For more than 50 years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) New England region has recognized those who have made outstanding contributions to protect the region’s environment. The 2023 Environmental Merit Awards, presented during the New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA) Annual Conference awards luncheon on January 24, included a long-time NEIWPCC partner.
William (Bill) Patenaude, NEIWPCC trainer for the Wastewater and Onsite Programs Division and retired environmental engineer at the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s (RIDEM) Office of Water Resources, received a Lifetime Achievement Award. The award honors Patenaude’s 34 years of service to the wastewater profession in Rhode Island and beyond. He founded the RIDEM’s Wastewater Leadership Boot Camp, a one-year professional and personal development program for municipal wastewater staff that has been replicated in every New England state and has advanced the professionalism of the industry.
Throughout the years, Patenaude has been actively engaged with and an advocate for wastewater operators and NEIWPCC. He served as an active participant in NEIWPCC’s Training and Certification Workgroup, and since his retirement from RIDEM he began teaching with NEIWPCC’s wastewater training program.