Illinois Section AWWA - E-Splash -  May 2012

Students Get Involved at WATERCON2012
Kristin Rehg, Chair

 Increased student involvement at WATERCON is a major goal of the Outreach Committee, as we strive to educate the next generation about the importance of water in everyday life, as well as the diverse career opportunities available to them in our industry.

Two college students were awarded a Safe Water Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 each for the 2012-13 school year in recognition of their pursuit of careers in the water industry, academic merit, and leadership qualities. The scholarship winners were recognized at the annual Awards Breakfast and include Chris Baumann (Marquette University) and Emily Huynh (Northwestern University). Emily attended WATERCON on Wednesday and Thursday to take in the technical tracks, tour the exhibit hall, and attend the tapping competition. She has now become a member of AWWA as well!

Several college students attended the conference on Wednesday, March 21, to give poster presentations on their academic research in the water and wastewater fields. Billy Nichols from University of Illinois won the top prize from ISAWWA for his presentation on long-term expansion and treatment upgrade solutions for the Moline Water Treatment Plant. Billy and his team of fellow students worked with ISAWWA District 1 Trustee Greg Swanson to study the Moline plant's raw and finished water, relevant drinking water regulations, and several different treatment alternatives to come up with a long-term master plan for improving and expanding the facility. Billy will be sponsored by ISAWWA to attend AWWA's annual conference in Dallas in June 2012 to compete against poster winners from other Sections.