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  • 1.  World Water Day

    Posted 03-22-2019 09:48 AM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 03-22-2019 09:47 AM
    Today is World Water Day. It's a celebration of water and its importance to life. World Water Day is designated by the UN and is celebrated all over the world.  Many countries plan elaborate ceremonies with song and dance. This year the UN has added the tag #Leavenoonebehind to World Water Day. Leave No one Behind is​ the UN's sustainable development initiative. 

    In our country we take clean, readily available water for granted.  However 2.1 billion people around the world don't have access to safe water and 4.5 billion lack access to adequate sanitation. Women and children spend more than four hours walking for water each day, and more than 840,000 people die each year from water-related diseases.

    I had the honor of serving on the Board of Water for People, a pre-eminent NGO dedicated to Clean Water for Everyone. I also know many colleagues who have worked all over the world for Engineers Without Borders, another fine NGO with many projects geared toward improved water and sanitation in developing countries. ASCE partners with EWB. 

    I would like to hear from others who have had experiences with these or other groups around the world. Hopefully sharing these experiences will motivate others to join the celebration and to Leave No One Behind. 

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    Bevin Beaudet P.E.,M.ASCE
    Bevin A. Beaudet, P.E., LLC.
    West Palm Beach FL
    (561)373-4442
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  • 2.  RE: World Water Day

    Posted 03-23-2019 12:57 PM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 03-23-2019 12:57 PM
    Sadly, 16,000 litres (4,200 gallons) of water were used to grow the cotton from which my jeans were made.

    Think how much would that mean for people in deprived areas. 

    I feel guilty buying more clothes!

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    Neil Kazen, M.Eng., M.Sc., P.Eng.
    FASCE, FCPCI, FEC,
    Retired Structural Engineering Manager, Transportation Division, SNC-Lavalin
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: World Water Day

    Posted 03-26-2019 07:45 AM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 03-26-2019 07:45 AM
    I think this year was the first time I've heard such a big buzz about World Water Day, which is very exciting!

    I was fortunate to participate in the joint Engineers Without Borders-ASCE project at UCLA that is specifically focused on water security in Arizona on the Navajo Reservation. The project is ongoing, but I helped in the initial research and design phases. The goal of the project is to design a low cost, permanent off-grid clean water system for a home in the Black Mesa region of the reservation. 

    The experience has definitely motivated me to choose the water resources and environmental track at UCLA and I hope to be involved in more projects in the future that deal with water insecurity and sustainability. 

    More information about the Navajo project at UCLA can be found here: Navajo Project
    ASCE at UCLA remove preview
    Navajo Project
    Black Mesa is a Navajo Native American reservation in Arizona, and it currently has limited access to running water or electricity. Typically, families within the community carry in water on a truck...
    View this on ASCE at UCLA >




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    Imani Elston S.M.ASCE
    UCLA
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: World Water Day

    Posted 04-02-2019 02:41 PM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 04-02-2019 02:40 PM
    Hello,

    I live in Montreal, currently doing my masters in urban stormwater management. I am curious if any of you have suggestions on how to get more involved in groups like the ones you were mentioning? Or how do you all stay well informed about whats going on in your field?

    Thanks for sharing!

    Julia Bond

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    Julia Bond S.M.ASCE
    Montreal QC
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  • 5.  RE: World Water Day

    Posted 04-06-2019 01:11 AM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 04-06-2019 01:10 AM
    Dear Julia,
    I don't know much about your field, but I guess it must offer opportunities similar to my field (Structural Engineering). In my field there several technical societies that I benefited from:
    - Precast/ Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI)
    - Canadian Precast/ Prestressed Concert Institute (CPCI)
    - Portland Cement Association (PCA)
    - Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC)
    - Canadian Parking Association
    - Engineering Institute of Canada

    And of course the professional association: Professional Engineers Ontario
    In your case, your best bet is to contact OIQ , check what chapter covers your area, go to chapter meetings as Engineer in Training. They can introduce you to other Engineering societies.

    Good luck

    ------------------------------
    Neil Kazen, M.Eng., M.Sc., P.Eng.
    FASCE, FCPCI, FEC,
    Retired Structural Engineering Manager, Transportation Division, SNC-Lavalin
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


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