WI AWWA

WISCONSIN SECTION

American Water Works Association Winter 2024/2025

Midwest Water

&Wastewater

Operator Expo Recap

Messages From

the Board

2024 Year

In Review

A Look Ahead

to 2025

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// Table of Contents

8

CONTENTS

2024 YEAR IN REVIEW

ACE Recap--------------------------------------------8

2024 Annual Conference Recap------------10

Board of Trustees--------------------------------13

2024 Award Winners----------------------------14

Midwest Water and Wastewater -----------16

Operator Expo Recap

Project of the Year-------------------------------18

Additional Event Recaps-----------------------20

16

22

In This Issue

MESSAGES FROM THE BOARD

Message from the Chair-------------------------6

Message from the Director---------------------7

18

10

A LOOK AHEAD TO 2025

Upcoming Events---------------------------------22

2025 Changes-------------------------------------25

Message from the Incoming Chair--------26

Committee Pitch----------------------------------28

Advertiser Index----------------------------------31

4 WISCONSIN SECTION // WINTER 2024/2025 // wiawwa.org

wiawwa.org // WINTER 2024/2025 5

// Messages from the Board

Brian Powell

CHAIR

Hi, Everyone!

This has been a fun and busy year filled with many accomplishments

and achievements.

We had another successful Annual Conference- it was an excellent

opportunity to gain more knowledge on industry issues, learn about

different products/technologies, make new contacts while networking

with your peers, and lastly have fun.

We hosted the Regional Meeting of Officers (RMSO) in Green Bay, the

Young Professional Committee held numerous networking events,

there were several Membership & WIWARN Beer Tours, and we

introduced our very own hockey team: the WIAWWA Walleyes!

At the board retreat in October, we got a very good start on our next

strategic plan which will continue to be refined over the next several

months. At press time, we’re finishing our 2025 budget, so our work

for the year is not yet complete- but we’re excited about the future of

WIAWWA and all the fun 2025 will bring.

I hope everyone had a great year, and here’s looking

forward to next year!

Brian Powell


Messages from the Board //

Rob Michaelson

DIRECTOR

Hello, WIAWWA

Looking back at 2024, it has been quite a year, hasn’t it? I have been

reflecting on the numerous opportunities we have had to connect with our

peers…Midwest Water and Wastewater Expo, ACE24, the WIAWWA annual

conference, and other seminars and conferences in a variety of locations

throughout the state. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to find a

committee that interests you and learn more about it. Our volunteer

organization relies on our members to step up and share, no matter the

topic. Please consider getting more involved with WIAWWA!

For our profession, there’s been a big milestone this year- the Safe

Drinking Water Act turns 50! If you were born in the U.S. after 1974, you

and your municipal drinking water have been protected by the EPA’s Safe

Water Drinking Act, or the SDWA. As we close 2024, let’s raise a glass to

all of the water professionals that have come before us, and to those who

continue to provide safe drinking water to our public.

But my most memorable recollections of 2024 are the people I’ve met,

friends I’ve connected with, and stories I’ve heard. I am grateful to work

with honest, hard-working public utility professionals. It’s my goal to

appreciate the people that make a difference in my life, in words

and in actions. Who are you grateful for? Have you ever had a

conversation with someone who has influenced you, letting

them know how much you appreciate them? Try it…

it’s a pretty cool moment.

Thanks for all you do for our water

profession and being a member of

WIAWWA. I hope you enjoyed

the holiday season and

2025 brings you success

and happiness.

Rob Michaelson


// Year In Review

ACE RECAP

The Anaheim Convention Center in California provided a vibrant

setting for ACE24, with towering palm trees, a sparkling water

fountain, and a welcoming neon sign greeting attendees.

Wisconsin made its mark, starting with

Wisconsin Night at Golden Road Brewing,

where members enjoyed an evening of

networking and laughter. Huge thanks to

the MAC Committee and our generous

event sponsors for making this gathering

a success!

