AlexRenew's Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF), with a buildout ADF capacity of 58 MGD, recently completed a Solids Master Plan which outlines a comprehensive roadmap for solids management and biogas utilization. The current solids facilities include gravity thickening of primary and tertiary sludge, centrifuge thickening of waste activated sludge, pre-pasteurization, Mesophilic Anerobic Digestion (MAD) and centrifuge dewatering. The Solids Master Plan addresses current and future needs for solids treatment processes over the next 20 years in a phased approach including Short-Term Improvements (STI), Medium-Term Improvements (MTI) and Long-Term Improvements (LTI).

The STI phase was initiated following the Solids Master Plan Phase 1 condition assessment with goals of repair/replace existing equipment and optimize use of biogas. STI improvements include anerobic digester heat exchanger replacement and replacement of a gaseous mixing system with a hydraulic mixing system, WAS thickening centrifuge upgrades, pre-pasteurization system demolition, gravity thickener upgrades with new dome covers and scum removal, as well as the installation of a new dewatering centrifuge.

The MTI phase is currently in design following completion of the solids master plan with a primary goal of producing certified class A biosolids and a secondary goal to minimize solids quantity. The MTI project includes Andritz sole sourced duty/standby triple pass rotary drum thermal dryers, installation of a biogas cleaning system for supplying gas in the thermal dryers and boilers, relocation of dewatering centrifuges adjacent to the thermal dryers, installation of a FOG receiving facility to serve the local community and increase biogas production from the anerobic digesters as well as the construction of a new gravity thickener.

Anaerobic digestion is one of the oldest and most widely used sludge management technologies in the world. However, our industry must overhaul how we design and operate digesters to meet the demands of the 21st century, which includes improved worker safety, reducing fugitive emissions, and intensifying the process. There is no single way to upgrade these old digesters, so a suite of cost-effective options is outlined to address common challenges. Case studies of different approaches used to retrofit existing digesters over the past two decades will be presented.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in biosolids have become a major issue for the water reclamation industry. PFAS are ubiquitous due to their extensive use in consumer products. They are also designed to be robust and difficult to degrade which makes them perpetuate through the urban water cycle. In some states, regulations on PFAS are advancing faster than federal regulations, which is compelling utilities to explore new approaches to manage biosolids. This issue has generated more interest in thermal processes including pyrolysis and gasification. Drying is required prior to pyrolysis and gasification.

This presentation will report on findings from the Water Research Foundation (WRF) Project 5211. "Understanding the Value Proposition for Thermal Processes to Mitigate PFAS in Biosolids." Surprisingly, lab-scale drying experiments revealed that PFAS concentrations were reduced. A sampling campaign at a full-scale dryer confirmed that PFAS were removed during drying. Follow-up experiments indicated that a portion of PFAS were removed during drying with the evaporated water. Pyrolysis was shown to remove PFAS from the biosolids. However, the temperature of pyrolysis and the initial PFAS concentration in the biosolids affected removal during pyrolysis. Gasification also removed the majority of PFAS form the solid phase. This presentation will conclude by showing the overall percent removal of PFAS across sequential drying and thermal processes to understand the overall contribution of each unit operation towards total PFAS removal.

The Thorn Creek Basin Sanitary District (District) has a significant industry that can discharge more than 160,000 pounds per day (ppd) of sulfate (SO4-S) to the District. The high SO4-S loads in the primary sludge generates significant amounts of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which often resulted in H2S concentrations in the digesters exceeding 10,000 milligrams per liter (mg/L). In 2009 the District began adding ferric chloride to the primary clarifier influent and final clarifier influent. The goal was to use ferric chloride for sulfide sequestration as iron (II) sulfide, reducing H2S concentrations to 3,000 mg/L in the digester gas.

While at first the ferric chloride addition appeared to be effective in its goal to reduce H2S concentrations in the digester gas and associated maintenance costs, several years later the District began to encounter a variety of operational and maintenance (O&M) issues with biosolids conveyance, management, and land application that resulted in very high costs and constant stress for District staff to process and remove biosolids.

This presentation will review the background leading up to the sulfide sequestration project, the resulting O&M issues that arose, and the District's identification of a new approach that addresses existing O&M issues while also positioning for a more cost-effective approach to address future effluent phosphorus limits.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) operates an 18-inch-diameter, 27,500-linear-foot ductile iron sludge forcmeain to transport solids from the James C. Kirie Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) in Des Plaines, IL to the John E. Egan WRP in Schaumburg, IL. Installed in 1980, the pipeline is approaching its 50-year design life. Inspection of this pressurized line is critical, as it has experienced five failures, extends more than five miles, crosses beneath two highways and a nature preserve, and cannot be taken out of service for extended periods without disrupting operations.

In 2024, a screening-level assessment of the Kirie-Egan sludge transport line using an in-pipe, free-floating, multi-sensor technology was conducted by RJN Group. The inspection presented challenges in both insertion and retrieval of the inspection device. Because the line lacked a check valve or bypass riser near the pumps, RJN recommended that MWRD fabricate a custom stacked-valve assembly that could be tapped onto the pressure pipe for device insertion, and MWRD was successful in completing the installation in-house. Retrieval was equally complex; the sludge transport line is a reversible line meaning the device could not pass through downstream pumps. To address this, RJN and MWRD collaborated to design and install an in-line bar screen capable of withstanding continuous flow for the 12 hours required to deploy the tool and provide a location to capture the tool at the endpoint.

With installation and retrieval configurations complete, the inspection was performed successfully and results of the inspection provided a snapshot of the current condition of the line. Results revealed extensive restrictions likely due to settled debris - nearly 50% across the line - as well as widespread metal loss along the length of the pipeline.

Based on these findings, the MWRD plans on rehabilitating the forcemain in four segments of comparable length by cured-in-place-pipeline (CIPP) rehabilitation and prioritized according to defect severity and the criticality of potential failures.

The MWRD awarded the first project on July 17, 2025 and rehabilitation is underway. The MWRD used the information provided by the inspection to prioritize the order of rehabilitation of the future projects and to provide bidders information on the current condition of the forcemain.

