A Clear Commitment to America’s Waters
53
Wipes
T
he
is celebrating a mile-
stone in educating utility leaders. For the past fifteen years
this intensive, 11-day executive management program has
provided over 300 water and wastewater utility leaders with
the advanced leadership and management skills needed to meet the
challenges of current and future demands with the highest level of
service and efficiency.
A joint venture of NACWA, the AmericanWater Works Association
(AWWA), the Association of MetropolitanWater Agencies (AMWA),
the Water Environment Federation (WEF) – in collaboration with the
National Association of Water Companies (NAWC), and the American
Public Works Association (APWA) – the Leadership Center convenes
annually at the Kenan Flagler Business School at the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Program curriculum is designed for current and up-and-coming water
and wastewater utility leaders. Participants graduate from the pro-
gram equipped not only with an enhanced skill set, but a path forward
in the establishment of strategic career and utility goals that deliver
measurable results.
Applications Being Accepted for 2015
The 2015
Water andWastewater Leadership Center
will be held March 8-19,
2015. Applications for the program are due Friday, October 31, 2014.
Class size is limited. Interested participants are encouraged to apply
early.
Leadership Center Celebrates 15 Years
of Utility Executive Education
recommended that only the 3 Ps – pee, poop, and toilet paper – be
flushed. The segment is available on
The Dr. Oz Show
, broken
into
and
Technical Group Wraps Up Work on
Flushability & Product Labeling
The technical workgroup comprised of representatives
from NACWA, the Water Environment Federation
(WEF), the American Public Works Association
(APWA), and INDA (the association of the nonwoven
fabrics industry) is wrapping up its work on an agree-
ment to address the issues related to flushability and
product labeling for wipes. The workgroup, supported
in part with NACWA’s Targeted Action Fund (TAF),
began meeting in May and has made significant prog-
ress towards developing a mutual understanding of the problems cre-
ated by wipes and potential solutions. The status of the workgroup
deliberations was presented at WEFTEC during the,
It’s a Toilet Not
a Trash Can Knowledge Development Forum
. In addition, the session
provided an international perspective on problems with wipes; the
results of the Maine
Save Your Pipes: Don’t Flush Baby Wipes
pilot public
education campaign; and, new research on the impacts of wipes on
pump clogs. After the workgroup process concludes, NACWA and
WEF will work together to develop additional resources for utilities
and the public to help encourage responsible flushing habits.
New Controlled Substances Rule
Helps Drug Take-Back Programs
NACWA’s
Toilets Are Not Trash Cans!
campaign includes other items
that are commonly flushed, but may be harmful to the wastewater
treatment process and/or water quality. This includes unused phar-
maceuticals, which are sometimes flushed by individuals, caregivers,
nursing homes, and long-term care facilities be-
cause of the lack of access to safe disposal options.
To prevent flushing of pharmaceuticals, many utili-
ties have set up, or participated in, drug take-back
programs. These programs were often limited in
scope, however, because of regulations that restrict
handling of controlled substances by anyone other
than the prescribed user.
The Drug Enforcement Administration published a new
on September 9, expanding the options
available for returning unused controlled substances, including take-
back events, mail-back programs, and collection receptacles. Retail
pharmacies, manufacturers, and some other entities may now volun-
tarily administer and maintain mail-back programs and collection
receptacles for controlled substances. There is currently no funding
provided, however, by either the government or pharmaceutical com-
panies for these programs. NACWA plans to work with other water
sector associations to address this lack of critical funding.
The Water &Wastewater Leadership Center
provided me with broad exposure to a number
of relevant disciplines taught by a top-notch,
experienced faculty. The leadership skills and
training this program provided are invaluable as
we each return to our own utilities with a renewed
sense of purpose and a deeper set of professional
relationships.
�
Mark Kim, 2014 Alumnus, Chief Financial Officer, DC Water
