YP Connections - Water Environment Federation

YP ConnectionsVolume 6 Issue 3: Third Trimester 2012It’s Coming UP!September 29—October 3WEFTEC 2012 SYPC EVENTS AT A GLANCECommunity ServiceProject – Bogging inthe Big EasySaturday, September29 th , 2012 – City ParkUniversity StudentLoungeSunday September 30 -Tuesday Oct. 2, 2012Room NOMCC 278WEF Students &Young ProfessionalsCommittee WEFTECMeetingSunday September 30,2012: 3:00 - 5:00 PMNOMCC 340Student DesignCompetitionSunday September 30,2012 | 8:00 - 3:00 PM |NOMCC 275Student ChapterAnnual MeetingMonday, Oct. 1, 2012 |10:30 AM - 12:00Noon | NOMCC 280Students & YoungProfessionals Networking& CareerFairMonday Oct. 1, 2012 |1:00 - 4:00 PM |NOMCC 272Student PaperCompetitionMonday, Oct 1 - AllDay | NOMCC Level 2and 3 PrefunctionSpace | Poster Boards7 – 10WEF YP ReceptionMonday, Oct. 1, 2012|8:00 - 11:00 PMBourbon Vieux | 501Bourbon StreetSee inside for a fulldescription ofWEFTEC eventsIN THIS ISSUE:What to Look for atWEFTECYP Profiles:Kendra SveumFran BurlinghamYP UpdatesMicrotunnel TourScience andEngineering FestivalWatershed Cleanup

PAGE 2YP CONNECTIONSWHATTO LOOKFOR ATWEFTEC……..SYPC HOSTS THE 5TH ANNUAL WEF SERVICE PROJECTSaturday, September 29, 2012Bus departs from Hall H of the New Orleans Morial Convention Center at8:30 am. Returns at 4:00 pmBy Haley FalconerWEF's Students and YoungProfessionals Committee(SYPC) is planning big thingsin the Big Easy at WEFTEC2012 in hosting a communityservice project in a local NewOrleans, Louisiana neighborhood.This will be the 5thannual service project held atWEFTEC that will focus ongiving back to the community.Following a successfulbioswale construction in theLower 9th Ward in 2010,WEF volunteers will soon bemaking their mark in CityPark in 2012. The projectthis year, "Bogging in the BigEasy," involves constructing awetland in City Park.In August 2005, City Parksuffered $43 million in directdamage from HurricaneKatrina. Over 90% of the1,300-acre regional park wasflooded for a month. Thecatastrophe surrounding HurricaneKatrina destroyed ordamaged all of the Park'sUniversity Student Loungebuildings, felled thousands oftrees, ruined all equipment,and wreaked havoc on thePark grounds. City Park isthe largest recreation area inthe metropolitan area andreceives over 5 million visitorseach year. City Park,which accounted for morethan $400 million in propertyvalue before the storm, has apowerful impact on creatingvalue in recovering neighborhoods.The Park's restorationis essential in restoring vitalContinued on Page 5Sunday September 30 - Tuesday Oct. 2, 2012 | Room NOMCC 278The University Student Lounge is sponsored by environmental companies participating in the WEFTEC Students &Young Professionals Networking and Career Fair. The lounge offers students their own place to meet with fellowstudents and develop lifelong friendships. Julienne Ellis, Assistant to the Chair at SMU has offered to mentor students in the lounge, and giveresume critiquing. Complimentary light lunch and refreshments are providedSunday – Tuesday, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm.SYPC Members at the WEFTEC committeemeeting in Los Angeles, October 16, 2011.WEF Students & Young ProfessionalsCommittee WEFTEC MeetingSunday September 30, 2012 | 3:00 - 5:00 PM | NOMCC 340Students and Young Professionals are welcome to attend. Connect withyoung professionals from around the globe through the work of WEFyoung professionals.

