A megadrought in the U.S. Southwest has triggered emergency measures to be taken, as both water and hydroelectric power supplies to millions of people are threatened. The water levels in the two largest human-made reservoirs in the U.S., Lake Mead and Lake Powell, have been receding for years and have now reached historic lows.
The Colorado River Basin
“Bathtub rings” around the reservoir show where water levels have receded. This photo of Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam was taken in 2014, at which time there was already concern about the water levels
When I visited Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam in 2014, the “bathtub rings” around the reservoir allowed for spectacular views of the rock formations (photo). However, the rings were a foreboding sign of the receding water levels, and at that time, there was already concern about the future of the water supply. Lake Powell’s water level, which when full is at an elevation of about 3,700 ft, is now at around 3,522 ft — less than 25% of capacity. An elevation of at least 3,490 ft is needed for Glen Canyon Dam to operate and supply power to its over 5 million customers [ 1]. Just last month, for the first time, the federal government announced a delay in the release of water from the Lake Powell reservoir to downstream Lake Mead in order to keep Glen Canyon Dam in operation.
And in Lake Mead, which supplies water to millions of people, the extremely low water level has exposed a water intake valve that has been in operation since 1971 and can no longer be used now. These severe drought conditions have driven officials to enact numerous conservation measures, including limiting water supplies to the Colorado River Basin and outlawing “nonfunctional” grass in areas of Nevada.
Engineering for water security
Water scarcity is a global concern and warnings about severe water shortages are alarming [2]. The current water crisis in the Southwest emphasizes the need to keep water conservation a top priority. There are numerous ways in which chemical engineers can contribute to sustainable water practices, such as increasing water efficiency in agricultural and industrial operations, and further developing water re-use and desalination technologies. Further suggestions are outlined in the report “New Directions for Chemical Engineering” by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (Washington, D.C.; www.nationalacademies.org).
New advances in membrane technologies are addressing challenging conditions to meet ZLD goals, and fouling-resistant membranes are being used in industrial water re-use applications. More on these advances are outlined in our Newsfront, “New Membranes Support Sustainability Trends,” on pp. 12–17. ■
Dorothy Lozowski
Dorothy Lozowski, Editorial Director
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November 9-11, 2026Irving Convention Center | Dallas, TX
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When a major incident strikes, the people stepping into Incident Command aren't always the ones who trained for it. Engineers, operators, trades supervisors, and compliance specialists may suddenly find themselves filling Command and General Staff roles — not because they volunteered, but because the situation demands it. Panelists will share practical strategies for leading without positional authority, tools and frameworks that help personnel rapidly orient to ICS roles, and approaches for closing the gap between day-to-day job functions and emergency command readiness before the next incident makes it urgent.
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Scott Andrews (Trans Mountain Canada Inc., Manager Emergency Management)
Kelly Codlin , MSPH, CIH (Marathon Petroleum Company, Emergency Preparedness Director)
Nick Hickson (Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), Hazmat Training Manager)
Josh Dubach MSc, CEM (Onterris, Senior Response Management Consultant)
This session will examine produced water as the largest waste stream in the oil and gas industry and one of its most pressing emerging challenges. It will address the growing volumes of produced water, the increasing regulatory and public scrutiny of constituents such as PFAS, salts, and Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM), and the operational implications for management, treatment, reuse, and disposal. The discussion will also explore how operators, regulators, and communities are redefining approaches to produced water management in response to environmental, technical, and stakeholder pressures.
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Steve Pepper, Ph.D., (Onterris, Director of Response Management)
Charles Maguire (Railroad Commission of Texas, Advisor, Oil and Gas Division)
Prof. Shane Walker Ph.D. (Texas Produced Water Consortium, Director)
Ray Cheatham (Onterris, Energy Sector Leader)
This session will present a detailed case study of a large-scale lithium-ion battery fire response that extended over 12 months. Attendees will explore the hazards associated with thermal runaway events, the operational challenges of suppressing lithium battery fires, and the response strategies that proved effective in this prolonged incident. The
Drawing on insights from U.S. EPA Region 9 wildfire response efforts, the session will also highlight tactics such as hazard characterization, air monitoring and evaluation, and household hazardous waste collection and disposal. Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of the complexities involved in large-scale battery fire incidents and the critical factors to consider when planning and executing an effective response.
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Robert W. May PG (Clean Harbors, Senior Vice President, Branch Services and Sales)
Crosley Welch (Missouri Department of Natural Resources, State On-Scene Coordinator)
Samuel Cheek , CSP, RRPT (U.S. EPA, Region 6, Federal On-Scene Coordinator)
Christopher Myers (U.S. EPA, Region 9, Federal On-Scene Coordinator)
This session introduces use of remote sensing technologies to detect, characterize and monitor spills across marine and coastal environments. Discussion will highlight how tools can integrate into modern spill response workflows to improve safety and support data-driven decision making.