The Mainstream-Des Plaines Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP) system is a critical resource for protecting water quality and reducing flooding in Chicago and surrounding communities. Comprised of a network of 67.1 miles of Deep Tunnels, and the 3.5 BG McCook Stage 1 Reservoir, the TARP system intercepts combined sewer overflows and relieves regional drainage infrastructure for the City of Chicago and 36 suburban communities. Hydraulic geysers have been a recurring challenge for operating the Mainstream TARP system since its inception in the 1970s. High rates of inflow into the tunnel system combined with rapid pressurization of the large diameter tunnel systems occasionally result in powerful, dynamic geyser events where an air-water mixture is pressurized above grade level, endangering property and human health.

This presentation will describe recent modeling analysis of recent geyser events to better understand the factors contributing to geyser occurrence, and to explore mitigation measures to reduce the frequency and/or intensity of geyser occurrence. Detailed radar rainfall data processing was performed to load the Illinois Urban Hydrologic Model and Chicago trunk sewer model to simulate system hydrology, and the hydraulic routing of flows through trunk sewers and the tunnel system. Results from this system-scale analysis were loaded to the Illinois Transient Model (ITM), a multi-purpose finite volume model capable of representing pressure wave propagation within the tunnel system at the short timescales necessary for resolving the hydraulic phenomena associated with geysering events. The ability of hydrologic and hydraulic models to replicate the macro-scale system response to widely varying rainfall conditions will be discussed. Remaining technical questions, future directions of study, and the implications of this study for the operations of the MWRDGC TARP system will be discussed.

Wastewater utility and division managers are navigating a complex landscape of aging infrastructure, evolving regulations, and increasing service expectations - all while managing increasing costs and tighter budgets. Better information and modern decision-making tools are now essential for optimal wastewater systems operation and maintenance.

This presentation will introduce asset management as a proactive methodology for wastewater utility management, describe the steps and information requirements for getting started, review some available tools on the market, and share case study examples of how Illinois communities and wastewater utilities have successfully implemented asset management to enhance efficiency, reduce risk, and support long-term, reliable operations. 

Municipal infrastructure budgets are under ever increasing pressure. This includes both large and small municipalities. As we face the ongoing challenges of growth and managing aging infrastructures, the need for wise, conscientious, and practical solutions for managing spending and budgets has never been more important. Corrosion is the mortal enemy of municipal infrastructure. Understanding and managing the corrosive conditions and potential are paramount to success. Preventive maintenance is the key to maximizing asset life cycle and improving the ROI on capital spending. We need to build, but we also need a plan to maintain what we build.  This paper will discuss the top ten essential steps municipal owners should understand to maximize asset life cycle through the use of a properly designed and managed preventive maintenance program for corrosion control.

The Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District (BNWRD) is undertaking a multi-year, phased construction project to rehabilitate and expand anaerobic digestion capacity and implement combined heat and power (CHP) infrastructure. Maintaining uninterrupted biosolids treatment while replacing critical components, including digester covers, digester mixing systems, and biogas utilization and safety equipment, requires a carefully coordinated sequencing strategy.

This presentation will walk through the development and refinement of the construction sequence, detailing key constraints such as seasonal construction windows, equipment lead times, space limitations, and solids management. Early procurement, implementation of temporary systems, and strategic overlap of construction phases were essential not only to accelerate the project schedule, but also to ensure uninterrupted plant operations and regulatory compliance throughout the digester and CHP facility overhaul.

Managing documentation across complex construction projects presents significant challenges. Our organization has implemented an electronic document management system (EDMS) across multiple projects to streamline workflows, improve transparency, and enhance efficiency in project delivery.

This presentation shares our experience using an EDMS as a centralized system of record for managing submittals, RFIs, correspondence, and other project documentation. We focus on how the system has improved our ability to track key processes, reduce delays, and support accountability across teams. Importantly, the EDMS allows customization, enabling us to emphasize items most critical to our organization, such as quality control and regulatory compliance.

Attendees will gain insights into the practical benefits of adopting an EDMS, as well as lessons learned around implementation, training, and system optimization.

Lagoon facilities across the state of VA are being affected by new treatment regulations, primarily focused on Ammonia removal, but additional requirements for Phosphorus removal and Total Nitrogen removal are right around the corner. 

Lemna Environmental Technologies (LET) will present an updated, innovative approach for lagoon-based wastewater treatment technologies demonstrating how various emerging technologies can be retrofitted into existing facilities and installed in Geenfield sites in order to meet nearly any treatment challenge, including low ammonia, phosphorus, Total nitrogen, BOD and TSS.

Oxidation ditches are one of the easiest to operate and most robust biological treatment processes in wastewater treatment, yet no two are exactly alike. This presentation will share our experience in practical design guidance with what works, what doesn't, and what to watch for when planning or upgrading an oxidation ditch. We will explore design fundamentals, such as length-to-width-to-depth ratios, effluent weir placement, redundancy options, and retention times. Attendees will gain insights into the advantages and trade-offs of straight versus folded ditches, as well as the engineering considerations that drive regional preferences. We will also share examples of unique solutions to common challenges, including strategies for integrating anaerobic or anoxic zones where space is limited or where future nutrient limits may apply. The target audience would be a consulting engineer looking for design parameters, an operator wanting to understand the ditch layout options, or a utility leader planning for long-term growth.

Many Illinois WRRFs are required to meet more stringent effluent nutrient limits, while also accepting higher strength loads that are increasing faster than their influent flows. The bottleneck for many WRRFs is the secondary treatment capacity, more specifically, the secondary clarifiers. Capacity is often limited by how fast the MLSS can settle. Densification is achieved with kinetic and physical selectors that select for better settling sludge. This opens up avenues for re-rating existing WRRFs without adding additional concrete. This presentation will focus on introducing the fundamentals of densified activated sludge (DAS), and will provide three case studies which include: DAS for peak flow intensification, foam control and process resiliency using DAS, and will end with a detailed look at how DAS was incorporated for a full scale design.

40 CFR 136 is updated from time to time. Updates can be small to heavy hitting. With this update, there are changes all of us should look for in our lab data. We will learn where to access the published version, how and when to submit method modifications, what is required to adhere to Quality Control requirements, and identify Lab Report regulations. We will also see tips on creating compliant friendly COCs, and see a one-stop Data Compliance Tool. The session will be interactive in identifying Lab Report and COC errors.

