President's Message

Hello Everyone,

What a beautiful day for January 2018.  About 56 degrees and the sun is shining.  I was so happy to hear from many of you about my Clarifier article for December.  Someone does read the President’s messages!  Thank you to all of you that reminded me “ice” is not a four-letter word.  It seemed to fit when I wrote it.  I am sure all of you were fighting the elements including the “ICE” in early January.  We hear about bursting water pipes all the time, but frozen clarifiers, digesters and the rest, are insane.  Thank goodness for the early January thaw to give us a few days to right the ship before it hits us again.

The Midwest Water & Wastewater Operators Expo is being held at the Kalahari, February 6 & 7, 2018.  Both days are full of short tech sessions and all of our favorite vendors will be there to help you as well.  The Technical Committee is meeting February 8, 2018 to put together another great program for the 52nd Annual WWOA Conference this fall at the Grand Geneva Resort in beautiful Lake Geneva.  February 22, 2018 is the Government Affairs Seminar at the Marriott West in Middleton.  This is another good program with many of your peers sharing information about what they are doing to tackle the challenges put before them.  As always, the DNR will be there to tell us what is going on in their world and how it will affect us.  They really want to help us all.

As you attend all of these educational sessions, don’t forget to notice the list of committee members.  There is a lot of work and hours put into developing these programs and getting it all to come together.  When you see these people, give them a what’s up and thank them for the work they do.  Without them, the WWOA and the other organizations involved, there would be no seminars/symposiums providing you with the education and credits we all need.

I ask everyone to frequently check the WWOA website.  There are many Regional Meetings on the calendar.  The agendas look good and educational opportunities are plentiful.  Support your local regions and wastewater treatment facilities that host the meetings.  Don’t be afraid to get you own feet wet.  Host a meeting!  It’s not a lot of work, you get to show off all the special things you do everyday and you might get a plaque to proudly display on your office wall.  The WWOA is all about volunteers and having a little fun while we work.  All of you have so much to offer to the rest of us.  Raise your hand, take that one step forward to grow with us as Regional Officers or WWOA Board of Director.  I can’t begin to tell you how rewarding and fun it is!  Give it a try, you won’t regret it.