Kahao began his career in the water and wastewater industry as a researcher due to his interest in maximizing the use of wastewater as a sustainable resource. He has worked on AnMBR (anaerobic membrane bioreactor) system piloting, hydraulic evaluations and facilities planning, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance) removal, media filtration, and nutrient recovery.
A firm believer in the importance of public outreach for the water and wastewater industry’s success, Kahao has been recognized for his communications and outreach efforts by AZ Water and the Water Environment Federation (WEF). He is most proud of establishing WEF’s Student Chapter of the Year award, capping off his five years as chair of the WEF Student Activities Committee. Recently, Kahao has been leveraging his technical writing skills to support operators in refining their presentation ideas into conference abstracts.
Water plays a significant role in Kahao’s off hours as well. He is a musician and organizer of Jammin’ 4 Water, a charity concert event that raises $75,000 annually for water and sanitation nonprofits.