Biosolids management, strategies, and regulations continue to be at the forefront of PFAS regulation across the country. A growing topic of interest is that biosolids, especially “liquid biosolids,” are challenging to analyze using the biosolids protocol in EPA 1633. This session will provide an overview of the regulatory and legislative climate as it relates to biosolids, discuss challenges in testing this specific matrix, and provide considerations and alternatives to ensure you are getting the best analytical data possible relative to your specific data quality objectives.

The New Century Town Water Reclamation Facility (NCT WRF) operated by Lake County Public Works (Lake County) currently dewaters aerobically digested solids using belt filter presses which are nearing the end of their predicted life and pose operational challenges. Considerable heat in the Dewatering Room of the Dewatering Building where the existing belt filter presses are located, and limited space around the existing belt filter presses adversely affects operation and maintenance activities. Lake County has undertaken a project to replace the existing dewatering equipment to address the existing equipment's age and operational issues, and to improve performance. A focus of this presentation will be on the discussion of design challenges faced during the project and the resolution of those challenges, including the inclusion of the thickening step upstream of the dewatering process previously noted. Additional discussion items will include the steps to retrofit the existing space for the RDT and centrifuges located on the second floor of an existing structure including methods to allow for future access and maintenance of the new equipment, and construction sequencing to maintain plant operation during equipment installation.

For several decades, the Village of Bartlett owned and operated a satellite excess flow treatment facility. This facility included a permitted discharge outfall separate from the Village's main wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) located several miles away, which both facilities were included in the Village's NPDES Permit. A portion of the Village's sanitary sewer system is tributary to a lift station owned and maintained by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC). The District's lift station accepts flow up to the contractually specified maximum base flow for the service area. During peak wet weather flow events, flows above this limit are diverted to the Village's sanitary sewer system, and previously were sent to the excess flow treatment facility.

After much study, the Village chose to proceed with designing and constructing a new excess flow lift station together with a new larger excess flow interceptor sewer and nearly two miles of sanitary force main that, in an excess flow event, pumps flow directly to the Village's WWTF. This presentation will discuss the Village's challenges with operating and maintaining the previous Excess Flow Treatment Facility, history of the investigation of alternatives, and design and construction of the new excess flow lift station and interceptor/force main.

Digital twins for water and wastewater infrastructure have been deployed successfully but they are still far from mainstream at most utilities. Digital twin software driven by embedded hydraulic or process models can solve a very broad range of complex issues, but they can be perceived to lack value for the cost - they can be overkill for some situations. Sometimes the lowest hanging fruit is not in the software itself, but rather through newly-provided access to the right data at the right time by the right people. A strategic shift to proactive, data-driven management is becoming increasingly important as wastewater utilities face pressure to optimize operations, enhance service delivery, and ensure regulatory compliance amidst aging infrastructure and rising cost. Unfortunately, many utilities find themselves working with disparate, siloed data systems that make it difficult to leverage their existing digital ecosystems effectively. 

This presentation will detail a case study of how the Fox River Water Reclamation District (FRWRD) is developing a Digital Twin Roadmap which provides a strategic, actionable guide for its digital transformation. This case study will identify the many stages of digital transformation, and it will provide examples of how phased implementation can be considered at wastewater utilities.

Polymer activation is a critical step in the solids treatment process, playing a pivotal role in enhancing the efficiency of downstream processes such as thickening, dewatering, and sludge drying. Polymers help bind fine particles into larger aggregates, enabling more efficient separation of solids from liquid. However, the performance of these polymers is highly dependent on proper activation, an often overlooked yet essential process that ensures the polymer achieves its maximum effectiveness. The polymer activation system prepares and hydrates polymer before it is introduced into the solids treatment train, ensuring adequate mixing and aging time. By properly integrating polymer activation into the solids treatment train, facilities can improve solids capture, reduce polymer consumption, and lower overall sludge disposal costs. This presentation will focus on the fundamentals of polymer activation systems, their operational significance, and design considerations. It will showcase the advantages of adopting a two-stage mixing approach. A comparative analysis of mechanical, hydro-mechanical and hydraulic mixing technologies for dry and emulsion polymer activation will be presented to aid in equipment selection for specific applications.

Conventional activated sludge operation has typically called for dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations at a minimum of 2 mg/L, driven by the kinetics of nitrifier growth to achieve complete nitrification. In recent years there has been increased attention and movement towards operation at low DO setpoints (typically <2mg/L). With aeration being one of the most energy-intensive processes at water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs), lower DO setpoints offer the opportunity to significantly reduce energy usage. From a nutrient removal standpoint, low DO operation also provide the conditions to enable simultaneous nitrification-denitrification (SND), accomplishing total nitrogen removal. SND is also important for enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) configurations, as minimizing the nitrate recycle to anaerobic zones improves EBPR performance. 

This session will focus on the design considerations for implementation of low DO operation for nutrient removal goals with a goal of highlighting the approachability of the process for all types of WRRFs. Attendees will learn from case studies highlighting important design considerations as well as lessons learned from operational low DO facilities to walk away with a better understanding of the fundamentals as well as practical aspects from design through start-up. 

Four Rivers Sanitation Authority (FRSA), located in Rockford, Illinois, provides wastewater services to a population of approximately 277,000 in the surrounding areas. FRSA has fostered a proactive and organization-wide culture of innovation, championing adaptive planning and applied research to prioritize forward-thinking solutions at their facility. A prime example of this innovative approach to treatment is implementation of the AquaNereda® aerobic granular sludge (AGS) process for secondary treatment. The AGS Facilities are currently in construction, and when completed in late 2025 will represent the largest US-based AGS process with a capacity of 10mgd. 

