NWEA Blog Introduction

Welcome to the Nevada Water Environment Association’s newest website addition:

The NWEA Blog.

Are you interested in hearing about local networking events in the Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada area where you can connect with other water and wastewater professionals? Perhaps you’d like to learn a little more about the individuals “behind the scenes” of NWEA’s planning and board committee? Or, maybe, you’d like to keep up to date on some of the latest projects, research, and technological advancements being made throughout the Nevada region? If any of these speak to you, then you are certainly in the right place!

In addition, NWEA hosts classes and trainings to enhance your career to stay up to date with the latest practices, regulations, and technological advancement within the industry. The Wastewater Operator certification program is managed through NWEA on behalf of NDEP. NWEA also provides non-regulatory certifications such as Plant Maintenance Technologist, Industrial Wastewater Inspector, and Water Quality Analyst.

If you haven’t already, we urge you to check out some of our latest posts with recaps on the 1st Annual Water Palooza in Reno; our NVWEA at the Las Vegas Science Expo 2023 outreach event; NWEA’s 2023 Golf Tournament; and much more!

We’d also like to take the opportunity to introduce our current NWEA Executive and board members for the 2023/24 year.

Front Row (L to R): Megan Mentzer, Jennifer Mason, Sabrina Dodos, Cody McDougal, Ashley Jacobson, Joe Navas, Hamed Heidari; Second Row (L to R): Troy Mason, Casey Mentzer, David Williams, David Wozynski, Adrian Edwards, John Solvie Michael Rawlins, Brian Watts

Looking to find more information on some of the other information the NWEA website has to offer, check out these links below!

About NWEA

• Events

• Certifications - Applications

• General Training Information

Interested in showcasing a project or initiative in Nevada? Contact Dani Palffy (danielle.palffy@stantec.com) for Northern and Hamed Heidari (heidah2@unlv.nevada.edu) for Southern to get your information highlighted on the blog.

Fun Water Fact:

“The Colorado River and other surface water sources provide nearly 70 percent of Nevada's total water supply. A series of federally constructed reservoirs divert water to the seven states sharing water from the Colorado River. Nevada is allocated the smallest share, which is 1.8 percent of the total apportionments.”

• Source: “Saving Water in Nevada”, EPA

NWEA Linkedin

Job Posting: Engineers at Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility

The City of Sparks is seeking two motivated Engineers to join their dynamic team at the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility (TMWRF). As an Engineer at TMWRF, the candidates will provide technical, and analytical advice to internal and external stakeholders on the physical, biological, and chemical processes to maximize wastewater process operation efficiency and meet permit requirements. Engineers will analyze process lab data, operator reports, lab reports and energy and chemical usage data. This role will troubleshoot wastewater treatment processes and evaluates, initiates, and revises process technologies, performs initial data gathering, analyzes the existing systems, participates in initial process design, develops and conducts small and large pilot scale testing.

The two positions the City of Sparks is recruiting for are:

• Treatment Plant Engineer - Lead engineer of the facility

• Wastewater Process Engineer - Entry level wastewater engineer

Recruitment for this position closes 8/18/2023. Click Here to be directed to the City of Sparks jobs page for more information and to apply! Jobs can be found on the second page of the listings.

Nevada Student Competes at 2023 Stockholm Junior Water Prize

The Stockholm Junior Water Prize was established in 1997 through the Water Environment Federation. The competition is open to public, private, or independent high school students in grades 9-12 who will have reached age 15 by Aug. 1 of the competition year and who have conducted water-related science projects. Entries receive ratings for relevance, methodology, subject knowledge, practical skills, creativity and paper/presentation. Charlie Lee is Nevada's lead on SJWP activities in Nevada.

By: Garrett Ordonez

I am grateful and humbled for the opportunity to serve as Nevada’s representative for the SJWP. AP Environmental Science informed me about water and terrestrial pollution, which I further investigated in AP Research. I narrowed my scope to digital marketing and outreach to find my research question. My project explored the Effectiveness of SNWA (Southern Nevada Water Authority) Conservation Strategies on Xeriscaping in Single-Family Households, which continued the conversation of drought awareness and engagement. I initially conducted my research for AP Research but later found the SJWP. I first adjusted my project to the set parameters. Then when selected as a state winner, I prepared a video summarizing my research. AP Research well prepared me.

The experience gave me insight into science fairs – this was my first competition. Hearing about other students’ backgrounds and research projects was an eye-opening experience, from using caffeine to laser image recognition, all research projects related to water. Water is a multifaceted issue. I met incredible coaches, judges, and students who shared my passion for water. I’m incredibly thankful to my teachers and peers for inspiring and guiding me – their assistance helped me finalize my research project. I would also like to thank the NWEA (Nevada Water Environment Association) for selecting me as Nevada’s representative to compete for the SJWP in Golden, Colorado. And thank you, Water Environment Federation and Xylem, for the Bjorn von Euler Innovation in Water Award.