Wisconsin attendees stood out at the

Opening General Session, proudly wearing

Badger red as they listened to inspiring

speeches from Patrick Kerr (Outgoing

AWWA President), David LaFrance (AWWA

CEO), and keynote speaker Pat Mulroy,

while celebrating award winners.

The Exhibit Hall buzzed with energy, showcasing

countless vendors and consultants

ready to assist attendees. Even Eddy,

AWWA’s cheerful blue waterdrop mascot,

made an appearance- some of our Wisconsin

members managed to snap a photo

with him!

Congratulations to

Wisconsin’s ACE24 Teams!

• Meter Challenge: Pete Van Gompel

(Green Bay Water)

• Women’s Hydrant Hysteria: Kara Jafferis

& Taylor Voeltz (Madison Water)

• Men’s Hydrant Hysteria: Ian Cira & Nick

Cefalu (Milwaukee Water)

• Pipe Tapping: Floyd Smith, Jon Lindloff,

& Dave Laux (Wausau Water, with support

from Madison Water)

• Water Taste Test: Janesville Water

Utility—First Place in the People’s Choice

Competition for Best Tasting Water!

Thanks to all participants for representing

Wisconsin so well! Here’s to another

successful ACE filled with innovation,

camaraderie, and celebrating our member

achievements.


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// Year In Review

We’re thrilled to report that our 103rd Annual

Conference was an incredible success!

It was a joy reconnecting with members,

vendors, and speakers, and we’re already

looking forward to next year’s conference.

Our fundraisers were a major hit, thanks to the generosity of

exhibitors and individuals who donated items for our raffles.

Your contributions truly made a difference!

Educational opportunities abound at our conference- there were

too many interesting sessions

to choose from! There was a

variety of technical sessions

aimed at all roles within the water

industry, and there were plenty

of opportunities to further your

knowledge. Social events were

plentiful, too- our golf outing; meet

and greet; MAC night; 5K run/

walk; No Water, No Beer Festival;

Women in Water; Small Systems

reception; and more!

Our keynote speakers helped

broaden our horizons and

encourage us to continue striving

to solve problems and provide

the best services we can. Special

thanks to Dale Kooyenga, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association

of Commerce President, for his keynote, “Water: Its Increasing

Relevance to National Security & Economic Development,” and

Dr. Manny Teodoro, Robert F. & Sylvia T. Wagner Professor

at University of Wisconsin-Madison, for his second WIAWWA

Annual Conference keynote, “Making the Grade and Changing

the Game.”

The Expo Hall was filled with generous exhibitors who shared

their products, services, and knowledge with us! We loved

visiting everyone and networking in this space, and we certainly

enjoyed the beverages and snacks in the Expo Hall while we

stopped at each booth.

We proudly recognized many award winners who have made

outstanding contributions to the water industry in Wisconsin

and WIAWWA.

A heartfelt thank you to our special AWWA guests, Susan

Franceschi and Loren Labovitch, for sharing your time

and energy with us. We hope you enjoyed your Wisconsin

experience!

We couldn’t host a conference of this scale without the

dedication of our amazing volunteers and organizers. A huge

thank you to the Board of Trustees, Committee Chairs and Vice

Chairs, and all Committee members who ensured every detail

was covered.

Mark your calendars now for our 104th Annual Conference,

happening September 10th-12th, 2025.


