The 80^th Annual International Water Conference was a celebration that took place on November 10-14, 2019 in Orlando, FL. It brought together over 900 end users, researchers, practicing engineers, educators, suppliers and contractors from 25 countries to learn unbiased details about the latest applications available in the industry, get educated on current technology, and hold wide ranging discussions with their peers active in water treatment.

The conference opened on Sunday with an IWC Golf Outing “Scramble” at the Disney Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. Additionally, three Continuing Education Workshops were available for attendees to get one on one instruction from professional instructors. Following these activities, we officially opened the IWC Indoor and Outdoor Exhibits at the Get Acquainted Reception, along with a special “birthday cake” to celebrate the 80th Anniversary IWC!

The Conference program officially opened on Monday morning with four early morning technical sessions. The morning concluded with the IWC Keynote Session, featuring keynote presenter Charles Fishman, author of The Big Thirst, who delivered an interesting address to more than 300 attendees. In addition, the IWC Annual Awards were presented (for full details, visit: https://eswp.com/water/awards/). Following the Keynote Session, a strolling buffet luncheon was provided throughout the IWC Exhibit Hall,  then four technical sessions filled out the afternoon. On Monday evening, attendees traveled to the Wyndam Hotel at Lake Buena Vista for the 80^th Anniversary Dinner. IWC Executive Committee Member Mike Soller, serving as Master of Ceremonies for the Dinner, invited three IWC Alumni to share what the IWC means to them. To end the night, the comedy improv group “We Bring the Funny” entertained the crowd by bringing IWC attendees to the stage to entertain the audience.

Technical Sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday morning were filled with 48 additional presentations; all carefully peer-reviewed for quality and to ensure they are non-commercialism. Presentations at the IWC are followed by a Prepared Discussion-a thoroughly considered, different perspective on the topic. Each session would end with an open floor discussion when all audience members and presenters can fully interact-ask questions, seek clarification, and raise alternative viewpoints. Along the way, luncheons and receptions gave attendees additional opportunities to network with one another and visit with Exhibitors to continue the learning experience. Following the conference proper, attendees could stay on for 18 additional Workshops offered on Wednesday afternoon thru Thursday. To view the Technical Program and Workshop content, visit: https://eswp.com/water/overview/)

Overall, we want to thank all the attendees, sponsors, and committee members for contributing to a successful conference and we hope to see you for the 81^st Annual International Water Conference taking place on November 8-12, 2020 at the Marriot Rivercenter in San Antonio, TX.

In September of 2019, the Goethals Bridge was recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in Pittsburgh, PA. for the 2019 Project Excellence Award in the Large Project category. The Project Owner, Port Authority of NY/NJ used a P3 project delivery model for this $1.5B Project. The new Goethals Bridge is a dual cable-stayed bridge with a 900-foot main span and roughly 7,000-foot-long prestressed concrete girder approaches. The new bridge carries westbound and eastbound traffic independently and with built-in structural and operational redundancy. The bridge accommodates a future mass transit corridor that can be created by stitching together the eastbound and westbound spans by way of steel framing to accommodate either light rail transit or bus rapid transit without additional in-water work or foundations for the main bridge. The Developer was NY/NJ Link – MacQuarie Infrastructures Real Assets.  The construction joint venture was Kiewit/Weeks Marine and Massman.  The lead designer for the project was Parsons Transportation Group Inc. with Design Manager, Seth Condell, PE, LEED AP and Bridge Engineer of Record, Thomas Spoth, PE.  Accepting the award on behalf of the project team was Joseph DiFiore, PE.

Trumbull Project Executive John Nemmer recently rappelled down 22 stories as part of Over the Edge, an event that raises money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Western PA & WV Chapter. The Society offered John a spot as a “thank you” for providing a special project tour for a 3-year-old leukemia patient back in August. Although John has rappelled before, this event was different — something tells us he’ll go back Over the Edge in 2019!  (Photos provided by PJ Dick, Trumbull and Lindy Paving)

Civil Engineering Professor Kent Harries Named ASCE Fellow

PITTSBURGH (Oct. 18, 2019) — Kent Harries, PhD, FASCE, FACI, P.Eng., associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering, was elected a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) this month. The Fellow status, FASCE, signifies members of the organization who have made celebrated contributions to the field and developed creative solutions that have enhanced lives. Fellows make up just three percent of ASCE’s members.

The election recognizes Harries’ work on international standards-writing committees and on the use of nonconventional materials, like carbon and glass fiber-reinforced polymers, for structural repair, the structural application of full-culm bamboo, and his design-oriented teaching that teaches students to use both conventional and nonconventional materials.

Harries’ research interests also include the seismic design and retrofit of building structures, the design and behavior of high-rise structures, applications of full-scale structural testing and the history and philosophy of science and technology. He received his bachelor’s, master’s and PhD in civil engineering – structures from McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

Harries currently serves as a vice-president of IIFC, Senior Editor of Journal of Construction and Building Materials, chair of ACI Committee 440F (Repair of Concrete with FRP) and on numerous other U.S. and international codes and standards development committees including ASCE FCAPS. Harries is presently leading the effort to revise ISO 22156 Bamboo Structural Design. A Fellow of both ACI and IIFC, Harries is a professional engineer in Ontario, Canada, and was Leverhulme Visiting Professor at the University of Bath (UK) in 2018.

As summer comes to an end, ESWP hosted their 4th Annual YMF Summer Social at the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania on September 6, 2019.

This end of summer event was co-hosted by seven different professional organizations: ASCE, ASHE, Engineers Without Borders, PSPE, Tau Beta Pi, SAME, and WTS Pittsburgh Chapters. At this event, 75 young professionals met to network and learn about the various technical societies in the Greater Pittsburgh Area. At the event, ESWP did a 50/50 raffle to benefit Bridges to Prosperity. Bridges to Prosperity work with isolated communities to create access to essential health care, education and economic opportunities by building footbridges over impassable rivers. We also offered door prizes to each person that attended. The door prizes were provided by each of the participating organizations.

We are proud and excited to bring together a community of young professionals to network and look forward to continuing this effort. We hope to see you at ESWP’s next event visit, https://eswp.com/events/.

Congratulations to Cameron Bunner, on being selected as the recipient of the ESWP 2019-2020 Members Scholarship valued at $2,500.00.

Cameron is a 2019 graduate of Canon-McMillan High School, where he graduated #1 in his class. Cameron now attends the Penn State University in State College, PA, where he majors in Biomedical Engineering, Cameron is the son of ESWP Member Mathew Bunner. Congratulations Cameron!

WQED’s pilot summer camp of Design Lives Here (DLH) kicked off on August 1, 2019 with the support of ESWP.

WQED partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Western PA and South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) on the pilot program. With materials provided by WQED both groups earlier completed DLH Challenges prior to coming together for a day of engineering challenges in the WQED studios. Design Lives Here activities are inspired by the popular PBS KIDS program and website, Design Squad Nation.  For more information on Design Lives Here, visit https://www.wqed.org/education/designliveshere. Photos provided by WQED Edu.

The ESWP Annual Golf Outing returned to Treesdale Golf & Country Club, in Gibsonia, PA on Monday, July 22, 2019….

It turned out to be a great day for the 71 players. Despite the rain prior to and during the first hour of golf, the weather was cooperative and the sun came out at the end of the outing. Players enjoyed great golf, food and fellowship, all benefiting ESWP’s Student Outreach Activities. Following dinner, Event Chair Wayne Johnson distributed the team and skill prizes. Thanks to all of our sponsors and raffle prized donors for helping to make the event a big success! Photos from the event (coming soon) and all the winners are here. We hope to see you at our next event!