WEFTEC.14: WEF to host series of community, student-focused events during weekend

ALEXANDRIA, VA, Sept. 25, 2014 -- The Water Environment Federation (WEF), in coordination with the City of New Orleans and the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, will host a series of engaging community and student-focused events as part of WEFTEC 2014 -- WEF's 87th annual technical exhibition and conference -- taking place Sept 27-Oct 1 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center (NOMCC) in New Orleans, La.

WEFTEC brings thousands of water professionals and water equipment manufacturers to New Orleans every other year through 2024. This year's event is expected to leave not only a positive economic impact on the city -- an estimated $21.1 million -- but will also seek to help inspire residents to the cause of clean water, underscore the importance of the water profession, and demonstrate simple ways for the community to engage in clean water initiatives.

Organized by WEF's Students & Young Professionals Committee, the Federation's special events have been developed to help promote environmental stewardship and raise awareness about the value of water, beginning with a green infrastructure construction project on Saturday, Sept. 27, in Conrad Park. Here is a list of the events occurring during the weekend:

Water Palooza: An event thatwill feature hands-on activities and demonstrations, Water Palooza is designed to connect the next generation with water and demonstrate how essential it is to everything and how we are all responsible for taking care of it. K-5 students will participate in a special assembly at Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School that will feature remarks from Charles Bell and showcase specially prepared water presentations by the students.

Students from Lusher Charter School will also enjoy a full program of fun and educational water awareness activities, such as making water cycle bracelets, dressing up as water professionals, and learning what can and cannot be flushed down a toilet. Demonstrations will encompass stormwater runoff; soil and plant filtration; rain barrel design and use; and water jug hauling, which will serve to provide a real-world perspective of water accessibility for children in developing nations

Assembly: Thurs., Sept. 25, 1:30-3 p.m., Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School, 4040 Eagle St. Water Palooza: Fri., Sept. 26, 10:15 a.m.-2:45 p.m., Lusher Charter School, 5624 Freret St.

Recharge, Restore, Revitalize Hollygrove: Conrad Park Green Infrastructure Improvements:This event is a community service project where 100 conference volunteers will install a series of rain gardens designed to remove pollutants and mitigate stormwater runoff from flood-prone Conrad Park. The students from Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School have also been invited to participate in a rain barrel painting project and to help place "No Dumping" decals around the park.

Featured speakers include: Susan G. Guidry, New Orleans councilmember (District A); Robert Miller, deputy executive director of the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans; WEF President Sandra Ralston; and WEF President-Elect Ed McCormick.

Sat., Sept. 27, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Location: 3400 Hamilton Street; transportation is provided. Buses will load curbside at the convention center's Hall H covered drive, departing promptly at 8:30 a.m.

Jammin' 4 Water: This is a WEFTEC-endorsed fundraising event for an array of water charities and public awareness projects/activities. Amateur musicians attending the conference provide the talent, while concert-goers provide a $50 donation.

Sat., Sept. 27, doors open at 6 p.m., and performances start at 7 p.m. House of Blues, 222 Decatur St. For more details and ticket information, visit www.jammin4water.org.

WEF Student Paper Competition: This event intends to promote the education of undergraduate and graduate students in a variety of water sector disciplines. Participants are tasked with writing a research paper, and the winners present their work during a special WEFTEC session in the WEF Learning Lounge.

Students from six U.S. universities will present their e-Posters on a variety of progressive topics, including cadmium absorption and accumulation, dual-batch reactors, "one-water" sustainable management, nitrate removal, osmosis, and remote sensing of water quality.

Sun., Sept. 28, 11a.m.-12 p.m. WEF Plaza, Hall G

WEF Student Design Competition: This eventwill feature the innovative work of student design teams from more than a dozen universities who will compete in two categories: Wastewater Design (hydraulic, capacity design, upgrades to existing systems, biosolids handling, etc.) and Environmental Design (contemporary engineering topics such as sustainability, water reuse, wetland construction, etc.).

Sun., Sept. 28, 8a.m.-3 p.m. Rooms 275-276, NOMCC

Students & Young Professionals Networking and Career Fair: This event serves to expand students' knowledge of career opportunities in the water sector; network with peers and top water business leaders; and acquire better interviewing skills. Top environmental firms from the U.S. and Canada looking to hire entry-level candidates will be on-hand to informally meet with students.

Mon., Sept. 29, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom A-B, NOMCC

Student registration for WEFTEC 2014 is complimentary for WEF student members and $30 for non-members with proper student ID. The student registration includes access to the above events, plus all technical sessions, the exhibition floor, the Stormwater Congress, and a copy of the conference proceedings. Note that Saturday's community service project is an open event and does not require registration.

"WEFTEC Video Showcase - Video Interviews"

About WEF

Founded in 1928, the Water Environment Federation is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 36,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. WEF members, Member Associations and staff proudly work to achieve our mission to provide bold leadership, champion innovation, connect water professionals, and leverage knowledge to support clean and safe water worldwide. For more information, visit www.wef.org.

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