors Get The Chute”, that was published in the May 2008 issue of WEF’s flagship publication, Water Environment & Technology (WE&T).
The article describes how the operating and maintenance staff for the Vallejo (Calif.) Sanitation and Flood Control District applied ingenuity and an understanding of their particular facility to design and construct an odor controlled biosolids truck loading station. The article details a “do-it-yourself” problem solution procedure that is appropriate for most wastewater treatment plants.
Barry Pomery, Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control District
Mr. Pomeroy is Director of Operations and Maintenance at Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control District, and is a Director on the Board of the Redwood Empire Section of CWEA.
The monthly WEF Highlights newsletter features a story on Lyn Gomes of Carollo Engineers, Walnut Creek and her work with TechBridge – a program aimed at helping introduce more girls to math, science and engineering. Only 11% of professional engineers are women reports WEF.
“What I’ve found is that students don’t even come close to the field of engineering, because they have no idea what they do,” Gomes said. “I try to demystify what each of the different types of engineers do so that students can identify with one of those disciplines.”
Continue reading the story here.
Learn more about TechBridge here.
CWEA also published a story about TechBridge in the July 2009 Wastewater Professional.
The CWEA E-Bulletin crew is in need of one talented cartoonist. Help CWEA communicate our mission, values and programs with your amazing artistic illustrations – particularly encouraging attendance at training events.
Whether it’s you, your friend or your working-age kids we’re looking for a volunteer (or two!) to help make CWEA’s E-Bulletin more creative, funnier and memorable with a few cartoons each year.
Send us an email to recommend someone for the job (including yourself!) – send to alecm@jwce.com.
Dr Udai Singh, VP CH2M Hill
Congratulations to Dr. Udai Singh, a CH2M Hill Vice President based in their Oakland office and CWEA member. Here’s the announcement from CH2M Hill…
CH2M Hill, a global full-service, engineering, procurement, construction, and operations firm, is pleased to announce that Udai P. Singh, Vice President of the firm’s Environmental Services Business Group, will become the President of the Environmental and Water Resources Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers, effective Oct. 1. Two years ago he was elected to lead this professional society for a four-year term on its governing board. Dr. Singh has now completed one year each as Vice President and President-Elect as a part of his term.