Year In Review //


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Year In Review //

Vice Chair // Curt Czarnecki

Director // Rob Michaelson

Past Chair // Joel Lemke

Chair // Brian Powell

Senior Trustee // Susan Wojtkiewicz

2024

Board of Trustees

Trustee // Matt Bednarski Trustee // Darrin Allard Trustee // Jessica Morrison Trustee // Ryan Wood


// Year In Review

2024

Award

Winners

Best Tasting Water in Wisconsin:

City of Appleton

Steward of Safe Water:

Paul Adamski, Stevens Point Public Utilities

Regulator of the Year:

Becky Scott, Wisconsin Department of Natural

Resources

Water Efficiency:

New London Utilities

Operator Meritorious:

Dennis VanDinter, Menasha Utilities

Young Professional of the Year:

Shawn Smith, McWane Ductile

Small Systems Excellence Award:

City of Adams, Well Number 4 PFAS Treatment

Project of the Year:

Great Water Alliance Program- Waukesha Water

Utility and TYLin Greeley and Hansen Water Solutions

Utility Achievement Award:

City of Marshfield

John Lechner Award of Excellence:

Lila Johnson, Baxter & Woodman

Lifetime Achievement Award:

Kevin Richardson, John Anderson, Richard Hope,

Keith Donner

Leon A Smith Award:

Mike Forslund, Strand Associates, Inc.

Chair Award:

Brian Powell, Green Bay Water Utility

Fuller Award:

John Richmond, Marshfield Utilities

Silver Drop Award:

Bart Niles, David Lewis, Steven Kluesner, Irv Lupee,

Chris Shaw, Jeffrey Starke

Life Member Award:

Patrick Planton, Kenneth Groesche Jr, William Spain

Fuller Award Winner:

John Richmond,

Marshfield Utilities

Leon A Smith Award:

Mike Forslund,

Strand Associates, Inc.


Year In Review //

Best Tasting Water

in Wisconsin:

City of Appleton

John Lechner Award

of Excellence:

Lila Johnson,

Baxter & Woodman

Lifetime

Achievement Award:

John Anderson

Lifetime

Achievement Award:

Kevin Richardson

Lifetime

Achievement Award:

Keith Donner

Small Systems

Excellence Award:

City of Adams,

Well Number 4 PFAS Treatment

Young Professional

of the Year:

Shawn Smith,

McWane Ductile

Operator Meritorious:

Dennis VanDinter,

Menasha Utilities


// Year In Review

MIDWEST WATER

AND WASTEWATER

OPERATOR EXPO RECAP

The 2024 Midwest Water and

Wastewater Expo took place at the

Kalahari Resort on February 6th

and 7th. It was wonderful to reunite with

everyone and make new connections in the

water and wastewater industry!

We had near record attendance this year,

and attendees were able to take advantage

of the in-booth exhibitor presentations,

classroom sessions, a full exhibit hall, TWO

seminar opportunities, and daily raffle prize

drawings! Attendees were able to earn

CECs for attending, and the scan-in process

made earning those credits as easy as

possible.

There were competitions, too- Hydrant

Hysteria, Meter Challenge, and Tapping!

For those who love to brave the snowcovered

slopes, there was a ski, snowboard,

and tubing event at Cascade Mountain. Our

Expo days had something for everyone!

Our MWWO Expo Committee is filled

with incredible and dedicated volunteers

focused on making the Expo the best it can

be. Congratulations, Expo Committee,

on planning and executing another

successful event!

Many thanks to all our exhibitors,

attendees, volunteers, and everyone who

made this event a true success- especially

the fine folks at WWOA who co-hosted

with us.

Did you miss it? Save the dates for 2025…

we’ll see you February 11th and 12th at

the Kalahari in the Wisconsin Dells!

WIAWWA Walleyes

The MWWO Expo was a perfect

opportunity for WIAWWA to launch our

BRAND-NEW hockey team, the WIAWWA

Walleyes! Our inaugural game, versus the

ISAWWA Water Hammers, was a fantastic

social opportunity for Expo attendees and

hockey fans alike.

Many thanks to our director, Rob

Michaelson, for all his time and energy in

organizing the team and making our first

showdown happen! Keep an eye on our

website for information about joining the

team as a player or volunteer, upcoming

games, opportunities to cheer on the

Walleyes, and jersey/fan gear sales.


