Water Environment Association of Utah
Annual Conference, April 17th-20th, 2007

We had a great annual conference in St. George, and WEAU thanks all of you participants and sponsors and volunteers who helped make this 50th Anniversary a well-attended and stimulating experience!

The conference began with Tuesday's pre-conference on pandemics and how to prepare. Then conference went into full swing with heavy attendance over the next three days at 57 presentations on subjects ranging from State DWQ regulatory perspectives on phosphorus removal to practical training on pumps to risk management in disaster preparation. And the exhibit hall was filled almost to overflowing, each exhibitor eager to tell about their equipment, services and know-how.

To further spice up the experience, Jon Schladweiler, historian for the Arizona WPCA, during the Opening Luncheon gave a visual tour through the history of sanitation from ancient times to our times. Truly, in protecting public health, good sanitation is the foundation of modern civilization.

On Thursday evening the Awards Banquet included three new inductees into the Society of S. Shovelers – Mark Ogren, Myron Bachman, and Cory Christiansen each proved to the satisfaction of the Society their ability to both shovel and flush!

The banquet also included awards for outstanding operators at five sewer districts; and awards for several districts for safety, biosolids, laboratory and plant operations. These are dedicated individuals and utilities who do their best to serve the public, and once a year get to test their skills against those from other districts.

Lyle Ford privileged us with his presence at the conference. Lyle is one of the founding members of what would later become WEAU, and was recognized by Sharon Siebold for his historic role in the organization.

During the Awards Banquet J. Michael Read, WEF Representative and 2005-2006 President, spoke on our responsibility to help those in need of clean water and sanitation in other countries. He named specifically Water For People, which WEF national leaders encourage members to support.

Mr. Read also awarded Dr. Robert Okey the Arthur Sydney Bedell Award for his many years of meritorious service to the environmental community, and lauded his efforts to promote research into EDCs via his "Sex and Chemistry" series of presentations.

As one of the final acts of the conference, Kevin Cowan handed over the reins of WEAU to incoming President Sharon Siebold, and we look forward to a great 2007-2008 with her leadership! In short, it was a great conference, informative, fun, and we hope to see you next time at the Mid-Year Conference!

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