SD WEA Home on the web
Collaborating to increase understanding of our Water and Environment and advocate action necessary for its enhancement.
Mission Statement:
The South Dakota Water Environment Association (SDWEA) is dedicated to providing education, disseminating technical information, increasing public understanding and promoting sound public policy in the water environment field. The Association is committed to providing high quality services to its Members.
SDWEA is a member association in partnership with the Water Environment Federation (WEF). https://www.wef.org/
WEF is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 35,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment. As a global water sector leader, our mission is to connect water professionals; enrich the expertise of water professionals; increase the awareness of the impact and value of water; and provide a platform for water sector innovation.
WEF and its global network of members and Member Associations (MAs) provide water quality professionals around the world with the latest in water quality education, training, and business opportunities. WEF’s diverse membership includes scientists, engineers, regulators, academics, utility managers, plant operators, and other professionals. WEF uses this collective knowledge to further a shared goal of improving water quality around the world.
The South Dakota Water Environment Association (SDWEA) is dedicated to providing education, disseminating technical information, increasing public understanding and promoting sound public policy in the water environment field. The Association is committed to providing high quality services to its Members.
SDWEA is a member association in partnership with the Water Environment Federation (WEF). https://www.wef.org/
WEF is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 35,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment. As a global water sector leader, our mission is to connect water professionals; enrich the expertise of water professionals; increase the awareness of the impact and value of water; and provide a platform for water sector innovation.
WEF and its global network of members and Member Associations (MAs) provide water quality professionals around the world with the latest in water quality education, training, and business opportunities. WEF’s diverse membership includes scientists, engineers, regulators, academics, utility managers, plant operators, and other professionals. WEF uses this collective knowledge to further a shared goal of improving water quality around the world.
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Current Board Members:
President: Jeremy Casteel (Rapid City Water Rec), jeremy.casteel@rcgov.org Vice President: Amanda Fischer (Aberdeen Water Rec), amanda.fischer@aberdeen.sd.us Past President: Michael Johnson (HDR), michael.p.johnson@hdrinc.com Secretary/Treasurer: Matt Pajl (HR Green) mpajl@hrgreen.com Stockholm Jr. Water prize Judges: Chris Schmit (SDSU Lab) Christopher.Schmit@SDSTATE.EDU Scott Langner (DemKota Ranch Beef), slangner@demkotarb.com WEF Delegate: Dennis Rebelein (Banner) dennisr@bannerassociates.com Operations Representative: Allyn Brummel (Sioux Falls Water Rec), abrummel@siouxfalls.org |
Upcoming Events:
2024 Wastewater Seminar When: April 17 - 18 Location: Pierre Redrossa Events Center 2024 Water/Wastewater Annual Conference When: September 11 - 13 Location: Deadwood Lodge Annual National Conference weftec |
SDWEA provides technical literature to wastewater treatment facilities free of charge. Literature can be operating training manuals, technical information on a specific wastewater treatment process, or any other topic related to wastewater. To request technical literature, fill out the following form and submit to Mpajl@hrgreen.com: see the attached form
SDWEA membership information: see attached form
SDWEA membership information: see attached form
The Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) was founded in 1997 by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) to complement the Stockholm Water Prize. The SJWP is the world's most prestigious award presented to a high school student for a water-research project. The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has coordinated the U.S. competition since its inception in 1997, and partners closely with their Member Associations (MAs) to execute the program.
SDWEA selects a local SJWP winner and funds travel for the winner to travel to the national SJWP competition.
For additional information on the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, visit the WEF website: https://www.wef.org/resources/for-the-public/SJWP/
Contact Chris Schmit if you are interested in the SJWP: Christopher.Schmit@SDSTATE.EDU
SDWEA selects a local SJWP winner and funds travel for the winner to travel to the national SJWP competition.
