The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has recognized Scott Schaefer, AE2S Wastewater Practice Leader, for his contributions to public health during the coronavirus pandemic. Schaefer has coauthored several WEF guides and participated in webcasts over the past few months alongside other prominent wastewater industry leaders. The materials include:

• Water Professionals Guide to COVID-19
• Wastewater Epidemiology Webcast
• COVID-19 Webcast
• Residuals and Biosolids Issues Concerning COVID-19 Virus

“I have had the opportunity to work with a truly talented and dedicated team through the WEF COVID-19 response that was able to swiftly develop much needed fact-based information. The effort was also able to identify certain biological operator safety knowledge gaps that are now being addressed to better protect our operators,” says Schaefer. “COVID-19 has been a significant challenge, but it has also highlighted the importance of the role of clean, safe water in protecting public health.”

Grant Meyer, AE2S CEO, and Jeff Hruby, AE2S CDO, received a letter from Jacqueline Jarrell, WEF President, and Walter Marlowe, WEF Executive Director, commending Schaefer for lending his “insights, intelligence, and leadership” to WEF in the coordination of information that has educated thousands of industry professionals during this tumultuous time.

An excerpt from the letter reads:
“As a member of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and Chair of the Disinfection and Public Health Committee, Mr. Schaefer has earned broad respect among his peers as a selfless and prescient leader. Long before COVID-19 was a concern, Mr. Schaefer made sure that the dangers of waterborne diseases were routinely part of WEF’s content and programming. As a committee leader, last year he shepherded the creation of a new subcommittee, the Waterborne Infections Disease Outbreak Control, and ensured that it had some of WEF’s best and most selfless experts. Because of his proactive leadership, this subcommittee was at the ready as the seeds of what we now know as the global coronavirus pandemic began to grow roots.”

“AE2S is very proud of the work that Scott does for our clients as well as through his volunteerism and leadership within WEF,” says Meyer. “Scott’s work made a difference, at a time when our industry may have needed in the most. He truly exemplifies the AE2S motto of ‘Think Big. Go Beyond.”