A. Leading Edge Research Symposium
Sudhir Murthy, Washington DC Water and Sewer Authority

Submissions are welcomed from leading edge academic, industrial, and governmental researchers – as well as those engaged directly in practice – on all aspects of the water environment. In addition to this general solicitation, abstracts covering fundamental and applied research on the following topics are explicitly solicited:

• Laboratory, pilot, or plant scale assessment of new concepts and technologies; limit of technology including but not limited to reuse; membranes; nitrogen and phosphorus removal; energy production; solids processing; on-line instrumentation; issues related to microconstituents; and, greenhouse gas production
• Mass Balance models such as ASM and ADM, metabolic modeling of biological processes and interaction; integration of biochemical or molecular tools into modeling research and practice; computational fluid dynamics and neural networks
• Submissions selected for these sessions may be offered expedited review and early publication in the Water Environment Federation peer-reviewed journal, Water Environment Research. This provides a rare opportunity for expedited publication of research results in a well known and respected peer-reviewed technical journal.

B. Industrial Issues Symposium
Paul Usinowicz, Battelle

• Microconstituents – emerging and trace contaminants from industrial sources and commercial products – treatment, fate, and impacts
• Nutrient management and technologies (BNR, physical/chemical processes) for industrial point and non-point sources
• Management of residuals generated as a result of water and wastewater treatment (oily sludges, chemical sludges, biosludge, etc.) including dewatering improvements, beneficial reuse of industrial residuals, and related topics
• Water reuse in industrial and agricultural settings including: recycling leading to zero liquid discharge; management/disposal of desalination brines; and other residuals
• Experiences, including “lessons-learned case studies”, in application of technologies such as membrane bioreactors, MBBRs, and advanced oxidation
• Stormwater and spill management including BMPs, Pollution Prevention, and SPCC Plans
• Sustainable concepts including, industrial applications incorporating “Green Technology”, and conforming to LEED certification guidelines
• Oil and gas industry wastewater issues and technologies
• Petrochemical/chemical industry wastewater issues and technologies
• Pulp and paper wastewater issues and technologies 
• Food and beverage wastewater issues and technologies
• Agricultural industry wastewater issues and technologies
• Mining and mineral industry wastewater issues and technologies
• Mining operation induced acid mine drainage and remediation
• Coal-bed methane production wastewater issues and technologies
• Power plant wastewater issues and technologies, including:
• Pulverized coal power plants wastewater issues and technologies
• Flue gas desulfurization wastewater treatment and residuals
• Residuals management, treatment, and disposal
• Biofuels wastewater and water recycle issues and technologies
• Regulatory compliance emerging issues and challenges (e.g. NPDES permitting, new effluent guidelines-power and airport, water quality based permitting, TMDL compliance, local pretreatment programs, etc.)
• Gulf Coast and other regional issues for industry, e.g., water scarcity, regional regulatory initiatives.
• Nano-technology environmental issues
• Hazardous wastes issues and technologies, including:
• Soils and groundwater remediation
• Landfill and other leachate treatment
• Pollution prevention and waste minimization, including process modifications
• Boiler feedwater and ultrapure water treatment

C.  Municipal Wastewater Treatment Symposium
Bruce R. Johnson, CH2M HILL

This symposium is focused on the liquids treatment aspects of municipal wastewater treatment. Submissions are welcome on the innovations, improvements, and optimization projects for the design and selection of municipal wastewater treatment plants, technologies, and processes. The emphasis is on pilot and fully developed projects. Topic areas include:

• Preliminary and primary treatment
• Physical, chemical, and biological liquids treatment systems
• Membrane bioreactor (MBR) and biofilm based treatment processes
• Nutrient control systems and dewatering liquors treatment
• Wastewater treatment modeling: process, hydraulic, and small scale
• Aeration, oxygenation, and mixing
• Wet weather treatment systems
• Overall plant design, hydraulics, and site layout