AquaNereda® is a sequencing process that utilizes a single tank for react and settle phases. Although often not viewed as compatible as a retrofit with existing activated sludge systems that utilize separate tanks for reaction (aeration basins) and settle (final clarifiers), there is an opportunity to construct an expansion of facilities with AquaNereda®, and then integrate the AquaNereda® in parallel to a conventional activated sludge plant. FRSA is taking advantage of this approach which provides an integrated overall facility. While maintaining 40 mgd of average day flow capacity in a more conventional biological nutrient removal (BNR) activated sludge facility, FRSA is adding an additional 10 mgd of average daily flow capacity with a new AquaNereda® AGS facility. 
 
This presentation will provide an overview of the start-up of the AGS facilities at the FRSA wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and encompass the following: 

• Commissioning and Optimization of the AGS Process: The AquaNereda® process represents a shift from a conventional flow-through activated sludge process in terms of basin operation, biomass select conditions, and wasting practices. A robust training program will be key to a smooth start-up, encompassing not only mechanical equipment but process fundamentals, key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor, and control strategies. 

• Whole Plant Integration: The AGS facilities will operate downstream of recently installed Primary Filters (started up in Spring 2024), and in parallel with the existing activated sludge process that is currently being upgraded to accomplish BNR (completion in 2027). As the AGS facilities come online, impacts to the other secondary treatment process, solids handling processes, and overall plant effluent will be monitored to optimize performance. 

• Attendees will be provided with an overview of the start-up of the AGS process and performance and the holistic plant impacts at FRSA. 
  
  

The Urbana-Champaign Sanitary District (UCSD) Northeast Plant (NEP) faced challenges with high ammonia side stream loads, limited carbon availability, and future nitrogen limits. To address these concerns, UCSD selected ANITA? Mox, an anammox-based process that reduces ammonia without requiring a carbon source. The technology converts ammonium and nitrite directly into nitrogen gas, achieving 70-90% ammonia removal and reducing oxygen demand by 40% compared to traditional methods. A pilot test confirmed system effectiveness, achieving 80% ammonia removal within two weeks. Stress testing showed robustness to high flows, high DO, and flow interruptions. Key benefits include energy savings of up to 65,000 kWh/year, reduced tankage needs and avoided carbon costs. UCSD plans to implement ANITA? Mox in Phase II of its capital improvements.

As nutrient discharge limits continue to tighten, water resource recovery facilities require reliable approaches to meet ultra-low effluent phosphorus limits. Cloth media filtration, particularly pile cloth media (PCM) filters, has proven to be a robust solution for consistently meeting a range of phosphorus and TSS requirements.

This presentation builds on the 2024 IWPC conference, which examined in-to-out cloth media filters. The current work shifts focus to out-to-in filtration using PCM, presenting full-scale operating data intended to help the industry better understand how these filters function and to provide evidence of their treatment consistency. Four municipal facilities across the U.S. are profiled, each representing different influent conditions, upstream treatment processes, chemical addition strategies, and phosphorus limits. Collectively, the case studies offer a broad perspective on PCM filter performance under diverse design and operating contexts.

The Collection System Review is a short primer for those interested in the Collection System Certification exam. Sewer lines, manholes, Inflow-Infiltration, troubleshooting will be covered.

This review deals with the skills needed to operate, facilitate process control, and troubleshoot different types of treatment plant units. We will cover conventional activated sludge, sequencing batch reactors, oxidation ditches, BNR, digestion, and more.

This review includes biological treatment principles, process control, normal operation and preliminary treatment devices, primary treatment devices, trickling filters, imhoff tanks, SBRs, lagoon systems, digestion, activated sludge and disinfection systems.

Ready to roll up your sleeves and show off your skills? The IWPC Operations Challenge is back and better than ever for 2026! This high-energy, hands-on competition puts wastewater operators to the test across real-world scenarios.

Compete in four timed events: Quiz & Process Control, Lab Analysis, Mechanical Hands-On, and Safety.

It’s your chance to test your speed, precision, and walk away with serious bragging rights (and plaques!). Plus, it's a blast.

Know someone who should compete or help out? Send them our way. Make sure to stop by the Judges Table to register before competing.

PFAS management is difficult due to the pervasiveness of PFAS in every water and solid stream. When possible, source reduction should be conducted to reduce PFAS that enter would otherwise water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs). Stemming from use of PFAS in consumer products, landfill leachate can be a significant source of PFAS to WRRFs. An analysis of 45 landfills revealed that leachate contributes up to 83% of total PFOA loading to WWTP, despite three orders of magnitude lower flow than influent wastewater. As such, pre-treatment of leachate offers an attractive option to reducing PFAS from WRRFs. 

This presentation summarizes PFAS concentration/separation technologies and destruction technologies specifically suited for landfill leachate. In particular, foam fractionation, electrooxidation, and supercritical water oxidation technologies are discussed, as well as considerations for polishing. Technologies are evaluated considering energy consumption, release of toxic byproducts, commercial readiness, footprint requirement, and secondary waste production. Case studies from locations on the East Coast and in the Midwest are presented. 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are among the most persistent contaminants facing the water industry. As treatment requirements continue to tighten, reverse osmosis (RO) is being adopted by many utilities as a reliable way to achieve high levels of PFAS removal. The benefit of RO, however, comes with a difficult by-product: a concentrated waste stream that contains PFAS at levels far higher than the raw water. How to manage and ultimately destroy this concentrate is now one of the biggest challenges utilities face.

This session looks at the issue through three representative RO concentrate cases: low-strength municipal RO concentrate, moderate-strength landfill leachate RO concentrate, and high-strength industrial wastewater RO concentrate. Each of these has different water quality characteristics, volumes, and co-contaminants that directly affect disposal and treatment options.

We will review the main destructive technologies currently under development or pilot testing, including supercritical water oxidation, electrochemical oxidation, plasma treatment, UV/photolysis, and advanced thermal processes. Interim, non-destructive options such as deep-well injection, brine crystallization, and off-site incineration are also considered as part of the overall management picture. The session includes approaches, pros and cons for the three model cases, considering not just technical feasibility but also permitting, cost, residuals, and community acceptance. 

Enforcement Response Plans (ERPs) are critical tools for pretreatment programs, but many follow model templates that leave room for subjectivity and inconsistent application. This presentation introduces a logic-driven ERP framework that replaces broad categories with a structured, point-based system. By assigning values to key modifiers - reporting, frequency, nature, severity, and Significant Noncompliance (SNC) including a compliance history score - the methodology produces an objective score that guides proportional and defensible enforcement actions.

