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IN THIS ISSUE:
President's Message
Conference Schedule Available
PNCWA/WEF Mixer and WFP Fundraiser
Last Call for Scholarship Applications
WFP Baseball Bash
Sustainability and Biosolids Webinars
WEF Collection Systems O&M Survey
Georgetown Tour and Happy Hour
Industrial Symbiosis Assistance Program
PFAS Settlement Phase 2
PNW Jobs
Upcoming Events
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Every now and then we get a moment to step back and look at the big picture. It’s frankly something we should make time for more often, but our daily hustle and bustle demand a response to the urgent items, which leaves little time for reflection. From a PNCWA standpoint, we had an opportunity to reflect last month in Bend Oregon!
We started with a Board Meeting, covering our standard business items, but also looking more specifically at our core values and strategic goals. Being together in person, and in a new location, really allowed us to have the opportunity to come at these big concepts with new energy and new perspective. The results will be a high level one-page strategy document that highlights our values and goals so that future PNCWA Boards (and all our membership) will have some alignment on where we’re going and what’s driving us. Be on the lookout for this document later this year!
Then our Board stayed in Bend for the next two days to take part in the 2026 WEFMAX event, a Water Environment Federation (WEF) sponsored event that brings together WEF members from across the Country to share successes and lessons learned to strengthen our Member Associations (MAs). We had over 70 attendees from all parts of the US who presented and collaborated on driving membership engagement, operator support, student and early professional programs, WEF structure and tools, member association management, water sector advocacy, and more. This included talks by WEF leadership including our very own Paul Schuler, the WEF President-Elect! In addition to the learning, we had a fun run/walk, engagement with some local non-profits, and a night out at the McMenamins St. Francis School for some quality socializing.
My key takeaway is that we have a very strong Member Association! We have an active Board, excellent management support, we’re engaged in multiple active programs (many being Committee driven) and we’ve seen increased interest in our signature events over the last several years which sets us up for continued success in bringing our membership quality educational and networking opportunities. That said, there is still plenty of room to learn and grow, and we were able to capture some good ideas to bring forward in the years to come. Note that while WEFMAX is geared towards those involved in MA leadership, the conference is held three times per year in various locations and open to all WEF Members, so you’re encouraged to attend if you have an interest in being more involved and learning more about what our fellow MA’s are up to.
So, as we head into summer, make sure to take the time to step back and look at the big picture. It could be in your work life, personal life, or as a member of PNCWA. The renewed sense of focus and purpose will be well worth the time, and it will make sure that we’re focused on what’s most important, not just what’s most urgent!
Jeff Schmidt
PNCWA President
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Conference Technical Schedule Now Available | |
The PNCWA2026 Technical Schedule is now available, featuring more than 220 presentations across a wide range of clean water topics.
Join operators, engineers, utility leaders, regulators, and industry partners from across Idaho, Oregon, and Washington for three days of technical learning, innovation, and networking. Earn CEUs/PDHs, explore the exhibit hall, and connect with colleagues from across the Pacific Northwest. Whether you're looking to expand your expertise, discover new solutions, or strengthen professional connections, there's something for everyone at PNCWA2026.
View the technical schedule today and register by July 31 to take advantage of early-bird rates!
| | PNCWA/WEF Mixer and Water For People Fundraiser | | | | |
PNCWA is hosting a mixer in collaboration with the WEF Collection Systems and Stormwater Conference and everyone is invited!
Meet and mingle with water professionals, including PNCWA members and conference attendees from around the globe. Whether you're attending the WEF conference or part of the PNCWA community, this event is open to all!
Tickets: $25, includes 2 drink tickets, heavy appetizers, and tons of fun!
While we gather, we'll also be fundraising for Water For People with mystery grab bags and selfies with Seymour the Salmon!
| | Water For People Baseball Bash | |
Grab your crew and head to the Tacoma Rainiers Private Deck for a family-friendly afternoon of baseball, bites, and big-hearted fun! We’re serving up fastballs, food, and fantastic company — plus the chance to connect with PNCWA friends — all while raising money for Water For People.
1:30 PM | Sunday, July 19, 2026
Cheney Stadium, Tacoma
Tickets are limited - don’t strike out, snag yours today!
Thank you to our generous sponsors: Hazen and Sawyer, Whitney Equipment, Victaulic, Reiner Pump Systems, BHC, Gray and Osborne, Osborn, Kennedy Jenks, Consor, Blue Cypress, MWA Architects, and AECOM!
| Sustainability and Biosolids Webinars | |
The Sustainability and Biosolids Committee will be hosting a series of summer webinars. Each webinar will be from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific, and will be eligible for 1 PDH/0.1 wastewater CEUs.