D. Facility Operations and Maintenance Symposium
Sidney Innerebner, Indigo Water Group

A forum to share innovative solutions that contribute to improved facility effectiveness and efficiency in the areas of treatment plant operations and maintenance in wastewater and water facilities. (Design of treatment processes and facilities should be submitted to the Municipal Wastewater Treatment Symposia.) Specific areas of interest are:

• Process Operations – All aspects of process operations including process fundamentals, state of practice reviews, process optimization and troubleshooting, start-up of new facilities, and operational strategies for wet weather and/or drought impacted facilities.
• Operations Management Practices – All aspects of treatment facility management in the areas of maintenance, operations, training, operator certification, apprenticeship programs, with high priority given to case studies showing innovative approaches to capturing and transferring knowledge and best practices within the institution for sustainable plant operational staffing.
• Reliability and Maintenance Practices and Asset Management – All aspects of asset management and maintenance strategies that result in improved equipment performance, increased equipment efficiency, improved reliability, energy savings, and/or reduced maintenance costs including maintenance of process analyzers.
• On-Line, In-Plant Monitoring Practices and Application of Laboratory Results – All aspects of continuous on-line, in-plant monitoring systems including nutrient measurement, process control, and analytical investigations on process monitoring. Applied use of laboratory results for plant operations and maintenance is also encouraged.
• Nutrient Control and BNR Systems Practices – All aspects of operation, maintenance, process control, and use of laboratory data for operations related to the treatment and removal of nitrogen and/or phosphorus from raw influent or internal recycle streams.
• Membrane Biological Treatment (MBR) Systems Practices – All aspects of operation, maintenance, process control, and use of laboratory data related to biological treatment systems applying membranes for solids separation. Case studies that capture and share knowledge gained from both successes and failures in the application of membrane biological treatment systems or demonstrate utilization of MBR technologies for reclaimed or reuse water are specifically solicited.
• Residuals Management Practices – All aspects of operation, maintenance, and process control related to in-plant residuals processing including unit processes such as thickening, aerobic and anaerobic stabilization, dewatering, post-dewatering stabilization to 40 CFR 503 Class A requirements, thermal drying, operations and maintenance issues associated with digester gas cleaning, and optimization of chemical doses for conditioning.
• Energy Management and Sustainability Practices – Case studies demonstrating operation, maintenance and/or management practices which result in reduced energy consumption, reduced carbon footprint, minimization of greenhouse gases, purchased energy cost savings, or beneficial use of digester gas for energy production for internal or external use are specifically solicited. Abstracts on funding for projects are specifically solicited

E.  Laboratory Practices and Analytical Methods for Environmental Monitoring
Paula Hogg, Hampton Roads Sanitation District

• EPA method updates
• Performance based methods
• Lab accreditation
• Quality assurance & quality systems
• Data quality objectives
• Proficiency testing
• Microbial methods
• Methods for emerging pathogens
• Microconstituent analysis, including pharmaceuticals, PCPs, endocrine disruptors, etc.
• Analysis of nanomaterials
• Advancements in analytical instumentation and equipment – high resolution GC-MS, LC-MS, PCR, etc.
• “Green” chemistry techniques
• Innovative sample preparation techniques
• Low-level methods
• Methods for analysis of biosolids
• Detection, quantitation, and lab reporting limits
• Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
• Paperless data systems

F.  Collection Systems Symposium
Steve Tilson, Tilson and Associates

Technical approaches or practical applications to the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of systems for the collection of wastewater. Innovative strategies and approaches on the following topics are particularly encouraged:

• Planning and implementation
• Combined sewer overflow programs-innovative approaches to meeting the “Nine Minimum Controls”
• Blending policies, programs, and permits
• Sanitary sewer overflow programs, including control of infiltration and inflow, and fats, oils, and grease
• Long-term control plans that protect water quality, address permitting issues, respond to consent decrees, and suggest creative ways to finance programs
• Private property I/I issues
• CMOM programs and projects
• Pipe corrosion solutions
• Lift station operation, maintenance, and design
• Sewer system operations, maintenance, and design
• GIS and automated work order management
• Data collection and management