PAGE 3YP CONNECTIONSStudent Design CompetitionSunday September 30, 2012 | 8:00 - 3:00 PM | NOMCC 275Come cheer on the students representing your Member Association! The MAs have proudly selected their top Student ChapterDesign Team to participate in this year's WEFTEC Student Design Competition. Each design team will have 30 minutesto present their exciting designs and field tough questions from our judges provided by the sponsors. Winning teams will beannounced at the end of the competition. Through sponsorships, award money will be presented to the 1st through 4th placewinners from each competition.Six teams will present in the wastewater division and include North Dakota State University, University of Colorado at Boulder,Southern Methodist University, University of South Florida, University of UtahRyerson University.Five teams will present in the environmental division and include University of North Dakota, North Carolina State University,University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of South Florida, Virginia Military Institute (VMI).Topics will include nutrient reduction, WWTP upgrades, biosolids handling, sustainable designs in Nigeria and Haiti, stormwaterBMPs, and landfill gas recovery.Sponsors include Black & Veatch, CDM Smith, HDR Engineering, Greeley and HansenJudges include Jason Beck and Jonathan Kunay with CDM Smith; Ed Cronin with Greeley and Hansen; Stuart Oppenheimwith HDR Engineering; Katie Werner with Black & Veatch; and Bob Wimmer with Black & Veatch.Contact Design Competition Chair Lauren Zuravnsky at lzuravnsky@greeley-hansen.com or Co-Chair Allison Reinert atamreiner@ncsu.edu if interested in volunteering to help out onsite with this event.2011 Winner of the EnvironmentalDesign Competitionfrom the University of FloridaFuture of Water Sponsors2011 Winner of theWastewater DesignCompetition from theUniversity of Wyoming

YP CONNECTIONSPAGE 4Student Paper CompetitionMonday October 1 st - ALL DAYNOMCC Level 2 and 3 Prefunction Space | Poster Boards 7 – 10Candidates who participated in this competition are invited to present a poster in the Poster Symposium. WEF encouragesour attendees to stop by to show your support to these outstanding young professionals listed below!Mengye Chen - University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign (2012 Winner in the Masters Division)Title: Advanced Oxidation Process Treatment of Membrane Filtration Concentrate Using Hydrogen Peroxide andUltraviolet LightMichael Shreve - Pennsylvania State UniversityTitle: Growth, removal of 17β-estradiol, and production of ligninolytic enzymes by the white-rot fungus Trametesversicolor in secondary wastewater treatment plant effluent xidation process treatment of membrane filtration concentrateusing hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet lightNelya Meystelman - Northeastern University (2012 Winner in the Undergraduate Division)Title: Kinetics and Microbial Observatory for Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal ProcessRachael Vaicunas - University of DelawareTitle: Hormone and Antibiotic Concentrations in Surface Water of DelawareFuture of Water SponsorsWEFTECEVENTS……..2012 Annual Student Chapter MeetingMonday October 1 st10:30 AM - 12:00 Noon | NOMCC 280Please join the SYPC for the Annual Student Chapter Meeting for the opportunity to network with students andlearn about other Student Chapters, academic advisors, and WEF members from across the nation. This meetingwill provide a forum for students to share ideas, activities, and programs and facilitate interaction between the futureleaders of WEF. Presentations will include: Successful Fundraising Events, World Water Monitoring ChallengeCommunity Outreach, and Benefits of Membership in WEF. For more information about this meeting orinterest in forming a Student Chapter, contact: Jennifer Shore at Jennifer.Shore@hdrinc.com or Tania Dattaat dattatania@gmail.com

