PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE

Lifelong Learning

April 2014

It’s nearly May, our month for highlighting the incredible talents and successes of our next generation of Civil Engineers – Cal Poly’s SCE Chapter.

Our Branch is small and in a more remote part of Region 9, yet within our borders is one of the nation’s leading universities for Civil Engineering. In fact, Cal Poly recently received the Robert Ridgway Chapter Finalist Award, which means they are among the top five university student chapters in ASCE! That’s incredible considering there are over 150 student chapters nationwide. Suffice it to say, we are proud of our SCE Officers, Student Members and Faculty Advisors, and grateful for the opportunity to spend time with the students through ASCE.

Each month SCE makes it a point to send student members to our Branch meetings – providing a connection between students and professionals, and helping to bridge the gap when students enter the industry. I urge our members (you!) to attend this month’s Branch meeting on May 15^th, where we will hear presentations about innovation, dedication, and engineering from Cal Poly SCE’s Concrete Canoe, Steel Bridge and Geo Wall teams. Come help to highlight the successes of our local students and encourage their education and practice in Civil Engineering. And who knows, you might even meet your company’s next student intern or new hire! We look forward to seeing you there.

Speaking of SCE events, I want to leave you with one last great ASCE opportunity for the month. Do you like eating delicious BBQ? Better yet, do you like eating free BBQ?! Or hanging at Chorro Park? Or playing softball and frisbee? SCE would love to see our Branch members (you!) come out for a casual and fun event! So grab your sunblock and your family, and come join SCE, YMF and the Branch for the SCE End-of-the-Year annual BBQ at Chorro Park on Sunday, May 25^th, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. You’re welcome to bring your kids, spouses and friends.

As always, thank you for participating in our local ASCE events, and for helping to support our students! 

Carolyn K. Berg, P.E.
ASCE SLO Branch President

UPCOMING SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

Continuing Education Seminars & Workshops – 2014 Spring / Summer

Region 9, ASCE

Geographic Services is proud to announce the Continuing Education schedule of ASCE-produced seminars and workshops for the spring and summer in Region 9:

HEC-RAS Computer Workshop  –  April 23-25, Los Angeles

Project Management  –  May 15-16, San Francisco

Design of Concrete Pavements (NEW)  –  June 5-6, Long Beach

Design and Construction of Launched Bridges (NEW)  –  July 10-11, San Francisco

Seismic Design of Highway Bridges  –  September 4-5, Long Beach

For more information, please contact Jackie Simon, ASCE Geographic Services Manager at (703) 295-6143 or jsimon@asce.org.

BRANCH MEETING: APRIL 17, 2014

PASO ROBLES WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT UPGRADE
CITY OF PASO ROBLES, CALIFORNIA
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY

To provide effective wastewater treatment, the City of Paso Robles is upgrading its aging wastewater treatment plant.  Most of the existing wastewater treatment plant is over 50 years old.  As a result, its treatment performance is declining and it has become expensive to maintain. Water quality regulations have become very stringent. To protect the Salinas River, the Regional Water Quality Control Board requires the City to reduce its discharge of pollutants such as ammonia and nitrate.

Construction of the $36.4 million upgrade began 1 year ago and is now 50% complete.  Currently about $2 million of work is being completed each month. The overall schedule is 30 months but the 1st phase, which accounts for nearly all of the new treatment facilities and the new Operations Building, is to be completed within the first 22 months.

The sewage never stops!  Construction of the upgrade must be completed while the existing plant continues to operate.  This requires extensive planning and operational coordination to phase construction and develop temporary bypasses to keep sewage flowing while new facilities are constructed. 

Steve Wrightson, of The Covello Group, is the Construction Manager for the project.  Covello is a professional services firm that specializes in construction management of wastewater, water, recycled water, municipal buildings, and solid waste projects for municipalities and special districts.  Steve has worked in the engineering profession with an emphasis in construction since 1977. He has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from University of Maryland, is a Vice President of the firm.  His experience includes construction of water, wastewater, powerhouse, pipeline, flood protection, and industrial facilities.

Location:
City of Paso Robles Wastewater Treatment Plant
3200 Sulphur Springs Road
Paso Robles, CA 93446

Date & Time: 
Thursday, April 17 2014
12:00 PM

Cost: 
Members and Guests $20 by RSVP ($25 at the door)
Students $10
ASCE Life Members, complimentary lunch.

Menu: 
Buffet catered by Stein's BBQ & Catering including: caesar salad; citrus glazed baby back pork ribs & ale basted chicken with housemade bbq sauce; Stein's famous beans; sweet butter pamesan garlic bread; and mocha brownies.

Please RSVP by 1:00 p.m. Monday, April 14th, at the Branch web site (www.asceslo.org). Please attend the luncheon if you sign-up – some venues will charge the Branch for every seat we reserve, regardless of the actual attendance. If you have specific dietary restrictions or have questions, please contact Ryan Hayes, ASCE Secretary at rhayes@rickengineering.com or (805) 544-0707.

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Interested in sponsoring a future meeting?
A $200 donation to our scholarship fund will also bring you recognition at the meeting and in our newsletter following the meeting. Please contact Liz Moody at lizm@cannoncorp.us for more information.

ASCE Student Chapter 
Cal Poly SCE meets twice a month on Wednesday evenings. All members of ASCE are invited and encouraged to attend. Please see the SCE website for information regarding special events and ongoing activities.