For additional information on the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, visit the WEF website: https://www.wef.org/resources/for-the-public/SJWP/
Contact Chris Schmit if you are interested in the SJWP: Christopher.Schmit@SDSTATE.EDU
Operator Ingenuity Contest:
Do you have a solution to an operations problem in your collection system or at your wastewater plant? Draft up a few sentences, snap a picture and enter to win!
This contest seeks to recognize the simple, everyday fixes that operators and other water professionals invent to make work easier and safer. Entries are judged on solution safety, resourcefulness, and transfer-ability.
The competition is open to all clever ideas related to any aspect of the water sector from equipment maintenance to emergency response to process optimization to anything else associated with the water sector. All it takes to enter is:
Deadline for entries is June 1, 2024.
The winner of the SDWEA competition will win a prize from the SDWEA at the annual conference, and be entered in the national WEF operator ingenuity competition!
Send information on your project to thanson@cityofyankton.org
This contest seeks to recognize the simple, everyday fixes that operators and other water professionals invent to make work easier and safer. Entries are judged on solution safety, resourcefulness, and transfer-ability.
The competition is open to all clever ideas related to any aspect of the water sector from equipment maintenance to emergency response to process optimization to anything else associated with the water sector. All it takes to enter is:
- a short description of the problem you faced and the fix you found
- a few photos of your invention or improvement, and
- The three answers (How transferable is it? How safe is it? Where did the materials and money come from?)
Deadline for entries is June 1, 2024.
The winner of the SDWEA competition will win a prize from the SDWEA at the annual conference, and be entered in the national WEF operator ingenuity competition!
Send information on your project to thanson@cityofyankton.org
2023 Award Recipients
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WEF Hatfield Award:
Mark Hierholzer (Sioux Falls Water Rec) |
Quarter Century Award:
Mark Hierholzer (Sioux Falls Water Rec.) |
SDWEA and WEF Awards
Several awards are available each year to those in the wastewater treatment profession. Awards are presented to the recipient at the annual banquet of the South Dakota Water and Wastewater Association by the president of the South Dakota Water Environment Association.
WEF Bedell Award
This award was established to acknowledge extraordinary personal service to a WEF Member Association.
Eligibility Requirements:
Bedell Nomination Form
Nominations accepted from
WEF Member Associations
Nomination deadline
Eight weeks prior to WEF MA Annual Meeting
This award was established to acknowledge extraordinary personal service to a WEF Member Association.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Member of the Water Environment Federation
- Organizational leadership, administrative service, membership activity, stimulation of technical functions, or similar participation.
Bedell Nomination Form
Nominations accepted from
WEF Member Associations
Nomination deadline
Eight weeks prior to WEF MA Annual Meeting
WEF Hatfield Award
This award is presented to operators of wastewater treatment plants for outstanding performance and professionalism.
Eligibility Requirements:
Hatfield Nomination Form
Nominations accepted from
WEF Membership Association
Nomination deadline
Eight weeks prior to WEF MA Annual Meeting
This award is presented to operators of wastewater treatment plants for outstanding performance and professionalism.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Member of the Water Environment Federation
- Documentation of a successful system of reports from the operator to his or her superiors that fulfill the information requirements and provide the operator with a forum for suggestions for improvements.
- Use of a good public relations program.
- The nominee should have contributed to the dissemination of information concerning advancements in the field
Hatfield Nomination Form
Nominations accepted from
WEF Membership Association
Nomination deadline
Eight weeks prior to WEF MA Annual Meeting
WEF Burke Award
This award recognizes a municipal or industrial wastewater facility for establishing and maintaining an active and effective safety program.
Eligibility Requirements:
Burke Nomination Form
Nominations accepted from
WEF Member Associations
Nomination deadline
Eight weeks prior to the WEF MA Annual Meeting
This award recognizes a municipal or industrial wastewater facility for establishing and maintaining an active and effective safety program.
Eligibility Requirements:
- The documented and illustrated safety program and safety record of the facility for the preceding calendar year are the primary criteria for the award.
