The Water Environment Federation's (WEF) Residuals and Biosolids Community, Biosolids Products Use and Communication Focus Group has finalized a Fact Sheet called "U.S. EPA Draft Risk Assessment for PFOA and PFOS FAQ."

The purpose of this Fact Sheet is to explain the U.S.EPA's sewage sludge risk assessment process and historic risk assessment outcomes.

The Focus Group anticipates the U.S. EPA to announce the results of the very complex risk assessment process regarding pollutants in biosolids, specifically PFOA and PFOS, with minimal explanation or relative risk information for the public.

The goal is that this document can be used as a resource to address questions and provide awareness of what is involved in the U.S. EPA sewage sludge risk assessment.

Download your copy of the fact sheet.

As Congress works on the spending bills this year, please help ensure that the proposed cuts to the SRF programs and elimination of other programs do not come to fruition.

Through the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) in 2021, Congress demonstrated a historic federal commitment to supporting the efforts of communities to repair and upgrade their water infrastructure, but Pres. Trump’s FY26 budget proposal to Congress requested cutting the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds from $2.7 billion in FY25 to $305 million in FY26.

It’s now critical for Congress to maintain full funding for the programs as authorized, as well as several additional existing programs, in the FY2026 budget. Without this funding, communities will struggle to make progress on the local water infrastructure investment that Congress pledged to support through the IIJA.

Use the Water Environment Federation's (WEF) Water Advocates grassroots outreach tool, which provides a pre-written letter with customizable fill-in-the-blanks fields, to reach your representatives today.

Congratulations to NEWEA member and Plant Operations Chair Nick Tooker on being granted a Fulbright Fellowship!

The Fulbright Program “offers passionate and accomplished students and scholars in more than 160 countries the opportunity to study, teach, conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to mutual understanding." This fellowship will support Nick as he develops and teaches courses in water and wastewater treatment at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. This builds on his experience with UMass Amherst's Engineers Without Borders student group and their work to promote sustainable access to clean water.

Read the full article to learn more.

Connecticut: Limited spots are available for CTWEA members to attend the Rhody Rumble in Warwick, RI on September 12. Interested individuals can email Jason Nenninger to RSVP.

Maine: MEWEA's Fall Convention will take place September 17-19 at Sunday River Resort & Conference Center in Newry, ME.

Massachusetts: MAWEA is currently accepting donations to support the Massachusetts Operations Challenge team's travel to and participation in the national competition at WEFTEC.

New Hampshire: NHWPCA, in conjunction with NH Department of Environmental Services and NH Department of Transportation, is hosting a multi-day Confined Space Training in Franklin, NH September 23-25.

Rhode Island: RICWA's 2025 Exhibition & Luncheon is taking place September 12 in Warwick, RI.

Vermont: Exhibitor and sponsorship information is now available for GMWEA's Fall Meeting, taking place November 6 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Burlington, VT.

NEWEA has launched a new online donation form!

The form now allows recurring monthly donations, in addition to one-time donations, and tribute donations made in honor or in memory of someone else.

As a 100% independently funded, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, the donations we receive help fund our industry-leading training, educational, advocacy, and outreach programs, including technical events attended by more than 3,000 water professionals annually, outreach presentations that have reached more than 4,000 students to date, and scholarships that provide nearly $10,000 annually to students furthering their studies in water environment education.

We appreciate your support of NEWEA!