Industrial Water, Waste & Sewage Group Since 1948……. |
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The '25 – '26 IWWSG Season is Here!
We kicked things off early with a packed “bonus” meeting on August 20—a tour of Loyola University Chicago’s award-winning School of Environmental Sustainability [see recap below]. The Steering Committee has finalized another exciting year ahead with engaging speakers, great networking, and fun venues. This season, we’re also putting a special focus on emerging professionals, starting with a networking-focused first meeting. Please join us tomorrow to meet/talk with others in our profession in this casual setting (see information/registration link below).
A huge thank-you to our dedicated volunteers and member companies whose support keeps IWWSG strong. Dues notices for the ’25–’26 season are out—if you haven’t renewed yet, please do so to help us keep moving forward. As we enter our 78th season, we invite you to join us for learning, connection, and fun. IWWSG’s future success depends on you!
We hope to see you on September 24th! Thank you!! |
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| Cheers! Barb Scapardine '25-'26 Chair - IWWSG |
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IWWSG Emerging Professionals Group Meeting – September 24 |
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Looking to grow your career in water, sustainability, or environmental fields? Join IWWSG and our Emerging Professionals Group to connect, learn, and network with industry leaders and peers. Our members include engineers, scientists, consultants, attorneys, government leaders, and plant managers—creating a network of professionals working on today’s water and environmental challenges. *Registration Link*
Emerging Professionals Happy Hour
Meet peers, build connections, and learn more about getting involved with IWWSG.
Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 6:00 – 8:00 pm Time Out Market 916 W Fulton Market, Chicago |
Special “Bonus” August Event Recap!!
by David Holmbery (Past Chair) |
IWWSG had a special “bonus” August meeting! Hosted by Nancy Tuchman, PhD, visionary founder and recently retired Dean of the School of Environmental Sustainability (SES) at Loyola University Chicago and recipient of IWWSG’s 2025 E. Ted Erickson “Distinguished Environmental Professional Award”, attendees were provided a tour of the SES. The SES trains the next generation of environmental leaders, preparing students for socially responsible professions in environmental science, policy, education, business, and health. The SES building on the Lake Shore Campus has state-of-the-art features that minimize energy use, reduce waste, and conserve water. The soaring glass ceiling that wraps the SES building ventilates the building, collects rainwater, and provides natural light for plants in the Greenhouse Lab. Loyola is the first Chicago-area university to achieve carbon neutrality and 100% of campus electricity use is powered by clean, renewable energy.
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One of the tour highlights of the School was the geothermal heating and cooling system (largest in Chicagoland) which heats and cools the 217,000 ft3 facility. A 91-well geothermal system heats and cools the SES building by tapping into the earth’s constant temperature deep underground (500 feet). The system is highly efficient, cutting the building’s heating and cooling costs by 30 percent. “Viewing windows” built into the floor encourage a “bird’s eye view” of some of the system’s subsurface plumbing.
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A second tour highlight was the Searle Biodiesel Lab in the SES building, which is home to Loyola’s award-winning biodiesel program. In the biodiesel laboratory, students operate a self-sustaining business converting used cooking oil from cafeteria deep fat fryers into clean-burning biodiesel fuel (and other by-products) to sell to the school’s shuttle bus company, which takes students between the Lakeshore campus and the downtown Water Tower campus.
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Another tour highlight was SES’s 3,100 sq ft greenhouse, used for educational activities, sustainable food systems research projects, and urban agriculture production, with aquaponics (combining fish and sustainable plant production) and hydroponics (for growing vegetables without soil) facilities where students studying sustainable food systems grow and sell their organic produce and tilapia. |
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An unplanned tour highlight (?) occurred when a (false) fire alarm was triggered at the school, requiring evacuation of the facility while the building was checked by Fire Department personnel. As soon as the “all clear” signal was given, the tour resumed. At the conclusion, participants proceeded to the nearby Ethiopian Diamond Restaurant, known for authentic Ethiopian cuisine served in a vibrant atmosphere. We were pleased that Malini Suchak, PhD, who was named the new Dean of the SES following the retirement of Dr. Tuchman, was able to join us for the post-tour dinner.
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2025 Speaker Events to Date |
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Achieving Carbon Neutrality – Nancy Tuchman, Loyola University Chicago (2025 E. Ted Erickson Distinguished Environmental Professional Award recipient)
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PFAS: From Basics to Upcoming TRI & TSCA Reporting Requirements – Lori Dinkelman, ERM & Michael Vam Brunt, Reworld
- Federal Action Update - Erika Powers, Partner at Barnes & Thornburg
- IWWSG & IWEA Pretreatment Panel Discussion – various industry presenters, co-sponsored with Illinois Water Environment Association
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Tour of Loyola University Chicago’s School of Environmental Sustainability
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“Thank You” to our Member Companies |
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