Attendees will learn how this approach ensures consistency across staff, provides transparency for regulated industries, and strengthens credibility when enforcement decisions are reviewed by regulators or challenged by industry. Case examples will illustrate how point values are applied to real-world violations, demonstrating logical escalation pathways that improve fairness and protect publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) and receiving waters.

Wastewater operators and industrial pretreatment professionals are often responsible for managing and interpreting data, whether it's tracking sampling results, organizing flow measurements, preparing regulatory reports, or calculating surcharge. Excel can be a powerful tool to make this work easier, but many professionals only use its most basic features. This session introduces practical Excel skills tailored for wastewater and pretreatment applications. Participants will learn how to navigate and organize data, apply simple formulas and functions, use formatting tools for clarity, and visualize trends. Real-world examples will show how Excel spreadsheets can be used to streamline everyday tasks, check calculations, and support decision-making. No prior advanced Excel knowledge is required; this session is designed to build confidence with fundamental spreadsheet tools that can save time and reduce errors.

Pretreatment programs are required to identify all potential industrial users in the area and determine if they must be included in the program. This talk will include practical tips and real stories about how to identify facilities, gain access for a site inspection, classify operations, and incorporate the business into the program. We'll include time for audience participation and discussion.

Understanding the EPA's Effluent Guidelines can be daunting, with 58 industrial categories and 450+ subcategories, each containing unique discharge and pretreatment standards. This presentation will demystify the regulatory framework within 40 CFR Subchapter N - Effluent Guidelines and Standards. We'll explore the difference between direct and indirect dischargers, highlight the relevant pretreatment standards, and explain how to identify applicable categorical standards using EPA resources. Special attention will be given to categories like Plastics Molding & Forming (40 CFR 463) and Paint Formulating (40 CFR 446), including examples of zero discharge requirements and reserved pollutants.

With more stringent nutrient limits, water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) have been facing challenges in achieving higher effluent quality. As a result, research scientists and utility managers are investigating intensification processes that will allow them to meet nutrient limits without spending significant capital investment. For the past two decades, aerobic granular sludge (AGS) has been gaining traction, particularly in the U.S., due to the benefits of granules in wastewater treatment. 

Although AGS is typically operated using batch reactors, WRF Project 4870, Balancing Flocs and Granules for Activated Sludge Process Intensification in Plug Flow Configuration, provided insights on promoting granule growth in flow through configurations using either internal or external substrate selectors. The use of external selectors such as hydrocyclones has been well studied and documented as a reliable approach to promote and retain granules. However, a properly designed selector is just as important, if not more, to promote granule growth.
 
Investigations of the presence of granules for three flow-through facilities were conducted due to their low SVIs and exceptional effluent qualities. These facilities were designed using different biological nutrient removal configurations. But they all share one common design feature: compartmentalized selector zones with a high food-to-mass ratio in the first compartment to promote a feast-or-famine condition. 

This presentation will discuss how carbon dioxide (CO2), a by-product gas of biogas upgrading can be used beneficially in a number of wastewater treatment processes to improve effluent quality while providing significant operational value. The present practice has been to commercially supply CO2 by tankering this gas to wastewater treatment plants and storing it in vessels where the CO2 is subsequently injected into wastewater treatment processes, for example to enhance chlorine disinfection. Until recently, biogas-CO2 has been largely overlooked and underutilized as a resource that can be integrated beneficially for wastewater treatment uses. 

Considering biogas-CO2 as a resource, biogas producing sites have the potential to supply thousands of tons of this gas annually for use in wastewater treatment processes. The beneficial use of the biogas-CO2 can represent an additional six figure annual dollar ($) value to wastewater treatment plant operations. Beneficial biogas-CO2 use examples for wastewater treatment include: pH adjustment, chlorine disinfection, phosphorous removal, ammonia removal, solids separation, preventing struvite deposit formation, increased biogas production and others. Energy Tech innovations (ETI) specializes in this topic and the presentation will cover various applications and ways to implement this new integrated biogas-CO2 wastewater treatment approach.

With increasing need to not only remove phosphorus from wastewater but to also recover the nutrient, the Dravid Lab at Northwestern has synthesized novel adsorbent PEARL (Phosphate Elimination and Recovery Lightweight) nanocomposite. The material features an iron-oxide coating anchored to a cellulose sponge with hierarchical porosity, allowing for more convenient deployment and easier scale-up. PEARL is selective towards phosphate and can be regenerated and reused for multiple cycles with the manipulation of pH (alkaline solutions release phosphorus from the material). Before it can be scaled up for pilot use at local wastewater treatment plant, the material first needs to be studied and optimized at laboratory scale. 

Near future work will involve using real municipal wastewater effluent to study long-term adsorption and recovery performance in column. Batch, column, and isotherm experiments will be used to investigate the background effects of organic matter, by comparing results from the inorganic synthetic solution to real wastewater effluent and estimate fouling. The effects of contact time, compression of the sponge in column, and form factor of the material in the effluent matrix will also all be explored. Stress-testing in column studies will be used to estimate the long-term performance of the material. These laboratory scale results will all inform pilot design and parameters for the removal, descaling, and recovery phases of the cycle.

Phosphorus management in wastewater treatment is shifting from simple removal to sustainable recovery and reuse. Struvite recovery systems transform a nuisance byproduct into a beneficial slow-release fertilizer, while also reducing scaling, improving sludge handling, and lowering costs. Despite these advantages, optimization remains limited by the complexity of mechanistic models and the lack of consistent operational guidance at full scale. 

This presentation introduces a machine learning (ML)-based framework as a practical alternative to traditional approaches. The research examines two utilities implementing leading phosphorus recovery technologies: the MagPrex system at Metro Water Recovery, which promotes phosphorus sequestration through biosolids-side treatment, and the Ostara Pearl® reactors at Nine Springs, which enable controlled formation of high-purity struvite crystals for use as commercial fertilizer. Together, these cases offer a comparison between biosolids-based recovery and crystallizer systems targeting pure struvite production. These insights enhance forecasting under variable influent and environmental conditions. 

