Let's connect.

Conference Partners – 2020

frank-avila-message
Please click here for the details on
first conference held during Feb 2019
wwm-keys-New-1

Please select your Track

Water & Wastewater Women Leaders in WWM
WWM in Agriculture Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
Solid waste Resource Recovery – Energy
Business Groups IT/IoT in WWM

WWM Conference Concept

With urbanization in the past century in India at a fast pace, the water and waste management issues multiplied throwing challenges to the municipal administration and public health. Except capital cities of the States, most of the municipal corporations did not have water and waste management facilities.

 

With the scarcity of land and other geographical problems, building centralized waste management facilities as existing in the developing countries is cost prohibitive, and not possible. India has already adopted for decentralized wastewater treatment for Industries, apartment houses and commercial facilities.

 

The Conference and Expo format is unique and will focus on water, wastewater, and solid waste issues facing both the urban and rural areas. This will also create a forum to bring together people from Indian administration, industry, commercial sector and academia to interact with International experts and vendors in water and waste management. The conference provides an opportunity to explore cost-effective technical solutions for water and waste management problems facing the Indian urban community and exchange knowledge and expertise.  The conference will also feature competitions for the young Indian students in the technical arena to motivate them to enter the water and waste management sector.

 

The Water and Waste Management Conference is planned in Hyderabad, India the capital of Telangana. Hyderabad is the IT & Pharma capital of India with campuses of international corporate giants like Google, Microsoft, GE, BOA to name a few. The city has a historic presence of more than 400 years and is home to about 8 million people spread over 250 square miles. The city is well connected to all major international and Indian cities.

WWM
2020
Speakers

And Many More
Commissioner Frank Avila, P.E,
MWRDGC, Chicago USA, Chairman of the Conference.
Dr. Prakasam Tata
Executive Director, CTWT, Co Chairman of the Conference.
Alan G Paine
Binder Group Germany
Pat Merryweather-Arges
Executive Director, Project Patient Care Naperville, USA
Dr. Vani Dittakavi , Ph. D.
Naperville, USA.
Dr. Praveen Rao Velchala
Track Chairman
Dr. Thomas Granato, Ph.D., BCES
Director of Monitoring and Research ( Retired) MWRDGC
Ms. Ruth Abbe
Cliff Haefke
Director of the Energy Resources Center (ERC) University of Illinois at Chicago
Mr Chetan Kale P.E
Principal
Kaletech, LLC Chicago, USA
Robert Binder
Chairman Binder Group Germany
Dr Sukanya Randhawa
Research Scientist at IBM Research

Inquire About Conference

Please fill in your details and we will get in touch with you.

Dr. Tata has more than six decades of experience in the field of Water and Wastewater Treatment. He is serving as the Executive Director of the Center for Transformation of Waste Technology, Naperville, IL USA. He retired as the Head of the R &D Environmental Monitoring and Research Division, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, IL USA. He also served on the faculties of Cornell University, Ithaca, NY and the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL USA. He coauthored four books and published more than 150 papers and reports.
He received many awards.After his retirement from the Water Reclamatio District of Greater Chicago, he founded a nonprofit organization, Bharathi Theertha, in USA in 2003, and has been devoting his time in doing humanitarian service and projects in India.

Dr. Tata has more than six decades of experience in the field of Water and Wastewater Treatment. He is serving as the Executive Director of the Center for Transformation of Waste Technology, Naperville, IL USA. He retired as the Head of the R &D Environmental Monitoring and Research Division, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, IL USA. He also served on the faculties of Cornell University, Ithaca, NY and the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL USA. He coauthored four books and published more than 150 papers and reports.
He received many awards.After his retirement from the Water Reclamatio District of Greater Chicago, he founded a nonprofit organization, Bharathi Theertha, in USA in 2003, and has been devoting his time in doing humanitarian service and projects in India.