G.  Stormwater Management
Aditya Tyagi, CH2M HILL

• NPDES stormwater programs including integrated stormwater management, public involvement, and post construction BMPs
• Innovative regulatory approaches to stormwater management, such as trading, TMDLs, or watershed-based permitting
• Demonstration approach to CSO long-term control programs
• Best management practices: Evaluation of BMPs, available databases, making biofilters work, low impact development applications, experience with compliance monitoring, water quality focused BMPs, and whole life costing
• Research in stormwater management, including quantity-based approaches to water quality control
• Challenges of retrofitting existing infrastructure to meet stormwater goals

H.  Surface Water Quality and Ecology Symposium
Sarah Reeves, Brown and Caldwell

Case studies and creative approaches for the topics of Watershed Management, Total Maximum Daily Loads, Water Quality Modeling, and Water Quality Based Permitting. Special topics include:

• Nutrient Effluent Limits (WQBELs)
• Everglades Issues
• Habitat Restoration
• Nutrient Criteria Development
• Antidegradation
• Impacts of Climate Change
• Trading
• Real-Time Monitoring
• GIS Applications

I.  Residuals and Biosolids Management Symposium
Tracy Stigers, Brown and Caldwell

Technical, process, and operational issues related to wastewater and water treatment residuals and biosolids. Residuals include screenings, grit, scum, primary sludge, biological and water plant sludges. Biosolids encompass digested or otherwise treated sludge, including pretreated sludge, thickened sludge, and dewatered cake. Key current topics include but are not limited to:

• Volume reduction and sludge minimization technologies
• Digestion and other stabilization processes for Class A or B biosolids
• Bioenergy and thermal technology, including digester gas production and utilization, sludge drying and solids incineration, co-digestion
• Management issues, including reuse, permitting, product marketability
• Control of odors and emissions
• Agricultural issues and animal manure
• Sustainability including effects on the carbon footprint
• Biosolids process modeling

J.  Utility Management Symposium
Paul Causey, Causey Consulting

The Utility Management Symposium will address organizational issues and management strategies resulting in organizational excellence, enhanced performance, and unique management solutions in the following areas of utility management:

• Strategic organizational planning
• Balanced scorecard
• Succession planning, leadership succession, and retention
• Recruiting the next generation
• Performance management and performance benchmarking
• Strategic planning
• Diversity and workforce issues
• Business continuity/emergency response planning
• Utility operations under financially and politically constrained conditions
• Organizational considerations for energy management
• Asset Management including life-cycle cost analysis and risk management
• Unique management responses to sustainability, “Green” technology, and climate change
• Effects of current or anticipated political and regulatory changes on management strategies
• Financial management including fees and charges, affordability, and financial modeling
• Infrastructure funding gap issues
• Public/private partnering issues and opportunities
• Capital improvement programming including needs identification, alternative project delivery systems, and data validation

K.  Workforce & Professional Development
William Edgar, CEU Plan

Submissions are sought from human resource professionals, public and private-sector managers, and others engaged in the broad area of professional development and related workforce issues. Case studies, research, presentations, and posters associated with workforce and professional development within the water and wastewater sector are being solicited, including, but not limited to:

• Succession planning, leadership succession, and retention
• Recruiting the next generation
• Diversity and workforce issues
• Being an employer of choice
• Knowledge mapping
• Career development performance management and performance benchmarking
• Physically challenged employees and other untapped resource pools
• Distance learning and other innovative approaches to training and development

L.  Environmental Management Systems – A Key to Effective Utility Management
Tom Pedersen, CDM

Case studies, best practices, lessons learned and research focused on:

