WEAT and WEF Young Professionals seek to host and promote professional development events to unlock opportunities for those new or newer to the industry to participate in WEAT events and become part of the WEAT team. There is an emphasis on professional growth and community service through networking, technical, and community service events.
Student Membership Information
Mentoring Program:
The 2023 Mentoring Program (a partnership between WEAT & TAWWA) is open until May 17, 2023.
Mentees can be young professionals or mid-career professionals seeking a support system for success and an accelerant for professional development! Mentors can range from young professionals willing to mentor college seniors and experienced professionals with decades of experience to offer.
If you would like more information, please contact Justin Halter at Justin.Halter@stvinc.com.
Interested in participating in the Student Design Competition of Texas Water2023? Check out the prompt below!
The Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is Austin’s largest WWTP. It is located 6 miles east of downtown Austin and serves north & central Austin. There are several industrial users on its system that contribute disproportionately large loads of ammonia with low concentrations of organics. Walnut Creek WWTP is a conventional activated sludge plant that utilizes a pseudo-Ludzack-Ettinger process to improve denitrification. It has reached 75% of its permitted annual average daily flow (AADF), initiating the need for the design of a plant expansion per TCEQ requirements. As a result of the expansion, a new phosphorus limit and nitrate reporting necessitate conversion to a biological nutrient removal (BNR) process. To accommodate increasing flows associated with population growth, the City of Austin is tasking teams with planning and designing for an expansion of 25 MGD to a total capacity of 100 MGD and converting the Conventional Activated Sludge (CAS) system to a BNR system at the Walnut Creek WWTP. With the conversion to BNR, Walnut Creek’s sludge will have a significant increase in the concentration of phosphorus.
Walnut Creek currently contributes approximately 50% of the influent flow to the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant (BMP). To prevent Hornsby Bend’s ponds and solids processes from becoming a phosphorus sink, the facility needs to implement phosphorus sequestration technology to remove phosphorus from the process streams and find an end-use or disposal method. Teams are to submit a preliminary design report (PDR) providing the city with design concepts and recommendations.
If your students compete, they will have the opportunity to present in front of other professionals in our industry and develop their technical and leadership skills. Additionally, the competition provides a means for students to distinguish themselves in an increasingly competitive job market. Each team will be paired with a mentor who works in the industry and will be a great resource for the students to talk through their designs. An official entry form must be submitted to the Design Competition Chairs by September 23, 2022.
Additional Information