Renewable energy, water reuse and water reclamation are just a few of the green topics that will be highlighted at WEFTEC.08, the Water Environment Federation’s (WEF) 81st annual technical exhibition and conference, set to take place this October in Chicago. Recognized as one of the greenest cities in America, Chicago is an ideal host city for the largest water quality conference in North America.
Just a few blocks from the conference at McCormick Place, WEF’s Student and Young Professionals Committee will kick off WEFTEC’s green activities on Saturday, Oct. 18 by hosting the “Gettin out of the Gutter” community service project, a collaborative effort between WEF, Chicago’s Center for Neighborhood Technology and the Illinois Water Environment Association Student Activities Committee. WEF members will work with the local community to construct rain gardens in Chicago’s Pulaski Park. By preventing storm water from entering the wastewater collection system, rain gardens provide an environmentally friendly method of reducing sewer overflows and recharging groundwater supplies.
From an educational standpoint, WEFTEC’s technical program will feature the following green technical sessions during the five-day event:
Monday, Oct. 20.Water Reuse Case Studies I, Advanced Water Reuse Treatment Technologies and Case Studies for Implementing Water Sustainability.
Tuesday, Oct. 21.Reclaimed Water Treatment Technologies, Green Power: Renewable Energy Options for Water and Wastewater Utilities and Wetlands as a Reuse Treatment Technology.
Wednesday, Oct. 22.Greenhouse Gases and Sustainability and Water Reuse Case Studies II.
Source: Water Environment Federation