Iowa Water Environment Association

1. Iowa Water Environment Association Past, Present, and Future of IAWEA March, 2013

2. A Little History of IAWEA… • One of the first state associations. • The first Operators’ training in the nation – November 2-3, 1915. • A second Operators’ short course – December 9-10, 1920. • Annual training conferences every year since except during World War II due to travel restrictions.

3. Official Founding Dates of State and National Associations: • New Jersey – 1916 • Missouri – 1925 • Ohio – 1926 • California – 1927 • Iowa – 1927 • Arizona – 1928 • Texas – 1928 • Federation of Sewage Works Associations (WEF) – 1928

4. Charter Members of theFederation of Sewage Works Associations (WEF) • Arizona • California • Central States • Iowa • Maryland • Pennsylvania • Texas

5. Iowa Water Environment Association Present Endeavors

6. Training First specialized operator training in 1915. IAWEA Annual Conference AWWA/IAWEA Operator Short Courses Regional meetings – six regions in the state hold annual or biannual training in each region. Biosolids Conference Collection System Conference Maintenance Conference

7. Stockholm Junior Water Prize • IAWEA has sponsored awards at Iowa high school science fairs since 1991. • 1991 – High School - $50; Junior High - $25 • 2013 – High School - $500; Junior High - $100 • Sponsorship to national SJWP competition since 2004.

8. Iowa Children’s Water Festival • 2,000 5th graders attend a free one-day event designed to educate them on Iowa’s water resources. • Topics include aquifers, surface waters, point source and non-point source pollution, watersheds, wetlands, etc. • Exposure to careers and volunteer opportunities through adult role models. • IAWEA provides financial support and volunteer workers and makes presentations.

9. Iowa Children’s Water Festival • IAWEA/AWWA-Iowa Section Water for People committees educate students about the need for clean drinking water and sanitation in developing countries. • IAWEA’s presentation of “Cleanwater Heroes” where students are assigned roles as constituents in the flow to a wastewater treatment plant. • Constituents (students) are removed from the flow as they enter the appropriate treatment structure.

10. Iowa Children’s Water Festival

11. Iowa Children’s Water Festival

12. Iowa Children’s Water Festival

13. Operator Certification • Voluntary certification – 1952 • Mandatory certification – 1965 • Joint Operator Certification Committee – 1991 – AWWA – Iowa Section, IAWEA, Iowa Rural Water Assoc., Iowa Assoc. of Municipal Utilities, Iowa State University, Kirkwood Community College – Advisory committee to state regulatory agency. • Voluntary Collection System Certification by IAWEA since 1995.

14. Laboratory Certification • Ad Hoc Wastewater Laboratory Certification Committee – 1983 • Voluntary Wastewater Laboratory Certification by IAWEA – 1987 • Mandatory IDNR Wastewater Laboratory Certification – 1997 – modeled after IAWEA voluntary program. • Laboratory Practices Committee

15. Spouses’ Auxiliary • Official association founded in 1957. • First such auxiliary in WEF. • Annual program and election of officers coinciding with IAWEA annual conference.

16. Iowa Science Teachers’ Conference • Educate the educators about IAWEA. • Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition. • Distribute copies of the WEF Water Sourcebook. • This curriculum has been placed in over 100 education agencies in the state. • Discuss career opportunities in the water quality field.

17. IAWEA Biosolids Conference • Ad Hoc Biosolids Committee - 1991 • First annual Biosolids Conference - 1992 • EPA 503 regulations effective 2/19/93. • Iowa Chapter 67 regulations effective 9/21/94 based on vital input from IAWEA members. • Biosolids educational video - 1996 • Land Application Field Guide – 2000, 2011

18. IAWEA Collection System Conference • Voluntary Certification through IAWEA and ABC since 1995. • Annual Collection System Conference –1997 • Training and Exam Opportunities – 2 x year – Collection System Conference and as a separate track at IAWEA Annual Conference.

19. IAWEA Reporter • Quarterly newsletter • Message from the President • Committee Reports • Plant Upgrades • Member News • Regional News • Membership Information • IDNR News • Water for People • Safety Corner • Certification Practice Questions

20. Government Affairs Committee • Technical Advisory Committee to state regulators. • Keep the general membership informed of pending regulations. • Draft position papers on regulatory issues. • Funded research that was instrumental in drafting Chloride/Sulfate/TSS rule for IDNR – now serving as national model

21. Awards In addition to WEF Awards such as Bedell, Hatfield, and Burke, IAWEA presents the following awards to a select few of its members: • Harris F. Seidel Education Award - This award was established in honor of Mr. Seidel, a 60-year member and former President of WEF. The award is presented to recognize individuals who have given exemplary service in the broad area of water pollution control and the environmental sciences through education, training and motivation. • Operator Advancement Awards – Operators and their employers are recognized for excellence in treatment and overall community awareness, motivation and successful achievement in water pollution control and the environment – awarded annually since 1958.

22. Awards, cont. • Laboratory Analyst Excellence Award - The award is presented to recognize individuals for outstanding performance, professionalism and contributions to the water quality analysis profession. This honor also acknowledges exceptional efforts in wastewater and environmental aquatic analyses and service that have been beneficial to the nominee’s facility. • Golden Manhole Award – recognition for collection system operators who have provided meritorious service above and beyond the call of duty. • “Wrencher” Award – presented to individuals who have gone "beyond exceptional duties" in the maintenance of water pollution control plant equipment.

23. Water for People • A golf tournament, motorcycle fun ride, and strong-arm tactics (pass the hat) at the annual conference results in thousands of dollars raised for Water for People. • Each year IAWEA members travel to work on water (drinking and sanitation) projects for the community of Xicotepec, Mexico.

24. Young Professionals • Iowa State University Water Quality Club – a student organization at ISU interested in the engineering and science of meeting our water needs while protecting the environment. • Supported by IAWEA through the sponsorship of WEF student memberships and a yearly stipend. • Additional financial support from IAWEA for engineering students to present a project at the WEFTEC Design Competition. • IAWEA Young Professionals Club – January, 2008.

25. Operator Recruitment • Ad Hoc committee comprised of AWWA – Iowa Section, IAWEA, Iowa Rural Water Assoc., Iowa Assoc. of Municipal Utilities, Des Moines Area Community College designed curriculum for training water and wastewater operators. Now offered as either a certificate program or AA degree. • Will be offered by every community college in Iowa. • Annual fundraiser held to finance scholarships for students enrolled in the program. • Proclamation by Iowa’s Governor declaring last week of July as Water and Wastewater Workers of Iowa Week.

26. What Challenges Lie Ahead for IAWEA? • Membership Retention and Recruitment • Regulatory Changes • Succession Planning - Employers and IAWEA • Develop a Professional Image of Our Occupation • Encourage Involvement in IAWEA by Front-line Employees

27. Iowa Water Environment Association Questions? March, 2013