Alan has worked with multiple International companies throughout his career. He holds both British and American Citizenship and mainly resides in N. Carolina USA. During his career Alan has been involved in automotive braking systems, high precision bearing technology and precision pneumatic instrumentation. Alan has held Senior Director roles with Thomson Industries of America, Fairchild Industrial Products and Rotork PLC. He is currently working in a consulting role for Binder Group Germany on an International basis.

Alan has worked with multiple International companies throughout his career. He holds both British and American Citizenship and mainly resides in N. Carolina USA. During his career Alan has been involved in automotive braking systems, high precision bearing technology and precision pneumatic instrumentation. Alan has held Senior Director roles with Thomson Industries of America, Fairchild Industrial Products and Rotork PLC. He is currently working in a consulting role for Binder Group Germany on an International basis.

Pat Merryweather-Arges is a Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Naperville since 2002, and served as District 6450 Governor 2012-2013.

Pat is the Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator and serves as the District International Service Chair. Pat served as the Zone 28-29 2016 Chair and Chair of the Presidents International Peace Conference held in Chicago   She served as the Club President and received her Club’s Rotarian of the Year and Four Avenues of Service Awards.   She has served the District as District Grants Chair for 3 years and Diversity Chair.   As a Rotarian Pat has traveled to about a dozen countries working on Rotary projects and has attended Rotary Day at the United Nations, and a Rotary Middle East Peace Conference  in Turkey.   Pat’s projects include solar ovens, water wells, and medical equipment and missions.   Pat has received the Rotary Foundation Meritorious Service Award and the Rotary International Service Above Self Award.

Pat is Executive Director of Project Patient Care where she works with patients, families, and caregivers to have their voice heard in health and healthcare through advocacy, public health policy, and collaboration with providers.  Pat is married to George, a Rotarian, and they have four sons, three daughters-in-law, and vie grandchildren.

Pat Merryweather-Arges is a Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Naperville since 2002, and served as District 6450 Governor 2012-2013.

Pat is the Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator and serves as the District International Service Chair. Pat served as the Zone 28-29 2016 Chair and Chair of the Presidents International Peace Conference held in Chicago   She served as the Club President and received her Club’s Rotarian of the Year and Four Avenues of Service Awards.   She has served the District as District Grants Chair for 3 years and Diversity Chair.   As a Rotarian Pat has traveled to about a dozen countries working on Rotary projects and has attended Rotary Day at the United Nations, and a Rotary Middle East Peace Conference  in Turkey.   Pat’s projects include solar ovens, water wells, and medical equipment and missions.   Pat has received the Rotary Foundation Meritorious Service Award and the Rotary International Service Above Self Award.

Pat is Executive Director of Project Patient Care where she works with patients, families, and caregivers to have their voice heard in health and healthcare through advocacy, public health policy, and collaboration with providers.  Pat is married to George, a Rotarian, and they have four sons, three daughters-in-law, and vie grandchildren.

Dr. Vani Dittakavi , Ph. D. School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad.
MS. Nagarjuna University specialized in Soil Microbiology.
A former Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Illinois and Rush University.
Published several articles in peer reviewed journals related to plant water relations, stress physiology, pharmacognosy and molecular biology.
Skilled volunteer at Morton Arboretum, Tree Physiology department, working on sap flow in trees.
Executive Director in Chicago Andhra Association a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Actively focusing in developmental projects of the organization in supplementing pure water and renovating schools in rural areas of the Andhra Pradesh State, India. Currently involved in welfare and women Empowerment projects for the low income and underprivileged.

Dr. Vani Dittakavi , Ph. D. School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad.
MS. Nagarjuna University specialized in Soil Microbiology.
A former Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Illinois and Rush University.
Published several articles in peer reviewed journals related to plant water relations, stress physiology, pharmacognosy and molecular biology.
Skilled volunteer at Morton Arboretum, Tree Physiology department, working on sap flow in trees.
Executive Director in Chicago Andhra Association a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Actively focusing in developmental projects of the organization in supplementing pure water and renovating schools in rural areas of the Andhra Pradesh State, India. Currently involved in welfare and women Empowerment projects for the low income and underprivileged.

