The California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) has been named the winner of the 2021 Pollution Prevention Award for leading efforts to pass state legislation in October that will require “Do Not Flush” warnings on packaging for baby wipes, cleaning wipes and cosmetic wipes, and will compel manufacturers to educate the public on the harmful...

View all coronavirus stories > Testing wastewater for RNA strands of the coronavirus might tell local officials how widespread COVID-19 is in their community and whether infections are rising or falling. Known as “sewer surveillance” or “wastewater epidemiology” – wastewater professionals are once again working to protect public health. In November, the State Water Board...

CWEA’s President-Elect, Megan Yoo Schneider has been elected the 2022 President of The Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC). Director Schneider was first elected to the MWDOC Board in November 2016 and re-elected in 2020. She represents MWDOC Division 7, which serves the cities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna...

The Truckee Sanitary District (TSD) is proud to announce that it has received the 2021 WEFTEC Operator Ingenuity Award from the Water Environment Federation. The award recognizes TSD for developing a novel product to reduce infiltration and inflow in the sewer collection system thus preventing spills, backups, regulatory fines, and worker injuries. The product was...

Wastewater collection systems are valuable assets to their communities and play a crucial role in public and environmental health. However, their value is often under-recognized and under-appreciated, leading to inadequate reinvestment and insufficient resources for the proper management of these systems. Wastewater Collection Systems Management, MOP 7 is designed to address these challenges and to...

CWEA has launched the new exams for the Collection System Maintenance Certification Grades 1 – 4 and Mechanical Technologist Certification Grades 1 – 4. Under the new Minimum Qualifications, applicants will need to hold the lower level certification to qualify for the Grade 3 or 4 exam. The new Minimum Qualifications will allow CWEA exams...

SCCWRP and its partners have found that variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus – including mutations found in the virus’s Eta variant lineage – can be detected in wastewater influent streams across Southern California using next-generation DNA sequencing methods. The proof-of-concept study, published in September by the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology, was able to strongly correlate viral levels in...

EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region announced approval of an innovative, quick turn-around DNA-based method to evaluate bacteria in San Diego County beach water. The San Diego County rapid test is the first demonstration of the use of this method for routine beach monitoring in the world. This method was developed for beach use by the Southern...

As part of its continued commitment to empowering future, diverse generations of industry leaders with financial aid, global design firm Stantec has launched the Stantec Equity & Diversity Scholarship Program. Designed to positively impact to historically underrepresented groups while fostering a more balanced workforce in the architecture, engineering, and consulting services industry; the program is...

Ten new valves are allowing Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility staff to more effectively operate the site’s five aeration basins, a critical step in the wastewater treatment process. The aeration basins (208 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 15 feet deep) are part of secondary wastewater treatment. They provide oxygen for the millions of beneficial microscopic...