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Western Pennsylvania Water Pollution
Control Association
Representing Counties of: Allegheny,
Armstrong, Beaver, Butler Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Fayette, Forest
Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Warren,
Washington and Westmoreland.
Download the membership application here
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Joe Rost
Very early in life Joe developed a strong interest in nature. With his father’s guidance, he raised everything from fish to cows, including a couple of orphaned raccoons. He expanded on this interest by earning a B.S. degree in Biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. While at I.U.P. he was able to combine his love of animals with new interests in microbiology, ecology, and chemistry. After graduation Joe obtained a position with the Municipal Authority of The City of McKeesport as a chemist at their wastewater treatment plant. He viewed this as a temporary position until he could find the environmental research position that he sought. As time went on, Joe realized that the wastewater field offered all of the elements that he was looking for in a job. It had microbiology, chemistry, ecology, and many challenging opportunities for research. He obtained his Class A, Type 1 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification in 1985. After 19 years in the laboratory, Joe was promoted to Assistant Superintendent and then to Superintendent. After the Authority reorganized in 2003, he was given the title of Executive Director. Joe is an active member of the Western Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Association, currently serving on the executive board as well as having served as chairman of the Planning Committee, Budget & Finance Committee and the Safety Committee. He is also a member of the Awards, Editorial/ Newsletter, and Seminar Committees. In 1997 he was honored to receive WPWPCA’s Excellence in Operations Award and in 1999 the Bruno Award. Joe is also active in the Pennsylvania Water Environment Association serving as co-chairman of the Safety Committee. During his tenure as co-chairman, PWEA received the Water Environment Federation’s Member Associations Safety Award in 1999 and 2001. This award is given by the national organization to member state associations for outstanding work towards workplace safety. In 2001 Joe received PWEA’s Ted Moses High Hat Award and was inducted into the prestigious “Sludge Shoveler’s Society”. He is an instructor for PH Environmental Services, Inc. as well as an instructor/ outreach assistant through the Pennsylvania Department of Community Economic Development. When not involved in work for the Municipal Authority, or one of the associations, Joe likes to “relax” at home while maintaining his 30 acre farm. Together with his wife, Carole, and his two teenage daughters, Katelyn and Erika, Joe shares the farm with their horses, goats, kennel of Samoyeds, and way too many cats. |
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Send E-mail to
Jim Degnan
with questions or comments about this web site.
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