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// Year In Review

2024 Project of the Year

Great Water Alliance Program Waukesha Water Utility

and TYLin Greeley and Hansen Water Solutions

The Waukesha Water Utility (WWU)

provides water treatment and distribution

services to the 72,000 residents of the

City of Waukesha, Wisconsin. The St.

Peter Sandstone aquifer, previously

a prime source of drinking water for

Waukesha and other communities

throughout the Midwest, began to

be depleted and faced increased

concentrations of contaminants such

as radium and total suspended solids.

A layer of shale rock (Maquoketa Shale)

inhibits aquifer recharge exacerbating the

issue, and it became clear that Waukesha

needed to find a new, sustainable water

supply to ensure the protection of public

health.

Lake Michigan, a vast freshwater

source, seemed to be the clear answer.

However, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence

River Basin Water Resources Council

(Compact Council) has limited the use

of Lake Michigan as a water resource

to communities within the basin since

its enactment in 2008. In October 2013,

Waukesha submitted its Application

for Lake Michigan with Return Flow

to the Wisconsin Department of

Natural Resources (DNR). In June

of 2016 the Compact Council made

the historic decision to unanimously

approve Waukesha’s application to

source its water from Lake Michigan,

the first and only diversion of its kind.

The WWU initiated the Great Water

Alliance (Program), to plan, permit,

design, construct, and commission new

infrastructure capable of transferring

water from Lake Michigan to the

residents of Waukesha and back to the

Lake Michigan watershed. Successful

implementation of this groundbreaking

Program set an industry precedent for

resolving water quality and water scarcity

challenges affecting at-risk water supplies

in Great Lakes communities.

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Figure 2. Construction of the 160-foot-tall, one-million-gallon elevated water storage tank and booster pumping

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// Year In Review

Leadership Meeting

Our WIAWWA Board of

Trustees, Committee Chairs,

and Committee Vice Chairs

were able to gather in Green

Bay at Green Bay Water’s

beautiful training facility on

January 12th, 2024 for the

annual Leadership Meeting. Of

course, like typical Wisconsin

weather, we were surprised

with a forecast of blizzard

conditions on that Friday,

so we called an audible and

made the meeting hybrid to keep our

volunteer leaders safe. Technology was

immensely helpful as we were able to

share room audio, video, and screens

with our virtual attendees- and allowed

virtual attendees to be projected both

audio and video with their cameras on the

in-room projector screens and speakers.

We had some great discussions about

everything from financial updates to the

new WIAWWA Walleyes hockey team,

and from staffing changes to newsletter

updates. There was a lengthy discussion

about how to proceed for the upcoming

Annual Conference, and the input from

our volunteer leaders was insightful and

helpful as we forge forward in 2024!

Thank you to everyone who made time

in their busy schedule to connect with us

and be part of the future of WIAWWA!

“Beer Tour” Stops

The WIWARN and Membership

Committees continued their recruitment

tour, known as the “Beer Tour,” since each

stop is at a Wisconsin brewery. We had a

wonderful time laughing and connecting

with other folks in the water industry!

The intent of the Beer Tour is to connect

WIAWWA member utilities with the -FREEmutual

aid program that is WIWARN,

and to connect nonmember utilities with

the wonderful network that is WIAWWA.

Thanks, everyone, for your company at


Year In Review //

Regional Meeting of Section Officers

these events! We stopped at each location

marked with a beer mug, and there will be

new stops coming up in 2025. Keep an

eye on your inbox, our website, and social

media for details.

Technology and Security

Seminar

By Eric Southworth

The 2024 Annual Technology and Security

Committee Seminar was held at Green

Bay Water Utility on March 12th. We had

a great lineup of presentations covering

all things technology and security:

regulatory updates, drones, smart water

meters, FirstNet, PFAS technology,

and the Hach WIMS Rio application for

consuming SCADA data.

There was great participation from both in

person and virtual attendees! Thank you

to Master Meter, our event sponsor, Jean

Pucel and the staff at Green Bay Water

for being such great hosts, and to all the

presenters and attendees!! It is always

great to network and see what technology

is being used in the industry and we try to

facilitate that for members.