June 30 - Introduction to the Biosolids Emissions Assessment Model (BEAM)
Presented by Janine Burke-Wells | Executive Director of the North East Biosolids & Residuals Assoc.
Learn more and register HERE
July 22 - Biosolids Biochar to Concrete
Presented by Garrett Benisch | Chief Development Officer at Bioforcetech Corporation
Learn more and register HERE
| | WEF Collection Systems Operations & Maintenance Benchmarking Survey | | The Water Environment Federation (WEF), through its Collection Systems Community O&M Technical Projects Group, is conducting a national Operations & Maintenance Benchmarking Survey focused on wastewater collection systems. This survey aims to understand current operations and maintenance (O&M) practices, particularly cleaning activities, across diverse systems in terms of size, ownership (public and private), location, and other relevant factors. Input will help shape industry benchmarks that support operators and maintenance teams. | | Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station Tour and Happy Hour | | |
Saturday, July 25, 1:00 PM, Seattle
Join the Puget Sound Student and Young Professionals Committee for a tour of the Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station at 1pm on 7/25 with a happy hour to follow. An RSVP is required to attend the treatment plant tour with a maximum attendance of 25. Happy hour following the tour is open to all. See the blog post for more details of the tour, information on the happy hour to follow. For any follow up questions reach out to Maddy Liberman at Maddy.Liberman@jacobs.com.
| | Industrial Symbiosis Technical Assistance Program | | |
Hi friends, past-past (but not passed!) president Layne McWilliams here and wanted to share out a pretty cool program that is open to Washington communities. Our friends/partners at the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure (CSI) are driving quite a bit of action in the Industrial Symbiosis (IS) world – especially in the PNW! Oregon communities, stay tuned; the Oregon legislature has budgeted for some IS funding this year!
(Pioneered in Denmark, Industrial symbiosis is an innovative approach to infrastructure and economic development in which one facility’s waste streams—energy, water, materials, and residuals—become valuable inputs for other businesses. This model maximizes resource efficiency, lowers costs, reduces greenhouse gas (and other) emissions, and stimulates economic growth.)
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Eligible entities can now apply for technical assistance from CSI, which will be provided to at least six Washington communities through a grant from the state’s new Industrial Symbiosis Technical Assistance Program. The technical assistance will support communities seeking to develop industrial symbiosis parks composed of shared sites or properties where organizations co-locate and partner in the use of resources more sustainably through integrating waste streams into production processes, such as waste materials, wastewater, or waste heat. Eligible entities include ports, local governments, tribes, business parks, agricultural hubs, businesses seeking IS partnerships, wastewater, energy, or industrial facilities seeking to optimize resource-use and reduce waste.
Applications for technical assistance will be due at 5pm July 8, 2026. Collaborations amongst multiple local organizations are encouraged. CSI will implement the ISTA program with selected communities in a four-phase approach over 10-12 months, with all work to be completed by June 30, 2027.
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PFAS Settlement Phase 2: Key Deadlines and Opportunities for Water Systems
Brought to you by the PNCWA Government Affairs Committee
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Public water systems still have an opportunity to access funding through the nationwide $15 billion PFAS settlements with 3M and DuPont, even if they missed Phase 1. Funding may be more limited than Phase 1 and will likely require additional documentation.
Phase 2 allows eligible systems to seek funding for:
- PFAS testing and sampling
- Monitoring and compliance activities
- Certain project-specific “special needs” costs
Key Deadline
- Final Phase 2 claim deadline: July 31, 2026
Resources
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June 30 | Introduction to the Biosolids Emissions Assessment Model (BEAM) Webinar
July 8 | PNCWA/WEF Mixer and WFP Fundraiser, Portland, OR
July 8-11 | WEF Collection Systems and Stormwater Conference, Portland OR
July 19 | Water For People Baseball Bash, Tacoma WA
July 22 | Biosolids Biochar to Concrete - Case Studies Webinar
July 25 | Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station Tour, Seattle, WA
July 29 | End of Early Bird registration for WEFTEC, New Orleans, LA
July 31| End of Early Bird registration for PNCWA2026
August 7 | West Central Oregon Section Golf Tournament, Cottage Grove, OR
September 13-16 | PNCWA2026 Annual Conference, Spokane, WA
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PNCWA Mission:
Be the premier association in the Northwest dedicated to educating and connecting members to promote a healthy water environment in our region.
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| PNCWA | 5727 Baker Way NW Suite 200 | Gig Harbor, WA 98332 US |
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