New York Water Environment Association

Ever wondered what it takes to run one of #New #York’s largest #wastewater #treatment #facilities (WWTF)? The New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) Western Chapter Young Professionals Committee and Introducing Future Leaders to Opportunities in Water (#InFLOW) Scholars are organizing a tour of the Buffalo Sewer Authority WWTF. 📅 Monday, March 17, 2025 🕒 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM 📍 Buffalo Sewer Authority This tour is open to #students and #young #professionals interested in #careers in #water, #environment, and #public health. It takes place the day before the 43rd #Annual #Greater #Buffalo #Environmental #Conference (GBEC). For those attending #GBEC or looking to learn more about the industry, this is an opportunity to see facility operations firsthand. You can find the vent registration link in the comments section! Hope to see you there! #NYWEA #GBEC #InFLOW #CareersinWater #PublicHealth #STEM

🎉 NYWEA 97th Annual Meeting Recap!💧 This year was my first time attending the NYWEA 97th Annual Meeting at the Marriott Marquis, and I was exposed to so much! From Student and Young Professionals (YP) events to technical sessions and the University Forum, it was an incredible experience. Alongside Manhattan University’s chapter members, I had the chance to learn from professionals and students in neighboring NYWEA chapters. My mission in everything I do is to create a positive impact on others’ lives, and that’s exactly what NYWEA stands for. I loved seeing that reflected in the innovative research and inspiring discussions shared throughout the event. It was beautiful to see NYWEA bringing us all together, but more importantly, to be reminded of how water connects us all. No matter our background or expertise, we all play a role in shaping a sustainable future. I’m already looking forward to coming back next year to learn even more and share in these experiences again! Huge thanks to New York Water Environment Association for an unforgettable experience! 🩵🌊 #NYWEA #WaterIndustry #StudentLeadership #MU #Networking #ManhattanUniversity #Sustainability #MakingAnImpact #WaterConnectsUs Manhattan University NYWEA Metropolitan Chapter

Congratulations are in order! B&L’s Jesse Semanchik has been honored with the New York Water Environment Association Environmental Engineer Award for his significant contributions to water quality and environmental management. This statewide recognition highlights his dedication to protecting and enhancing our water resources. Way to go, Jesse!

Clarkson's Ella Weldy Wins 2025 NYWEA Student Research Award Ella Weldy (B.S., May '25) wants to better understand soil, water, and climate, and the ways in which they often work in synergy as part of broader systems supporting human and non-human communities. Part of a team under Dr. Stefan Grimberg, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Co-Director of the NYS CoE in Healthy Water Solutions, Ella’s research examines the use of the compound #bromamine produced by #seaweed to reduce the off-gas of #methane from livestock, a significant source contributor to Greenhouse Gas (#GHG) emissions. This month, Ella was recognized for her work at the New York Water Environment Association (#NYWEA) conference and annual meeting held in New York City, receiving the association’s annual award for Best Student Research. She presented her project and progress to a standing room only session at the event that included leaders and young professionals/emerging leaders in healthy water solutions across the vast sector.  Ella’s study and Clarkson’s team research is part of the larger, multi-partner “Coast to Cow” consumer project led by the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. It also includes the William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute, Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment, and several research-based universities including Clarkson University, Syracuse University, Colby College, University of New Hampshire, Kansas State University, Bates College, Cornell University, and the University of Vermont. Collectively, researchers are working with the understanding that suppression of enteric methane emissions (burps) from livestock has the potential to drastically reduce the global production of this GHG, which is about 30 times more potent than Co2. The project aims to develop a well-balanced seaweed additive for cattle feed that helps address this challenge while offering major benefits to the environment, dairy and beef production, and the working waterfront. The project is funded by SHELBY CULLOM DAVIS CHARITABLE FUND INC, and the USDA AFRI Sustainable Agriculture Systems Program and AFRI Organic Research and Extension Initiative. Clarkson’s team, supported also under our center's umbrella, is using life cycle assessments to evaluate the cradle-to-grave impact on GHG emissions of the most promising seaweed additive candidates – including impacts to manure quality and utility in anaerobic digestion or as fertilizer – to ensure the final products represent a net greenhouse gas reduction and true seafood-based solution. Ella plans post graduation this May to pursue her graduate degree at Clarkson, continuing work on this important and innovative project. Through her service-oriented approach, she hopes to make a measurable impact as an exemplary emerging leader in soil, agriculture, and healthy water solutions. Congratulations, Ella! Links to more about this project in the comments, below:

