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.
Young Professionals & Students
Justin Halter
YP Committee Chair and WEAT/TAWWA Mentoring Program Co-Chair
Mentoring Program (closed to new applicants):
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.
Student Design Competition
The WEAT Student Design Competition gives students the opportunity to design and present improvements to a real-world wastewater treatment plant. Every fall, students compete to represent WEAT at the WEFTEC Student Design Competition. The prompts focus on different problems within the public utility, and designs must meet TCEQ permit requirements.
Previous universities that have participated in the Student Design Competition include Texas Tech University, University of Houston, Texas A&M University, Lamar University, Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas at Austin, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, LeTourneau University, and Louisiana State University.
Contact committee co-chairs Daniel Roberts (droberts@cpyi.com) or Tori Haugvoll (haugvollt@bv.com) for more information.
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 InformationThe WEAT/WEF InFLOW, Introducing Future Leaders to Opportunities in Water, is a program to enhance diversity and inclusion in the water workforce. Overall, the InFLOW program for students aims to provide students with the skills, experience, and connections they need to succeed in their chosen field after graduation. Additional information can be found at www.weat.org/inflow
Part of InFLOW takes place at Texas Water 2023, with the InFLOW Panel, an opportunity to have small and meaningful conversations with program supporters, mentors, and future employers, and tours around the exhibit hall.
We are looking for organizations like yours to join us as a sponsor to support outreach to diverse groups of up-and-coming professionals as we encourage and help prepare them for future water careers. The program is designed to help students gain practical skills and experience in our industry while connecting them with potential employers. Our sponsors have multiple opportunities to be recognized as part of our year-long InFLOW Program. Consider sponsoring to grow our future leaders in Water!
InFLOW Sponsorship Information
Daniel Roberts
Student Design Competition Co-Chair