Importantly, this work also connects to the WRF 5347 research project, which focuses on advancing biosolids-side phosphorus recovery. By comparing these technologies, the research highlights trade-offs between maximizing recovery in biosolids-side applications versus producing high-value fertilizer in crystallizers. Beyond technical insights, the results offer practical guidance for operators and plant staff, including how to anticipate seasonal performance changes, adjust chemical addition strategies, and reduce scaling risks. 

Join us for a panel discussion where young professionals and seasoned professionals share their experiences and perspectives on various aspects of the water/wastewater industry, from workplace environment to personal and professional goals/development to advice for those new to the industry.

Presentations for the Student Design Competition and Intelligent Water Systems (IWS) Challenge will take place during this time. For more information, please visit:

• Student Design Competition

• Intelligent Water Systems (IWS) Challenge
  
  

Students are encouraged to participate in the 2026 Illinois Water Environment Association Student Poster Competition. Young professionals are also invited to participate in the poster competition.

Date: Monday, March 30, 2026
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Size: Maximum size is 48 in. wide by 36 in. tall mounted on foam core
Prizes: $200 cash prize for first place; $100 cash prize for second place.

Poster topics should deal with wastewater treatment, water pollution control, water quality problems, or other water related areas.

All applicants will be expected to attend and participate in the competition. Student applicants will receive a free one-day conference registration, which includes lunch and admission to technical presentations and exhibit hall. 

Please note that cash prize is only applicable to student entries. Young Professionals are not eligible for cash prize or free registration.

Click here to submit an application. Applications must be received by Friday, March 13, 2026.

Water reuse is rapidly evolving into a mainstream practice across the United States, with both coastal and inland regions actively developing dedicated reuse programs tailored to their unique environmental and infrastructure needs. As communities increasingly recognize the value of sustainable water management, reuse initiatives are gaining momentum as a critical component of long-term resource planning.

This presentation begins with a discussion on the different types of reuse, including De Facto Reuse, Non-Potable Reuse, Indirect Potable Reuse, and Direct Potable Reuse, with a clear breakdown of their features, benefits and limitations. The presentation examines key drivers for water reuse, giving the audience critical insight into how their communities and facilities might best leverage water reuse. The presentation also covers the regulatory landscape for water reuse, highlighting the progress of various states in implementing water regulations for centralized non-potable, landscaping, industrial, and potable reuse applications. The presentation includes a walk-through of several facilities leveraging various types of reuse, highlighting the drivers for each case study. 

As impacts of climate change pose increasing threats to our water quality, water quantity, and water and wastewater treatment capacity, growing climate change awareness and proactivity have revealed opportunities for broader greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions management and mitigation. One such agency is Eagle River Water & Sanitation District (ERWSD), Colorado, which pursued the development of a GHG inventory tool to assist with planning and design and further their environmental stewardship and climate action goals. Carollo worked with ERWSD to develop a comprehensive GHG emissions baseline inventory to quantify the GHG emissions generated by their facilities and operations with an eye towards future reduction opportunities. 

This presentation will walk through the inventory development process that was followed to create tools for each of their major systems: drinking water treatment and distribution, wastewater. This presentation will highlight two examples of how the inventory tools have been applied already: to compare GHG emissions pre- and post-facility upgrades and to compare future process alternatives in terms of GHG emissions to be included as a factor in design decision-making.

The Fox Metro Water Reclamation District (District) owns and operates a regional wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) located at 682 South Route 31, Oswego, Illinois, that provides wastewater treatment for a portion or all of the villages of Batavia, North Aurora, Montgomery, Sugar Grove, and Oswego, as well as the cities of Yorkville and Aurora. 

The District currently operates temperature-phased anaerobic digestion to stabilize biosolids, which generates digester gas with combustible methane. Before 2019, most of the digester gas produced at the facility has been flared to the atmosphere.

District staff recognized the digester gas generated at the WWTP as a valuable resource and that it was largely being wasted. As a result, the District had a Digester Gas Utilization Study completed. 

This presentation discusses the alternative evaluation process and highlights the design considerations to maximize the District's existing infrastructure, its return on investment, and how this will position it as a potential strategic regional partner for other WWTPs in the Midwest. Upon completion, Fox Metro will be the first WWTP in Illinois to refine its digester gas into RNG for pipeline injection.

Permeable pavements are an important component of green infrastructure in urban areas, designed to manage stormwater by decentralizing water collection and reducing strain on local utilities. This study presents on-site monitoring of water infiltration performance for asphalt, concrete, and permeable paver pavements in an employee parking lot at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago between 2009 and 2021.

When designing electrical upgrades at existing facilities, space constraints are one of the primary issues that need to be addressed. In order to maintain facility operation during construction, unique solutions need to be developed, which include the design of custom equipment, use of temporary equipment and feeders, and/or a development of a phased construction sequence. This presentation will cover case studies of water/wastewater facilities in the Midwest.

The operational technology (OT) landscape of municipal treatment plants is undergoing a fundamental transformation. For decades, plant operations have relied on legacy hard-wired connectivity to motor controls, instrumentation, actuators, and other equipment required to operate a treatment plant. While this approach offered reliability through simplicity, it presents significant challenges for modern data acquisition, process optimization, and scalability. The increasing demand for more data, remote access capabilities, and integration of advanced analytical instrumentation necessitates a strategic migration away from these systems.

The presentation begins by exploring the basic components used in networks including physical fiber/copper cable connectivity, ethernet network hardware, serial gateways, and network connected equipment. The use cases for each type of physical connection will be discussed. The network devices discussion will begin with the different types of network switches and their application and continue to the common features and differences between firewalls and routers. Finally, the capabilities of network connected end devices will be discussed which includes, smart MCCs/motor controls, valve actuators, power monitors, chemical feed pumps, and instrumentations. 

Next, we will outline different network topologies used in treatment plants. This discussion will explain the pros and cons of each type of topology as well as industry standard practices for these topologies and requirements of currents network enabled devices. We will detail the design philosophy for building a communications network that not only meets but exceeds the dependability of legacy systems. Key focus areas include the implementation of redundant network topologies, such as ring and star configurations, which eliminate single points of failure and ensure sub-second recovery times, a critical requirement for uninterrupted process control.

