Shyam S. Mohanka, Ph. D., P.E., BCEE
Civil & Environmental Engineer
A great deal has been accomplished over the last year at the New York Section AWWA (NYSAWWA) and much remains to be done. My commitment to the NYSAWWA in 2008-09 was to focus on the existing programs and activities including proposed new initiatives that would give us a direction and a road map to achieve our long term goals. The Section’s long term goals were established in 2005 and many hard working volunteers are making progress on the key issues identified in the Long Term Goals.
In my 30 years of leadership positions with the NYSAWWA, I have experienced very few years where so much has been accomplished by so many. We are tackling the major challenge of losing many of our members to retirement by working closely with the AWWA, to forge a link with potential student members. We are establishing student chapters at RPI, Troy and SUNY ESF, Syracuse. Through these chapters we will encourage graduates to follow a path leading to careers in water profession.
Although our financial health is fine now, we must not forget that we are in the midst of the worst worldwide financial crisis since the great depression and it has impacted each and everyone in our community. If we are hurting, think of what is happening to others. In order that we continue to provide educational opportunities (Training Seminars, Tifft Symposium), programs (Annual Water Event, Summer Workshop and Board Meetings) and supporting activities ( WFP Golf Tournament, Fly in Delegates to Washington D.C., Publish Aquarius two times a year, Maintain our newly established Section’s Website, Support our Section Staff with adequate compensation and resources to do the job, NYSAWWA Reception at the ACE, AWWA Workshop, RMSO and ACE meetings, Support for Top ops, Best Tasting Water Contest and Meter Madness Competitions at the ACE and other associated services) this year and in the future, we must dig deeper to help. We have through our “Water for People” program major opportunities to influence the history of the world (How about millions of children saved from waterborne disease and malnutrition). These marks come with a price tag and therefore, we need your commitment to support the section’s efforts with your generosity and contribution.
I hope to conclude my term as the Section Chair with a great deal of satisfaction regarding the 2008-09 initiatives and future vision plan (Grow membership & retain current members, establish long range training plan for New York State, educate K-12 and college students on careers in water supply, strengthen relationship with LWWC, plan for 100th anniversary celebration in 2014 and develop leaders capable of serving in NYSAWWA and beyond) that has been recommended to the board for consideration. I look forward to serving on the Board as Past Chair during the term 2009-10 and as a member of several committees (100th Anniversary, Education Fund, Awards and Trustee Nominating) in future years. Given the names of those who have historically served as the Section Chair of this great organization, I am humbled by the opportunity you have given me to serve in that role in 2008-09.
WATER FACTS, NEWS, IQ & TIPS
Water Facts (The Global Water Crisis): Almost two in three people lacking access to clean water live on less than $ 2.00 a day. Poor people living in the slums often pay 5-10 times more for per liter of water than wealthy people living in the same city.
A great deal has been accomplished over the last year at the New York Section AWWA (NYSAWWA) and much remains to be done. My commitment to the NYSAWWA in 2008-09 was to focus on the existing programs and activities including proposed new initiatives that would give us a direction and a road map to achieve our long term goals. The Section’s long term goals were established in 2005 and many hard working volunteers are making progress on the key issues identified in the Long Term Goals.
In my 30 years of leadership positions with the NYSAWWA, I have experienced very few years where so much has been accomplished by so many. We are tackling the major challenge of losing many of our members to retirement by working closely with the AWWA, to forge a link with potential student members. We are establishing student chapters at RPI, Troy and SUNY ESF, Syracuse. Through these chapters we will encourage graduates to follow a path leading to careers in water profession.
Although our financial health is fine now, we must not forget that we are in the midst of the worst worldwide financial crisis since the great depression and it has impacted each and everyone in our community. If we are hurting, think of what is happening to others. In order that we continue to provide educational opportunities (Training Seminars, Tifft Symposium), programs (Annual Water Event, Summer Workshop and Board Meetings) and supporting activities ( WFP Golf Tournament, Fly in Delegates to Washington D.C., Publish Aquarius two times a year, Maintain our newly established Section’s Website, Support our Section Staff with adequate compensation and resources to do the job, NYSAWWA Reception at the ACE, AWWA Workshop, RMSO and ACE meetings, Support for Top ops, Best Tasting Water Contest and Meter Madness Competitions at the ACE and other associated services) this year and in the future, we must dig deeper to help. We have through our “Water for People” program major opportunities to influence the history of the world (How about millions of children saved from waterborne disease and malnutrition). These marks come with a price tag and therefore, we need your commitment to support the section’s efforts with your generosity and contribution.
