Welcome to the Southwest Section of the Ohio Water Environment Association (OWEA)! OWEA is a non-profit, wastewater related organization with nearly 2000 members dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of our most precious natural resource ... WATER.
Founded in 1926, OWEA has grown to meet the challenges of our ever-changing environment. OWEA is one of the early members of the Water Environment Federation, an international federation of member associations with over 35,000 members worldwide and 81 affiliated Member Associations. WEF represents an additional 50,000 water quality professionals throughout the world. As a member of WEF, OWEA enjoys the benefits of all the resources and relationships of an international organization and proudly work to achieve the mission of preserving and enhancing the global water environment.
OWEA is divided into four Sections, each having its own governing structure. These sections, which generally consist of the four corners of the state, allow these areas further involvement with the affairs of their particular region, and offer members an opportunity to participate in our Association without extensive travel. This also offers members the ability to work closely with others in our profession, offer peer support, discuss problems and arrive at appropriate solutions.
Our members consist of Scientists and Laboratory Specialists, Engineers, Treatment Plant and Collection Systems Personnel, Manufacturer's Representatives, Educators, Students, and Regulators. We work through committees and publications.
The Fall edition of the WAVE is now available. Check out the link to the left to get all the latest information about what is going in the Section!
Meet the new southwest Young Professional's committee co-chairs: Ian Laseke (MSDGC) and Kelly Kuhbander (Strand Associates)! Click here to see the latest YP report.
Ian Laseke attended the University of Cincinnati for Civil and Environmental Engineering and graduated with a BS and MS in 2004 and 2006, respectively. After college he worked with the Office of Drinking Water and Ground Water at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to improve viral detection in water and drinking water utility performance. Ian currently works with the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati in the Estimating and Planning groups. In his free time he enjoys playing and watching soccer, trail running, and home brewing. You can contact Ian at: Ian.Laseke@cincinnati-oh.gov.
Kelly Kuhbander is a project engineer for Strand Associates, Inc. in Cincinnati, OH. She earned her Bachelors of Engineering from the University of Dayton, and her Masters of Business Administration from Xavier University. Kelly is a LEED Accredited Professional. Kelly's experience includes project management, green infrastructure planning and design, sewer and water main design, MS4 permit compliance assistance, watershed master planning and grant writing. Kelly lives in Madeira with her husband, Justin. Together they enjoy giving back through service engineering, and this summer they traveled to Honduras to design and construct potable water systems for several villages who did not have access to clean water. You can contact Kelly at: Kelly.Kuhbander@strand.com.
Revised SWOWEA Rules & Regulations- were voted on and approved. The approved copy is in the download section to the left. The membership voted on the revised Rules and Regultions at the May Section Meeting.
Contact Hours! The SWOWEA tracks all contact hours that were obtained through the section. The list can be found under the links to the left. If you need to check on contact hours that were obtained through the OWEA, check the link on the OWEA website
Past Presidents! The annual Past President's luncheon was held on December 9, 2011 at Parmizzano's in the Dayton Marriott. Pictured below are the presidents that attended the 2011 luncheon. See how many you can name in the picture below! They are the ones to thank for the strong organization we are today. The SW Executive Committee appreciates these past presidents for laying the groundwork to develop a strong section with competent leaders!
Pictured below are: Back row: Gary Johnson, Carl Guenther, Mark Livengood, Lynn Marshall, Dave Reimer, Dave Hill, Steve Morrison, Dan Leavitt, Joe Roberson, Steve Durall, Bob Shokler, Gary Wagner, Carl Gatton, Tom Kutcher, Jeff Olsen, Charlie Moore, Steve Laffel, Ernie Stickler and Don Cuthbert Sitting: Dan Sullivan, Debbie Schafer, Jane Winkler, Kathy Cook, and Barb Swafford