This presentation will provide fellow engineers and plant managers with a comprehensive framework for planning and executing a communications upgrade that ensures long-term reliability, enhanced security, and the operational flexibility required for the next generation of smart water management.

Medium-voltage switchgear has steadily evolved to improve safety, reliability, and efficiency. Early generations relied on oil and air breakers, later replaced by SF? gas and drawout vacuum breakers. While these designs increased performance, they also carried drawbacks: frequent maintenance, environmental concerns tied to SF?, and elevated arc flash risks during racking operations.

PremSet introduces a new approach. As Schneider Electric's shielded solid insulated switchgear, PremSet embeds each current path in epoxy resin with a conductive ground layer, eliminating exposed live parts and ensuring touch-safe operation. The use of fixed-mounted vacuum breakers further reduces risk by removing racking entirely, while delivering long service life with minimal maintenance.

This presentation will first introduce PremSet technology, highlighting its safety, reliability, and environmental advantages. It will then discuss the first North American PremSet design, developed for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD). The design demonstrates how PremSet can support wastewater facilities in achieving safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective medium-voltage distribution.

Electric motors are essential to modern life. They power everything from industrial machines to residential appliances, and they account for more than half of the world's electricity use, according to the International Energy Agency. 
One often-overlooked factor that affects motor performance is phase imbalance - a condition where the electrical power supplied to a motor is uneven across its three phases. While large imbalances are known to cause problems, this research shows that even small imbalances can reduce efficiency and cause long-term damage to motor components.

This presentation shares findings from a computer simulation study of over 1,100 types of electric motors. The study examined how a measure called the Complex Voltage Unbalance Factor (CVUF) affects motor performance. Results show that as CVUF increases, motors experience more energy loss, reduced efficiency, and greater torque variability. 

Attendees will gain a clear understanding of what phase imbalance is, how to detect it in their systems, and how to choose motors that are better suited for environments with known power quality issues. The goal is to help engineers, facility managers, and energy professionals make informed decisions that improve reliability and reduce energy waste.

Many wastewater utilities are replacing chlorine disinfection systems with ultraviolet (UV) alternatives. At the City of Naperville's Springbrook Water Reclamation Center (SWRC), both North and South Plants previously used separate chlorine contact basins before combining effluent for discharge. Due to aging chlorination equipment, a Facility Master Plan evaluation led to implementing a project to construct a new UV facility. The UV system is designed for the minimum daily flow of 14 million gallons per day (MGD), average flow of 26 MGD, and peak instantaneous flow of 75 MGD. The new UV facility has influent and effluent diversion chambers to allow bypassing the UV system in the winter, when disinfection is not required.

During planning phase, the team evaluated disinfection alternatives: 1. Rehabilitation of existing chlorination and dechlorination facilities, 2. Construction of separate North Plant and South Plant UV facilities, and 3. The presentation will detail key design decisions and lessons learned. It will cover preliminary design considerations, the pre-selection process, and both economic and non-economic factors addressed during value engineering. The implementation of lessons from previous UV projects will also be discussed. Additionally, the presentation will address challenges related to construction sequencing, maintaining plant operations during construction, SCADA integration, and coordination during startup and commissioning.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) has an ongoing project to upgrade the infrastructure at their Stickney Water Reclamation Plant including Electrical upgrades and adding redundance to their biogas utilization systems. Redundant pipe will allow 24/7 processing of the gas and allow for cleaning and maintaining the digester gas conveyance pipes and equipment in the West Digester complex. To accomplish this, the existing 20? carbon steel digester gas pipe is to be replaced with stainless steel pipes and then demolished. A separate smaller portion of the pipe segment was removed during previous projects and was shown to have a presence of iron sulfide and other materials which may be hazardous. Iron sulfide reacts with oxygen exothermically to release pipe melting heat and sulfur dioxide gas, which is poisonous. New 20? stainless pipe was installed, the remaining digester gas pipe was removed from service, purged of digester gas, and filled with inert nitrogen gas until a solution to safely demolish the pipe was determined. 

To determine if the digester gas pipe contained iron sulfide, samples of the pipe were collected with a specific procedure, to include air tight containers purged with nitrogen to minimize oxidation of any iron sulfide. The six samples were analyzed via electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and determined to include iron sulfide. 

TYLin evaluated multiple alternatives for removing and/or neutralizing iron sulfide from the digester gas pipeline, including chemical removal, mechanical removal, chemical neutralization, filling the pipe with foam or concrete, and controlled oxidation. The list of alternatives was evaluated on cost, duration, safety, operation impacts, maintenance impacts, and pipe disposal. Chemical neutralization was selected to neutralize the iron sulfide in the existing digester gas pipe.

A specification was developed, and the project was bid. The gas lines were successfully neutralized and removed. As municipalities and others find they need to replace aging digester gas piping, this project is a successful case study in how this can be accomplished in a safe and cost-effective manner.

Diffused aeration is a very critical system to a wastewater treatment facility. Although the capital expenditure of a diffused aeration system is inexpensive compared to many other parts of a wastewater plant, the operating expense for an aeration system is very significant and accounts for approximately 49% of operating expenditures. In addition, a diffused aeration system highly contributes to meeting treatment goals. The main challenges of a diffused aeration system are to meet effluent treatment objectives while also minimizing energy usage, maintaining diffuser integrity, managing diffuser fouling and clogging, and minimizing O&M costs. Given these challenges and the importance of meeting treatment objectives, the selection of the diffuser system is a very important one for a wastewater treatment municipality. This presentation will summarize main goals, challenges, design, aeration and diffuser fundamentals, applications, importance of quality control, diffuser technologies, and case studies of diffused aeration systems. The goal of the presentation is for the audience to acquire basic knowledge of diffuser aeration system so that when selecting a diffused aeration system they can make a more informative decision.

