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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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 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…
The Spring 2025 issue of NEIWPCC’s biannual magazine, “Interstate Waters,” is now available both online and in print. The cover story focuses on New York’s Drinking Water Source Protection Program, locally led and state-supported, which empowers municipalities to proactively protect their public drinking water sources. More than 100 communities currently participate, and interest continues to…
The next webinar in the National 303(d) Restoring Our Impaired Waters Webinar Series will provide training on the use of the Lake Loading Response Model (LLRM). The event is scheduled for April 16, 1-4 p.m. EST via Zoom. The LLRM is an Excel-based model that uses environmental data to develop a water and nutrient loading budget for…
In this episode of the “Clean Water Pod” podcast, listeners learn about reducing phosphorus loading to waterways in Green Bay and Madison, Wisconsin using adaptive management practices. Both utilities highlight the role of voluntary cover crop planting and no-till farming as part of the implementation of their respective Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). They also…