Apply for the EWRI Student Technical Paper Competition

Deadline extended until February 2, 2009!

Students are invited to submit technical articles having to do with environmental and water resources to be included in the EWRI World Environmental & Water Resources Congress 2009. All submissions will be judged within a graduate and undergraduate division, and up to three individuals per group (six total) could be awarded cash prizes for their submissions.

In addition, first and second place winners in each of the categories is eligible to travel to the EWRI Congress in Kansas City, Missouri, May 17-21, 2009, to present their papers.

Previous winners of the EWRI Student Technical Paper Competition have hailed from schools such as the University of Alabama, University of Houston, Mississippi State University, Rowan University, and the University of Wisconsin, among others. EWRI values the participation and development of students and younger members, and the Institute looks forward to another strong year of involvement from those individuals.

For more information on the competion, click here to view the flyer, or contact Competition Chair, Kate Leonard, at leonard@eng.uah.edu.

January 7, 2009

EPA Reverses Honolulu Sewage Exemption

The Environmental Protection Agency directed Honolulu to improve its two biggest sewage treatment facilities after finding that wastewater discharged into the ocean fails to meet federal guidelines. Compliance with the order, which reverses nearly 20 years of EPA waivers exempting the plants, could cost the city $1.2 billion. Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said he will likely appeal the EPA's decision. The Honolulu Advertiser

January 6, 2009

Georgia City to Seperate Sewage, Storm Drain Systems

Storm drainage and sewage are presenting a major challenge to infrastructure in Albany, Ga. The federal government is requiring the city to separate sewage and storm drain systems. Officials hope President-elect Barack Obama's stimulus plan will fund the $130 million project, aimed at reducing pollution. WALB-TV (News 10) (Albany, GA)

January 5, 2009

Tennessee Spill Prompts Minnesota to Inspect Dikes

Minnesota engineers will inspect three dikes that hold coal-ash waste from power plants, officials say. An extensive ash-sludge spill last month in Tennessee prompted the decision to inspect the dikes, which stand 18 to 50 feet high. State officials say the dikes have not caused environmental problems, but two of the three do not have any inspections on record. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul)