Fall 2023 WE Magazine

Fall 2023 Around the Water Cooler

Water Equation Investing in the Water Workforce

Welcome to AWWA Water Equation’s Fall 2023 Magazine.

Caitlyn Fantl Contributing Author

WE

Michelle Hektor Sr. Manager of Development

Claire Moffitt Development Administrative Assistant

will bring stories to you each quarter to highlight how YOU are making a difference in the water sector through your gifts to AWWA’s

philanthropy. You have probably heard about Water Equation’s initiative to invest in the water workforce, but what does that mean?

It means every year there are over 35 water and wastewater operators who receive funding to take courses and attend conferences, so they can bring you and your family safe water from the tap.

It means young professionals (YPs) embarking on their water careers can join in conferences to network, discuss, and debate the topics important to the water industry.

It means 25 students receive nearly $200,000 in academic scholarships annually to serve their communities as engineers, environmentalists, policy makers, accountants, consultants, IT employees, and YP. YP membership, more than 3,200 strong, is diverse across the sector providing ample ground for idea sharing, collaboration, and networking.

Our goal is to support them as individuals and as a collective in their academic and leadership roles as they continue to navigate and grow in their respective careers.

Young Professionals Water Equation (WE) helps give young professionals a seat at the table. This year three YP utility employees joined 140 delegates in Washington DC on scholarship to advocate for smart water policies before Congressional leadership. Of the experience, Hunter Adams, Environmental Laboratory Supervisor, City of Wichita Falls, said, “As someone in local government, you might not be able to attend something like this for twenty/thirty years. It was great to be able to participate and make connections.”

Terrian Tyler

Over 100 AWWA young professionals gathered for AWWA Leader Training Day in March 2023 for YP Summit. Water Equation invested $16,000 to award 11 scholarships to YP Leader Training Day and Summit to utility employees across North America.

Recipient of the scholarship Project Engineer for Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority Terrian Tyler shared his experience during a recent donor webinar. Read more here.

Just last year, Water Equation invested $50,000 in YP programs, and we aspire to continue the program with your generous gift.

Support Young Professionals

One AWWA Operator Scholarship If you have attended a conference this year, you know that one unifying topic is the need for additional employees in the water community. Where is the best place to find employees and how do you retain them? AWWA Water Equation is placing the One AWWA Operator Scholarship on community college and vocational school websites so that potential candidates can find the opportunities!

Nearly 300 water and wastewater operators have received scholarships through the One AWWA Operator Scholarship, a partnership between Water Equation and AWWA Sections.

These scholarships fund water and wastewater operators’ continuing ed, certification, training, and conference attendance.

John Watts Jr.

After 30 years in the construction trade, John Watts Jr. decided it was time to find a career that better fit his lifestyle as a dad, fisherman, and camper. He understood the essential nature of water and wanted to protect the resource for his children while helping his community. He enrolled in Clackamas Community College and then reached out to the Pacific Northwest Section of AWWA for a One AWWA Operator Scholarship to assist with funding his courses.

We had the chance to catch up with John.

“

I feel blessed to have received this scholarship, and I look forward to the day when I can give back to next generations of operators. I want to help protect water for my kids and make a difference in my community.

— John Watts Jr.

Special Feature: Ryan Decker

Ryan Decker

WE met Ryan Decker when he was working as an operator at the City of Westminster, eager to broaden his scope of knowledge by participating in technical lectures and events at ACE23 in Toronto. Ryan received a One AWWA Operator Scholarship, attended ACE23, and then received a promotion!

Hear from Ryan about his experience.

Water Equation Operator Scholarships 83%

Men

17% Women 90% Water 10% Wastewater 0

20

40

60

80

100

The City of Westminster promoted Ryan to oversee both water and Percent of 40 Scholarships Awarded wastewater plants just 6 weeks ago. Good things always seem to happen when water operators receive WE scholarships! Thanks to the City of Westminster for its dedication to the 120,000 citizens who depend on the utility as well as its commitment to standing behind its employees.

Learn more about Ryan Decker.

Support an Operator

Scholarships Water Equation is pleased to announce the Dr. James K. Edzwald Scholarship.

We have currently raised over 70% of the $100,000 endowment and hope to have it fully funded before ACE24. A graduate will be selected to receive the first award to be presented by Dr. Edzwald at ACE24.

Dr. James Malley, Jr. is a recipient of the Crystal Award for Outstanding National Research Project from the Academy of Environmental Engineers and a distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New Hampshire.

Dr. James Edzwald and Dr. James Malley in the early days.

“

It is my hope that scholarships will help the next generation of thought leaders, graduate students sponsored by research stay applied or at least connected to networks of professionals (like those we find at AWWA) who want to apply the knowledge as soon as possible for the protection of public health through “one water” quantity and quality.

— Dr. James Malley, Jr. Join us!

STEAM Education You may be surprised to see the listing of STEAM education awards from the Women for Water Circle of Giving. The nine awardees received $15,000 and will impact over 500 students in five states, not to mention the communities those students will serve with their new knowledge.

WE recently connected with Senior Director, Engineering Asset Planning for American Water, Suzanne Chiavari. This executive uses her experience and acumen to support STEAM education in her AWWA New Jersey Section. For three years as the chair of the local Water Equation Committee, Suzanne has fundraised for and selected K-12 organizations to receive awards from the New Jersey Share the Love Campaign and the WE Women for Water Circle of Giving.

A 2022 recipient is STEAMpark, INC. Learn more about the awardees.

Suzanne said it was a pleasure to talk with each girl about how the STEAMpark program has inspired them to consider careers in STEM, including water resources and sustainability. Many studies have shown that the best time to talk about opportunities in STEM is during middle school years, so we were delighted to bring awareness to our industry as a STEM industry with many careers.

Community Engineering Corps Community Engineering Corps (CECorps) program staff and volunteers from American Water Works Association and Engineers Without Borders USA traveled to the small town of Weott, California (right outside of Humboldt Redwoods State Park), in early September to conduct a Preliminary Assessment of their drinking water and wastewater systems.

CECorps’ Preliminary Assessment framework was developed using guidance published in AWWA Partnership for Safe Water’s Self-Assessment for Distribution System Optimization and is utilized to quantify the technical, financial, and managerial challenges our community partners face and thoroughly scope our projects - setting our project teams up for success.

CECorps’ partnership with Weott began a few years ago when our volunteers assisted the community with addressing a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit violation associated with their leach field. We’re partnering again to support the community with their current service priorities and needs as they navigate a challenging leadership change.

CECorps is excited about working with the incredible leaders in Weott to support them in addressing the challenges they face with aging water and wastewater infrastructure.

Support Communities

Social Media Challenge Challenge your family and friends by shooting a 60-second (or less!) video to help Water Equation spread the word! Answer this one simple question: Why do you give?

Follow this link to easily upload video files/transmit them back to the WE team’s shared folder. No account/password is needed – it’s an open link.

Submit a video = WIN A PRIZE! If you do us a solid, we’ll ship a prize to your home or office. Contact Michelle Hektor (mhektor@awwa.org) for more information.

Giving Tuesday Save the date for November 28th!

Giving Tuesday reimagines a world built upon shared humanity and generosity. Every year in late November, WE collaborates with AWWA Sections and donors to inspire generosity, and you can easily make your donation to AWWA Water Equation’s website.

Giving Tuesday is the perfect time to think of others ahead of the holiday.

Make your donation and spread the news on social media!

Light Bulb Moment Thanks for your readership! Ideas? Advice? Questions? Comments?

Please email Michelle Hektor at mhektor@awwa.org. WE would love to hear from you!