YP CONNECTIONSPAGE 5Students & Young Professionals Networking & Career FairMonday October 1 st | 1:00 - 4:00 PM | NOMCC 272The Career Fair offers an opportunity to expand the student’s knowledge of the water quality industry and to acquire betterinterviewing skills. Top environmental firms from the U.S./Canada will be on hand to meet informally with students and alsopre-schedule interviewing opportunities.Participating Companies: AECOM, Black & Veatch, Brown and Caldwell, Carollo Engineers, CDM Smith, CH2M HILL,Greeley and Hansen, Hazen and Sawyer, HDR Engineering, New York EPA,Philadelphia Mixing Solutions, Novozymes Biologicals, Inc.The career fair will also have booths for the following WEF Committees: Disinfection and Public Health, MunicipalWastewater Treatment and Design Committee, Plant Operations & Maintenance Committee, Residuals and Biosolids Committee,Students & Young Professionals Committee, Sustainability Community of Practice, Utility Management, Water ReuseCommittee, & the Watershed Management Committee.Future of Water SponsorsWEFTECEVENTS……..WEFTEC Leadership DayTuesday, Oct 2 | 9:00 – 10:45 | Room NOMCC 271-272New Water Advocates Program on “Water Puts America to WorkIn cooperation with many of our Member Associations, WEF has launched an aggressive outreach effort to get waterinfrastructure investment discussed on par with other essential infrastructure this election season. Join WEFand your fellow MA Leaders at Leadership Day, Tuesday October 2 to learn more about the new Water Advocatesprogram, “Water Puts America to Work”, and how we can work together to more effectively promote soundlegislative and regulatory policy on important issues affecting the water sector. Come a bit early for continentalbreakfast and networking time. Contact WEF Staff Liaison Dianne Crilley (dcrilley@wef.org).

YP CONNECTIONSPAGE 6WEFTECEVENTS……..SYPC Members atprevious Receptions

PAGE 7YP CONNECTIONSYP PROFILE: KENDRA SVEUM, PESYPC MEMBER AND CHAIR OF THE STUDENT OUTREACH COMMITTEEEmployer, position, job dutiesDonohue & Associates Water/Wastewater Process Engineer Projectmanagement, design, and constructionoversight.When did you join WEF? I joinedmy local MA while I was in college. Iwas a Chemical Engineering studentand they gave a presentation to ourAICHE group and said they wantedto start a chapter. Before that point Ihad never thought about working inthe water industry. I ended up becomingthe first president of ourstudent chapter and have been involvedever since.Why did you become involved withWEF? I became involved with WEFnationally when Terry Krause (thenthe chair of the MunicipalWastewater Design Committee)came up to me and said he had a rolethat needed to be filled and hethought I should do it. After that theopportunities to be involved justkept rolling in.How many WEF committees do youbelong to: MWTDC S&YPCWhat is your motivation to belong toother committees within WEF?If I am not careful I could becomeinvolved in too many activities. So Ihave stuck to the areas that interestme most.If you had to take a class on a field tripto a location that epitomized the waterproblems we face today, where wouldyou go and what would be your message?This is tough because most kidsdon’t know enough about water in generalto understand the problem. Everygrade school student should visit both awater treatment plant and a wastewaterplant to start with. THEN they couldbe shown what life is like for peoplewho don’t have any of that. We cannotexplain the problem without educatingthem on where their water comes fromand how much it takes to provide it forthem.What is the one goal you wish peopleknew more about WEF/water industry?People need to know how muchenergy goes into the water that comesout of the tap and how much energy isconsumed by all the water they flush.What is the one misconception youthink students today think about thewater industry? At the college levelpeople see the water industry as a placefor Civil Engineers, but it is so muchmore! As a chemical engineer I have agreat background for industrial pretreatment,and really most water/wastewater treatment plants arepumps, tanks, and valves just likechemical plants. Even more there iswork for architects, electrical engineers,business/ sales, biology, chemistry,mechanical engineers …. I meanthe list just keeps going!Have you presented any papers at aWEF event? How did you decide tosubmit a paper on this (i.e. project youworked on, interest, research, etc.)? Ihave submitted two papers toWEFTEC that were accepted. Theywere both based on project work. Ihave also chaired a workshop and submitteda special technical session thatwere both based on an area I have interestin. I served as a chapter author onthe update of MOP 8 and I also servedas the Chair for the update of MOP 6. Ionly have 6 years of experience, so I amnot the most technically knowledgeableengineer out there, however, I amgood at managing projects and peoplewhich is all most of this takes.Did you experience any roadblocks orobstacles in trying to serve on othercommittees?I have never experienced a road blockfrom my employer or from WEF inbecoming involved. But it is