• National Biosolids Partnership EMS
• ISO 14001 EMS
• Environmental Management Information Systems
• Quality Management Systems (ISO 9000)
• Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems (OHSAS 18001)
• Social Responsibility (SA 8000, ISO 26000)
• Corporate Sustainability Reporting

M.  Small Communities Decentralized System Design and Management
A. Robert Rubin, McKim and Creed and North Carolina State University

Infrastructure issues remain a significant challenge for engineers, elected and appointed officials, and residents of small communities and urban fringe areas. Small communities generally serve fewer than 10,000 people and many are in unincorporated areas. Attracting and maintaining competent, properly trained and certified personnel to manage and maintain water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure in the small community, urban fringe area, and those areas where decentralized systems are used creates tremendous opportunity for this industry. The small community and decentralized section is soliciting papers addressing water, wastewater, and stormwater systems that address:

• Technology selection, design, installation, and management (decentralized/onsite, cluster, and community based systems)
• Innovative uses for natural and mechanical treatment processes serving small communities
• Applications of appropriate, cost effective approaches to wastewater collection system design and operation
• Innovative uses for decentralized facilities serving small community water and wastewater needs
• Innovative stormwater systems serving small communities
• Innovative residuals management strategies in small communities
• Innovative management strategies applied in small communities
• Funding and financing options for small communities
• Costs and asset management requirements
• Successful operator training, certification, recruitment, and retention in small systems
• Innovative distributed management strategies using small systems to benefit centralized systems
• Innovative distributed management, planning, and design strategies for sustainable communities of the future

N.  Water Reclamation and Reuse
Alan E. Rimer, Black & Veatch

Water reclamation and reuse have taken on increased importance in the water supply and wastewater industries as the world’s water supplies become increasingly strained and climate change may be adding to the problem. These sessions will provide an opportunity for professionals in the field to present the newest approaches to issues and challenges related to:

• Integrated resources planning
• Municipal, agricultural, and industrial reuse and reclamation
• Environmental restoration and enhancement including Aquifier Storage and Recovery (ASR) and natural systems treatment technologies
• Indirect potable reuse
• Advanced technologies for water reclamation
• Microconstituents/EDCs and water reuse
• Treatment and distribution system operational issues
• Dual distribution of reclaimed water
• Management and decision making tools for water reuse systems
• Risk analysis for water reuse and reclamation
• Public education on reuse and reclamation issues

O.  GIS and Information Management Systems, Instrumentation, and Automation
Yazdin Emrani, AIM

Innovation and case studies in the use of information technologies such as GIS, and information management systems, as well as instrumentation, and automated process control. Preference given to abstracts with completed projects or at the minimum pilot data demonstrating the status of the project. Specific topics of interest include:

• Applications of GIS and integrated information systems in sewer or storm drain master planning
• Use/development of innovative GIS asset management system for sanitary sewer and storm drain collection system
• Advances or innovative applications of GIS in sanitary sewer or storm drain collection system hydraulic modeling
• Application of innovative methods for NPDES compliance, including watershed based permitting, TMDLs and numeric limits, BMP effectiveness, and illicit connections/illicit discharges
• Case studies of instrumentation and automation that demonstrate operational improvements and efficiencies
• Case studies of using information technology for energy management

P.  Groundwater – The Three “Rs” – Remediation, Recharge, and Reuse
Ronald L. Horres, Parsons Brinkerhoff

• Groundwater remediation (project reviews, lessons learned) especially as related to remediation of groundwater containing emerging pollutants
• Groundwater recharge (project reviews, lessons learned)
• Reuse of treated effluent for groundwater recharge (project reviews, lessons learned)
• Aquifer storage of surface water or effluent for later reuse (project reviews, lessons learned)
• Regulatory concerns – meeting current regulations, future of groundwater regulation, especially as related to remediation, recharge and reuse issues
• Effects of surface water treatment on groundwater (biosolids disposal, effluent recharge)

