Year Eight – 2010

Return To Annual Reports Index

Strategic Plan and 2010 Annual Report
By Scott J. Kendzierski, M.S., R.E.H.S. Board Chair.

2010 brought difficult times to northwest Michigan.
Many communities witnessed soaring foreclosures, job losses and economic cut backs. Regional public health agencies shared that impossible task of trying to meet an ever increasing need with an ever shrinking source of revenue.
2010 was especially difficult for WasteWater Education as we granted our Executive Director extended Family Leave to deal with a serious medical condition.
However, while not able to travel, the Executive Director was able to work via our virtual office and to devote time to what any mission driven organization must have – a comprehensive Long Range Strategic Plan.
We have begun to implement the identified goals and outputs of that plan. A copy may be viewed or downloaded here from our redesigned web site.

As we prepare our education activities and events for 2011, I am constantly reminded of the immediate need for what this organization does. Education.
Water, clean water, is our most precious resource. It defines this region. It defines the economy of this region. It affects every aspect of our quality of life.
Far too often we see water use pigeon holed in to silos – ground; surface; storm; drinking; wastewater; watersheds. Water is a reusable, recyclable resource and wastewater is part of that cycle. It is everyone’s responsibility to return clean, treated, safe water to that cycle.
Our Mission is to provide access to the wealth of knowledge, research, case studies, cost assessment tools, site assessment tools and professional expertise that is readily available from our many partners. In these tough times, especially, it is unconscionable to reinvent the wheel.
WasteWater Education has evolved to become a valuable resource working in collaboration with, and in support of our regional environmental health agencies:
To increase awareness that water quality is directly linked to the use of appropriate wastewater systems and their management.
Scott J. Kendzierski, M.S., R.E.H.S. Board Chair.

Read the full 2010 Report below

In 2010 we launched our online guest seminars.

2010 online education series was entitled “Are We There Yet?
Solutions For Water Sustainability In the 21st.Century.”
The inaugural lecture was given by our Technical Consultant
Richard Otis P.E Ph.D., DEE. current President National Onsite
Wastewater Recycling Association. (NOWRA). An edited podcast is
available below.

Watershed Based Risk Management

Al Alwan, Ph.D.Water Quality Branch, Water Division, Environmental
Protection Agency Region 5: Alternative Approaches to Address
Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCP) Environmental Fate.
On September 23 we presented this distance learning seminar on the consequences to the environment both from customary use and improper disposal of PPCP’s.
“On September 25, 2010, US Drug Enforcement Agency coordinated a
collaborative effort with state and local law enforcement agencies to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation’s medicine cabinets. The National Take-Back Day provided an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical
controlled substances and other medications for destruction. These drugs are a potential source of supply for illegal use and an unacceptable risk to public health and safety.”

And – Herbert T. Buxton – U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Toxic
Substances Hydrology Program Coordinator. A review of recently
completed and current research in progress, on the presence of,
environmental and public health impact of, pharmaceutical and
personal care products (PPCPs) in wastewater, drinking, surface and
ground water.

There is growing concern about the long term effects of
PPCPs on human health and the natural environment – through a series
of science based seminars WasteWater Education, a regional 501©3,
seeks to provide some clarity to the risks involved.

And Anatomy of Precast Concrete

In response for requests for affordable, accessible training – WasteWater Education 501(c)3 provided a four-part series of internet based courses covering all aspects of fabricating, installing and maintaining precast concrete tanks. Continuing Septage Education credit hours were approved by MDNRE. 10 CEU hours were approved for courses by the State of Wisconsin for Master Plumber Restricted Service License and POWTS Maintainer Registration.
The Anatomy of Quality Precast Concrete Septic Tanks – was
underwritten by Concrete Sealants, Inc. and taught by Sam Lines
MBA. Sales / Safety Engineer, Lean Coordinator Concrete Sealants, Inc.
and Instructor for National Precast Concrete Association

And others as listed in the Annual Report – all videos can be found on our Vimeo web platform