Upgrading to a Bio-P Process Required Open Communication and a Proactive, Patient Approach at Wastewater Facility

Military Veteran Chris Rebone, and wastewater division manager of St. Charles, Illinois, speaks about how a total team effort helped an Illinois plant upgrade to a new bio-P process and make other improvements while sustaining operations and permit compliance. By Jim Force September 2020 Cover Story of Treatment Plant Operator magazine which appeared in print as “Wastewater …

Celebrating Women in the Water Workforce

Women of Water Summit recognizes female water-sector changemakers Mazars USA (New York City, N.Y.), a financial consultancy active in the water sector, kicked off 2020 by hosting its inaugural Women of Water Summit in Arlington, Va., on Jan. 9. The daylong summit featured industry leaders speaking in nine segments that celebrated outstanding achievements of female water professionals …

Words on Water podcast highlights stormwater awareness and workforce issues

Two recent podcast episodes detail how Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) stormwater programs are contributing to greater awareness of the stormwater sector’s investment needs and helping to bolster its workforce. The Words on Water podcast, created and hosted by WEF Communications Director Travis Loop, offers listeners firsthand perspectives from the professionals leading positive change across all segments of the water sector.   In December 2019, …

Career Zone — Succeeding in today’s upended job market

 July 1, 2020 By Stuart Karasik Until several months ago, in my world of workforce development, life was good. The water sector offered many appealing job opportunities for new professionals, as well as for those developing successful and meaningful longer-term careers. Suddenly and unpredictably, things have been turned upside down. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has …

Viewpoint: Celebrate the Water Sector Workforce’s Remarkable Qualities

Water facility managers from Houston Water and Grand Bahamas Utility discuss unsung heroism in the water sector Turn on the TV, radio, or log on to social media immediately following a large-scale disaster and you find many words of praise and gratitude handed out as a result of the heroic actions of others. You hear these …

Building Digital Resilience: Remote Work Skills Training for Military Spouses

Hosted by Blue Star Families, Hiring Our Heroes, the USO & Grow with GoogleJoin Blue Star Families, Hiring Our Heroes, and the USO for a conversation about the importance of digital skills for military spouses. In addition, Grow with Google will show you how to discover remote job opportunities using Google Search, and help you …

The Water Professional’s Guide to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus

Disclaimer: The information posted here is a summary of current knowledge about this emerging viral pathogen. The state of knowledge will evolve as additional investigation and research is conducted, so continuous review of reputable sources and websites is advised.   Extent of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak  This virus is a member of the Coronavirus family. On Feb. 5, 2020, the World Health Organization reported 24,554 cases and 492 deaths in 25 …

New Online Operator Workforce Portal from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

Notice from Program Management Branch, Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks: June 19, 2020 Nothing is more important than protecting the health and well-being of Ontarians. Since first learning of COVID-19, Ontario has taken decisive action to contain its spread, including enacting a temporary emergency order to ensure that the province’s drinking water and wastewater …

Maryland Apprenticeship Programs Help Double Number of Job Applicants

With nine water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs), eight drinking water treatment facilities, 45 pumping stations, and miles of pipelines to operate and maintain, the Washington County Department of Water Quality (DWQ; Williamsport, Md.) sometimes struggles to find qualified candidates for its many technical jobs.    Since the launch of a new wastewater operator apprenticeship program last …

Experts Share Advice on Continuity of Operations During Coronavirus Pandemic

Even during the coronavirus pandemic, water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) cannot cease operations even for a moment. It remains critical, then, for WRRF managers to develop actionable plans to ensure continuity of operations despite potential staffing shortages and supply chain disruptions. For utility managers, effectively responding to coronavirus requires additional attention to employee safety and …