I hope to conclude my term as the Section Chair with a great deal of satisfaction regarding the 2008-09 initiatives and future vision plan (Grow membership & retain current members, establish long range training plan for New York State, educate K-12 and college students on careers in water supply, strengthen relationship with LWWC, plan for 100th anniversary celebration in 2014 and develop leaders capable of serving in NYSAWWA and beyond) that has been recommended to the board for consideration. I look forward to serving on the Board as Past Chair during the term 2009-10 and as a member of several committees (100th Anniversary, Education Fund, Awards and Trustee Nominating) in future years. Given the names of those who have historically served as the Section Chair of this great organization, I am humbled by the opportunity you have given me to serve in that role in 2008-09.
WATER FACTS, NEWS, IQ & TIPS
Water Facts (The Global Water Crisis): Almost two in three people lacking access to clean water live on less than $ 2.00 a day. Poor people living in the slums often pay 5-10 times more for per liter of water than wealthy people living in the same city.
Water-Related Disease Facts (The Global Water Crisis): The water and sanitation crisis claims more lives through disease than any war claims through guns.
Drinking Water Factoids (EPA Publication “Factoids Drinking Water & Ground Water Statistics for 2008”): There are approximately 155,000 public water systems in the U.S. There are approximately 52,000 community water systems, but just 8% of those systems (4143) serve 82 % of the people. In 2008, 92% of systems met or exceeded drinking water standards, up from 79% in 1993. For regulations that were in place prior to 2001, nearly 95% of systems met the targets.
AWWA News Release (March 17, 2009): As part of its ongoing commitment to encourage efficient use of water resources, the AWWA, today announced it will partner with the Water Smart Innovations Conference and Exposition, October 7-9, 2009, in Las Vegas.
AWWA News Release (March 18, 2009): The AWWA will host its fifth annual career Fair for students, young professionals and job seekers from 1-4 p.m. June 16 during AWWA’s Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE09) at the San Diego Convention Center.
AWWA News Release (March 20, 2009): The AWWA today joined the United Nations and water advocates throughout the world in recognizing the 16th annual World Water Day on March 22, 2009. Eighty-five Water Day events have been planned across 27 countries as of this release. The United States and Canada will hold 37 such events, the most of any region in the world. More information on world Water Day 2009 can be found at http://www.worldwaterday.org/
AWWA & NYSAWWA MILESTONES (1990 -2009)
1990 – AWWA membership reaches 51,955. AWWA & AWWARF develop Water Industry Data Base, forerunner to Water Stats. E.Coli 0157:H7 in water system suspected as cause of disease outbreak in Cabool, MO.
1991 – February, Water for People (WFP) founded by AWWA. USEPA promulgates Lead & Copper Rule; implementation issues nearly precipitate state primacy crisis.
1992 – AWWA launches Water Week. Water supply suspected in cryptosporidiosis outbreak in Medford, Ore.
1993 – Cryptosporidium outbreak in Milwaukee. 370,000 were ill, and 110 deaths reported. This was the largest outbreak of waterborne disease in modern US record.
1994 – AWWA Annual Conference was held in New York City, New York. .
1994 – Manoj Ajmera was the first recipient of the AWWA Platinum Presidential Award from New York Section for membership recruitment
1995 – December, AWWA membership grows to 54,100. AWWA joins with USEPA and other organizations to establish the partnership for Safe Water. AWWA goes online with
1996 – SDWA reauthorized.
1997 – Flooding inundates water facilities in North Dakota and Minnesota. AWWA produces award-winning youth education videos starring Ethel Mermaid and Tad Pole.
1998 – Bacteriological water quality issues on the forefront with the promulgation of the Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment and Stage I Disinfection By-Products Rules. Giardia, Crypto breakthroughs at Sydney water plant brings worldwide attention. Y2K concerns prompt utilities to action.
1999 – December 31, Utilities prepare for possible Y2K computer malfunctions. 199 marks the 25th anniversary of SDWA.
2000 – AWWA membership reaches 56, 825. Walkerton, Ontario crypto reported outbreak.
2001 – As a result of September 11 terrorist attack water utilities tighten security measures. Filter Backwash Rule promulgated.
2002 – Bio-terrorism Act requires water systems serving 3,300 or more people to conduct vulnerability assessments and complete emergency response plans.
2003 – Long- 2 Enhanced SWTR and the Stage 2 DPD Rule are proposed.
2004 – AWWA Journal celebrates 90th anniversary. Journal circulation reaches 46,300.