importantto approach it the right way. As a juniorengineer at a consulting firm I justsigned up for activities and then askedthe boss later if it was okay. As long as Icould point out a form of client interactionor high level publicity for the companythey have always supported me.Within WEF I have always been enthusiasticand dependable. They are thetwo most important qualities in a volunteerand if people see that they willcontinually give you more opportunities.Or, what tactics would help you becomemore involved in other WEFcommittees? The number one best wayto get involved is to ask. When I wasfirst starting out there was a time whenI just picked a person’s name off of awebsite and asked them how I could getinvolved. It turns out that the randomperson I had selected was looking forsomeone to be on the Local ArrangementsCommittee for WEFTEC and Iwas off in a new direction! That oneopportunity scored me two trips toWEFTEC and whole new network ofpeople. The important thing to rememberis there are not millions of opportunitiesall the time. You may not alwaysbe in the right place at the right timebut with a little bit of persistence thereis always something to do.

PAGE 8YP CONNECTIONSYP PROFILE: FRAN BURLINGHAM, PESYPC MEMBEREmployer, position, job duties:Brown and Caldwell, Senior Engineer- WWTP capacity analyses, pre-design on solids handling facilities,master planningWhen did you join WEF? 2002Why did you become involved withWEF? To meet other people in thefield, give back to the industry andlearn about the latest and greatestresearch and technological developmentsHow many WEF committees do youbelong to (including subcommittees)?Two, SYPC and Public Communicationand Outreach Committee.What is your motivation to belong toother committees within WEF? Similarto why I’m involved with WEF,learn about different aspects of ourindustry and learn from differentgroups of people.What is the one goal you wish peopleknew more about WEF/water industry?About the water industry – I wishmore people recognized the importanceof what we do and the impactwe have on a daily basis to environmentaland public health. About WEF – Iwish the public knew WEF’s name andthat it was synonymous with THE leadersin the water industry (we are gettingthere by the way – Water’s WorthIt!)What is your funniest experience inworking with water? Dropping aKemmerer sampling into a secondaryclarifier and operations staff having todrain the entire tank during clarifierstress testing. I didn’t think it was funnyat the time but the operators got areal kick out of it.What is the one misconception youthink students today think about thewater industry? That we aren’t savingthe world one day at a time. Workingon a computer or operating a treatmentplant can have just as much impact asbuilding a latrine and probably has alonger lasting effect and wider reach.Have you presented any papers at aWEF event? How did you decide tosubmit a paper on this (i.e. project youworked on, interest, research, etc.)?I’ve presented posters on projects Iworked on.Did you experience any roadblocks orobstacles in trying to serve on othercommittees? No roadblocks from SYPCor PCOC. I haven’t tried to get involvedin some of the committees thathave the reputation for being difficultto join.Or, what tactics would help you becomemore involved in other WEFcommittees? I think you have to bereally persistent and not take “no” foran answer. Keep asking until you findthe person that can get you on the committeemailing list and don’t be afraidto enlist the help of WEF staff, they arevery knowledgeable. Signing up for aspecific task is the best way to get involved.I really got more involved withPCOC by volunteering to review abstractsfor a special session for WEF.If this is really about getting more involvedin WEF – I really got involvedwith WEF by being involved with myMA. When I was in Georgia, the WEFdelegates brought me to a couple WEF-MAX meetings which facilitated myinvolvement with SYPC (thank youDianne Crilley!) and helped me learnmore about WEF as an organization. InCalifornia, I served on our MA board asa WEF delegate which then turned intoSpeaker of the HOD which then led tomy position on BOT. So my involvementat a local level was really whatpushed me to be more involved at theWEF level.Upcoming WebcastsNOW OFFERED AT NO CHARGEBiosolids 101: Fundamentals of PracticeOctober 31st. 2012 1at pm to 3pm easternAsset Management: Translating Data to InformationNovember 14, 2012 at 1pm to 3pm easternGo to: http://www.wef.org/OnlineEducation to register now!