The future of water is bright—this notion was palpable at New York Water Environment Association’s 97th Annual Meeting in NYC earlier this month! Major highlights from the largest water quality technical conference in NYS: 💧 ISE’s Environmental Finance Center, repped by Tess Clark and TyLin’s Walt A. Walker, PE, ENV SP organized “Tackling Wastewater’s Affordability Challenges,” an interactive panel discussion of tradeoffs and lessons learned. Thank you to our panelists Erica DePalma, Bill Brizzell, and Philip Sapone. 💧 Former EPA Water Chief Radhika Fox (pictured) delivered an inspiring keynote, reminding us that communities large and small choose water, even when the road ahead has challenges. 💧The NYWEA InFLOW Program celebrated its largest cohort yet—welcoming 19 scholars to an immersive introduction to the water sector, with Cristen Crew mentoring for the first time. 💧 Our team supported the brilliant and indefatigable Nadia Mugisha, PE, PMP, CDT, who put together a one-of-kind panel “Navigating the Tides: Inspiring Future Leaders in Water,” (pictured) where real water stories and insights highlighted what makes the water industry so special. We were thrilled to participate and support!    #NYWEA #AnnualMeeting  #InFLOW

🎉 NYWEA Annual Meeting Recap! 🌊 Last week, members of our student chapter attended the 97th NYWEA Annual Meeting on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 at the Marriott Marquis, taking part in the Student and Young Professionals events of the day! Between technical sessions, the University Forum, and the Annual YP Reception, our club members had an enriching time attending the event and hearing from industry professionals on the latest innovations in water resources and sustainability!💧 We are also excited to announce that our chapter received 🏆 First Place for NYWEA’s Annual Student Chapter Recognition Grant, the first in the chapter’s history! 🎖️Our secretary Abbie Cheong received the NYWEA Association Student Chapter Service Award. 👏 Shoutout to CCNY students, Shamima Ruhi, Abbie Cheong, and Miguel Rendon, who were part of this year’s NYWEA Introducing Future Leaders to Opportunities in Water (InFLOW) cohort as well! This was made possible due to the guidance we continue to receive from Krish Ramalingam and John Fillos, as well as the consistent enthusiasm and involvement of our chapter members! 🙌 We are beyond grateful to New York Water Environment Association for hosting such valuable opportunities for students to gain further exposure in the water industry! 🌎✨ We remain excited to continue hosting engaging events for our chapter members with the organization’s support! Best, 2024-25 CCNY-NYWEA E-Board 🫶 President - JK Goongoon,  Vice President - Emely Nunez Rodriguez,  Secretary - Abbie Cheong, Treasurer - Anais Ortega, and Opportunities Chair - Safeerah Moteen!

Clarkson University graduate student (MS Environmental Science & Engineering) Aslhy Torres participated in the Annual Conference of the New York Water Environment Association two weeks ago held in NYC as one of several selected #InFLOW Scholars from around the state. InFLOW, which stands for “Introducing Future Leaders to Opportunities in Water,” is modeled after the Water Environment Federation's InFLOW program with two tracks: (1) #STEMpath, designed to support talented and university students from historically underrepresented groups with a focus in STEM applicable to water challenges; and (2) #CareerTech Track, aimed at supporting professionals in job readiness or workforce development programs who are interested in exploring careers in the water sector. As an InFLOW Scholar, Aslhy was supported through #NYWEA membership, conference attendance support, and professional mentoring. The program is designed to both strengthen participants’ commitment to pursuing careers in the water and environmental sector, and to improve opportunities for employment, advancement and sustained career success in the water industry. Aslhy and other InFLOW scholars were acknowledged as part of the opening session of the 4-day conference, framed also as part of a growing effort by NYWEA to cultivate and support early-career professional networking. On Day 2 of the conference, Aslhy demonstrated her research acumen as one of several presenters in a well-attended (standing room only!) University Research technical session. She presented her work on life cycle assessment (LCA) of industrial-scale #seaweed #aquaculture as a strategy to reduce methane emissions in dairy farming, with a focus on the sustainable use of marine systems for climate mitigation. Specifically, Alshy's study evaluates the potential environmental trade-offs of expanding Saccharina latissima farming, particularly in relation to water resource use, marine ecosystem impacts, and energy-intensive processing stages such as drying. A key takeaway from her presentation is the importance of optimizing seaweed processing to ensure that its climate benefits do not come at the expense of marine ecosystem health and resource efficiency.  If you click on her LinkedIn profile link, you will learn more about Aslhy’s educational, research, and professional background, and why she is recognized as a promising leader and innovator in #sustainability and healthy water solutions. Her work is supported through our center, as well as the Institute for a Sustainable Environment Clarkson University, where she serves as a graduate research assistant. #SUNYESF #ClarksonU #Climate #MarineEcosystems #HealthyWaters

Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the NYWEA Annual Meeting as an InFLOW scholar, an experience for which I am extremely grateful! During this event, I have gained insights from industry experts through technical sessions and career panels, connected with inspiring professionals across the water, climate, and environmental sectors, and toured the Newtown Creek Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility. Most importantly, I had the privilege of learning alongside fellow scholars and mentors who share the same passion for this field, exchanging experiences and hearing about their unique water stories. A huge thank you to New York Water Environment Association, Walt A. Walker, PE, ENV SP, Stephanie Sánchez, P.E., Madison Quinn, and my mentor Victoria Wanjohi, EIT for making this program and event possible!