Dr. Praveen Rao Velchala is the First Vice Chancellor of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, the youngest State Agricultural University in India, since April, 2016. Heis regarded as a prominent contributor to micro-irrigation scenario in India by conceiving,formulating and implementing the world’s largest microirrigation project, Andhra Pradesh Microirrigation Project,for small holder farmers covering over 1.0 million ha under agri-horticultural crops in the Southern States of Telangana & Andhra Pradesh.
A strong believer in digital technology outreach to end users,his work in agroknowledge management contributed to developing digital knowledge material on 142 drip irrigated agri-horticultural cropsthat helped in creating new capabilities, decision criteria for diffusion and adoption, and enhanced stakeholder value. The website www.sugarcanecrops.com on sustainable drip irrigated sugarcane production created by him benefited drip irrigated sugarcane growers in several countries.
A dedicated academician, he has to his credit over 164 research papers in peer reviewed national & international Journals, several field irrigation practical manuals, books, crop growing manuals, project documents, DVD films, invited international and national presentationsetc., covering different aspects of micro-irrigation and fertigation management. Mentoring budding agronomists is a favorite past time andhe stands as an inspiration to many of his students who worked for their masters (11) and doctoral (12) programmes, some of whom have received prestigious national research awards.
His professional commitment has won him several accolades –Leader with strategic vision bestowed by Agribusiness summit and Agri Awards 2019, Best Vice Chancellor 2018 by AIASA and IAUA, Life time Achievement (RythuNestam) Award (2018), Education Leadership Award (2018), Fellow of CHAI - 2018,Life time Achievement Award (2015), NetAward, Israel (2006) & Leadership Award (2005), to name a few for promotion of microirrigation in India, Africa and SE Asia.He is an active member of several international professional bodies viz.,ASA, SSSA, CSSA, ASABE, ISHS etc as well as Life Member of several professional bodies in India.He presently serves as Member, Governing Board and AGM of the ICAR and several technical and policy making think tanks related to agriculture and rural development inICAR and Telangana State.
SeveralEducational, Research and Extensionreformsand Inter-institutional collaborations both in India and abroad initiated by Dr. Rao as VC enabled thePJTSAU achieve top Rank in 2018 among SAUs in India within a short span of 4-years.

Dr. Praveen Rao Velchala is the First Vice Chancellor of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, the youngest State Agricultural University in India, since April, 2016. Heis regarded as a prominent contributor to micro-irrigation scenario in India by conceiving,formulating and implementing the world’s largest microirrigation project, Andhra Pradesh Microirrigation Project,for small holder farmers covering over 1.0 million ha under agri-horticultural crops in the Southern States of Telangana & Andhra Pradesh.
A strong believer in digital technology outreach to end users,his work in agroknowledge management contributed to developing digital knowledge material on 142 drip irrigated agri-horticultural cropsthat helped in creating new capabilities, decision criteria for diffusion and adoption, and enhanced stakeholder value. The website www.sugarcanecrops.com on sustainable drip irrigated sugarcane production created by him benefited drip irrigated sugarcane growers in several countries.
A dedicated academician, he has to his credit over 164 research papers in peer reviewed national & international Journals, several field irrigation practical manuals, books, crop growing manuals, project documents, DVD films, invited international and national presentationsetc., covering different aspects of micro-irrigation and fertigation management. Mentoring budding agronomists is a favorite past time andhe stands as an inspiration to many of his students who worked for their masters (11) and doctoral (12) programmes, some of whom have received prestigious national research awards.
His professional commitment has won him several accolades –Leader with strategic vision bestowed by Agribusiness summit and Agri Awards 2019, Best Vice Chancellor 2018 by AIASA and IAUA, Life time Achievement (RythuNestam) Award (2018), Education Leadership Award (2018), Fellow of CHAI - 2018,Life time Achievement Award (2015), NetAward, Israel (2006) & Leadership Award (2005), to name a few for promotion of microirrigation in India, Africa and SE Asia.He is an active member of several international professional bodies viz.,ASA, SSSA, CSSA, ASABE, ISHS etc as well as Life Member of several professional bodies in India.He presently serves as Member, Governing Board and AGM of the ICAR and several technical and policy making think tanks related to agriculture and rural development inICAR and Telangana State.
SeveralEducational, Research and Extensionreformsand Inter-institutional collaborations both in India and abroad initiated by Dr. Rao as VC enabled thePJTSAU achieve top Rank in 2018 among SAUs in India within a short span of 4-years.