American Water Works

Association (AWWA) Water

Matters! Fly-In

The 2024 AWWA Water Matters! Fly-In

took place on April 9–10 in Washington,

DC, bringing together members to

advocate for critical drinking water issues

before Congress.

Representing the Wisconsin Section,

Joel Lemke (City of Stevens Point)

and Curt Czarnecki (Kenosha Water

Utility) met with the offices of Senators

Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson and

Technology and Security Seminar

Congressmen Bryan Steil, Mark Pocan,

Derrick Van Orden, and Thomas Tiffany.

Fly-In participants discussed key

issues, including:

• Advocating the

“polluter pays”

principle for PFAS

cleanup

• Promoting water

affordability

• Investing in water

infrastructure

• Supporting collaborative

water cybersecurity

Since its inception in 2002, the Fly-In has

been instrumental in advancing AWWA’s

legislative priorities and establishing

water professionals as trusted authorities

with Congress. This year’s efforts once

again led to legislative action, with several

bills introduced shortly after the event.

We look forward to another impactful Fly-

In in 2025!

Regional Meeting of Section

Officers (RMSO)

From April 28–30, the Regional Meeting of

Section Officers (RMSO) brought Midwest

AWWA leaders together at Lambeau

Field in Wisconsin. Region III includes

sections from North Dakota to Ontario,

and this year’s RMSO set a record with 61

attendees, including 18 from Wisconsin!

The event offered opportunities to share

ideas, learn best practices, and discuss

key topics like AWWA Water 2050, DE&I

strategies, and membership engagement.

Special thanks to Maggie Vaulman and

Jon Eaton for leading the sessions.

Highlights included:

• Meet & Greet at Hinterland Brewery:


// Year In Review

Casual networking over great food and

drinks.

• Meeting Venue: The 6th-floor loft at

Lambeau provided stunning views of

the field.

• Dinner at 1919 Kitchen and

Tap: Fabulous food, drinks, and

conversations.

• The Turn: Fun games, karaoke, and

laughter shared by all.

• Lambeau Field Tour: A behind-thescenes

look at Packers history and the

iconic stadium.

This year’s RMSO was filled with learning,

collaboration, and energizing discussions

to bring back to our Wisconsin Section.

Treatment Operations Seminar

By Joel Brunner

The annual WIAWWA Treatment

Operations Seminar was held on May

16th at the Oak Creek Community Center,

with over 50 individuals in attendance.

This seminar is an annual staple, with

attendees coming from all across

Wisconsin! A variety of topics were

discussed, appreciative to the following

for sharing their expertise and knowledge

with our attendees.

Day 2: In-Depth Learning at the Prairie

Center Thursday’s seminar at the Prairie

Center was packed with valuable content

and expert insights. The day began with

a warm welcome from MaryFrances

Klimek, Chair of the CSWEA Management

Committee, setting the stage for a series

of informative presentations.

Management Seminar

Cascade Mountain Ski,

Snowboard, and Tubing Event

Sponsored by the Young

Professionals Committee

By: Conner O’Rourke,

Strand Associates, Inc.

Attendees of the Midwest Water and

Wastewater Expo laced up their boots

and hit the slopes on skis, snowboards,

and tubes on February 5th at Cascade

Mountain. This event, which is put on

by the Young Professionals Committee,

was open to both novice and experienced

winter sports enthusiasts alike. Despite

warmer than usual weather for the

season, participants enjoyed carving

through snow as well as some hot (and

cold!) drinks and snacks in the lodge after

their runs. Special shoutout to Taylor

Martin for organizing this event! We hope

to see you all on the mountain again next

year!

