Member Profile : John Sullivan, Chief Engineer, BWSC
John Sullivan, BWSC
Flint, MI has made the headlines over and over again due to the current water crisis the community is endeavoring to overcome. While the residents have been in many of our thoughts and prayers, one NEWEA member has had the opportunity to provide professional support to the community. John Sullivan, Chief Engineer at the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC), with the support of Mayor Marty Walsh recently made a trip to Michigan armed with decades of knowledge and best management practices.
Mr. Sullivan is intimately familiar with what it takes to maintain an aging water utility, with more than 1,000 miles of pipe in the BWSC system. Read More >>
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What’s New at NEWEA : Planning Session Roundup
Brainstorming at the 2016 Planning Session
NEWEA’s 10th Annual Planning Session took place on March 6-7, 2016 in Manchester, NH. The primary goal of these Planning Sessions is to improve the Association, in order to benefit members and the interests of the water quality profession. This year the Planning Session focus topic was “YP and Student Engagement”. Over the course of the two-day event, workgroups brainstormed and discussed goals/objectives related to this topic, and left the session on Monday with tasks and action items for implementation. Read More >>
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Committee Spotlight : Young Professionals
Justin Skelly, YP Committee Chair participating in the Annual Planning Session
The NEWEA Young Professionals (YP) committee focuses on fostering increased interest and participation in the NEWEA organization by water and wastewater professionals new to the industry. The committee plans and runs events throughout the year including a networking and mentorship program at the annual conference in January, wastewater treatment plant and brewery tours (aptly named Poo & Brew), and social events in partnership with NEWWA and APWA. Read More >>
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Operator Corner : Ops Challenge Training Day
Operations Challenge Event
The 2016 Operations Challenge Training Day will be held Friday April 29th, the deadline for applications is April 22. The event will take place at the Holyoke WWTP in Holyoke, MA on Friday, April 29. Come and learn about each challenge event in a relaxed atmosphere. The training will consist of both classroom and hands on practical experience.
Be advised those who think “they have no chance against the returning teams” that this is not true! History has proven this statement wrong! All that are interested should consider signing up, as an individual or with a group of 2 to 4 operators.
Learn More >>
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Outreach : Water For People Gala
Every two years NEWEA and NEWWA Water for People committees join forces to host a gala to raise money for Water for People. Water for People is a recognized leader in water and sanitation development and supports locally sustainable programs in over 300 communities throughout Africa, Asia and Central and South America.
The galas have raised more than $215,000 since the first event in 2004. This year’s Gala is a Kentucky Derby themed event – complete with live streaming of the Derby, lawn games, a band, southern BBQ, fancy hat contests and of course mint juleps! The Gala will be held at the Dane Estate in Chestnut Hill on May 7th, 2016. Please contact Anastasia Rudenko with questions or to volunteer with the planning efforts! Learn More >>
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On the Safe Side :
Early in 2015, the NEWEA Safety Committee emailed its annual Wastewater Facility Safety Survey for the 2014 work year to facilities throughout the six New England states. The results are in and provide great regional information on incident statistics, activities associated with injuries, and provides an update on the status of implementing safety programs at Wastewater Treatment Facilities throughout New England. Plant operators please be on the look out for the next survey to be mailed in Spring 2016. Read More >>
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President’s Corner : A Message from NEWEA President Ray Willis
Ray Willis, NEWEA President
This message touches upon Ray’s experience as President-Elect, attending legislative sessions across New England, and some of the events we have to look forward to as an organization in 2016. He also notes the success of the spring planning session, and highlights planning of the spring meeting that is well on its way.
This year’s Spring meeting theme will be “Environmental Stewardship in the 21st Century”, which will showcase the water quality profession as the original and true stewards of the environment. NEWEA is proud to announce that this year’s keynote speaker will be Heather Goldstone, Science Correspondent for Boston’s National Public Radio. Read More >>
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Calendar of Events : See you there!
April 12-13, 2016
Congressional Briefing
Washington, DC
April 21, 2016
Poo & Brew #3
Framingham, MA
April 26, 2016
Utility Management Conference
Best Western Marlborough, MA
April 29, 2016
Operations Challenge Training Day
Holyoke, MA
May 3, 2016
Laboratory Information Management Systems Conference
Narragansett Bay Commission, Providence, RI
June 5-8, 2016
Joint NEWEA & NYWEA Spring Meeting & Exhibit
Mystic Marriott Hotel, Groton, CT
August 29-31, 2016
International Low Impact Development Conference
Holiday Inn By The Bay, Portland, ME
September 12, 2016
Collection Systems Conference & Exhibit
Holiday Inn, Boxborough, MA
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Do you have an item you want to see here or think is newsworthy? Please contact the NEWEA office or Ashley Dunn, Chair of Newsletter Committee at and@framinghamma.gov
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