Thomas Granato, Ph.D., BCES- Retired Director of Monitoring and Research for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District)

Dr. Granato holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Science and a Master of Science degree in Soil Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, as well as a Ph.D. in Environmental Soil Science at North Carolina State University.  He is a certified environmental scientist by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists.

Dr. Granato, was the director of the Monitoring and Research Department of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, where he was employed for 29 years.  The Department conducts environmental monitoring to assess regulatory compliance and impacts of District operations, applied research to provide technical support for operations and administers the District’s Industrial Pretreatment and User Charge programs.  The Department also leads long term strategic capital planning.

Dr. Granato served on the national peer review panel for the development of the US EPA’s 40 CFR Part 503 biosolids regulation and conducted numerous studies to support the practice of land application.  He was chair of the Illinois Water Environment Association’s Biosolids Committee and Vice Chair of the Water Environment Federation’s Microconstituents Community of Practice.  He was a member of the Water Environment Research Foundation’s Research Council for 6 years, he served on the editorial boards of several scientific journals including Water Environment Research, and he is currently an Adjunct Lecturer in the Civil and Materials Engineering Department at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  Dr. Granato has authored or coauthored two book chapters and more than 100 peer reviewed articles and technical reports.

Thomas Granato, Ph.D., BCES- Retired Director of Monitoring and Research for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District)

Dr. Granato holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Science and a Master of Science degree in Soil Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, as well as a Ph.D. in Environmental Soil Science at North Carolina State University.  He is a certified environmental scientist by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists.

Dr. Granato, was the director of the Monitoring and Research Department of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, where he was employed for 29 years.  The Department conducts environmental monitoring to assess regulatory compliance and impacts of District operations, applied research to provide technical support for operations and administers the District’s Industrial Pretreatment and User Charge programs.  The Department also leads long term strategic capital planning.

Dr. Granato served on the national peer review panel for the development of the US EPA’s 40 CFR Part 503 biosolids regulation and conducted numerous studies to support the practice of land application.  He was chair of the Illinois Water Environment Association’s Biosolids Committee and Vice Chair of the Water Environment Federation’s Microconstituents Community of Practice.  He was a member of the Water Environment Research Foundation’s Research Council for 6 years, he served on the editorial boards of several scientific journals including Water Environment Research, and he is currently an Adjunct Lecturer in the Civil and Materials Engineering Department at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  Dr. Granato has authored or coauthored two book chapters and more than 100 peer reviewed articles and technical reports.

Ruth Abbe Zero Waste USA President. Ms. Abbe will talk about Best Practice for Cities in the USA. Ruth Abbe is the president of Zero Waste USA, the national affiliate of the Zero Waste International Alliance. The mission of Zero Waste USA is to inspire communities to embrace and achieve Zero Waste. She is a Zero Waste practitioner with more than 25 years of experience in recycling and composting program and facility development. As the principal of Abbe & Associates LLC, she is working with municipalities across the U.S. to develop the social and physical infrastructure to achieve Zero Waste. In her home city of Alameda, California she is a grassroots leader with Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA).

