A conversation on sustainable infrastructure for water and health

Join the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) at the GW Science and Engineering Hall for an engaging discussion on sustainable infrastructure for water and health! We'll explore innovative solutions to ensure clean and accessible water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) for all. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from industry experts and contribute to the conversation on water sustainability. Come and be a part of the movement for a clean, equitable future!

2-3pm: AAEES Kappe Lecture: Reinventing the toilet for global sanitation: The NEWgenerator resource recovery machine - Daniel Yeh

Abstract

Billions of people worldwide suffer from poor sanitation due to lack of wastewater infrastructure.
With high CAPEX and OPEX, the conventional approach of centralized wastewater treatment plants served by an extensive sewer system is not an option for many communities. A new classification of modular and pre-fabricated non-sewered sanitation systems (NSSS, ISO 30500) has been introduced as an onsite micro-infrastructure alternative. Developed at the University of South Florida, the NEWgenerator is a solar-powered, modular, automated wastewater treatment and recycling system capable of operating independently from grid power, piped water and sewer. The core technology within the NEWgenerator is the anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR), capable of handling a wide range of wastewater strengths, intermittent flows, and prolonged shutdowns. The value proposition of the NEWgenerator is that it makes flush toilets possible in off-grid, remote locations. The NEWgenerator was a recipient of the 5th Cade Museum Prize for Innovation and the 2020 USPTO Patents for Humanity Award. This presentation will follow the two- decade journey of the NEWgenerator from concept to development to commercialization, including extended field trials in India (Kerala) and South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal). The presentation will also highlight initiatives to implement the NEWgenerator in disadvantaged communities in the U.S.

3-4pm: Panel Discussion: Equitable onsite wastewater management in the U.S. - Challenges and opportunities with moderator Kimberly Jones, Associate Provost and Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Howard University

Speakers

• Sherry Bradley, Executive Director, Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program, Lowndes County, Alabama
• Yun Shen, Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, George Washington University
• Charles Glass, Director, Maryland Environmental Service
• Daniel Yeh, Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida

All are welcome! The event is free but registration is needed.