PAGE 9YP CONNECTIONSEASTERN REGION YPS HOST MICROTUNNEL TOURBy Aditya RamamurthyThe Eastern Region Young Professionalsheld two construction exhibitsthis summer highlightinglarge scale wastewater utility workbeing performed by HRSD.Doug Groff P.E. of Kimley-Hornled tours of the 42” and 48” SouthTrunk Force Main constructioncurrently underway in highly urbanizedneighborhoods of Norfolk,VA. The challenges of working inthis older, residential area includeturn of the twentieth century gas andwater lines, large trees, and evenabandoned canals. Different methodsof trenchless technology are beingutilized to minimize the public impactat busy intersections and attendeeswere able to see these impressivetools in action while touringthe project site.Scott Funk P.E. of URS led a touralong the Jefferson Avenue GravityRehabilitation project in NewportNews, VA. This project primarilyinvolves cured-in-place lining technologyto rehab aging gravity sewersas large as 42” in diameter. The complexprocess of providing uninterruptedsewer service while at thesame time maintaining access to businessesand residences was evidentthroughout the exhibit.Attendees were able to see active ‘slip-lining’ equipment and view the extensivebypass operation which runs12 blocks down one of the busiestroads in the City.YPUPDATESSouth Trunk Microtunnel TourJefferson Ave Rehabilitation TourYP MEMBERS PRESENT AT THE 2 NDENGINEERING FESTIVALBy Sonali AmbreMembers of VWEA and AWWAVA Joint Young ProfessionalsThe second USA Science and EngineeringFestival was held at theCommittee presented at the WaterEnvironmental FederationConvention Center in Washington,booth titled – Sewer Science Program.In general, YP membersD.C. on April 28 th and 29 th . At thefestival there were more than 3,000explained to festival visitors howinteractive, fun exhibits from variousscience and engineering organi-the water drained from theirsinks, bathrooms etc. goes to azations with the goal of engagingwastewater treatment plant. Visitorsto the booth also receivedthe general public and generatingscientific excitement and awareness.information on the various treatmentprocesses used atLeft: Sewer Science Program'sEquipment - PrimarySettling Tank, AerationTank, ChemicalCoagulation Tank andGAC Filter, RhondaWhitney of Fairfax Countyin the backgroundUSA SCIENCE ANDwastewater treatment plants to treatwastewater prior to its discharge backinto the environment. Visitors werealso educated about the relevance ofpH in water chemistry and were providedwith an opportunity to determinethe pH of a few householdchemicals viz. ammonia, bleach, waterand soda. Children that visited thebooth and performed the pH testwere given a pH paper strip, as atakeaway, to test their home tap water.Visitors learning about pH prior totesting the sample liquids.Volunteers L to R: Sam Said, Kristina Twigg,Bob Forgione and Pavani Silaparasetty

PAGE 10YP CONNECTIONSA STORY OF SIX SUCCESSFUL YEARS HOSTING A CONFERENCEBy WEF Student ChaptersThe 6 th Annual Student EnvironmentalPrairie Conference was successfullyorganized by South DakotaState University (SDSU) Water EnvironmentFederation (WEF) StudentChapter on SDSU campus inBrookings, SD on August 6-8, 2012.The conference has completed 6successful years and expanded fromtwo universities in the first year(2007) to four this year.The idea was initially coined bygraduate students from the Universityof Manitoba (U of M) and NorthDakota State University (NDSU) tocreate a meeting of graduate studentsfrom both the universities andexchanging their research ideas.With further brainstorming withlaboratory colleagues and their advisors,the “First Student Joint Conference”was proposed to be organizedby U of M in Winnipeg, Canada.Students from NDSU crossed theinternational border to meet theirpeers from U of M. For the next twodays, students from both the universitiespresented their work in frontof an audience that was studentdominated with a few professors fromeach of the universities, and professionalswho have externally