Ruth Abbe Zero Waste USA President. Ms. Abbe will talk about Best Practice for Cities in the USA. Ruth Abbe is the president of Zero Waste USA, the national affiliate of the Zero Waste International Alliance. The mission of Zero Waste USA is to inspire communities to embrace and achieve Zero Waste. She is a Zero Waste practitioner with more than 25 years of experience in recycling and composting program and facility development. As the principal of Abbe & Associates LLC, she is working with municipalities across the U.S. to develop the social and physical infrastructure to achieve Zero Waste. In her home city of Alameda, California she is a grassroots leader with Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA).

Cliff Haefke has 19+ years of experience in the energy industry and is the Director of the Energy Resources Center (ERC) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). The ERC is an interdisciplinary public service, research, and special projects organization that works to improve energy efficiency and the environment, providing expertise in the areas of energy efficiency, distributed generation, and biofuels/bioenergy. Cliff serves as Director of the U.S. DOE Midwest and Central Combined Heat and Power Technical Assistance Partnerships, the Assistance Director of the U.S. DOE Industrial Assessment Center, and as President of the Midwest Cogeneration Association. Cliff has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from UIC and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the UIC Liautaud Graduate School of Business.

Cliff Haefke has 19+ years of experience in the energy industry and is the Director of the Energy Resources Center (ERC) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). The ERC is an interdisciplinary public service, research, and special projects organization that works to improve energy efficiency and the environment, providing expertise in the areas of energy efficiency, distributed generation, and biofuels/bioenergy. Cliff serves as Director of the U.S. DOE Midwest and Central Combined Heat and Power Technical Assistance Partnerships, the Assistance Director of the U.S. DOE Industrial Assessment Center, and as President of the Midwest Cogeneration Association. Cliff has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from UIC and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the UIC Liautaud Graduate School of Business.

Mr Chetan Kale is the founder and principal of Kaletech, LLC. Before starting his own company Mr Kale has worked extensively on major civil engineering projects in Chicago land area. Mr Kale has over 20 plus years of experience in all facets of Environmental Engineering in India, USA and East Africa.
Mr Kale was part of the design team for a major runway expansion project at O’Hare International Airport. He has also worked on the Masterplan studies with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

His design experience includes Water Treatment Plant Design, Storm Sewer modeling, Energy Neutrality Studies, Drainage design, Sanitary Sewer study, Sewage Treatment plant studies and Industrial Waste treatment.

He has a B.S in Civil engineering from University of Mumbai (VJTI) India and MS from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago specializing in Environmental engineering.

Chetan Kale is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Illinois, Indiana, & Wisconsin. He is also a LEED accredited professional and has worked on Gas & Energy projects.

Professional Affiliations:
Chetan Kale is a member of American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE), American Water Works Association, Water Environment Federation, President of Architecture, Engineering and IT division US-Minority Contractors Association.

Mr Chetan Kale is the founder and principal of Kaletech, LLC. Before starting his own company Mr Kale has worked extensively on major civil engineering projects in Chicago land area. Mr Kale has over 20 plus years of experience in all facets of Environmental Engineering in India, USA and East Africa.
Mr Kale was part of the design team for a major runway expansion project at O’Hare International Airport. He has also worked on the Masterplan studies with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

His design experience includes Water Treatment Plant Design, Storm Sewer modeling, Energy Neutrality Studies, Drainage design, Sanitary Sewer study, Sewage Treatment plant studies and Industrial Waste treatment.

He has a B.S in Civil engineering from University of Mumbai (VJTI) India and MS from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago specializing in Environmental engineering.

Chetan Kale is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Illinois, Indiana, & Wisconsin. He is also a LEED accredited professional and has worked on Gas & Energy projects.

Professional Affiliations:
Chetan Kale is a member of American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE), American Water Works Association, Water Environment Federation, President of Architecture, Engineering and IT division US-Minority Contractors Association.

After completing his studies in Mechanical Engineering Robert focused on Fluid Dynamics and Measurement & Control Instrumentation. He worked 10 years as a Sales Engineer and Office Manager for Measurement & Control at VIA GmbH and later as Sales Manager and shareholder at KWW Process Engineering GmbH.

