Government Affairs Update
July 2023
Federal:
I am passionate about assuring a healthy environment for future generations. I want my children’s children to enjoy Larsen Lake in Bellevue, Washington, on the Lake Hills Greenbelt Trail, as much as I have for the past 25 years with my own family.
I am beyond thrilled this year for the PNCWA2023 Technical Program, where we will be Catalyzing a Sound Future for Water together in Tacoma, WA through site tours and over 140 technical presentations. We are also excited to continue our partnership with WateREuse, who will be hosting a full day of Water Reuse focused presentations on Monday! While some things are far too great to change, like the caliber of people you’ll interact with at PNCWA each year, I’d like to share some of the exciting changes our team has been working toward to shape a more positive experience related to the PNCWA2023 technical program.
Abstract Review and Selection. For the first time, we implemented a double-blind review process for abstracts, removing the authors and represented companies for the scoring process. We did this to support a more equitable process for scoring and selection of abstracts, and we believe it made a positive impact on the diversity of speakers and content in our Technical Program!
The PNCWA Annual Conference is less than 10 weeks away and registration is officially open! Early bird pricing ends on July 27th, so be sure to take advantage of the discounted registration fees if you are a PNCWA member. Not a member? Now is a great time to consider joining! Click here (link to: https://pncwa.memberclicks.net/about-membership) to find out more about becoming a member.
PNCWA2023 has a lot to offer in addition to the incredible technical program assembled by Kristi Steiner and her team! For those of you who arrive on Sunday, the PNCWA Water for People Committee will be hosting a fun run in the late morning and the Stormwater Committee is organizing a service project that will start shortly after the conclusion of the run. What a great way to enjoy the beautiful late summer weather in the Northwest alongside your water colleagues! Register for the 5K and/or service project here.
Seeking Membership Feedback
The Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association is governed by a Constitution and Bylaws. From time to time, changes are needed to these documents. In these instances, the Constitution and Bylaws (C&B) Committee recommends changes to the Board and the membership.
The Stormwater Committee will be hosting a Service Event on Sunday, September 10, 2023.
Come join us the Sunday before the Tacoma PNCWA Conference for a clean-up event at Point Defiance Park! Lunch will be provided around noon and the service event will kick off at 1:30 pm. Transportation will also be provided.
* Eligible for 0.2 CEUs
The Sustainability and Biosolids Committee invites you to a webinar on June 28 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (PDT) on Advanced Thermal Treatment for PFAS. The presence of PFAS in biosolids has resulted in significant challenges for the municipal wastewater industry, especially for those utilities who land apply biosolids for beneficial use. Current and pending regulations will require WRRFs to rethink their biosolids management programs. With these challenges comes opportunities making it an exciting time for solids treatment in our industry.
If you’re looking to learn more about wastewater treatment for Spokane County or meet other water professionals in the Spokane area, please join us for a tour of the Spokane County Regional Water Reclamation Facility followed by a social gathering at the nearby No-Li Brewhouse on June 22, 2023.
The tour will begin at 3 pm and the social will start around 5 pm. Feel free to come to both or just stop by for either part. If you’re interested, please sign up here – registration is free to PNCWA members and $5 for non-members.
Hosted by the PNCWA Utility Management Committee
Date & Time: July 26, 2023 @ Noon to 1 PM
Angela Smith
Chief Operating Officer for Minority Construction Group LLC| Portland, OR
To My Fellow Water Professionals:
On behalf of the PNCWA2023 Conference Committee, I am thrilled to gather with you all this fall as the PNCWA annual conference returns to Puget Sound. Tacoma and the Greater Tacoma Convention Center will host our four-day celebration of clean water this September. This year’s conference focuses on “Catalyzing a Sound Future for Water.” We hope that your time in Tacoma exposes you to innovative approaches to solving problems, expands your connections with other clean water professionals, and inspires you to tackle the pressing water challenges facing our communities.
Greetings from the Leadership Development Committee! For those of you who are not familiar with the Committee’s work, we seek to develop leaders for the Association, our organizations, and our community. We hold workshops on leadership throughout the year. We also encourage each other through sharing articles, podcasts, blogs, and books on leadership. One book that I really like was introduced to me by our friends at Rogue Water at one of their Catalyst events. Designing Your Work Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans introduces design thinking to live, learn, and succeed in our work lives. The concept is thinking like a designer. What exactly does that mean?
Design thinking includes:
The WAVE program engages students and emerging professionals from diverse backgrounds with the water industry through a series of workshops and attendance at the 2023 PNCWA conference. The workshops focus on the various paths within the water industry, networking, skills development, employment opportunities, and conference preparation. Each month until the conference, we will highlight our participants.
PNCWA Participates in Water Week 2023 by Sending 8 Members to Washington DC
WATER WEEK 2023 | APRIL 23-29