Q.  Young Professionals Improving the Water Environment
Sarah Hubbell, Entex Technologies

Abstracts authored by Young Professionals and covering water and wastewater topics especially relevant to the Southeastern United States. Topics of interest include:

• Biological nutrient removal
• Phosphorus removal
• Nitrification and denitrification
• IFAS and MBBR
• Membrane bioreactors
• Wet weather treatment
• Microconstituents

Young professionals working in consulting engineering, operations, laboratories, equipment manufacturing, academia, and regulatory agencies are encouraged to submit abstracts on their work. While coauthors may be veteran professionals, the primary author and presenter must be under 35 years of age and must not have presented at WEFTEC before.  Guidelines for selection follow the same criteria as all other sessions, therefore preference will be given to projects that are complete or near completion with plant or pilot data included in the abstract.

R.  Energy Conservation and Management: New Concepts and Approaches
James Wheeler, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Energy Management and Sustainability Practices – Case studies demonstrating operation, maintenance and/or management practices which result in reduced energy consumption, reduced carbon footprint, minimization of greenhouse gases, purchased energy cost savings, or beneficial use of digester gas for energy production for internal or external use are specifically solicited. Projects demonstrating the design and operations of alterative energy sources for water and wastewater facilities, including solar cells, fuel cells, wind power, hydro power, etc. Abstracts on funding for energy conservation and recovery projects are specifically solicited.

S.  Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change Adaptation at Water and Wastewater Utilities
Daniel A. Nolasco, NOLASCO & Assoc. Inc.

This session seeks both national and international abstracts on:

• New and established technologies for Greenhouse Gas emission reductions at water and wastewater utilities
• Carbon footprint of water and wastewater utilities
• Management approaches for system optimization leading to emission reductions
• Government initiatives and programs in climate change adaptation
• Current and future policies, legislation, and regulations
• Tradable certified emission reductions; markets and instruments for carbon trading
• Financial assistance from government and international financial institutions
• Case studies from recent projects

T.  Sustainability and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) – What Are and What Can Utilities Do to Help the Cause
Brian Evans, Cansult Maunsell Limited

The growing trend of sustainable design has already begun spreading to utilities and the design of water and sewer reticulation systems. Treatment plants have consequently modified current thinking to achieve these holistic goals. Ultimate disposal options are particularly affected. This session will focus on:

• Examples of LEED/ESD infrastructure programs from around the world
• Recommendations on how to achieve the goals
• Certification issues
• Steps being taken to implement the program locally

U.  Small Island Nations and Developing Countries – Water, Wastes, and Environmental Issues Faced Due to Growth, Development, Tourism, and Climate Change
Garry J. Macdonald, CH2M Beca Ltd.

Small Island Nations and non-urban communities in developing countries face many different challenges to their water resources and the environment due to economic growth, development, and tourism than those experienced in developed nations. Abstracts are sought on:

• Policies, Strategies and Solutions that are more relevant and appropriate to the scale, geography, cultures, and available resources of the Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean, Latin America, Africa, and emerging Asian nations
• Case studies and lessons learned from the applications of appropriate or alternative technology in the countries/regions listed
• Research into alternative technologies for water supply, treatment, sanitation, and solid waste management in the countries/regions listed
• Case studies, problems arising, and proposed or proven solutions to sea level rise, extreme drought and flooding in relation to water supply, sanitation, and solid waste management in the countries/regions listed

V.  Water and Wastewater Disinfection
Gary L. Hunter, Black and Veatch

Disinfection practices for water, wastewater, water reuse, stormwater, and biosolids that include but are not limited to:

• Pathogens and emerging contaminants – microbial indicators, molecular methods, risk assessment, and treatment (including membranes, advanced oxidation, and other emerging technologies)
• Design issues, including sizing, automation, modeling, technology integration, and emerging technologies
• Operations issues including regulatory, safety, security, reliability and sustainability issues, and disinfection by-products
• Disinfection of wastewater for reuse, CSO/SSO
• Ultraviolet technology issues, including lamps, sensors, and selection of design doses
• Validation protocols for all disinfection technologies (including NWRI/AWWARF UV Guidelines, ETV Technology Program, etc.)

