Greetings Marykay,

Hello and welcome to 2023, better late than never?!?

Included in this Newsletter:

• Passing of the gavel
• November plant tour
• YP Professional Development Day
• Fun facts about our 2023 President

Farewell Message from Art Auchenbach, 2022 President

Hello EPWPCOA membership! As you read this a lot has changed (some for the better). I am no longer your President (that’s the “for the better” part) but you aren’t finished with me yet! Now that the Association is in the stable (read: sane) hands of Lew, Heather, and Ron, I am free to ride off into the sunset BUT before I do, as my last act of President (not that I did a lot of “acts” as President) I am honored to give you our recap of 2022 as the association gets things rolling for 2023!

2022 was a return to “normalcy” and the second half of the year featured two great EPWPCOA events, the Trade Show at Sunnybrook Ballroom in September and the awards meeting hosted by the City of Reading in November.

As the Association prepares for our 86^th year of service to our industry I ask each of you to once again (I sent this to all of you last year!!) review our mission statement, where we state, “The purpose of the Association is to advance knowledge and to encourage the exchange of information for the betterment of our communities. We keep our members informed on important issues and provide many PA DEP approved continuing education opportunities.” I ask you to review this not to simply read the words, but to pause and give thanks to the many men and women who came before us who had the wisdom and foresight to establish an organization like this where we can develop business, share ideas, network and learn, and most important, develop lasting friendships and relationships. This should not be taken lightly. While we are all impacted by the distractions and business of work and personal lives, we need to take this moment to remember….and thank….those who have impacted and directed this great organization. Just last year deaths stole several of our industry stalwarts. For those of you who identify in the category of O.P. (older professional) or Y.P. (Young Professional) please take some time to share. Share your time, your experience, and your interests with each other. As our green industry “grays”, we need to be sure that we have our next generation of leaders comfortable and excited to lead us into the next decades of our organization. Being involved in EPWPCOA is one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made. I look forward to sharing my experiences with all of you and learning more about what you would like to see the association become.

November Plant Tour

November 4, 2022 | Fritz Island

Reading, PA

Many thanks to the City of Reading for hosting our season ending meeting. The amazing transformation of the City of Reading Fritz Island WWTP was seen by all and the presentations by Hazen & Sawyer were appreciated. Not many of us have the chance to see such a drastic change at a large WWTP so the tour was impressive for all who attended. The tour featured 59 vendor tables and several more outside exhibits. 193 members attended the event. The day was topped off with a great meal at Victor Emmanuel II Beneficial Society. While we didn’t have the Godfather theme music playing, we do have our Godfather doppleganger Mike Disantis who made us all feel uncomfortably comfortable. Many thanks to the staff from Victor Emmanuel for the luncheon; Hazen & Sawyer for sponsoring breakfast; Riordan Materials Corporation for being the Mailing Sponsor; Gold Sponsor - Franzenburg Centrifuges; Silver Sponsor - Dutchland, Inc.; Bronze Sponsors - Michael F. Ronca & Sons, Inc. and Quorym; Event Sponsors – Hach and Shannon Chemical Corporation; and ALL of the Vendors and Sponsors who exhibited.

Written by Art Auchenbach

Dutchland, Inc. hosted and sponsored a professional development day for the Eastern Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Operators Association (EPWPCOA) in conjunction with the EPWPCOA Young Professionals Committee. The attendees were treated to a well-organized tour of each segment of Dutchland’s tank production facility, in addition to several technical presentations, all followed by a networking event. Attendees were also eligible for continuing education credits for attending this event.

The technical presentations focused on wastewater treatment plant upgrades, innovative concrete tank design, and the capture, production, and applied use of renewable natural gas. The presenters provided truly valuable information. So much so, that much of the conversation during the networking event later that afternoon was focused on the content of the presentations.

After the technical portion of the professional development day, attendees were able to enjoy food and beverages at Victory Brewing. A big thank you goes out to Victory Brewing for their hospitality and excellent refreshments.

In addition to Dutchland’s contribution, other sponsors that helped make the event such a success were Entech Engineering, Inc. (Gold Sponsor), ARRO Consulting and Gannett Fleming (Silver Sponsors), and Kappe Associates and Suburban Testing Labs (Bronze Sponsors). The Young Professionals Committee and EPWPCOA hope to see you at future events.

Written by Jonathan Klotz, Mount Pocono Municipal Authority

Fun Q&A from our 2023 President Lew Christy

What did you want to be when you grew up?

• A Marine Biologist

Do you have any hobbies?

• Fishing, bowling, and of course golf

What is your standard office lunch?

• Peanut butter and jelly

Sand or snow?

• Definitely sand

If you could rid the world of one thing, what would it be?

• Hate

What phrase or cliché do you most live by?

• Hey

What's the most important thing on your desk right now?

• Have you seen my desk? LOL can't find anything

What's a small act of kindness you were once shown that you'll never forget?

• Gina saying, "I DO"

What is one non-work related goal that you'd like to achieve in the next 5 years?

• Spending my free time with Gina & our grandchildren

What is one important skill that everyone should have?

• Communication

What's your all-time favorite movie quote?

• "Every champion was once a contender that refused to give up." Rocky

If you could eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

• Shrimp Scampi

Industrial Pretreatment Conference April 13 & 14

There's still time to register for the 30th Annual Industrial Pretreatment Conference! Click here for more information.

Upcoming Schedule

• April 13-14

Industrial Pretreatment Conference

• May 11

Education & Training Committee Training

• May 19

Plant Tour & Meeting in Schuylkill Haven

Please let us know if you have an idea for a story or something you would like to include in a newsletter.

Sincerely,

Eastern Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Operators Association

Lew Christy, 2023 President

Cora Shenk, Publications Chair

Marykay Steinman, Executive Director

Jenney Walton, Editor