Through an acquisition by Alfa Laval he became the International Sales & Marketing Director for the Instrumentation division. Alfa Laval was then acquired by Tetra Pack and Robert established the Binder Engineering GmbH in 1996 acquiring the Instrumentation division from Alfa Laval Flow as an MBO.

Robert acquired and founded additional sales and manufacturing companies across Europe and Asia creating the BINDER GROUP AG and establishing Representative and Distributor networks to guarantee local customer services.

Trademarks like COMBIMASS, VACOMASS, BETA and INSTRUM belong to the Binder Group that manufacture pressure & temperature switches, pressure regulators and gas flowmeters for industrial applications as well as aeration control systems for the biological process in sewage treatment plants. Robert is the inventor and Patent holder of various products designed to achieve sustainable solutions, providing better control for a better environment that reduces the global carbon footprint.

Robert is an active member of different esteemed associations such as the German DWA - Water & Waste Water, German Biogas Association, IWA, GWP - German Water Partnership where Robert is the Deputy Head of the China Section.

Roberts company vision is “to be the global industry leader in Aeration Control Systems for waste water treatment and Biogas Monitoring. Respected and admired by our customers and competitors for our people, products and performance. We will constantly strive to supply the best technology, superior customer service and value, providing better control for a better environment”

After completing his studies in Mechanical Engineering Robert focused on Fluid Dynamics and Measurement & Control Instrumentation. He worked 10 years as a Sales Engineer and Office Manager for Measurement & Control at VIA GmbH and later as Sales Manager and shareholder at KWW Process Engineering GmbH.

Through an acquisition by Alfa Laval he became the International Sales & Marketing Director for the Instrumentation division. Alfa Laval was then acquired by Tetra Pack and Robert established the Binder Engineering GmbH in 1996 acquiring the Instrumentation division from Alfa Laval Flow as an MBO.

Robert acquired and founded additional sales and manufacturing companies across Europe and Asia creating the BINDER GROUP AG and establishing Representative and Distributor networks to guarantee local customer services.

Trademarks like COMBIMASS, VACOMASS, BETA and INSTRUM belong to the Binder Group that manufacture pressure & temperature switches, pressure regulators and gas flowmeters for industrial applications as well as aeration control systems for the biological process in sewage treatment plants. Robert is the inventor and Patent holder of various products designed to achieve sustainable solutions, providing better control for a better environment that reduces the global carbon footprint.

Robert is an active member of different esteemed associations such as the German DWA - Water & Waste Water, German Biogas Association, IWA, GWP - German Water Partnership where Robert is the Deputy Head of the China Section.

Roberts company vision is “to be the global industry leader in Aeration Control Systems for waste water treatment and Biogas Monitoring. Respected and admired by our customers and competitors for our people, products and performance. We will constantly strive to supply the best technology, superior customer service and value, providing better control for a better environment”

Dr Sukanya Randhawa is AI researcher at IBM and creator of IBM's 'Bluewater Eye'. Her focus lies in developing innovative technology solutions that integrate several emerging technologies such as  AI, Geo-spatial analytics with focus for applications in water quality and precision agriculture space. In the water space, her work is geared towards developing scalable geospatial technology (“IBM Bluewater EYE”) with advanced AI tools for using satellites as low cost water sensors for monitoring water pollution and deriving insights for studying environmental impact for rivers/lakes.

Dr Sukanya Randhawa is AI researcher at IBM and creator of IBM's 'Bluewater Eye'. Her focus lies in developing innovative technology solutions that integrate several emerging technologies such as  AI, Geo-spatial analytics with focus for applications in water quality and precision agriculture space. In the water space, her work is geared towards developing scalable geospatial technology (“IBM Bluewater EYE”) with advanced AI tools for using satellites as low cost water sensors for monitoring water pollution and deriving insights for studying environmental impact for rivers/lakes.