The Water Environment Federation (WEF) event, which took place from 11-12 April in Cincinnati, USA,
is a biannual meeting covering all aspects of the disinfection of water, wastewater, reuse water, and biosolids, including treatment and disinfection of wastewater in small communities and households.
“The research and practices discussed in this conference are simply vital to public health protection,” said Matt Bond, the 2010–2011 WEF president-elect and an associate vice president of Black & Veatch, a global engineering, consulting, and construction firm.
“We just need to think about factors such as emerging pathogens and diseases and how climate change and population growth are increasing interest in water reuse to appreciate the important work of these disinfection experts,” he added.
“What is unique about the conference is it brings together a mix of experts from the U.S. and around the world, sharing unbiased information on the science and application of both high-tech disinfection systems in this country and lower-tech practices to protect public health in developing countries,” said WEF executive director Jeff Eger.
Specific points of discussion included disinfection along the Ohio River, the use of ultraviolet light in disinfecting cleaned wastewater, and disinfection issues related to combined sewer overflows (CSOs).
Presenters at the event included representatives of Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) of Greater Cincinnati, University of Cincinnati, Harvard University, Purdue University, Tulane University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Emory University, University of Virginia, National Research Council, and the American Water Works Association.
