We’re getting ready for our third annual Waste Treatment Symposium on Sept. 10-11 at the Holiday Inn at Six Flags in Eureka, Mo., 30 miles west of St. Louis. By all accounts, last year’s symposium was a success. The most common comment heard from vendors or participants was, “I got far more out of it than I ever anticipated.” We had 150 attendees, 50 more than in 2006. This year, we’re expecting at least 200 registrants. Our instructor list isn’t finalized yet, but the agenda will include:

Tuesday, Sept. 9: Vacuum Truck Technician Training

This full-day course is for new owners and employees who operate vacuum trucks to clean septic tanks, aerobic treatment units, holding tanks or grease traps. It can also serve as a refresher course and overview for experienced operators. Training is done through presentations, videos and hands-on exercises with a pump truck. The Pennsylvania Septage Management Association has developed a train-the-trainer program so the course can be presented in your state or company. The $175 course includes:

• Basic pump truck operation

• Materials to pump and avoid

• Reasons to manage these materials

• Pumps

• Basic science of vacuum and pressurization

• Truck equipment and components

• Drive and control mechanisms

• Basic and advanced pump-out skills and procedures

• Loading and unloading

• Safety and emergency response plans

• Customer interaction and education

• Manifests and reports

• Government regulations

Wednesday, Sept. 10 (classroom): All You Need to Know About Treating Septage and Grease Trap Waste

• Description of the treatment process.

• Hiring an engineer — Which ones are experienced enough to design dewatering plants?

• Resources — How will you dispose of the solids and water? Participants will gain the knowledge to create a business plan based on their unique set of circumstances.

• Case histories — Why people started their own dewatering facilities, the hurdles they overcame, and the outcomes.

• Treatment economics and alternatives.

• Dewatering operations — Screw press, rotary press and container filter.

• Vendors — 15-minute presentations on the benefits of using their products and when to use them.

• Social hour for networking with regulatory people, engineers and vendors. Dinner is on your own.

Thursday, Sept. 11 (field trip)

Attendees will be bused to David Flagg’s Septic Services’ treatment facility in Union. Vendors will dewater actual septage and grease trap waste, showing how the equipment functions and the process works. They also will demonstrate various peripheral equipment and polymer conditioning, offering tips for maximizing the latter’s efficiency. Ample time is scheduled for networking with vendors, participants and industry leaders.

Vendors

The list of vendors is firming up. The following companies have participated in the past:

• Aqua Ben Corp. – polymers

• Atlantic Dewatering – container filter

• FKC Screw Press – screw press

• Fourier Corp. – rotary press

• Big Fish Environmental LLC – turnkey septage treatment facilities

• Center Capital Corp. – financing

• Carmeuse – lime supplier

• Geotube – dewatering tubes

• Burt Waste – oil/water separator

• Labrie Environmental Group (Juggler) – separator truck

• Lely Manufacturing – screening equipment

• Lakeside – screening equipment

• Vogelsang – pumping and shredding equipment

The symposium registration fee of $225 per person (non-NAWT members $325) includes full symposium privileges, lunch both days, and transportation to and from the septage treatment facility. Download a registration form at www.nawt.org. Registrations at the door are accepted, but classroom capacity is limited. To guarantee your seat, please phone, fax, or mail your registration with payment by Sept. 1 to NAWT, 336 Chestnut Lane, Ambler, PA 19002-1001; Tel: 800/236-6298; Fax: 267/200-0279. For lodging, call the Holiday Inn at Six Flags at 636/938-6661. Mention that you are with the National Association of Wastewater Transporters Symposium for a discounted rate.

NAWT AT LOUISVILLE

Thanks to all of you who made the NAWT booth a destination while attending the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. Each of our educational tracks attracted 300 to 400 people. Once the show officially opened, you kept us hopping answering questions and offering guidance. Providing information isn’t something done just at shows. NAWT’s office is here to help whenever you have a problem or need information on anything from mechanical to administrative to legislative. Check us out at www.nawt.org.