AWWA active on college campuses

As the new school year kicks off, more than 50 student chapters of the American Water Works Association are cultivating the water professionals of the next generation.

Student chapters are a critical entry point for aspiring water professionals. They help students get acquainted with the array of jobs available in the water sector, and members begin building a network of soon-to-be colleagues who will spread out to work in utilities, government agencies, consulting firms, and more.

Here are just a few examples of student chapter activities from the last year:

At the Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, the UNI Peru student chapter conducts several visits to treatment plants to expand students’ knowledge and understanding of the field. Last year, they visited the Provisur Desalination Plant, the first desalination plant in Lima, where they learned about reverse osmosis and submarine outfalls. They also visited La Atarjea – SEDAPAL, the largest drinking water treatment plant in Peru, and Taboada, the largest wastewater treatment plant in South America — a visit that was coordinated by an AWWA member.

“These visits are of great value to our members, as our university’s curriculum does not usually include practical field visits,” wrote Karla Durand Hurtado, president of the chapter.  “Thanks to AWWA’s support, we have been able to access key facilities in the country and enrich both our technical and professional training. Additionally, by arranging university transportation, we also invited other students from our faculty, extending the impact.”

At the University of South Florida, the student chapter engages members in a multitude of ways, thanks to support from Region IV of the Florida Section. In the last year, it hosted technical workshops, competed in the Florida Section’s Annual Water Bowl, presented research posters at various conferences, and volunteered for beach cleanups with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful.

The chapter also worked to inspire the next generation through hands-on water treatment demonstrations at the USF Engineering Expo and during the Great American Teach-In. Using a jar test and mini-filtration setup, officers showed K-12 students how water goes from murky to sparkling clean through coagulation, sedimentation, and filtration.

“These activities not only expand technical learning,” wrote Natchaya (Jade) Luangphairin, president of the chapter, “they also give our members the opportunity to strengthen their confidence and leadership skills while engaging K–12 students and inspiring the next generation of water leaders.”

In Virginia, the George Mason University student chapter creates opportunities that connect budding water professionals with practitioners. At one event, the chapter teamed up with the American Society of Civil Engineers, Virginia Section, the county department of public works, and local consulting firms to host a career panel with networking.

Engineers shared their career paths and project experiences, and afterward students had the chance to ask questions in small groups. “That made it easier to build personal connections,” wrote Matthew Doyle, faculty advisor for the chapter. Additionally, members from the GMU chapter traveled with engineers last year to construct a water system for a rural community in Costa Rica. The project included developing a reliable water source, building a treatment system, installing storage facilities, and laying out a distribution network. “The trip fostered strong mentorship bonds between students and professionals, while immersing participants in the realities of community-driven engineering in a low-resource setting,” Doyle wrote.

Are you currently involved with a student chapter? Be on the lookout for a welcome box from AWWA, which includes the winning tote bag from the spring student design competition, plus other new swag items. Also, be sure to join AWWA Sept. 17:

• From 10-11 a.m. MT, for the Chapter-to-Chapter Meet-Up
• From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. MT, for the Young Professionals Global Perspectives webinar.

Save the dates for any of the upcoming virtual events for students.

Are you interested in starting a student chapter? Contact your local Section or email students@awwa.org.