ASCE Releases New Report Card for America’s Infrastructure

Released March 19 ASCE’s 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure gave the nation’s infrastructure an overall grade of D+, showing slight progress from D in the last Report Card issued in 2009. The report provides our nation’s political leaders, policymakers, business leaders, infrastructure stakeholders, the media, and the general public with expert advice from the civil engineering community about the condition of infrastructure across the nation.

• To access 2013 Report Card
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Interview with Duke University & DukeEngage’s David Schaad

Dr. David E. Schaad, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, D.WRE is a Professor of the Practice and Associate Chair at the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke University. David is a founding Diplomate since 2008 and in this feature, he shares his thoughts with AAWRE on his career and work, his love of teaching, his work with Engineers Without Borders, and his advice for leaders of tomorrow.

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View Photos from 2013 International World Water Day

International World Water Day is held annually on March 22nd as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. In designating 2013 as the UN International Year of Water Cooperation, the UNGA recognizes that cooperation is essential to strike a balance between the different needs and priorities and share this precious resource equitably, using water as an instrument of peace.

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• To view photos from WWD 2013

AAWRE Diplomates Celebrate Awesome for 2013 NEW!

AAWRE participated in the 2013 National Engineers Week for 3rd year. Our Diplomates are Celebrating Awesome, the 2013 theme- showcasing their love of engineering and highlighting the vast contributions they make to a quality of life we all enjoy. Find out in their own words from our AAWRE Diplomate leaders on why civil engineering is important to our societies, what they love about water resources and civil engineering, and hear their pitch on why students should pursue a career in civil engineering!

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In Memoriam: Margaret Petersen

Margaret S. Petersen, P.E., Hon.D.WRE, Dist.M.ASCE, a significant pioneer in hydraulics and water resources engineering passed away on January 18 at the age of 92. Ms. Petersen was elected as an inaugural Honorary Diplomate of AAWRE in 2005 and has maintained a long and distinguished history of committee leadership within ASCE and EWRI. Ms. Petersen worked for 35 years on various projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including a year on loan to the Special Engineering Division of the Panama Canal. During that period she served as a role model and mentor for other female water resources professionals.

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AAWRE Diplomates Garner 2012 ASCE Awards

AAWRE Diplomates garnered several major 2012 ASCE Awards. Augustine Fredrich, P.E., D.WRE, F.ASCE for the Civil Engineering History and Heritage Award; James Heaney, Ph.D., P.E., D.WRE, M.ASCE for the Julian Hinds Award; Conrad Keyes, Sc.D., P.E., P.S., D.WRE, Dist.M.ASCE for the Arid Land Hydraulic Engineering Award; and Rao Surampalli, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, D.WRE, Dist.M.ASCE for the Simon W. Freese Environmental Engineering Award and Lecture, and the Samuel Arnold Greeley Award.

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ASCE Releases Final Failure to Act Study

A new economic study unveiled by ASCE offers a comprehensive evaluation of the long-term effects on jobs, GDP and other economic indicators if the nation cannot meet the investment needs of key infrastructure sectors. Failure to Act: The Impact of Current Infrastructure Investment on America's Economic Future analyzes and quantifies the interactive effect that investment gaps in surface transportation, energy, water and wastewater, as well as airports, inland waterways, and marine ports could have on the nation’s economy.

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• For ASCE release

Message from AAWRE President Rob Traver

Dr. Rob Traver, Ph.D., P.E., D.WRE, M.ASCE who began his one-year term as AAWRE President in October encourages Diplomates to support the founding organizations that support AAWRE. In his first message as 2013 President, Dr. Traver urges all Diplomates to sign up to be members of ASCE and EWRI and asks for more support and participation in the organizations. Rob is one of the world’s leading experts in stormwater and flooding issues.

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Nominations Sought for IWA Project Innovation Awards – Development

Following reflection on the geographical scope of the original Project Innovation Awards, IWA launched the development of a new awards competition in 2011 to recognize and celebrate excellence and innovation in water and sanitation projects in developing countries. Into its 2nd edition, the 2013 PIA-Development is open now for project submissions until May. The global awards ceremony will be held at the 3rd IWA Development Congress in Nairobi, Kenya in October 2013.

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Engineers Without Borders USA and MWH Global Announce Partnership

Engineers Without Borders USA and MWH Global, a strategic consulting, technical engineering and construction services firm serving the wet infrastructure sector, launched a new partnership to improve the lives of people around the world. MWH Global’s new partnership with EWB-USA, will support the EWB-USA's community-driven development programs worldwide through the implementation of engineering projects.

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Conference Spotlights

USSD Annual Conference and Meetings

The Theme of the 2013 USSD Conference is Changing Times — The Challenges and Risks of Managing Aging Infrastructure under a New Financial Reality. The responsibility to create sustainable projects that are sensitive to the environmental, social, financial, geographical and political needs of the world's population is ever increasing. The Opening Plenary session will begin with updates on ASDSO and the ICOLD 2013 Meeting, followed by a presentation on the proposed Susitna-Watana Project by Wayne Dyok, Alaska Energy Authority.

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USCID’s Using 21st Century Technology to Manage Irrigation Water Supplies

The focus of this Conference is to emphasize key issues of science and technology transfer for the agricultural industry. The Conference will provide an ideal forum for farmers and irrigation districts to learn about new technologies available in the 21st century as well as share their ideas and experiences with others. The goal of the Conference is to bring together water resources professionals interested in the new technologies, as they relate to agriculture. Conference will be held in beautiful Phoenix, Arizona!

• To register