Issue 2 2023

2023 BioMassTers Open
07/21/2023

August Webinar 2023
08/09/2023

One Water Technical Conference & Expo
08/21/2023-08/24/2023

Exhibitor Registration

​Attendee Registration

Golf Registration

An E-Newsletter Announcement will allow you to share an announcement with the membership including new services and equipment, staffing changes, or upcoming events. The possibilities are infinite!

More Information

OWEA
info@ohiowea.org
614.488.5800
Twitter: @Ohio_wea
LinkedIn: OWEA

1505 Bethel Rd.
Suite 200
Columbus, OH 43220

W-9

Make sure you are registered to join more than 2,000 water and wastewater professionals at one of the largest gatherings in the Midwest – One Water! Regular registration is open and will be available until August 2. After that you will be considered late or onsite and your cost will increase.

Check out everything One Water will have this year:

• Keynote Breakfast Speaker Donnell Duncan

• Three evening networking events

• More than 75 technical sessions, including ethics

• Operations Challenge featuring ten teams

• Regulatory Update from OEPA

• Much, much more.

Want to add to your One Water experience? Consider registering for Monday’s Golf Outing. This year we are at two exciting courses, New Albany Links and Bent Tree. Both courses will feature food, drink, lots of prizes and great networking.

You can find out more about registration, golf, the full agenda, and technical program HERE.

The OWEA Watershed Committee is soliciting presentations for the 2023 Workshop being held October 10th, 2023 at the Embassy Suites in Dublin, Ohio. The Conference is anticipated to cover a wide variety of watershed topics.

Technical Topics:

• Watersheds

• Integrated Planning

• Regulatory Issues

• Flood Mitigation

• Green Infrastructure and Case Studies

• Watershed Management

• Integrated Planning/Permitting

• Water Quality Modeling

• Water Quality Trading

• TMDLs and Non-Point Source Pollution

• Dam Removal and Stream Restoration

The deadline for submission is July 28, 2023.

You can get more information and submit an abstract HERE.

The Ohio EPA is interested in your thoughts on modernizing the title of “Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator” to a name that reflects the new expectations operators may face with water reuse and/or with the hope of recruiting a new generation to the workforce. This title change could be included with Ohio EPA’s changes to the operator certification rules that will be out for public comment later this summer.  

OEPA wants your input on potential options for changes to the title “Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator” (as identified in OAC 3745-7-05).

Any change suggested by the industry would be phased in and would not require immediate changes to position descriptions or job titles.  Those could be updated as they are reviewed by your organization. Ohio EPA could include language in OAC 3745-7 to reinforce any title transition identified by your feedback. Please take 5 minutes to fill out this survey and make sure YOUR voice is heard.

Do you have a presentation that is applicable to both a water and wastewater audience? Do you want to reach more than 150 industry professionals without leaving your office? Would you like to present but need flexibility concerning when?

Now is the time to submit your abstract for our upcoming One Water On Demand, to be available November 1-15. This event offers attendees the ultimate opportunity to make professional development work on their schedule. Attendees can log on ANYTIME from November 1-15 to earn up to nine contact/professional development hours. Chosen presenters will record their presentations either with One Water staff or on their own.

The deadline to submit your abstract has been extended until July 26! Learn more about presentation requirements and submit an abstract HERE.

Do you have a co-worker who is interested in OWEA but has a tight budget? Maybe know someone who would like to be a member but wouldn’t utilize a full WEF membership? They have options!
 
OWEA now offers two membership options – there’s something for everyone.
 
Full WEF membership is a perfect fit for many, especially those who attend WEF events and want to be part of a large national organization, while still being connected at the local level to OWEA.

Our State Only Membership is a less expensive, locally focused option that provides great benefits, including the Buckeye Bulletin, this newsletter and great discounts on section and state events, including One Water. The State Only membership carries no WEF benefits.

More Information

The Ohio EPA will be offering two FREE webinars in the coming weeks!

• July 25, 10 am – Infectious Waste Overview

• August 8, 1 pm – Scrap Tire Regulations and Infrastructure In Your Community

These webinars are a great opportunity to hear from the experts about issues affecting the communities you serve.
 
You can find out more information and register by following the below links.

Infectious Waste Overview

Scrap Tire Regulations and Infrastructure In Your Community

Connections Corner will be a designated area in the Expo Hall that will feature plenty of space to network and relax with comfortable furniture. In addition, it will also have some exciting programming:

• Meet and chat with Keynote Speaker Donnell Duncan

• Learn more about OWEA and OAWWA’s commitment to DEI

• An opportunity to meet and chat with WEF and AWWA trustees

• First time attendees networking

• YP meet up

The schedule will be available onsite in your program and app. Make sure your One Water plans include stopping by Connections Corner!

Our annual photo contest is BACK and we need photos of your facility! Submit photos and a 100 word description to Megan Borror by September 15^th to be considered for the 2024 calendar. We can't wait to see your submissions!

The following is a proposed change to the OWEA Rules and Regulations to include an Emerging Leader as an Executive Committee Member with full Executive Committee rights and responsibilities. This position would have a two year term and be renewable once. The nominating chair would seek nominations for the Emerging Leader position and it would be voted on by the Executive Committee. Please see the exact proposed changes below:

6. Management

6.2 The Executive Committee shall consist of: 1) the following Officers: President, President Elect, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer; 2) Section Delegates; 3) the most recent living immediate Past President of the Association, and 4) an Emerging Leader, and 5) a certain number of designated WEF Delegates who shall serve as members of the WEF House of Delegates. A quorum of the Executive Committee shall consist of a majority of its respective members. A quorum is necessary to perform official business of the Association.

6.6 Terms of Office

6.6.1 The elected terms of office of the President, President-Elect, Vice President, and Past President shall be for approximately one year. The term of office of Secretary-Treasurer shall be for approximately one year and may serve consecutive terms. The terms of office of each Section Delegate shall be approximately two, two-year terms. All terms of office shall start at the conclusion of the annual business meeting at which they were elected and continue until their successor qualifies.

6.6.2 The term of service for a WEF Delegate is a three year term, with start and end dates as defined by WEF.

6.6.3 The term of the Emerging Leader shall be for two years and they may serve one consecutive term. Term of office shall start at the conclusion of the annual business meeting after which they were elected and continue until their successor qualifies.

6.6.4 The terms of office of each Section Delegate shall be approximately two, two-year terms. Term of office shall start at the conclusion of the annual business meeting after which they were elected and continue until their successor qualifies.
 

6.9 The duties of other Executive Committee members shall be as follows:

6.9.1. The Section Delegates shall serve on the applicable Section Executive Committee, shall communicate Association business and interests to the Sections, and also inform the Executive Committee of pertinent issues of the Sections.

6.9.2 The Past President shall provide general resource information of past Association activities.

6.9.3 The Executive Committee shall appoint the WEF Delegates who shall represent the interest of the Association to WEF.

6.9.4 The Emerging Leader shall represent the interest of the membership to the Executive Committee.

This proposed change will be voted on at the OWEA Annual Business Meeting which will be on Wednesday, August 23 at the One Water Conference in Columbus, Ohio. Please direct any questions concerning this change to Executive Director, Dawn Larsen.

Current Rules & Regulations