Iowa Water Pollution Control Association Past, Present, and Future of IWPCA January, 2008

Iowa Water Iowa Water Pollution Control Pollution Control

AssociationAssociation

Past, Present, and FuturePast, Present, and Future

of IWPCAof IWPCA

January, 2008

http://www.iawpca.org/default.htm

A Little History of IWPCA…A Little History of IWPCA…

• One of the first state associations.One of the first state associations.

• The first Operators’ training in the nation –The first Operators’ training in the nation –

November 2-3, 1915.November 2-3, 1915.

• A second Operators’ short course –A second Operators’ short course –

December 9-10, 1920.December 9-10, 1920.

• Annual training conferences every year Annual training conferences every year since except during World War II due to since except during World War II due to travel restrictions.travel restrictions.

Official Founding Dates of Official Founding Dates of State and National State and National

Associations:Associations:• New Jersey – 1916New Jersey – 1916• Missouri – 1925Missouri – 1925• Ohio – 1926Ohio – 1926• California – 1927California – 1927• Iowa – 1927Iowa – 1927• Arizona – 1928Arizona – 1928• Texas – 1928Texas – 1928• Federation of Federation of

Sewage Works Sewage Works Associations (WEF) – Associations (WEF) – 19281928

Charter Members of theCharter Members of theFederation of Sewage Works Federation of Sewage Works

Associations (WEF)Associations (WEF)

• ArizonaArizona

• CaliforniaCalifornia

• Central StatesCentral States

• IowaIowa

• MarylandMaryland

• PennsylvaniaPennsylvania

• TexasTexas



Present EndeavorsPresent Endeavors


TrainingTraining

• First specialized operator training in First specialized operator training in 1915.1915.

• IWPCA Annual ConferenceIWPCA Annual Conference• AWWA/IWPCA Operator Short CoursesAWWA/IWPCA Operator Short Courses• Regional meetings – six regions in the Regional meetings – six regions in the

state hold annual or biannual training in state hold annual or biannual training in each region.each region.

• Biosolids ConferenceBiosolids Conference• Collection System ConferenceCollection System Conference

Stockholm Junior Water Stockholm Junior Water PrizePrize

• IWPCA has sponsored awards at Iowa IWPCA has sponsored awards at Iowa high school science fairs since 1991.high school science fairs since 1991.

• 1991 – 1991 –

High School - $50; Junior High - $25High School - $50; Junior High - $25

• 2007 – 2007 –

High School - $500; Junior High - High School - $500; Junior High - $100$100

• Sponsorship to national SJWP Sponsorship to national SJWP competition since 2004.competition since 2004.

From Left:

Andy Venske, IWPCA Public Relations/Public Education Committee

Megan Bartholomew, Central Lee High School, 2007 Iowa Stockholm Junior Water Prize Winner, “The Natural Way, Effects of Typhaminima on Contaminated Freshwater Systems”

Iowa Children’s Water Iowa Children’s Water FestivalFestival

• 2,000 52,000 5thth graders attend a free one-day graders attend a free one-day event designed to educate them on Iowa’s event designed to educate them on Iowa’s water resources.water resources.

• Topics include aquifers, surface waters, Topics include aquifers, surface waters, point source and non-point source point source and non-point source pollution, watersheds, wetlands, etc.pollution, watersheds, wetlands, etc.

• Exposure to careers and volunteer Exposure to careers and volunteer opportunities through adult role models.opportunities through adult role models.

• IWPCA provides financial support and IWPCA provides financial support and volunteer workers and makes volunteer workers and makes presentations.presentations.


• IWPCA/AWWA-Iowa Section Water for IWPCA/AWWA-Iowa Section Water for People committees educate students People committees educate students about the need for clean drinking water about the need for clean drinking water and sanitation in developing countries.and sanitation in developing countries.

• IWPCA’s presentation of IWPCA’s presentation of “Cleanwater “Cleanwater Heroes” Heroes” where students are assigned where students are assigned roles as constituents in the flow to a roles as constituents in the flow to a wastewater treatment plant.wastewater treatment plant.

• Constituents (students) are removed from Constituents (students) are removed from the flow as they enter the appropriate the flow as they enter the appropriate treatment structure.treatment structure.




Operator CertificationOperator Certification

• Voluntary certification – 1952Voluntary certification – 1952• Mandatory certification – 1965Mandatory certification – 1965• Joint Operator Certification Committee – Joint Operator Certification Committee –

1991 – AWWA – Iowa Section, IWPCA, Iowa 1991 – AWWA – Iowa Section, IWPCA, Iowa Rural Water Assoc., Iowa Assoc. of Rural Water Assoc., Iowa Assoc. of Municipal Utilities, Iowa State University, Municipal Utilities, Iowa State University, Kirkwood Community College – Advisory Kirkwood Community College – Advisory committee to state regulatory agency.committee to state regulatory agency.

• Voluntary Collection System Certification Voluntary Collection System Certification by IWPCA since 1995.by IWPCA since 1995.

Laboratory CertificationLaboratory Certification

• Ad Hoc Wastewater Laboratory Ad Hoc Wastewater Laboratory Certification Committee – 1983Certification Committee – 1983

• Voluntary Wastewater Laboratory Voluntary Wastewater Laboratory Certification by IWPCA – 1987Certification by IWPCA – 1987

• Mandatory Wastewater Laboratory Mandatory Wastewater Laboratory Certification – 1997 – modeled after Certification – 1997 – modeled after IWPCA voluntary program.IWPCA voluntary program.

