'Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong' Documentary
A new documentary titled “Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong” was filmed over a two-year period at the Portland Water District’s East End Wastewater Treatment Facility in Portland, Maine. The film follows operators as they navigate aging infrastructure, challenging work conditions and the unseen, critical work required to keep the city’s water clean and the environment protected. Watch the trailer.
National Groundwater Awareness Week
National Groundwater Awareness Week takes place March 8-14. The annual observance highlights the responsible development, management and use of groundwater, encourages yearly water well testing and maintenance and promotes policies impacting groundwater quality and supply.
Women's History Month
Catherine Anselm Gleason (known as Kate) was the daughter of a machine shop owner and started reading books about machines and engineering at an early age. At 11 years old, she began helping her father in his shop. At 19, she became the first woman engineering student to enroll in the Mechanical Arts program at Cornell University; She was unable to complete her degree because hard times forced her to return home to help with her father’s shop. She earned the title of engineer through training and self-learning. She went on to help her father’s business expand to Europe during her 20s before leaving to become more involved in finance. In 1917, she became president of a national bank and used her engineering skills to come up with new affordable housing designs made with concrete based on a new pouring method she had developed. By 1918, she was elected the first woman member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