W.  Sustainable Water Resources Management
Ethan T. Smith, Sustainable Water Resources Roundtable
Harry X. Zhang, CH2M HILL

Sustainable practices, policy, and management solutions to water issues, including:

• Descriptions of geographically sustainable systems stable for long durations
• Compromise solutions to management problems that are measured by indicators
• Case studies that show testing and revision in the real world, for example, to address sustainable urban growth and metropolitan sustainability
• Applications to water availability and water quality issues at large or small scale
• Applications to water use, including competition among major uses; conservation; reclamation, water allocation, and demand management
• Developing framework and indicators to allow tracking of sustainability public policy issues over time
• Climate change and water sustainability
• Water-energy interactions, and effects on sustainability
• Examples that promote sustainability in the region, such as strategies for the Everglades, surface and groundwater interactions, Tampa Bay, and similar examples

X.  Management of Odors and Air Emissions
Richard Pope, Malcolm Pirnie

• Odor and air emissions from municipal and industrial wastewater collection and treatment facilities, including source identification, measurement, and both aqueous phase and gas phase controls
• Identifying and controlling emissions from biogas combustion processes (cogeneration, flaring, etc.)
• Emerging and innovative technologies for controlling odor and air emissions
• Innovative odor and air emissions control research: laboratory, pilot plant, and full-scale testing and practical applications
• Odor and air emissions control through operational modifications
• Fate, transport, and dispersion modeling
• Health and risk issues for employees with regard to facilities and for the public with regard to emissions
• Regulatory and legal considerations and challenges
• Community awareness and public outreach techniques and case studies
• Emission, identification, and control of toxic air streams and by-products
• Biological approaches to the control of odor/air emissions
• Wastewater  collection system ventilation, odor and/or corrosion issues, evaluation, solutions, and case histories
• Greenhouse gas emissions: inventories, reductions, planning strategies
• Covering, containing, and conveying odorous gases
• Sustainable solutions to odor/emissions control

Y.  Innovative Technologies and Solutions for Water and Wastewater Treatment and Water Resources Management
Gabriel Novac, Gabriel Novac & Associates Inc.

IMPORTANT: Selection for this forum is limited to WEFTEC.09 exhibitors that will have reserved space for the exhibition by June 30, 2009. Advertisement or marketing of products and processes will not be considered. No posters will be coordinated for this session.

• Case study presentations based on new technologies and/or innovative solutions for water quality problems using existing technologies
• Innovative products/processes under development or recently introduced
• New applications of existing technologies
• Innovative solutions to historical operational challenges

Z.  Public Education and Communication: Inform, Involve, Consult, and Empower – Learning New Ways to Engage Our Stakeholders in Water
Julianne T. LaRock, South Florida Water Management District

Today’s utility operations understand the importance of involving the community in their decision making.  Public opinion and media spins can make or break improvement projects, rate increases, and watershed initiatives.  WEFTEC.09 is looking for interesting education and communication strategies that helped stakeholders understand the issues and make informed decisions.  Here are some examples:

• Highlighting proper drug disposal take back programs that work
• Creating a climate for change…how to foster sustainable behaviors at work or in your community
• How to think about our water footprint
• Integrating water resources management strategies for communicating multiple and complex objectives to elected officials and the public
• Highlighting educational programs about fats, oils and grease, biofuels, mercury, etc.
• Working with the media for accurate and positive coverage
• Understanding the benefits of water reuse
• Addressing and responding to community interest in microconstituents/endocrine disrupting compounds/drugs and personal care products
• Using target audience research to establish a marketing campaign and to measure results
• Communicating the value of clean water – how much is your community willing to pay and how do you know?
• Encouraging new approaches to community involvement for sustainable decisions
• Building and maintaining a positive reputation for your  local biosolids programs
• Benefiting from citizen water monitoring programs
• Attracting the next shift – presenting water quality career opportunities

AA.  Microconstituents – What’s New, Known, and Needed
Joe Cleary, HydroQual, Inc.

