Kathryn Gies

West Yost Associates
First Place
 San Francisco Bay Section

Kathryn Gies, with West Yost Associates, has over 16 years of experience in planning and regulatory compliance support for wastewater treatment and recycled water projects. Kathryn’s areas of expertise include planning; process design; biological nutrient removal (BNR) systems; natural wastewater treatment; sustainable infrastructure; NPDES and biosolids regulatory permitting; recycled water master planning; and groundwater quality studies. She has completed facilities planning and comprehensive Master Plans for a number of wastewater treatment facilities throughout northern California. Her design experience includes process modeling. Kathryn has a detailed, current knowledge of permitting issues in California and a productive working relationship with the Regional Board staff. She has been involved with CWEA since 2002, serving in many roles including Treasurer for the San Francisco Bay Section and most recently joined CWEA’s state board as Director. She also served on the Education Planning Team for AC18 and is chairing the committee for AC20.

Purpose

The Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers (5S) is used by water environment associations (i.e., those working with sewage and sewage treatment) to honour those who have made a particular contribution to the industry.

Pennsylvania started the High Hat Society in 1937 and used the words "Sludge Shovelers Society" in its initiation ceremony. Later, this became known as the Ted Moses Sludge Shovelers Society. The second Chapter of the Five S Society was formed in Arizona in October 1940, the idea being conceived by A.W. "Dusty" Miller and F. Carlyle Roberts, Jr. There are chapters in many of the United States and in Canada, as well as the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

5S chapters do not accept applications, but select potential members. Each inductee receives a badge in the form of a gold tie bar in the shape of a round-nosed shovel.

5S recognizes individuals active in protecting the water environment through participation in Local, State, and/or Federal sponsored activities. 

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