News & Updates








Save the Date

Managing Sewer Systems and Meeting Regulatory Officials Expectations Webinar
May 25, 2021

Laboratory Practices Seminar
June 2021

Spring Meeting & Exhibit June 6-9, 2021 

CSO Conference
Fall 2021 

Northeast Residuals & Biosolids Conference
Fall 2021
As vaccine distribution continues to expand, with many states now offering appointments to all residents ages 16+, it feels like the first glimmer of hope for returning to some semblance of pre-pandemic life. Although we're beginning to see some positive news, April is an important time to reflect on the last year within NEWEA.

It has been a year since we announced the cancellation of our 2020 Spring Meeting and, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have now made the decision to host the 2021 Spring Meeting entirely virtually. An announcement will be coming soon with additional details.

It has also been one year since Kate Biedron, a beloved water professional, NEWEA member, and friend, tragically passed away. Scroll down to read more about Kate, the Memorial Fund created to honor her legacy and many contributions to the water industry, and how you can contribute.

As we recognize and reflect on the challenges of the last year, we also continue to work on new and ongoing initiatives and our annual happenings. Currently, nominations are being accepted for our 2021 Awards Program. Additionally, we are now accepting nominations to become a NEWEA Officer. The links to submit nominations can be found below.

Additionally, two of the annual events we participate in, Water Week and the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, will be taking place virtually in the coming month. Scroll down to learn how you can get involved.

Check out the rest of the newsletter for more on committee news and details on upcoming events. Until next newsletter, we hope everyone has a great month and stays healthy.

As always, we invite you to contact Jordan Gosselin at jgosselin@newea.org with committee news and updates you would like to share in future editions.
Nominate a NEWEA Officer
The Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations for vacant Officer positions! Officers are voting members of the Executive Committee and will use their time and talents along with those of their colleagues to help direct and guide NEWEA into the future. Please complete the nomination form by June 15, 2021.
Nominate a Deserving Water Professional
Nominations for NEWEA/WEF awards are now being accepted! Our awards recognize deserving water professionals for their outstanding contributions to the industry. Awards are given in a variety of categories, including safety, engineering, operations, public education, public relations, management, collection systems, laboratory expertise, and service to the organization. All nominations are due June 1, 2021 unless otherwise noted.
Remembering Kate Biedron
(August 1983–April 2020)
With a genuine and endearing smile that hit you from across a crowded room, Kate Biedron was someone you could never forget once you had met her. Kate was always the first to ask how you were doing, crack a joke to lighten the mood, or extend her hand to help someone. Kate made great things happen, most often just by being herself and bringing out the best in others. Tragically, Kate died in a car accident in April 2020.

Kate graduated from UMass Amherst with a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering in 2005 and joined CDM Smith as a wastewater engineer. She took on progressively more professional responsibility and earned her master’s degree in 2012 from UMass Lowell. Kate flourished at CDM Smith over her 15-year career and had been promoted to regional team leader, managing and mentoring staff throughout several New England offices.

In NEWEA, Kate was an active member and sought-after leader on many committees. She previously served as the Chair of the Public Awareness and Registration committees. In 2019, she took over as the Director of the Meeting Management Council, an Executive Committee position. Kate was also the vice chair of the Lowell, MA Conservation Commission and a member of the UMASS Civil Engineering Amherst Advisory Board.

We all lost a great friend but she will never be forgotten. In May 2020, NEWEA's 2020 President Jennifer Kelly Lachmayr authorized the establishment of the Kate Biedron Memorial Fund to honor Kate’s memory. This Memorial Fund will sustain initiatives that she supported and promoted throughout her career, including environmental education, mentoring young professionals, and enhancing diversity and inclusion in the water sector.

Visit the Kate Biedron Memorial Fund page to make a donation today. By making a contribution to NEWEA, you are honoring Kate, investing in our region’s water quality and supporting essential water workers.
Plan to Engage Virtually during the 2021 Water Week, April 25th – May 1st!
Although Water Week 2021 will take place in a virtual setting again this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is the main event for water professionals from around the country to come together and continue the advocacy momentum as one united voice for the water sector.

This year's featured Water Week event will be the Water Week Policy Zoom-In. Hosted on Tuesday, April 27 from 2:00 – 4:30 PM ET, this free webinar will provide attendees the opportunity to hear directly from key EPA officials and Members of Congress on the important regulatory and legislative water policies they are working on now and in the years ahead. Register to attend.

In addition to the Water Week Policy Zoom-In, there will be a number of events and activities for water professionals to participate in to support and advocate for water. Check out WEF's Water Week page to learn about and register for upcoming Water Week events.
Stockholm Junior Water Prize Judges Wanted!
It’s that time of year again for judging the Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) papers in the six New England states! The Youth Education Committee is looking to gather judges to participate in reviewing the state entries to select each state’s winning paper. As in past years, we are working on a quick timeline and judges will need to be available to review several papers during a two-week period in April. The timeline is as follows:

  • April 15 – Deadline for students to send SJWP entries to WEF
  • April 16/17 – Projects sent from WEF to each MA to then judge and choose an MA/State winner
  • April 23 @ 10:00 AM – Meeting for judges to discuss state winners (and potentially interview students over the phone)
  • April 30 – Deadline to select and notify state winners and WEF
  • May 5 – State Winners announced online

This is a fun opportunity to see projects from the next generation of water professionals. We could use as many judges as possible, so please forward this message to anyone else who may be interested!

Please contact Annalisa Onnis-Hayden directly at aonnis@coe.neu.edu if you are interested in participating. If there is any particular New England state you are interested in judging, please note it in your email. You should also plan to call-in to the YEC Meeting on Friday, April 23rd at 10:00 AM (zoom call-in information will be sent out mid-April). We will aim to finalize the judging and select state winners at this meeting.
WEF Seeks Applications for Utility of the Future Today Recognition Program
The application period is open for the Utility of the Future Today recognition program, which seeks to honor water resource recovery facilities for community engagement, watershed stewardship, and recovery of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients.

The Utility of the Future Today concept is being promoted as water systems transform operations through innovation and technology. The Utility of the Future is a model for utilities of all sizes to achieve more efficient operations, enhanced productivity, and long-term sustainability. Since the program launched in 2016, 183 utilities have been recognized with the honor.

The Utility of the Future activity areas focus on:

  • recovery and new uses of a range of resources;
  • engagement as a leader in the full water cycle and broader social, economic, and environmental sustainability of the community;
  • engagement in the community and formation of partnerships necessary for success when operating outside of the traditional span of the utility; and
  • transformation of the internal utility culture in support of these innovations.

Public and private water sector utilities of all sizes that can demonstrate achievement of the application requirements are encouraged to apply by May 14 at 5 p.m. EDT. Applicants must have no major permit violations in the year prior to the submission date of their applications.

Honorees will be notified during the summer and formally recognized during an awards ceremony at WEFTEC 2021 this October in Chicago.
New England Water Environment Association newea.org