Earlier this fall, two B&V Water project engineers, Bob O’Bryan and Brie Zickefoose, delivered an interactive “Water and Wastewater Learn-In” seminar for a dozen high school students at DeLaSalle Education Center in Kansas City, Mo. The students are participating in the Environmental Connection Opportunities for Students (ECOS) class, and the seminar was part of the Urban Water module. Black & Veatch’s participation resulted from publicity from our Rain Garden program.
Green Works in Kansas City, a non-profit organization, is sponsoring the ECOS pilot program in Kansas City at DeLaSalle. “We’re very interested in the environment and how to preserve it for the future,” said Lakia Jones, a student in the ECOS class.
Students have been learning about water and wastewater treatment processes, problems caused by excessive runoff in urban areas, Kansas City’s combined sewer system, as well as rain gardens and rain barrels. As a result, the class plans to plant a rain garden on the school grounds on Oct. 12.
Bob and Brie presented background on the water and wastewater cycle, introducing the concepts in a hands-on manner. Amanda Johnson, another B&V project engineer, assisted in the presentation. The students worked with the B&V Water engineers to prepare “wastewater soup,” create a filtering system and solve water pressure challenges.
Students had several questions regarding how water is cleaned and then added back into rivers and streams, whether polluted air has an effect during the cleaning process and whether water treatments plants operate around the clock. For example, Lakia wanted to know: “If the water coming into the place where I work is clean, then why do the water pipes in the ice machine have to be cleaned out regularly?”
The ECOS program combines the concept of environmental justice with the projected growth of employment in environmental fields. Young adults are educated about the environment and provided an opportunity to actively participate in environmental work.
The students are also exposed to employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in the environmental field. “This has been an amazing learning opportunity,” said Kate Corwin, president of Green Works. “Bringing in area professionals who talk about what they do for a living also gives these students the chance to explore their career options and plan for their future.”