supported theconference.The conference continued in the followingyear, hosted by NDSU AmericanWater Works Association(AWWA)/WEF Student Chapter andwas expanded to three universitieswith the addition of SDSU. With supportand advice from its predecessors,SDSU hosted the 3 rd Annual Conferencein August 2009. A conferenceworking committee (CWC) wasformed with two student members anda faculty advisor from each studentchapter during this year. The goal ofthe CWC was to enable a smooth transitionof the conference for the followingyear organizing committee and toprovide a continuous progress and enhancementof the conference. The conferencehas constantly grown everyyear and expanded with increase innumber of participating universities,attendees and presenters. The numberof participating universities has furtherincreased to four in 2012 with the additionof University of North Dakota(UND).Every year, the organizers of this conferencehave brought innovative ways tosocialize in addition to exchange researchideas through technical presentations.Various networking events havebeen introduced, including a cruise onthe Red River, Red Hawks game, and akickball tournament/volleyball-likeinnovative game. These additionalevents have built a unique platform forthe students and YPs to develop professionalrelations and share experiences.Several past student attendees of thisconference have directly or indirectlybenefited from both technical and socialactivities. Some of the past attendees,who are now the YPs, are still involvedin the conference to guide the currentconference organizers and to share theirinitial experiences in the environmentalindustry.The idea of this conference is innovativeand has proven to be beneficial to studentsand YPs. The concept of a localconference can be implemented in otherparts of the country with nearby universities.Interested student chapters inother universities can contact the advisorsof any of the above three StudentChapters for further information.Continued on Page 11By Sonali AmbreThe second USA Science and EngineeringFestival was held at theConvention Center in Washington,D.C. on April 28 th and 29 th . At thefestival there were more than 3,000interactive, fun exhibits from variousscience and engineering organizationswith the goal of engagingthe general public and generatingscientific excitement and awareness.Members of VWEA and AWWAVA Joint Young Professionals Committeepresented at the Water En-vironmental Federation boothtitled – Sewer Science Program. Ingeneral, YP members explained tofestival visitors how the waterdrained from their sinks, bathroomsetc. goes to a wastewatertreatment plant. Visitors to thebooth also received informationon the various treatment processesused at wastewater treatmentplants to treat wastewater prior toits discharge back into the environment.Visitors were also educatedabout the relevance of pH inwater chemistry and were provid-YPUPDATES

YP CONNECTIONSPAGE 11VIRGNINA YP’S CLEAN UP THE POTOMAC RIVER WATERSHEDVWEA and VA AWWA Joint YoungProfessionals Committee from NorthernVirginia participated in the AliceFerguson Foundation’s 24 th AnnualPotomac River Watershed Cleanup,held on April 14, 2012. Under theleadership of Pavani Silaparasetty,VWEA/VA AWWA YP volunteersjoined forces with Friends of Little RockyRun to cleanup the marsh area behindUnion Mills and between US 29 and oldBraddock Road. The area was accessiblefor the first time in memory, due to arecent drought, and because there are nocurrent beaver dams. Nonetheless, thefooting was slippery, people got muddy,and the work was hard. The VWEA/VAAWWA YP group did most of theswamp work.We had a great turnout with about 47volunteers from different institutionsand organizations participating in theTime for group picture after good day's work!event. The largest number of volunteerscame from the VWEA/VA AW-WA YP group (21). Trash collectedincluded the following:57 full bags of trash13 tires – most of them withmud filled rimsA set of barbellsSeveral