IAWPCO, INC

Greetings From President Frank McPherson

           Welcome to our 75th Anniversary year.  IAWPCO's 75th committee and program committee are preparing a fantastic conference for April 19-22, 2010.
 
          We are looking for memorabilia from the past, i.e. letters, documents, pictures, etc. so we can put together a booklet.  Contact your board members with any help you can provide.
 
          This is the perfect year to expand our membership.  I know the local operator groups are more involved with IAWPCO, as it should be.  By networking with each other we can be more professional and also educate our communities and our congressmen.
 
          IAWPCO has always been an operators association and will continue to be the leader in the state.  I am very honored and proud to be President and I look forward to seeing all of you in Springfield in April.
 

Frank McPherson
President 2009-2010

A WORD FROM THE 2010 CONFERENCE PROGRAM CHAIR - GREG GARBS

         The program committee is really excited about the upcoming IAWPCO 75th Annual Conference in April at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, Illinois.  The conference program has a twofold purpose.  The first is to assist the operator to understand the treatment processes.  The second is to make the best operational choices to protect the environment.  The program committee has been hard at work diligently planning and putting together a program of value to all.  75 years!  I’ve only been around for the last 24 of them but what a ride!  If you see any member of the Board, please give them a resounding “Thank You” for bringing the organization to where it is today!  The IAWPCO has always been an organization of the operator, for the operator, and by the operator. 
         

           The pre-conference workshop will be on Monday, April 19. The workshop runs from 10 am to 3 pm with an hour break for lunch.  The workshop title is “Bugs and Sludge” presented by the talented Tracy Finnegan of Environmental Leverage.  The program centers on the microscopic examination of sludge.  The variety and species is an indicator of the quality of the treatment.  If you can, send one of your newer operators to take advantage of this training. The bulk of the program is topics near and dear to our hearts.  The program includes the obligatory IEPA topics including updates on Storm Water Regulations, Compliance and Enforcement, and CSO Long Term Control Plans.  Prairie Rivers Network has been invited to give a topic on WWTP Expansion Anti-degradation Implementation.

           “The Nuts and Bolts about Amps and Volts” promises to satisfy your need to know about electrical maintenance.   The program committee even has a 2 hour certification exam review modeled after the ERTC Short School scheduled for Wednesday.  Last years flooding caused much damage to many facilities around our State.  What financial aid is available out there and what agencies need to be contacted.  Attend the Wednesday afternoon sessions to find out.  We have personnel from IEMA, ILWARN, and IPWMAN to explain.  An interesting phenomenon is occurring in our industry.  Designers, planners and operators are actually getting together to collaborate on designing a facility that will really work!  Find out how you can be a part of the process by attending the Wednesday afternoon session “Engineer and Operator Cooperation”.  If all that doesn’t float your boat, attend the BNR Start up session on Wednesday.  The program is sure to provide valuable information to all.

           The program committee is composed of the executive board, Harold Harty, Andy Warmus, Bill Busch, Sam McNeilly, Bob Voss, and Paul Shetley.  If you see any of these folks, give them a warm “thank you, hardy handshake, and a pat on the back”.  The committee members have done a masterful job planning and organizing this event.  Plan to attend the 75th Annual Conference in April 19 thru 22, 2010 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield.