Mohammed A. Hasan. Courtesy photo.
LAS VEGAS — “California’s water crisis must be attacked now to guarantee water will be flowing from taps,” veteran water expert Mohammed Hasan told the Tri-State seminar in Las Vegas this Tuesday.
Addressing water professionals from California, Nevada and Arizona, Hasan discussed the issues making up the water crisis and said that if officials do not address and solve California’s recurring drought problems now, it may be too late in the future to adequately supply water to people of the state. The prominent civil engineer said California’s recurring drought problem can be solved permanently by new sustainable water solutions.
Participants realized the urgency of solving water crisis now, and thanked Hasan for his presentation. A range of comments include Ernie White of Havasu Heights Domestic Water who feels water awareness is not going to happen until, “More restrictions will create awareness”. White was interested in the innovative projects suggested by Hasan that also helps solve water supply problems in parts of Arizona and Nevada, even northwestern Mexico.
This year, nearly 3,000 water professionals from more than 20 states and 3 countries attended the seminar. The annual seminar began in March 1985 with a meeting between the Arizona Water Pollution Control Association and the Colorado River Basin Section of the California Water Pollution Control Association in Yuma, Arizona, to plan a training seminar for rural operators in Arizona, California, and Nevada. Over the years, the seminar has grown to include not just drinking water and wastewater but also stormwater, recycled water, groundwater, and new water. Experts in water and wastewater systems discuss new approaches and possible changes to water policies and procedures. Jake Jacobson, Seminar Chairman said, “We welcome everyone from treatment, collection, distribution, safety, stormwater, maintenance, compliance, instrumentation, electrical, control, groundwater, laboratory, educators, regulators, vendors, volunteers, and so many more!”
Hasan, who has 42 years of experience dealing with water issues, explains what needs to be done to prevent water shortages due to drought in a new book, “Drought Is Not a Four-Letter Word.” The 52-page book describes the state’s water issues, the agencies that make water decisions – ranging from small special districts to the state and federal governments – and the need for an entirely different approach to the problem. Hasan will be speaking locally at the E. P. Foster Library in downtown Ventura on Sunday, October 9. The event is free and is scheduled from 2-4 pm at the Topping room.
Hasan says, “While the whole world has changed in the last fifty years, and while severe drought is taking hold of California in historical fashion, our water supply has not changed. Human life, in constant need of water, is being put at risk. Only by changing our thinking and our approaches to new technologies can we benefit the thirsty people of California”. He suggests, “Individual citizens do not have to feel powerless. They are asked to sacrifice so much, but once they understand and comprehend the needs, they also can participate in the solutions”.
Hasan has experience in both the public and private sectors. He was an engineer with the Ventura Regional Sanitation District, the utilities superintendent of the city of Oxnard and is the Principal Engineer and Owner of Hasan Consultants, in Ventura.
The book is written in clear and simple English and is prepared for average citizens. It is free of technical and bureaucratic language. It is available from amazon.com. It has been translated in Spanish and Bengali; soon to be available in Mandarin Chinese, Tagalog and Korean.
Hasan holds dual M.S. degrees from the University of Iowa. He’s a licensed professional engineer in California and a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He’s also a leadership fellow of the American Public Works Association and a distinguished life member of the American Water Works Association.
Hasan is a co-founder of the local start-up companies PODenergy, Inc., and Ocean Foresters. He has helped develop theories for global reduction of carbon dioxide. Rotary International has honored him as a Paul Harris fellow. He lives in Ventura with his wife, JoAnn. They have two daughters.