- Additionally, each WEF Member Association is allowed full freedom to establish its own criteria.
Burke Nomination Form
Nominations accepted from
WEF Member Associations
Nomination deadline
Eight weeks prior to the WEF MA Annual Meeting
WEF Laboratory Analyst
This award recognizes individuals for outstanding performance, professionalism and contributions to the water quality analysis profession.
Eligibility Requirements:
Laboratory Analyst Nomination Form
Nominations Accepted From:
WEF Member Associations
Nominations Deadline:
Eight weeks prior to MA Annual Meeting
This award recognizes individuals for outstanding performance, professionalism and contributions to the water quality analysis profession.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Member of the Water Environment Federation.
- Candidate must be employed at an educational facility laboratory, industrial, commercial, or municipal laboratory which performs wastewater-related analysis, and must have direct analytical responsibilities.
- Candidates are eligible for this award only once.
- Qualifying criteria may include:
- Membership and involvement in professional associations. Examples: Water Environment Federation Committees, Standard Methods Joint Task Groups, MA committees and conferences and conference activities.
- Outstanding efforts in the area of wastewater and environmental aquatic analyses, including such items as innovative sampling techniques or solutions to a treatment, analytical or environmental problem.
- Involvement in community activities or public relations.
- Presentations at professional conferences, meetings, etc. relevant to water quality analysis.
- Professional certifications.
- Continuing education.
- Contributions that have been beneficial to the nominee’s facility.
- Unusual initiative or performance "beyond the call of duty".
Laboratory Analyst Nomination Form
Nominations Accepted From:
WEF Member Associations
Nominations Deadline:
Eight weeks prior to MA Annual Meeting
WEF Quarter Century Operator Club
The Quarter Century Operator Club recognizes operators of wastewater treatment facilities for their service and dedication in a difficult and dangerous profession.
Eligibility Requirements:
Nominations Accepted From:
WEF
Nominations Deadline:
Eight weeks prior to Annual Meeting
The Quarter Century Operator Club recognizes operators of wastewater treatment facilities for their service and dedication in a difficult and dangerous profession.
Eligibility Requirements:
- This is a self-nominating award.
- Member of WEF for a minimum of five consecutive years immediately preceding application.
- Significant, full-time participant in the water environment profession for a minimum of 25 years.
- 10 years of which must have been in active participation in the day-to-day collections, maintenance, operations, laboratory, or management of a wastewater transportation or treatment facility.
- 10 years of which must have been in active participation in the day-to-day collections, maintenance, operations, laboratory, or management of a wastewater transportation or treatment facility.
- Completed and signed application: quarter-century-operator-club-app-doc.docx (live.com)
- Quarter Century Operator Club Overview Page: Quarter Century Operator Club (wef.org)
Nominations Accepted From:
WEF
Nominations Deadline:
Eight weeks prior to Annual Meeting
SDWEA Rookie of the Year Award
This award was established to acknowledge the efforts of a newcomer to the wastewater field. The award is given to an employee with two or less years of service as of July 31st of each year.
Eligibility Requirements:
This award was established to acknowledge the efforts of a newcomer to the wastewater field. The award is given to an employee with two or less years of service as of July 31st of each year.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Nominee must be a “new” operator, or municipal official in the water pollution control field.
- Must have made a substantial contribution to improving water quality and/or plant operation.
- Attendance at training courses, certification, and active participation in WEF and/or SDWWA.
- Need not be a member of SDWEA for SDWWA to be nominated.
- Should be an operator who does the best with what he or she has.
For additional information on these awards, visit the WEF website: Member Association Awards (wef.org)
To nominate someone for one of these awards, send the name of the nominee and a short description of why you think this person deserves the award to Michael.P.Johnson@hdrinc.com
To nominate someone for one of these awards, send the name of the nominee and a short description of why you think this person deserves the award to Michael.P.Johnson@hdrinc.com
