Dear Wastewater Professionals,
As
we reach the halfway point of my term as President of the Western
Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Association (WPWPCA), I want to
take a moment to reflect on our accomplishments and the progress we’ve
made toward our goals. The past six months have been a testament to the
dedication of our members, committees, and Executive Board, and I am
grateful for the collaborative spirit that continues to drive WPWPCA
forward!
Since November 2024,
the Executive Board and Committee Chairs have met five (5) times to plan
and refine our initiatives. These sessions have been instrumental in
preparing for a successful season of events. In addition, each Committee
has developed up to two (2) SMART Goals (Specific, Measurable,
Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) to guide our progress throughout
the year. Our objective, as always, is to end the year stronger than we
started. I’m extremely confident we are on track!While
much of our early work has focused on planning, WPWPCA has already
hosted several successful events. The Student and Young Professionals
Committee held a Water-Themed Quizzo Event (Trivia isn’t my strong
suit, but I have to ask—can YOU name all six (6) watersheds in
Pennsylvania?). Additionally, we’ve hosted three (3) well-attended
training events covering Safety, Activated Sludge, and Security. Most
recently, we held our biennial WesTec Conference, attended by over 120
professionals! I gained valuable insights from the diverse lineup of
presentations, which covered topics such as pipeline inspection,
cybersecurity, regulatory updates, wastewater surveillance, and odor
control. Beyond the presentations, the exhibit hall provided a fantastic
opportunity to interact with vendors showcasing the many facets of
our industry—lab analysis, process equipment, pipe repair, consulting
services, and more. And I have to say, that lunch was the best
conference meal I’ve had in my career.Onward and upward! Please keep an eye out as registrations open for upcoming events, which are summarized below:April 25, 2025 – Sporting Clays Shoot
Time: 9:00AM - 2:00PM
Location: Hunting Hills Shooting Preserve, 181 Hunting Hills Road, Dilliner, PA 15327
May 2, 2025 – Training Workshop on Laboratory Supervisor Training
Time: 8:00AM - 3:00PM
Location: Cranberry Township Public Safety Training Facility, 1000 Maintenance Building Drive, Cranberry Township, PA 16066
May 16, 2025 – Plant Tour & General Membership Meeting w/ Lunch
Time: 9:00AM - 2:00PM
Location: Kiski Valley WPCA, 1361 School Road, Leechburg, PA 15656
July 18, 2025 – Plant Tour & General Membership Meeting w/ Lunch
Time: 9:00AM - 2:00PM
Location: New Kensington WWTP
August 9, 2025 – Family Picnic
Time: 11:00AM-8:00PM
Location: Idlewild & Soakzone, 2574 Lincoln Highway, Ligonier, PA 15658
August 22, 2025 – Annual Golf Outing
Time: 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Location: Pheasant Ridge Golf Club, 6065 Rittman Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044
September 3, 2025 – Sporting Clays Shoot
Time: 9:00AM - 2:00PM
Location: Highlands Sporting Clays, 199 Teal Drive, Rockwood, PA 15557
September 19, 2025 – Plant Tour & General Membership Meeting w/ Lunch
Time: 9:00AM - 2:00PM
Location: DuBois WWTP
October 17, 2025 – Plant Tour & General Membership Meeting w/ Awards Luncheon
Time: 9:00AM - 2:00PM
Location: McCandless Township Sanitary Authority
In addition to these events, we
anticipate offering more training workshops throughout the year. We are
also working toward launching a new website with enhanced membership
features and rolling out a refreshed WPWPCA logo.
“So
much time and so little to do! Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it.”
I look forward to seeing you all at our upcoming events.
Warm Regards,
Robert Herring, PE, PMP
2024-2025 President, Western Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Association
Executive Director, The Washington-East Washington Joint Authority