2024 Distribution Seminar

By: Darrin Allard and Steve Hayek, revised

by Heidi Oberstadt

The 2024 Distribution Seminar took place

on February 7th at the Kalahari Resort

Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells,

Management Seminar

By Katie Richardson

The 2024 Management Social and

Seminar, held on August 14th and 15th in

West Bend, Wisconsin, brought together

water and wastewater professionals

for two days of insightful discussions,

networking, and leadership development.

Sponsored by CSWEA and WIAWWA, the

event was a resounding success, offering

attendees a wealth of knowledge and

continuing education opportunities.

Day 1: A Night of Networking at The

Bend Theatre The seminar kicked off

on Wednesday evening at The Bend

Theatre with a lively social event.

Attendees enjoyed a dynamic interview

and discussion with Tom Sigmund,

accompanied by drinks, snacks, and

delicious pizza from a local West Bend

pizzeria. The relaxed atmosphere

provided the perfect setting for

colleagues to connect and share ideas

before the more intensive sessions the

following day. Thank you to our Sponsors

Carollo and William Reid!

Management Seminar


Distribution Seminar

drawing over 80 attendees. The event

featured engaging sessions on emerging

technology, best practices, and local case

studies, hosted by Distribution Committee

Chair Steve Hayek and WIAWWA Board

Trustee Darrin Allard.

Morning Highlights:

• Roundtable Discussion: GIS Systems

and Field Apps

Panelists from Sheboygan, Kenosha,

and City Water shared insights on GIS

platforms, system management, and

applications for meeting the EPA’s Lead

and Copper Rule Revisions.

• Case Study: “Water Main Lining – A No

Dig Solution”

Adam Wiederhoeft presented Madison

Utility’s innovative approach to water

main lining, highlighting customer

communication and temporary water

setups.

• Lead Service Line Replacement &

Process

Sarah Nunn provided guidance on

structuring contracts for lead service

line replacements, helping utilities

address EPA mandates.

• Case Study: Unidirectional Flushing

Program

Zach Pethan and Brian Weiss detailed

Manitowoc’s effective flushing program,

emphasizing collaboration between

utility and consultant teams.

Afternoon Sessions:

• Case Study: South Milwaukee Tower

Reconditioning

Ben Huffman outlined the planning and

coordination required to repair South

Milwaukee’s sole water storage tank.

• “Driving Safety” Presentation

WI State Trooper Youngblood shared

essential road safety reminders for field

and office staff, emphasizing hazard

awareness and compliance.

Thank you to all presenters and

volunteers who made this seminar a

success. Your expertise and dedication

continue to drive our industry forward!

7th Annual Engineering &

Construction Seminar

By Randy Sanford, revised by Heidi

Oberstadt

The Engineering & Construction

Committee held the 7th Annual

Seminar on January 25, 2024, with 42

professionals attending the half-day

virtual event. The seminar included two

hours of ethics training and two hours of

industry-focused presentations.

Highlights:

• Ethics Training: Jeff Russell (UW-

Madison) led a two-hour session

on the Flint, Michigan case study,

exploring transparency, leadership, risk

management, and cost issues through

breakout discussions.

Industry Presentations:

• Lead & Copper Control: Darin Skutt

discussed corrosion control treatments

and phosphate options.

• DNR Updates: McCrea Baker &

Jim Witthuhn covered NR 811

updates, funding, and plan review

troubleshooting.

• CIPP Lining: John Deziel presented

on water main lining benefits and

processes.

Missed this year’s event? Both the 2024

and 2025 seminars are available for

streaming on the WIAWWA website!

Contact Randy Sanford (rsanford@sehinc.

com) or visit the WIAWWA committee

page for updates.

AWWA Young Professionals

Summit

By: Shawn Smith, McWane Ductile, revised

by Heidi Oberstadt

As water professionals, we constantly

look to the future- whether it’s addressing

workforce challenges or adopting new

technologies. One key issue is our aging

workforce, prompting the need to develop

the next generation of leaders.

Last month, I had the privilege of

attending the AWWA Young Professionals

Summit in Portland, Oregon, alongside

Adam Dow from Kenosha Water Utility.

