Words On Water

April 15, 2021

Amy Kirby is the National Wastewater Surveillance System Lead for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Dr. Andrew Sanderson is the Chief Medical Officer for the Water Environment Federation (WEF). In this episode they discuss how CDC has selected WEF to develop, manage, and provide training for a nationwide network of water utilities, public health agencies, and laboratories participating in wastewater-based disease surveillance. Andrew and Amy explain that wastewater-based disease surveillance has been used to study the presence and trends in coronavirus infections in communities and is increasingly viewed as a valuable tool during the current pandemic and for future public health research.

Episode #183
Hosted by Travis Loop

April 5, 2021

Chris Hunniford is Chief Operating Officer of V&A Consulting Engineers and Mark Perkins is President and Owner of Perkins Engineering Consultants. In this episode Chris and Mark discuss a variety of trends in odors including challenges with getting new facilities permitted, the patchwork of regulations across the country, and the continued rise of data, sensors, and other technology. They also talk about the agenda and highlights at WEF’s upcoming Odors and Air Pollutants Conference.

Episode #182
Hosted by Travis Loop

March 25, 2021

Kevin Davis is the Chief Technology Officer at Middlesex County Utilities Authority in New Jersey. In this episode Kevin discusses his reaction to the recent hack at a Florida utility. He talks about his utility’s overall approach to cybersecurity, the challenges from the size and diversity of a large utility, and approaching cybersecurity for OT vs IT. Kevin also explains how the coronavirus pandemic impacted needs for cybersecurity and why his utility participates in the Multi-State Information Sharing & Analysis Center.

This episode is brought to you by Bayshore Networks.

March 22, 2021

Joakim Harlin is a former UN-Water Vice Chair and currently the Chief of UNEP’s Freshwater Unit, and Kilian Christ is Associate Programme Management Officer in UNEP’s Freshwater Ecosystems Unit. In this episode released on World Water Day, Joakim and Kilian discuss the work of UN Water, the role of partners, and why WEF is now a member. They also talk about UN Sustainable Development Goal 6, clean water and sanitation for all, including progress and monitoring in countries.

March 17, 2021

Mark Doneux is Administrator of the Capitol Region Watershed District in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Capitol Region Watershed District was the overall winner of WEF’s Phase II MS4 Award in 2020 in part for its portfolio of projects that include opening an office facility that features a rainwater reuse system, a new outreach program that engages the public in green infrastructure, and a grant program to subsidize decentralized stormwater infrastructure. In this episode Mark discusses his agency’s approach to stormwater management and the value of following national trends and connecting with peers across the country.

Hosted by Travis Loop

March 15, 2021

Joanne Carpenter is Director of Research and Development for CHEMetrics and Kati Bell is Director of Water Strategy for Brown and Caldwell. In this episode they discuss the increased viability of peracetic acid for disinfection at water resource recovery facilities and its position as an alternative to chlorine and UV. Joanne and Kati talk about the importance of establishing standard methods for peracetic acid and the value of the WEF handbook on evaluating use. They also explain how a facility can determine if peracetic acid is feasible.

This episode is brought to you by CHEMetrics.

March 10, 2021

Diane Grossenheider is Project Manager with Black & Veatch and Jen Welsch is Principal Engineer with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District. In this episode Diane and Jen discuss the rapid expansion of tools for using data to proactively manage collection systems, including smart sewers, real-time controls, and GIS software. They also talk about the upcoming WEF Collection Systems Conference on March 23-25, which will feature sessions on the data topic and speakers from around the world.

Hosted by Travis Loop

March 8, 2021

Rebecca West is President of RFW Consulting Services and a Past-President of the Water Environment Federation. In this episode Rebecca shares her perspectives on leadership, dealing with adversity, and adapting. She draws from her experiences in the water sector, volunteering overseas, serving on the WEF Board during the 2008 economic downturn, and the coronavirus pandemic.

WOW: Take It From The Top
Hosted by Tom Kunetz

March 1, 2021

Jackie O’Brien is the Chief Executive Officer of Engineers Without Borders (EWB), a nonprofit recognized as a Charity of Choice by the Water Environment Federation. In this episode Jackie explains how EWB and its 10,000 volunteers work in communities around the world to help provide basic human services including water. She talks about starting as CEO during the past year and how the organization has recalibrated in the midst of the pandemic. Jackie also discusses opportunities for volunteering and how WEF members can get involved in EWB.

Hosted by Travis Loop

February 23, 2021

Camille Sanders is Membership Director for the Water Environment Federation. In this episode Camille discusses WEF’s revamped Career Center that offers robust opportunities and tools for both job seekers and employers in the water sector. Job seekers can search for available opportunities by job type, industry, and state, receive a complimentary resume review, and access professional coaching and career planning resources. Employers can search and review resumes, post available positions, and increase the visibility of their organization through job advertising. WEF also offers exclusive member discounts of up to 60% on job advertising packages.

Visit the Career Center at jobbank.wef.org