On Monday, July 24, 2023, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm (eastern time), the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) is hosting a webinar as part of their series on Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). The webinar will feature presentations from Virginia, Colorado, and Pennsylvania that will discuss HABs coordination across state programs. For more information and to register, click here.

NGWA publishes guidance on tracking pollution via groundwater

https://www.ngwa.org/detail/news/2023/06/06/ngwa-publishes-guidance-on-tracking-pollution-via-groundwater

Assessing the Microbial Risks and Impacts from Stormwater Capture and Use to Establish Appropriate Best Management Practices

https://www.waterrf.org/research/projects/assessing-microbial-risks-and-impacts-stormwater-capture-and-use-establish

And ……

• HB 4479 of 2023
  Environmental protection: sewage; onsite wastewater treatment systems; regulate, and provide for assessments and evaluations. Amends sec. 12752 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.12752) & adds pt. 128. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4480’23
  Last Action: 5/2/2023 bill electronically reproduced 05/02/2023
• HB 4480 of 2023
  Environmental protection: sewage; onsite wastewater treatment systems; regulate and provide for assessments and evaluations. Amends 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.1101 – 333.25211) by adding secs. 12815, 12817 & 12829. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4479’23
  Last Action: 5/2/2023 bill electronically reproduced 05/02/2023
• SB 0299 of 2023
  Environmental protection: sewage; onsite wastewater treatment systems; regulate, and provide for assessments and evaluations. Amends sec. 12752 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.12752) & adds pt. 128. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0300’23
  Last Action: 4/27/2023 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
• SB 0300 of 2023
  Environmental protection: sewage; onsite wastewater treatment systems; regulate and provide for assessments and evaluations. Amends 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.1101 – 333.25211) by adding secs. 12815, 12817 & 12829. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0299’23
  Last Action: 4/27/2023 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

There are several ways to sit down and chat with us or hear about what WasteWater Education does.

1. Check out the Monday February 20th Education Track featuring:

• Check out our WWETT 2023 Landing Page
• Schedule a time to talk to us about your training or education development needs

Check out the Monday Sessions Track here!

Here’s a link to the recently completed priority assessment report –

see https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/01/task-force-hawaii-needs-to-remove-thousands-of-cesspools-sooner-than-planned/

This year our members will receive a 25 percent discount off of the current pricing for a full education package or for the Expo only pass.  The Full Education + Blue Ribbon Lounge is NOT discounted. 

December 6 on.  Prices raise again to their highest amount on January 24.

And here are our education sessions on Monday February 20, 2023

The opening session will detail the stellar work done by Operators Without Borders and how you can help with either your professional experience or by donations.

As I reflect back on 2022, I am very thankful for all the great conversations and positive interactions at the numerous conferences, workshops, phone calls, and Zoom meetings. The universal enthusiasm and recognition of OWB’s important work was rewarding to hear everywhere I went in my travels. Looking forward, OWB will continue to grow and build up our resources to meet our objectives and goals for the coming years. 

One such opportunity is fast approaching on November 29, 2022. Consistent with America’s Thanksgiving, GivingTuesday is a global day that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.  

I ask you to please consider OWB as your choice to celebrate GivingTuesday by either donating at this link and/or spreading the word about us to your family, friends, and colleagues. Sometimes a forwarded E-mail can truly be an opportunity knocks moment and open many important doors for OWB.

Thank you again and I wish you and yours the happiest of holiday seasons.

Sincerely – Valerie Jenkinson, Chair Operators Without Borders

WasteWater Education is proud and honored to support OWB

In 2022 OWB has been-

·         Actively coordinating and collaborating with European utilities (especially Chamber of Commerce Polish Waterworks, IGWP) and global organizations to support Ukraine’s water resources needs. For example, one of our star volunteers, Ian Mcilwham (Canada) recently delivered a report to the Ukraine Water Quality Committee.

·         Incident Command System Training in the Caribbean by another one of our star volunteers – Greg Solecki – who is one of Canada’s leading disaster experts. Overall, Greg has trained the ICS structure and implementation principles to nearly 300 Caribbean and 80 South American water professionals.

·         In partnership with Rotary International’s HANWASH programme in Haiti, the Commune of Pignon was able to implement a District Metered Area project after a workshop presented by Board Director Carl Yates (another OWB star). This initiative has already reduced Non-revenue water from 80-42%. A remarkable achievement.

·         Partnering with Water Professional International (WPI, Formerly ABC) and Global Wastewater International headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya to pilot test certification and training. We are starting in Kenya where Valerie is currently at along with Ian Mcilwham . The goal is to establish standards and reliable proficiency in operations.