The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is pleased to announce Dr. John Novak of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University as speaker for the 2009 Tsuan Hua Feng Distinguished Lecture.

What Will Be the Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Future?
Thursday September 24, 3:00 pm
Amherst Room, UMass Campus Center
Reception to follow.

Abstract:
Several issues are likely to change the way in which we will treat wastewater in the future. One such issue is the cost of energy, coupled with greenhouse gas emissions which will impact nitrogen removal processes and sludge handling. A second issue is the impending worldwide shortage of phosphorus which will change the focus from removal to recovery. Ideas for process that focus on energy reduction and nutrient recovery range from source separation to elimination of biological treatment to decentralized treatment. What will drive the directions we pursue and how will regulations be formulated to achieve these directions? This presentation will discuss these issues and speculate on what we may see in the future.

Dr. Novak will also be meeting with students and faculty during his visit and sharing his outlook on Environmental Engineering.