hundred feet of phonecable totaling 1,535 lbsMetal recyclables about 1,550 lbsVWEA/VA AWWA volunteers includedPavani Silaparasetty, Safina Singh,Sam Packer, Susan Collins, Kenny Melchiorre,Dean Westman, AndreaPutscher, Lisa Forrest, Alex Forrest,Caleb Parks, Sonali Ambre, VanessaAririguzo, Joe Duncan, Eric Kenney,Rona King, Pat Giffey, Johan Jackson,Rodney Patterson, Damaru Adhikari,Luisa Robinson, and Bob Forgione.CONTINUED: A STORY OF SIX YEARS OF A SUCCESSFUL CONFERENCEOpinions from past conferenceattendees“The International PrairieConference opened a differentworld to me since it wasthe perfect escape from hoursin the laboratory and classes. Imet not only people from US,but from different countriesaround the world. It showsthat students are not onlywilling to spend their schooltime focusing on their research,showing importantsocial skills. It is a good opportunityfor students tomeet future employers,which it was my personalcase. It does not really matterif students want to followan academic or consultingcareer, grants and projects aregained by teaming up withsmart and hard working people,and the involvement withlocal conferences or associa-tions are the best place tostart it. My personal advicefor future students is to getinvolved in their local WEFchapter and to volunteer in asmany activities they can. ”Stanislaw Lozecznik, KGSGroup, Winnipeg, Canada"My North Dakota State University(NDSU) academiccareer was filled with opportunities.The funny thingabout opportunities is that itis incumbent on us to seizethem. If we choose to letthem pass us by, they are lostforever. Fortunately, a groupof passionate and ambitiousNDSU and University ofManitoba environmental engineeringstudents took hold ofthe idea to conduct the 1stAnnual WEF Student JointConference. I can easily saythis event was one of the mostrewarding experiences of myacademic career and criticalto my professional development.In addition to thewealth of knowledge and cultureshared at this event, Ideveloped invaluable leadershipskills, communicationskill and life-long friendships.It brings me much joy to hearthat the Joint Conferencetradition continues to offerstudents, faculty and youngprofessionals a similar experienceand I hope they don’t letthis opportunity pass themby."Christopher Hill, ChesapeakeEnergy Corporation, Oklahoma,USA“I remembered the first timejoining the conference inWinnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.This was the first time I everpresented my research workYPUPDATESto any audience, whichhelped me prepare myself toface larger audience at nationaland international conferences.It was a great timegetting to know more people,creating broader network,and seeing other researchespresent their work.Feedback from the attendeesof this conference and personalone-on-one discussionshave especially broadenedContinued on Page 12

YP CONNECTIONSPAGE 12CONTINUED: A STORY OF SIX YEARS OF A SUCCESSFUL CONFERENCEmy own perspectives of mystudy. More importantly, thefriendship among the peersand from the conferencealumni has still lasted untiltoday. ”Thunyalux Ratpukdi, Khon KaenUniversity, Khon Kaen, Thailand“The first year when this conferencewas organized inWinnipeg by University ofManitoba (U of M), I was justa participant presenting myresearch work in front of mylaboratory colleagues fromNDSU and newly introducedfriends from U of M. Questionsraised by the conferenceattendees made me and myadvisor to further criticallyanalyze our work. Later, Ipresented the same work inWEFTEC conference thatyear facing a much largernumber of attendees; most ofthem were professionals andprofessors. The conferenceoffered me three differentkinds of opportunities: 1) toimprove my presentationskills, 2) to develop my networkingskills while buildingthe network, and 3) to graduallybuild leadership skills. Ihave been involved in thisconference for the past sixyears with my roles rangingfrom a simple participant, toa manager of few tasks of theconference, to the leader ofthe organizing team for