By September 15, 2009, more than 60 abstracts had been submitted for ASABE’s 9^th IDS.  Abstracts have come from 11 different countries and cover a wide range of topics from water quality to drainage experiences in developed countries as well as developing countries, and challenges for the future.  The Symposium will provide a truly international flavour during presentations and discussion on drainage and water management.  The organizers are extending the final deadline to submit abstracts for IDS until October 2^nd, 2009.

Some authors indicated problems to download abstracts on the web site.  The Home Page now has a direct link to the submission form “Ready to submit your proposal? Click here”.  Authors have to create a user id and a password, and then enter their submission.  If you still have problems, you can email your abstract as an attachment, with title, list of authors, email of each author, contact author, and a summary of about 300 words to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  In correspondence, indicate the appropriate technical area among the list (“Programs, Technical”) and presentation preference (oral or poster).

The 9^th IDS is being organized by the Canadian Society for Bioengineering (CSBE/SCGAB) which has signed an agreement with the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.  The 9^th IDS is held in conjunction with the XVII^th World Congress of CIGR, also organized by CSBE/SCGAB.  Participants of IDS will have an opportunity to meet at the same time as members of CIGR Section I (Land and Water Engineering), the EnviroWater Conference and the American Ecological Engineering Society who will join in the Congress.  A single registration will allow participation in these and other simultaneous activities.  Pre-conference activities will include workshops on DRAINMOD simulation model and life cycle analysis.  Two post-conference tours are related to water management and hydro-electric dams. Visit www.cigr2010.ca to learn more about IDS and the CIGR World Congress scheduled next June 13-17, 2010, in Quebec City, Canada.  So don’t forget the new date: October 2^nd as the final deadline to submit an abstract to the 9^th International Drainage Symposium.