Contact: Joe Smith
April 4, 2011
JOHNSON CITY – As a prelude to Earth Day, the Department of
Geosciences at East Tennessee State University is teaming with
other local organizations to host a preview of a public television
documentary, “Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water
Infrastructure,” on Wednesday, April 20, at 6 p.m. in the
D.P. Culp University Center ballroom.
Following the 15-minute film preview, three local experts will
participate in panel discussion on the region’s water system.
Joining ETSU as sponsors of the event are the Holston Branch of the
American Society of Civil Engineers, the Bristol Public Library,
the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, the City of Johnson City and the
City of Bristol (Tenn.).
The “Liquid Assets” documentary discusses essential
infrastructure systems, such as drinking water, wastewater, and
storm water, and how they are critical for basic sanitation, public
safety, economic development, and other life necessities. Hidden
water infrastructure assets, watershed protection approaches, and
solutions to current problems are featured in the film.
Participating in the panel discussion will be Ingrid Luffman, ETSU
lecturer of Geosciences; Dr. Brajesh Dubey, ETSU assistant
professor of Environmental Health; and Tom Witherspoon, director of
Water and Sewer Services for the City of Johnson City.
A second preview of the film will be held on Thursday, May 26, at
6:30 p.m. in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room at the Bristol Public
Library, 701 Goode St., Bristol, Va. Luffman and Dubey will again
be part of a panel discussion and will be joined by David St. John,
water plant superintendent for the City of Bristol (Tenn.). The May
26 event will also feature a children’s program with
demonstrations and hands-on activities that educate participants
about the water cycle.
All programs are free and open to the public. For additional
information, or to request special accommodations, contact Dr.
Arpita Nandi, ETSU assistant professor of Geosciences, at (423)
439-6086 or nandi@etsu.edu; Jennifer Moore at
asce.holston@gmail.com or (423) 989-4187; or the Bristol Public
Library at (276) 821-6148.