2005 – Twenty-first edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water & Wastewater published.
2006 – AWWA membership stands at 57,566. AWWA celebrates 125th anniversary.
2008 – Jeff Zdrojewski was elected AWWA Vice-President from New York Section
2009 - Effective January 2009 AWWA initiated a new biweekly electronic newsletter “AWWA Streamlines” , merging E-Mainstream and Water Week and expanding AWWA’s strong news coverage to more members.
EVENTS CALENDAR
April 21-23, 2009 – New York’s Water Event ’09 in Saratoga Springs, New York
May 6-7, 2009 – AWWA Seminar on Water Demand and Conservation Management: Planning, Policy, and Rates, Orlando, Fla.
May 20-21, 2009 – AWWA Seminar on Distribution System Assessment and Rehabilitation, Charlotte, N.C
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Jeanne Cooke (Mountain View Mobile Home Park)
AWWA & NYSAWWA MILESTONES (1990 -2009)
1990 – AWWA membership reaches 51,955. AWWA & AWWARF develop Water Industry Data Base, forerunner to Water Stats. E.Coli 0157:H7 in water system suspected as cause of disease outbreak in Cabool, MO.
1991 – February, Water for People (WFP) founded by AWWA. USEPA promulgates Lead & Copper Rule; implementation issues nearly precipitate state primacy crisis.
1992 – AWWA launches Water Week. Water supply suspected in cryptosporidiosis outbreak in Medford, Ore.
1993 – Cryptosporidium outbreak in Milwaukee. 370,000 were ill, and 110 deaths reported. This was the largest outbreak of waterborne disease in modern US record.
1994 – AWWA Annual Conference was held in New York City, New York. .
1994 – Manoj Ajmera was the first recipient of the AWWA Platinum Presidential Award from New York Section for membership recruitment
1995 – December, AWWA membership grows to 54,100. AWWA joins with USEPA and other organizations to establish the partnership for Safe Water. AWWA goes online with
1996 – SDWA reauthorized.
1997 – Flooding inundates water facilities in North Dakota and Minnesota. AWWA produces award-winning youth education videos starring Ethel Mermaid and Tad Pole.
1998 – Bacteriological water quality issues on the forefront with the promulgation of the Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment and Stage I Disinfection By-Products Rules. Giardia, Crypto breakthroughs at Sydney water plant brings worldwide attention. Y2K concerns prompt utilities to action.
1999 – December 31, Utilities prepare for possible Y2K computer malfunctions. 199 marks the 25th anniversary of SDWA.
2000 – AWWA membership reaches 56, 825. Walkerton, Ontario crypto reported outbreak.
2001 – As a result of September 11 terrorist attack water utilities tighten security measures. Filter Backwash Rule promulgated.
2002 – Bio-terrorism Act requires water systems serving 3,300 or more people to conduct vulnerability assessments and complete emergency response plans.
2003 – Long- 2 Enhanced SWTR and the Stage 2 DPD Rule are proposed.
2004 – AWWA Journal celebrates 90th anniversary. Journal circulation reaches 46,300.
2005 – Twenty-first edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water & Wastewater published.
2006 – AWWA membership stands at 57,566. AWWA celebrates 125th anniversary.
2008 – Jeff Zdrojewski was elected AWWA Vice-President from New York Section
2009 - Effective January 2009 AWWA initiated a new biweekly electronic newsletter “AWWA Streamlines” , merging E-Mainstream and Water Week and expanding AWWA’s strong news coverage to more members.
EVENTS CALENDAR
April 21-23, 2009 – New York’s Water Event ’09 in Saratoga Springs, New York
May 6-7, 2009 – AWWA Seminar on Water Demand and Conservation Management: Planning, Policy, and Rates, Orlando, Fla.
May 20-21, 2009 – AWWA Seminar on Distribution System Assessment and Rehabilitation, Charlotte, N.C
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Jeanne Cooke (Mountain View Mobile Home Park)
Robert M. Fuchs
Michael Goodwin (Saratoga Springs City School District)
Louis J. Ingrassia (Town of Wallkill Water & Sewer Dept.)
Robert Lecher (RepLogix LLC)
Seth J. Schneider (Malcolm Pirnie Inc.)
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
FAR AWAY THERE IN THE SUNSHINE ARE MY HIGHEST ASPIRATIONS. I MAY NOT REACH THEM BUT I CAN LOOK UP AND SEE THEIR BEAUTY, BELIEVE IN THEM, AND TRY TO FOLLOW THEM. Louisa May Alcott
