-
Building Operator Skills: Meet NEIWPCC Trainer Tom Bienkiewicz
By Beth MacBlane Walking to grammar school, Thomas (Tom) Bienkiewicz recalls crossing over the Blackstone River in Blackstone, Massachusetts, always curious to see what color the river would be running that day. Sometimes it would be red, blue or green, with a cloud of suds standing six feet tall pushed up against the dam. This…
-
New Research Measures Suitability of Reducing Phosphorus in Lake Champlain Through Floodplain Restoration
In recent years, Lake Champlain waters have been impaired by excess phosphorus, largely due to the number of surrounding farmlands. Lake Champlain Basin Program’s (LCBP) Long-Term Monitoring Program estimates that 38% of the total phosphorus input each year comes from agricultural usage. Additional pollution sources include runoff from roads, developed areas and lawns, as well…
-
Seven Pillars of the Drinking Water Source Protection Program
New York state’s Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) is a locally led, state-supported program that empowers municipalities to proactively protect their public drinking water sources. Since the inception of the program in 2019, DWSP2 has evolved and grown, supporting more than 100 municipalities with 2.5 million water consumers. The program is committed to increasing…
-
NEIWPCC Staff Advocate for Water Policy at National Fly-In
Every April, water professionals convene in Washington D.C. for the National Water Policy Fly-In, a two-day conference focused on ongoing challenges and policy changes in the water sector. Throughout the event, participants have the opportunity to hear from industry leaders, network with colleagues and engage directly with representatives from Congress. This year, NEIWPCC sent a small…
-
New Bioextraction Research Informs Water Quality Work in the Long Island Sound
Nutrient pollution resulting from wastewater, fertilizer and stormwater runoff negatively impacts the health of the Long Island Sound and its coastal bays, harbors, and tidal estuaries. One way to address this pollution is through bioextraction — a method that combines growing and harvesting shellfish and seaweed for the purpose of removing nitrogen and other nutrients…
-
Developing Leaders in Wastewater: Meet NEIWPCC Trainer Bill Patenaude
By Beth MacBlane In 2005, William (Bill) Patenaude, a principal engineer with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s (RIDEM) Office of Water Resources, served on an interview committee for a local wastewater treatment plant. During this process, he observed nervous candidates who were well-qualified for the role but lacked interview skills and management knowledge.…
-
Water Operators Convene in Northern Maine for Training Conference and Tradeshow
NEIWPCC and Maine’s Joint Environmental Training Coordinating Committee (JETCC) continued 35 years of service to northern Maine water and wastewater operators by hosting the 2025 North Country Convention (NCC). More than 160 environmental professionals gathered at the Northern Maine Community College (NMCC) in Presque Isle for technical sessions, to connect with vendors, and network with…
-
Art, Community Engagement, and Innovative Solutions Featured at the Annual Nonpoint Source Conference
The 35th Annual Nonpoint Source (NPS) Conference brought together more than 120 watershed professionals to explore a range of topics, including nature-based erosion control, community engagement, and innovative approaches to NPS pollution management. Participants included environmental experts, agency staff, nonprofit leaders and students from across the Northeast. The event was held in Freeport, Maine, from…
-
Annual Report Details Scope of NEIWPCC’s Work
NEIWPCC’s 2024 annual report is now available, both online and in print. It features a summary of NEIWPCC’s work in the Northeast, highlighting how each project supports the mission of clean and sustainable water throughout the seven member states. The report details new and ongoing research on topics such as aquatic invasive species, habitat restoration…
-
Long Island ‘Garden Rewards’ Reimbursement Program Available to Help Reduce Runoff and Nitrogen Pollution
Long Island property owners have a unique opportunity to play a role in reducing stormwater runoff, a primary contributor to nitrogen pollution in local waterways, through the annual Garden Rewards Program. This initiative offers financial reimbursement of up to $500 for implementing eco-friendly solutions such as rain barrels, native plantings, and rain gardens. Property owners…