• Sources and occurrence of nanomaterials / nanoparticles, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, prions, airborne microconstituents, and other microconstituents
• Source control programs and alternatives (case histories encouraged)
• Analytical topics including: challenges implementing methods, detecting and resolving matrix effects, and what is known about mixtures
• Microbial resistance and antimicrobial agents
• Surrogates and indicators
• Conventional and advanced treatment including: conventional technologies, ozone, ultraviolet radiation, and advanced oxidation; removal from soils and groundwater; and removal of specific compounds, i.e. nonylpyhenol ethoxylate, pharmaceuticals, and other microconstituents
• Fate, transport, and life cycle of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and other microconstituents in water
• Potential effects of microconstituents on human health, wildlife, and the ecology
• Biosolids issues including: flame retardant residuals, microconstituents in land applied biosolids, and options for managing risk in biosolids
• Risk assessment of microconstituents
• Regulatory compliance and alternatives including: drug take-back programs, selection of chemicals for Contaminant Candidate List, the regulatory future for wastewater
• Findings and guidance from the social sciences regarding public outreach and communications in the context of microconstituents
• Public outreach and perception including how to communicate technical issues and risks to the public

BB.  Everglades Restoration: Planning, Policy and Science
Maurice Tobon, Palm Beach County Utilities

• Planning and Policy
• Balancing water use policy with restoration goals
• Determining effects of urbanization/development on restoration
• Consideration of climatic extremes (e.g., drought, hurricanes, flooding) and climate change (e.g., sea level rise, global temperature change)
• Information systems—making data available to the masses
• Enhancing communication between planning, policy, and science
• Creating innovative financing for restoration projects
• How the economy turns—and does it affect your projects?
• Water Quality
• Monitoring water quality, nutrients, contaminants (e.g., mercury, sulfur)─and how much monitoring is enough?
• Developing and implementing hydrological models
• Advances in water treatment technologies (e.g., constructed wetlands, chemical)
• Constructed wetlands management and sustainability
• Establishing and refining Best Management Practices
• Case studies—restoration projects
• Hydrology
• Comparing pre-drainage and present-day Everglades hydrology
• Balancing hydrological needs of managed and natural systems
• Developing and implementing hydrological models, and emerging new challenges
• Managing climatic extremes of drought and hurricanes
• Case studies—restoration projects
• Ecology
• Using and improving ecological models
• Establishing interim goals and performance measures for defining restoration success
• Understanding the integration of fire, hydrology, and cyclical climatic patterns on landscape dynamics
• Integrating biogeochemical (nutrients, contaminants) dynamics into sustainable restoration
• Case studies—research projects
• Invasive Exotic Species
• Detecting and prioritizing invasives
• Managing species and control technologies (e.g., chemical, physical, biological controls)
• Assessing ecological impacts and challenges facing restoration
• Increasing public awareness and education
• Case studies—research projects

CC.  Safety, Security, and Occupational Health
Alan Callier, Donohue & Associates

• Natural and human-generated emergency safety and security challenges and lessons-learned (case histories encouraged)
• Developing and implementing successful safety, security, and/or occupational health programs (case histories encouraged)
• Wastewater treatment plant design and practices to ensure worker safety
• Wastewater treatment plant safety/security issues, i.e. computer security
• Wastewater treatment facility new and emerging safety, security, and occupational health challenges
• Safety issues in disinfection systems
• Standards, codes, regulation, and guidance on the horizon: what it means and how to address