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IN THIS ISSUE:
President's Message
Conference Events
WFP Baseball Bash
Sustainability and Biosolids Webinars
Georgetown Tour and Happy Hour
PNW Jobs
Upcoming Events
| The Blue Hole on the Ohanapecosh River | | |
It’s Summer! Did you all have a nice Independence Day Holiday? Hopefully you were able to get out and enjoy the long days and warm weather. For my family, we went down to La Wis Wis campground in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest near Mount Rainier to enjoy a few days unplugged and reveling in the natural splendor we have right at our doorstep here in the Pacific Northwest.
The weekend was wonderful, a great chance to catch up with good friends, and throughout there were many reminders of the impact of our water industry in the region. Here are a few things I noticed:
- There was a fire ban for the whole area. This isn’t uncommon in the summer, but it seems like it comes earlier each year, and is especially surprising considering how green and lush the forest is. We may not want to deal with it, but climate change continues to make our summers hotter and drier – and the impacts are real.
- There was no fresh water at the campground. Currently La Wis Wis is struggling with benzene contamination in the water supply, so while the campground is fully plumbed, there was no fresh water for drinking or washing. Not a big deal (we brought lots of water from home) but another example of how our work in the water sector can often be taken for granted until it’s not available.
- There were lots of tourists on Mount Rainier! We did one of the popular day hikes (Skyline Trail) at Mt. Rainier, getting up early to try to beat the crowds, and even then, the Paradise Area was crammed full of visitors. While I prefer my hikes to be quieter, I was also encouraged to see so many people getting out and exploring nature. On top of that, there were so many international tourists enjoying the beauty our region has to offer. It’s a reminder that we need to work hard to keep these wild places clean so that they’re available for future generations to explore and enjoy.
- The Blue Hole. One of the highlights was just a short walk from our camp site, the “Blue Hole” on the Ohanapecosh River. It’s just a small spot in the river where the water has eroded a deep channel, resulting in a clear ‘blue’ swimming hole. Also, a great chance for kids (and brave adults) to jump off the rocks and into the very ‘crisp’ pool. Apparently snow melt is cold, who knew?
The reason these amenities exist is that the generations before us have made the effort to keep these places clean and protected. And that’s what we work on, every day, in the water profession. When the workday is long and hard, when it feels like our little part in the water cycle isn’t making a difference, remember that we have a responsibility to ourselves and future generations to keep these natural wonders clean and accessible. This is our vocation – we are daily providing solutions to the big problems of water scarcity, pollution, and climate change. You are the people that keep these places special, and the generations to come will thank you for it every time they step out and enjoy nature.
Have a great summer!
Jeff Schmidt
PNCWA President
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Everyone knows the PNCWA Annual Conference is packed with hundreds of high-quality technical presentations—but that's only part of the experience! Beyond the exceptional educational program, attendees can enjoy film screenings, facility tours, networking events, competitions, and social gatherings throughout the week. | |
Opening General Session
PNCWA2026 kicks off Monday morning with a welcome from the Conference Planning Team, recognition of WEF award recipients, and a special keynote conversation you won't want to miss.
PNCWA President Jeff Schmidt will sit down with film producer Rebecca Stern for an engaging discussion about the acclaimed wastewater documentary Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong. Together, they'll explore the making of the film and highlight the essential role wastewater professionals play in protecting public health and the environment.
Don't Miss These Conference Highlights
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Two screenings of Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong in the Spokane Convention Center Theater
- Five technical tours showcasing innovative facilities and projects throughout the region
- Water For People Scavenger Hunt
- Operations Challenge Competitions
- PNCWA Block Party at the Spokane Pavilion
- Exhibit Hall Mobile Sessions
- Networking and social events throughout the conference, offering countless opportunities to connect with colleagues and industry leaders
Learn more about PNCWA2026 Conference Special Events HERE!
Important Reminders
Book your hotel by August 22. When making reservations, be sure to review your stay dates carefully. The hotel's default search dates may indicate the block is full, but rooms are still available for Sunday through Tuesday nights.
Early Bird Registration ends July 31. Register now to secure the best rate and join us in Spokane for an unforgettable conference experience!
| | 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
Tacoma Rainiers vs Salt Lake Bees
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
| 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.
July 22 - Biosolids Biochar to Concrete
- Presented by Garrett Benisch | Chief Development Officer at Bioforcetech Corporation
- Eligible for 1 PDH/0.1 wastewater CEU
Learn more and register HERE
August 5 - Advancing Potable Reuse in the Northwest: LOTT Clean Water Alliance's Planning, Permitting, and Engagement Strategy
- Presented by Victoria Nystrom | Hazen and Sawyer, Stephen Taylor, Wendy Steffensen, and Jesse Barham | LOTT
- Eligible for 1 PDH
Learn more and register HERE
| | 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.
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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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