This sold-out event brought together

300 young professionals from utilities,

engineering firms, manufacturers, and

government agencies to share ideas,

collaborate, and enhance the water

industry.

Key Highlights:

• Leadership & Skills Development:

Sessions included discussions on AI’s

impact on water utilities, diversity and

inclusion, and strategies for knowledge

transfer.

• Collaboration & Workforce Growth:

Breakout groups explored ways to

attract and retain future water utility

workers, followed by hands-on product

demonstrations.

• Utility Management Panel: Experts

tackled balancing infrastructure

upgrades with affordability and equity,

offering valuable perspectives for

utilities of all sizes.

This summit was an incredible

opportunity to grow professionally,

expand my network, and gain a fresh

perspective on the industry’s future.

Thank you to the Wisconsin AWWA

chapter for sponsoring my attendance.

I encourage anyone interested in

supporting or attending next year to reach

out- I can’t recommend this event enough!

Young Professionals Summit


Regulatory Affairs Seminar

By: Curt Czarnecki, Kenosha Water Utility,

revised by Heidi Oberstadt

The 2024 Regulatory Affairs Seminar

took place on May 29th at the Alliant

Energy Center in Madison. Hosted by the

DNR, PSC, MEG Water Division, WRWA,

and Wisconsin AWWA, the seminar

brought together over 70 water industry

professionals to discuss key regulatory

topics.

Agenda Highlights:

• PSC & DNR Updates: Presented by

Kristy Nieto, Laura Fay, and Mark

Aquino.

• Drinking Water Insights: ASDWA’s

Anthony DeRosa and several DNR

program managers shared updates on

lead and copper, public water supply,

and engineering.

• Waukesha’s Source Water Conversion:

Dan Duchniak provided a behind-thescenes

look.

• Cybersecurity: Bill Nash from CISA

discussed key strategies.

• Lead Service Line Replacement:

Experts from South Milwaukee,

Kenosha, Wausau, and Sheboygan

shared approaches and financial

assistance programs.

• Incorporating BIL into the SRF:

DNR specialists explained funding

opportunities.

The event offered valuable insights

into the evolving regulatory landscape.

Consider joining the Regulatory

Committee and attending the 2025

seminar next spring!

Upcoming Events:

Engineering and Ethics

Virtual Seminar

January (date TBD), 2025

Midwest Water and

Wastewater Operator Expo

February 11th and 12th, 2025

Water and Technology Summit

May 8th, 2025

Annual Conference

September 10th-12th, 2025

Visit the calendar

on our website for

more information

and registration

for these events!

You’re facing challenges with lasting implications. We’re delivering world

class solutions with lasting results. Tomorrow’s reality is unfolding today,

and our forward-thinking approach will keep you one step ahead.

cdmsmith.com/NEXTisNOW


A look ahead //

Cheersto2025!

We’re starting 2025 with a lot of excitement and optimism, and we

wanted to share some of the big changes happening at WIAWWA.

As we move into this new chapter, here’s

a sneak peek of what’s coming:

• New Faces: We’re happy to welcome

our new 2025 Board of Trustees!

• A Fresh Look: We’ll be transitioning

to a new logo in the upcoming year,

designed to represent where we are,

where we’re headed, and our ongoing

connection with AWWA.

• Revamped Newsletter: Our virtual

newsletter is getting a makeover, with

a fresh format, reduced length, and

more engaging content to keep you

connected

These are just a few of the exciting things

happening behind the scenes, and we

can’t wait to share more with you in the

months ahead. We’re thrilled for what’s

to come in 2025, and we hope you’re as

excited as we are!

Here’s to a year of growth, new opportunities,

and continued success. Thanks for being

part of this journey with us!


// Message from the Incoming Board

Curt Czarnecki

INCOMING

CHAIR

Hello!

I am looking forward to 2025 and assuming the role

of Chair for the WIAWWA organization. Last year

brought major changes to our organization and the

coming year will hopefully build upon the positive

momentum we have generated.