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James Hanzalik (Clean Gulf Associates, Vice-President)
Gordon Staples (MDA Space Ltd., Senior Radar Applications Scientist)
Grant Coolbaugh (Applied Research Associates / Ohmsett, Mechanical Engineer)
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Allyson Purcell MEP, CEM (ConocoPhillips, CMER Director)
Michael Delio (Maxum Petroleum, EHS & SECURITY MGR)
This session provides a practical, ground‑level introduction to the essential steps required after a battery undergoes a thermal event. We’ll break down how to assess site conditions, stabilize and prepare damaged cells or packs, select appropriate containment and packaging methods, and navigate the regulatory landscape that governs transport and disposal. The lecture emphasizes real‑world decision‑making, safety considerations, and compliance requirements, giving participants a clear framework they can apply immediately in field operations or emergency response planning.
Speaking
Mark Steadman (The Battery Network, Program Manager)
Environment, Health, Safety & Security
Drought emphasizes water scarcity
| By Dorothy Lozowski
A megadrought in the U.S. Southwest has triggered emergency measures to be taken, as both water and hydroelectric power supplies to millions of people are threatened. The water levels in the two largest human-made reservoirs in the U.S., Lake Mead and Lake Powell, have been receding for years and have now reached historic lows.
The Colorado River Basin
“Bathtub rings” around the reservoir show where water levels have receded. This photo of Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam was taken in 2014, at which time there was already concern about the water levels
When I visited Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam in 2014, the “bathtub rings” around the reservoir allowed for spectacular views of the rock formations (photo). However, the rings were a foreboding sign of the receding water levels, and at that time, there was already concern about the future of the water supply. Lake Powell’s water level, which when full is at an elevation of about 3,700 ft, is now at around 3,522 ft — less than 25% of capacity. An elevation of at least 3,490 ft is needed for Glen Canyon Dam to operate and supply power to its over 5 million customers [ 1]. Just last month, for the first time, the federal government announced a delay in the release of water from the Lake Powell reservoir to downstream Lake Mead in order to keep Glen Canyon Dam in operation.
And in Lake Mead, which supplies water to millions of people, the extremely low water level has exposed a water intake valve that has been in operation since 1971 and can no longer be used now. These severe drought conditions have driven officials to enact numerous conservation measures, including limiting water supplies to the Colorado River Basin and outlawing “nonfunctional” grass in areas of Nevada.
Engineering for water security
Water scarcity is a global concern and warnings about severe water shortages are alarming [2]. The current water crisis in the Southwest emphasizes the need to keep water conservation a top priority. There are numerous ways in which chemical engineers can contribute to sustainable water practices, such as increasing water efficiency in agricultural and industrial operations, and further developing water re-use and desalination technologies. Further suggestions are outlined in the report “New Directions for Chemical Engineering” by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (Washington, D.C.; www.nationalacademies.org).
The chemical process industries are making headway with their goals toward sustainable water practices. A recent example is Evonik’s first zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) catalyst plant in India (chemengonline.com/evonik-opens-first-zero-liquid-discharge-catalyst-plant-in-india/).
New advances in membrane technologies are addressing challenging conditions to meet ZLD goals, and fouling-resistant membranes are being used in industrial water re-use applications. More on these advances are outlined in our Newsfront, “New Membranes Support Sustainability Trends,” on pp. 12–17. ■
Dorothy Lozowski
Dorothy Lozowski, Editorial Director
Featured Conference
When a major incident strikes, the people stepping into Incident Command aren't always the ones who trained for it. Engineers, operators, trades supervisors, and compliance specialists may suddenly find themselves filling Command and General Staff roles — not because they volunteered, but because the situation demands it. Panelists will share practical strategies for leading without positional authority, tools and frameworks that help personnel rapidly orient to ICS roles, and approaches for closing the gap between day-to-day job functions and emergency command readiness before the next incident makes it urgent.
This session will examine produced water as the largest waste stream in the oil and gas industry and one of its most pressing emerging challenges. It will address the growing volumes of produced water, the increasing regulatory and public scrutiny of constituents such as PFAS, salts, and Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM), and the operational implications for management, treatment, reuse, and disposal. The discussion will also explore how operators, regulators, and communities are redefining approaches to produced water management in response to environmental, technical, and stakeholder pressures.
This session will present a detailed case study of a large-scale lithium-ion battery fire response that extended over 12 months. Attendees will explore the hazards associated with thermal runaway events, the operational challenges of suppressing lithium battery fires, and the response strategies that proved effective in this prolonged incident. The
Drawing on insights from U.S. EPA Region 9 wildfire response efforts, the session will also highlight tactics such as hazard characterization, air monitoring and evaluation, and household hazardous waste collection and disposal. Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of the complexities involved in large-scale battery fire incidents and the critical factors to consider when planning and executing an effective response.
This session introduces use of remote sensing technologies to detect, characterize and monitor spills across marine and coastal environments. Discussion will highlight how tools can integrate into modern spill response workflows to improve safety and support data-driven decision making.
This session provides a practical, ground‑level introduction to the essential steps required after a battery undergoes a thermal event. We’ll break down how to assess site conditions, stabilize and prepare damaged cells or packs, select appropriate containment and packaging methods, and navigate the regulatory landscape that governs transport and disposal. The lecture emphasizes real‑world decision‑making, safety considerations, and compliance requirements, giving participants a clear framework they can apply immediately in field operations or emergency response planning.