News & Updates

Save the Date

CEC/Plant Operations Conference

September 13, 2023

Golf Tournament

September 29, 2023

Energy/Plant Operations Technical Session & Tour

October 17, 2023

Risk & Resiliency Conference & Exhibit

October 24-25, 2023

Residuals and Biosolids Conference

November 1-2, 2023

IT/Asset Management Fair

November 8, 2023

Small Communities Conference

November 13, 2023

We hope everyone had a great Summer. With Labor Day in the rearview mirror, we're now entering Fall and a much busier time within NEWEA.

In the coming season, we're hosting a variety of specialty conferences throughout New England. Registration is currently open for our Contaminants of Emerging Concern/Plant Operations Conference; Energy/Plant Operations Session and Tour; and Risk and Resiliency Conference. Additional information and relevant links for these events can be found below.

We will soon be releasing the program and will open registration for our Residuals and Biosolids Conference; Asset Management/IT Fair; and Small Communities Conference. Stay tuned for more information.

Additionally, we are ramping up for our 2024 Annual Conference & Exhibit, taking place January 21-24. General exhibit registration will open in mid-September and the sponsorship program will be released in early October. The preliminary program, along with open registration, will also be released in the coming months.

In addition to a full calendar of events to look forward to, our committees are busy with a variety of initiatives. Most notably, our Work for Water - New England Collaborative, a partnership between the Workforce Development Committees of NEWEA and NEWWA and drinking water and clean water associations from the six New England states, continues to work towards developing a Strategic Plan to address workforce issues in New England's water industry. The Collaborative's most recent progress update can be found below.

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.

Tackling Contaminants

of Emerging Concern

Join us on September 13 for a jam-packed conference covering the latest in CEC research, regulations, and technologies—not to mention practical ways and encouragement for dealing with CECs in plant operations. The CECs of focus will be per- and polyflouroalkyl substances (PFAS). The program features a keynote by Tiffany Skogstrom, Director of the MA Office of Technical Assistance and Technology; technical presentations; and an expanded Vendor Showcase, providing attendees with information and insights to help your facility address PFAS in your part of the water cycle.

2023 Fall Golf Tournament

Limited space remains for NEWEA's 2023 Annual Fall Golf Tournament, taking place on Friday, September 29, 2023! We will be teeing off at 9:00 am at the beautiful Derryfield Country Club in Manchester, NH. We know that you will enjoy this picturesque and challenging golf course while you share fellowship with your professional colleagues and friends. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Joint Energy & Plant Operations Technical Presentations & Tour

Hear technical presentations and take a tour of the Narragansett Bay Commission's (NBC) Field's Point Wastewater Treatment Plant. Leading wastewater plant energy and operations experts including JKMuir, Rhode Island Energy, Enel X (invited), and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources will provide presentations about energy efficiency and operational improvements. NBC staff will talk about the many energy and operational efficiency improvements they have made over recent years.

Reserve your spot.

NE-NYWEA Risk & Resiliency Conference & Exhibit

For a variety of reasons including climate change, aging infrastructure, and technology advancements, utilities are undertaking strategic initiatives centered on risk management principals to improve infrastructure resiliency. Attendees of this specialty conference, taking place October 24-25, will hear case studies related to the planning, design, and implementation of resiliency initiatives, as well as a panel discussion on innovative strategies to combat climate change and will participate in a risk management workshop session.

Reserve your spot.

Connecticut Student Wins International Stockholm Junior Water Prize

Naomi Park of Greenwich, CT was awarded the international Stockholm Junior Water Prize for her research on collecting Styrofoam debris in the ocean and using this material as a filter to reduce carbon levels in the ocean.

Naomi previously won the Connecticut state competition and the national competition, receiving the $10,000 prize. She then moved on represent the USA and compete at the international competition in Stockholm August 20-24, where she was named the 2023 winner and was presented with the crystal trophy by HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden. As the international winner, Naomi was the recipient of the $15,000 prize.

To learn more and read her full project, visit the SJWP site.

Work for Water New England Collaborative Update - August 2023

In January 2022, the Workforce Committees of New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA) and New England Water Works Association (NEWWA) gathered to discuss establishing a regional water workforce planning structure.

Because of multiple stakeholder interests in establishing a workforce development effort, NEWWA and NEWEA contacted the six New England states' professional drinking water and clean water associations to form collaborative partnerships.

Over the past year, utility leaders from participating partner organizations collaborated closely with the executive leadership at NEWWA and NEWEA to form a Work For Water - New England planning structure that includes a Steering Committee of utility leaders representing water professionals in all six states.

The latest summary article is now available and provides an overview of progress made throughout Phase 2. In particular, the article highlights information gathered during Phase 1 and discusses key data and insights gathered. The article covers next steps planned to progress towards Phase 3, which involves developing a Strategic Roadmap that identifies strategies, programs, challenges, potential partners, and phased objectives to achieve workforce reliability.

Regular updates will be shared to keep participating associations' memberships informed on the Collaborative's action items and next steps and their Strategic Plan to address workforce issues in New England's water industry.

Read the full article.

NASSCO to Host Beantown Exchange

Join NASSCO, in partnership with NEWEA, in Lexington, MA on September 20 for the Beantown Exchange!

NASSCO Exchange events are one-day educational sessions that feature many of the industry resources developed by NASSCO’s dynamic Technical Committees. NASSCO Committees work diligently throughout the year to achieve NASSCO’s mission to set standards for the assessment, maintenance. and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure and to assure the continued acceptance and growth of trenchless technologies.

Free to municipal employees, the event includes breakfast, lunch, and an interactive format that encourages retention of the information presented.

Attendees will receive CEU (0.7)/PDH (7) credits.

Learn more and reserve your spot.

Ways to give

Make a donation online.
When you shop online, use Amazon Smile and choose New England Water Environment Assoc as your charitable organization.
Take a moment to share how NEWEA has impacted your career, education, and/or community.
Establish a legacy gift or memorial fund, or include NEWEA in your will.
Designate NEWEA for a Qualified Charitable Distribution. (If you have to take a Required Minimum Distribution from your retirement funds in 2023, you may be able to offset the tax impacts. Contact your financial advisor/IRA custodian for more information.)

New England Water Environment Association newea.org