theconference, and finally to aprofessional that externallyadvices the conference committee.To sum up, this conferenceis a great platform forstudents like me, which providesthe necessary environmentfor transitioning from auniversity life to a professionallife.”Murthy Kasi, Moore Engineering,Inc., North Dakota, USAYPUPDATESCONTINUED: COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTrecreation opportunities tothe City of New Orleans. In2012, City Park sufferedsome damage from HurricaneIsaac but not on the scale ofdestruction caused by HurricaneKatrina.The volunteers will spend theday planting approximately5,000 plants in a wetlanddesigned to remove slit andpollutants from rainfall runoffbefore it reaches surface waterwhile providing a wildlifehabitat and recreational areafor park visitors. If you planon attending the service project,please register for thisevent when you register forWEFTEC so we can plan appropriately.There are spotsavailable to volunteer for theproject – please email DianneCrilley to RSVP.The service project sponsorsinclude: ElectroScan, WorldWater Works, Black &Veatch, CDM Smith, HDREngineering, Greeley andHansen, Hazen and Sawyer,AECOM, Brown and Caldwell,Carollo Engineers,CH2M HILL, New YorkEPA, Philadelphia MixingSolutions LTD, Wigen WaterTechnologies.This project would not bepossible without the manyservice project donors, including:AE2S, BrentwoodIndustries, ChesterEngineers, DuperonCorporation, EntexTechnologies, FKCScrewpress, Malcolm Pirnie,the Water Division ofArcadis, MWH, SchwingBioset Inc., Stantec, VaughanCompany, Inc., Veolia Water– North America, EnvironmentalTechnical Sales Inc.,and Engineering America.Additional local support forthis project was provided byCity Park New Orleans,Cobalt Construction,Louisiana Growers, theLouisiana Department ofWildlife and Fisheries, andthe LSU Ag Center.Questions:Contact Service ProjectChair, Haley Falconer athaley.falconer@hdrinc.comor WEF Staff Liaison DianneCrilley at dcrilley@wef.org.

YP CONNECTIONSPAGE 13WEF INTRODUCES NEW BOOKS TO DEBUT AT WEFTECBooks that will be debuting atWEFTEC include:Basic Laboratory Proceduresfor the Operator-Analyst,Design of Urban StormwaterControls (MOP 23),Safety, Health, and Securityin Wastewater Systems(MOP 1),Solids Process Design andManagement,Sustainability ReportingStatements for WastewaterSystems, andWastewater Treatment PlantDesign Handbook.The Wastewater TreatmentPlant Design Handbook isintended to complement severalrecognized wastewatertreatment design referencesincluding the Design of MunicipalWastewater Treatment Plants(Water Environment FederationManual of Practice No.8; 5th Edition; 2009). TheHandbook gives the readeraccess to those design guidesby providing concise informationfrom them and enablingquick location of additionalinformation by followingdirect references. Thisreference is written for studentsand design professionalsfamiliar with wastewatertreatment concepts, the designprocess, plant operations,and the regulatory basisof water pollution control.Young Professionals authorsinclude:Chapters 1-4, 10, 17-18 byHannah Wilner with CH2MHill out of Denver, CO.Chapters 5, 7, and 12 by SarahHubbel, PE with EntexTechnologies out of ChapelHill, NC.Chapters 6, 9, and 16 byStephanie Spalding, PE withHDR Engineering in Norfolk,VA.Chapters 8, 11, 14-15 by EricLynne with Donahue andAssociated out ofYP CONNECTIONSCo-Chairs:Michelle Hatcher: hatchermm@cdm.comKatie Schaffnit: schaffnit_ks@hotmail.comSYPC Chair:Eric Dodds: Eric.Dodds@AE2S.comSYPC Vice-Chair:Haley Falconer: Haley.Falconer@HDRinc.comWEF Staff LiaisonDianne Crilley: DCrilley@WEF.orgCALENDAR OF EVENTSWEFTEC 2012September 29—October 23Disinfection and Public Health ConferenceIndianapolis, INFebruary 23—26, 2013YP Summit & Utility Management ConferenceMarch 10, 2013Phoenix, AZUtility Management ConferenceMarch 10—13, 2013Phoenix, AZContributors:Kendra SveumFran BurlinghamSonali AmbreHaley FalconerAditya RamamurthyMichelle HatcherDianne CrilleySonali AmbrePavani Silaparasetty