An update to the organization’s strategic plan is

underway. There will be a renewed focus on recruiting

and retaining section members. A concerted effort to

mentor new members, engage our full membership and

bolster committee participation are goals established for

the upcoming year. We also look to expand our educational

and networking opportunities.

WIAWWA looks to accomplish these goals while keeping

our membership informed on all items impacting the

water industry and remaining in a strong financial

position. Our members and the networking

opportunities are what makes

this organization so great. I

look forward to the many

opportunities 2025

will bring!

Curt Czarnecki


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of water supply, treatment, storage,

and distribution systems.

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Milwaukee | De Pere | Middleton | La Crosse


// A look ahead

Join a

WIAWWA COMMITTEE

LOOKING TO MAKE A BIGGER IMPACT IN THE WATER INDUSTRY?

Joining a WIAWWA committee is a great way to

connect with peers, share your expertise, and

shape the future of our organization.

We have committees for

every interest, including:

• Communications

• Education

• Management

• Membership

• Treatment Operations

• Young Professionals

• and more!

View our committee webpage to learn more about

our committees and reach out to committee chairs

to join our ranks.

To learn more information,

scan the QR code or visit

our website at:

WIAWWA.org

Make a difference – get involved today!


A look ahead //

2025

Board of

Trustees

Chair // Curt Czarnecki

Vice Chair // Susan Wojtkiewicz

Director // Rob Michaelson

Past Chair // Brian Powell

Senior Trustee // Ryan Wood

Trustee // Ryan Spackman

Trustee // Matt Bednarski

Trustee // Darrin Allard

Trustee // Jessica Morrison


Code

Updates

In-Service

Cleaning

NEW TANKS — Rick DiZinno

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EXISTING TANKS — Jordan Pyles

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SOLVING YOUR MOST PRESSING

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LET US KNOW

Did you like the updates in

this printed newsletter?

Watch for continued updates from WIAWWA in your email

inbox on the first Monday of each month!

Our monthly virtual newsletters contain lots of helpful information,

including future educational opportunities; DNR and PSC Updates;

Policy Watch news; WIAWWA Board of Trustee announcements;

featured articles from utilities, vendors, and consultants in the water

industry; upcoming events; and more…

If you’ve missed our virtual newsletters, you

can find past issues here.

Scan the QR code to be taken to the

Newsletter page of our website!

!

Hey, WIAWWA Members!

Be sure to log in to our website and

update your member profile to reflect

your accurate contact information.

We want to make sure you receive our

emails, annual gift, and newsletters!

You also secure access to membersonly

information on our website, like

our newsletters, policy watch,

and more.

BONUS - if you include your birthday

in your member information, we

recognize you in our monthly virtual

newsletter. Help us celebrate you and

update your profile today!

Simply head to www.wiawwa.org and

click the “Sign In” button in the upper

right corner of the website.

Thanks for keeping us in the loop!

Ad Index //

ADVERTISER INDEX

Adaptor Inc............................................ Pg. 17

American................................................ Pg. 19

Baxter & Woodman................................ Pg. 27

CDM Smith............................................. Pg. 24

Clark Dietz.............................................. Pg. 27

Core & Main........................................... Pg. 3

Energenecs............................................ Pg. 19

Foth........................................................ Pg. 12

Graef.................................. Inside Front Cover

Mead & Hunt.......................................... Pg. 27

M.E. Simpson Co., Inc........................... Pg. 5

Municipal Well Pump.......Outside Back Cover

Pittsburg Tank & Tower Group.............. Pg. 30

Process Research Solutions................. Pg. 30

SEH DesignBuild, Inc............................. Pg. 17

SEH, Inc.................................................. Pg. 30

Strand Associates................................. Pg. 9

Water Well Solutions............................. Pg. 12

Hawkins................................................. Pg. 9


WI AWWA - Winter 2024

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