Presenters:

Harold Leverenz, PhD, PE,
Post‐doctoral Researcher,
University of California – Davis

Erin E. English, PE, LEED AP, Associate Engineer, Natural System International (NSI)

Ben Haggard, Naturalist and Permaculturist

Moderator:

Pete Muñoz, PE, LEED AP, Senior Engineer, Natural System International (NSI)

Most of the water and wastewater systems in the United Sates and Canada have exceeded their design lifespan and do not respond to the most central concerns of the day. There is no time like the present for thoughtful, creative, transformational infrastructure design. This interactive session will explore the bold commitments and actions that Living Future attendees made in 2010. Together we will understand how to help meet our water infrastructure needs of tomorrow/today while balancing the interconnected concerns about soil fertility, sludge management, trace contaminants, food production, water scarcity, climate change and more.

Presenter Bios

Harold Leverenz
Harold is a post‐doctoral researcher in the Department of Environmental Engineering at the University of California at Davis. His research interests include alternative water and wastewater infrastructure models, greenhouse gas emissions associated with wastewater management, natural and ecological systems for wastewater treatment, and water reuse. Harold is currently collaborating with the California Department of Transportation to incorporate constructed wetlands, source separation, urine recovery, and water reuse into State facilities. Harold is also a registered professional engineer in California.

Erin E. English
Erin has worked in both non‐profit and design firm environments on sustainable water infrastructure. She has studied permaculture and sustainable design and works to integrate these concepts into NSI’s wastewater and stormwater projects. As a lead designer under Living Machine Inventor Dr. John Todd, Erin has long answered the call for the ‘Living Machine’. Prepared to dispel the myths, she has successfully integrated early lessons learned to maximize the potential of integrated water system infrastructure.

Ben Haggard
Principal at Regenesis (Regenesisgroup.com) a coalition of experienced design, business and development professionals who have helped pioneer the field of regenerative development. Ben specializes in a holistic, systems-based approach to understanding and building upon the complex human, natural and economic relationships that create and sustain the vitality and viability of a place. His award winning designs have been featured in a number of magazines and newspapers, including Architectural Digest, Garden Design, National Wildlife Magazine, Sunset, and Organic Gardening. Ben is a skilled writer, facilitator, and strategic thinker around integrating ecological and living-system approaches with large-scale development.  

Pete A. Muñoz
Pete is a licensed Professional Engineer and Certified Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator. He has degrees in Biosystems and Civil/Environmental Engineering. Pete has been asked to speak around the country on a variety of topics including decentralized wastewater management, constructed wetlands,ecological design, eco‐footprinting, and climate change solutions. As Senior Engineer, he oversees many of NSI’s engineering and design projects in the United States and abroad. Pete also teaches at several water related courses at Yestermorrow Design/Build.