• Laboratory Practices CommitteeLaboratory Practices Committee

Spouses’ AuxiliarySpouses’ Auxiliary

• Official association founded in 1957.Official association founded in 1957.

• First such auxiliary in WEF.First such auxiliary in WEF.

• Annual program and election of Annual program and election of officers coinciding with IWPCA annual officers coinciding with IWPCA annual conference.conference.

Iowa Science Teachers’ Iowa Science Teachers’ ConferenceConference

• Educate the educators about IWPCA.Educate the educators about IWPCA.• Stockholm Junior Water Prize Stockholm Junior Water Prize

competition.competition.• Distribute copies of the WEF Water Distribute copies of the WEF Water

Sourcebook.Sourcebook.• This curriculum has been placed in over This curriculum has been placed in over

100 education agencies in the state.100 education agencies in the state.• Discuss career opportunities in the Discuss career opportunities in the

water quality field.water quality field.

IWPCA Biosolids ConferenceIWPCA Biosolids Conference

• Ad Hoc Biosolids Committee - 1991Ad Hoc Biosolids Committee - 1991

• First annual Biosolids Conference - 1992First annual Biosolids Conference - 1992

• EPA 503 regulations effective 2/19/93.EPA 503 regulations effective 2/19/93.

• Iowa Chapter 67 regulations effective Iowa Chapter 67 regulations effective 9/21/94 based on vital input from IWPCA 9/21/94 based on vital input from IWPCA members.members.

• Biosolids educational video - 1996Biosolids educational video - 1996

• Land Application Field Guide - 2000Land Application Field Guide - 2000

IWPCA Collection System IWPCA Collection System ConferenceConference

• Voluntary Certification through Voluntary Certification through IWPCA and ABC since 1995.IWPCA and ABC since 1995.

• Annual Collection System Conference Annual Collection System Conference –1997–1997

• Training and Exam Opportunities – 2 Training and Exam Opportunities – 2 x year – Collection System x year – Collection System Conference and as a separate track Conference and as a separate track at IWPCA Annual Conference.at IWPCA Annual Conference.

Governor’s Iowa High SchoolGovernor’s Iowa High SchoolWater SummitWater Summit

• Established in 2006 to help develop future leaders Established in 2006 to help develop future leaders who understand the importance of protecting who understand the importance of protecting water quality.water quality.

• A one-day event targeted to high school juniors A one-day event targeted to high school juniors and seniors.and seniors.

• Participants learn about water quality and its Participants learn about water quality and its relationship to quality of life, economic viability of relationship to quality of life, economic viability of communities, recreation and public health.communities, recreation and public health.

• Scholarships totaling $10,000 are awarded to the ten highest ranked students.

• IWPCA lends financial support and discusses career iscusses career opportunities in the water quality field.opportunities in the water quality field.

IWPCA IWPCA ReporterReporter• Quarterly newsletterQuarterly newsletter• Message from the PresidentMessage from the President• Committee ReportsCommittee Reports• Plant UpgradesPlant Upgrades• Member NewsMember News• Regional NewsRegional News• Membership InformationMembership Information• IDNR NewsIDNR News• Water for PeopleWater for People• Safety CornerSafety Corner• Certification Practice QuestionsCertification Practice Questions

Government Affairs Government Affairs CommitteeCommittee

• Technical Advisory Committee to Technical Advisory Committee to state regulators.state regulators.

• Keep the general membership Keep the general membership informed of pending regulations.informed of pending regulations.

• Draft position papers on regulatory Draft position papers on regulatory issues.issues.

AwardsIn addition to WEF Awards such as Bedell, Hatfield, and

Burke, IWPCA 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.

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.

Water for People

•A golf tournament and strong-arm tactics (pass the hat) at the annual conference results in thousands of dollars raised for Water for People.

•Each year IWPCA members travel to work on water (drinking and sanitation) projects for the community of Xicotepec, Mexico.

IWPCA Annual Retreat

• Executive Board and Committee Chairs meet each January to plan and budget for the year’s activities.

• Meals and lodging are provided by IWPCA for the two-day retreat.

• Brainstorming of new ideas, goals, and projects.

• Networking to exchange information and inspire development of people, ideas, and strategies.

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 IWPCA through the sponsorship of WEF student memberships and a yearly stipend.

• Additional financial support from IWPCA for members of ISUWQC to present their project at the WEFTEC Design Competition.

• IWPCA Young Professionals Club – January, 2008.

What Challenges Lie Ahead for What Challenges Lie Ahead for IWPCA?IWPCA?

• Membership Retention and Membership Retention and RecruitmentRecruitment

• Regulatory ChangesRegulatory Changes• Succession Planning - Employers and Succession Planning - Employers and

IWPCAIWPCA• Develop a Professional Image of Our Develop a Professional Image of Our

OccupationOccupation• Encourage Involvement in IWPCA by Encourage Involvement in IWPCA by

Front-line EmployeesFront-line Employees



Questions?Questions?

January, 2008


Documents

Iowa Water Pollution Control Association Past, Present, and Future of IWPCA January, 2008