To help utilities trying to achieve higher levels of treatment with fewer resources, the Water Resources Foundation funded a project, led by HDR, to develop a web-based decision support tool for improved nutrient removal in wastewater treatment plants. The easy-to-use tool is designed to support utility operations staff and design engineers to achieve better nutrient removal results with the equipment they have, reduce the resources required to achieve their nutrient removal results, and plan for future improvements. The tool provides a stepwise progression starting with the current treatment processes and advancing to a list of nutrient removal optimization strategies. This presentation will highlight the use of the tool as well as and case studies demonstrating its use.

Upgrading facultative wastewater lagoons presents a range of challenges that must be carefully addressed to meet modern treatment standards. Common issues include hydraulic inefficiencies such as short-circuiting and inadequate detention time, often compounded by excessive sludge accumulation that reduces effective volume and must be removed. As communities grow, many lagoons are pushed beyond their original design capacity. In addition, lagoon systems were not originally designed to treat nutrients like ammonia, total nitrogen, and phosphorus. This presentation will explore common obstacles to lagoon upgrades and discuss strategies to overcome them with practical, cost-effective solutions.

The Fox River Water Reclamation District (FRWRD) operates three wastewater treatment facilities serving the Elgin, Illinois, area. Sludge transfer pumps at the North Water Reclamation Facility transfer solids to the Albin D. Pagorski (ADP) Water Reclamation Facility; however, these pumps no longer meet current operating conditions. At the same time, the primary sludge pumps at ADP are near or beyond the end of their useful lives, leading to higher operations and maintenance requirements. These challenges have prompted FRWRD to undertake a project to modernize sludge pumping systems and strengthen long-term reliability, safety, and resiliency. A comprehensive pump evaluation served as the foundation of the design process. Each facility presented distinct requirements based on pumping head, long-distance conveyance needs, sludge solids concentration, and spatial constraints. Rather than applying a single pump technology, multiple alternatives were evaluated and matched to specific duty requirements to maximize efficiency, maintainability, and system resiliency. This presentation will share the design approach developed for this project in collaboration with FRWRD, emphasizing pump selection methodology, hazardous area classification and equipment compliance, piping simplification strategies, and the integration of energy efficiency and resiliency improvements. The lessons learned from this effort offer practical guidance for other utilities undertaking sludge pumping system upgrades and broader infrastructure modernization initiatives.

The Trinity River Authority (TRA) is implementing a comprehensive digital twin roadmap to enhance process control and operational resilience across its wastewater facilities. This roadmap is structured around a multi-level Digital Twin Maturity Model - from Descriptive to Autonomous Twin - which guides TRA's strategic development. TRA is targeting a Level 4: Comprehensive Twin that delivers real-time "what-if" simulations and predictive analytics as operator decision support, while deliberately avoiding fully autonomous control to preserve human oversight in critical process decisions. A core technical focus is hybrid modeling, which integrates machine learning algorithms with mechanistic process models for each treatment facility. By coupling data-driven ML models with established mechanistic simulators (e.g., activated sludge models), the digital twin leverages the predictive power of historical data analysis alongside the rigor and interpretability of first-principles modeling. This presentation outlines TRA's digital twin strategy, emphasizing the technical innovations and practical impacts of combining machine learning, mechanistic modeling, and integrated data systems to transform wastewater operations.

Utilities face mounting challenges, including aging infrastructure, regulatory demands, and tight budgets, while communities expect reliable, sustainable service. Master planning is no longer optional; it's essential. But too often, plans become static documents that fail to deliver actionable results.

This presentation introduces a practical, integrated approach to master planning that connects three critical worlds: Assets, Operations, and Capital Planning. When aligned, these elements enable smarter investments, improved reliability, and long-term financial sustainability. We'll share practical lessons from Illinois communities that have successfully used integrated planning to:

• Prioritize critical water and sewer improvements

• Align rate studies with capital plans for affordability and sustainability

• Build roadmaps ready for growth, compliance, and funding
  
  

As utilities face competing priorities, such as aging infrastructure, regulatory shifts, climate adaption and resilience, staffing, and financial or political pressures, we recognize the importance of proactive planning to identify the most-effective investment solutions that address both near-term and long-term needs. Struggling with tighter budgets, declining revenues, and increasing costs, agencies nationwide struggle to balance competing priorities and affordability concerns. Federal and state funding sources, after decades of declining federal investment, had seen a significant boost under BIL and IRA, but are now facing a whiplash in funding availability. With the new Administration's shifting priorities, the availability and focus of federal programs are changing - yet opportunities may be created. 

Funding is a significant challenge that most project proponents face, not just for design and implementation, but often for the planning, pilot study, and demonstration phases of the programs. Establishing a funding plan early, that identifies and leverages available opportunities as they arise, is key to confirming that the funding is available as needed. The path to successfully securing funding begins with the early identification AND a clear understanding of external funding opportunities, mapping projects to funding programs and prioritizing by fit and likelihood of selection, identifying key "hooks" and enhancements; and addressing prerequisites to be eligible to apply. Initiating the funding review during the planning and/or CIP development process, may influence the prioritization and early identification of projects eligible for funding, leverage synergies between competing water, wastewater, recycled water CIPs, and align project and funding timelines to avoid implementation delays. Taking an integrated approach to water, wastewater, recycled water and stormwater CIP planning can offer opportunities to balance priorities, identify opportunities to coordinate and enhance projects, and reduce overall investments. 

This presentation focuses on the current administration's priorities and its influence on federal funding availability, federal and state programs, strategies to optimize federal/state funding opportunities through an integrated CIP planning approach, while exploring innovative funding mechanisms.

Federal guidance for Facilities Planning dictates that the planning period for cost-effectiveness analysis shall be 20 years (40 CFR 35.2030(b)(3)). This guidance is reinforced in typical wastewater planning guidance documents such as WEF Manual of Practice 8. Often in comparing infrastructure options the 20 year period for performing a life cycle cost estimate is the default. In general, a 20 year planning period gives a good comparison between different options, especially when the estimated asset life between options is similar. However, when the asset life of various options is different, then the planning period needs to be reevaluated.

This presentation will review several different examples of life cycle cost planning periods. First, we will look at a traditional 20-year life cycle cost comparison for wastewater treatment plant expansion options for the St. Joseph, IL wastewater treatment plant. Second, we will look at two different options for the City of Danville, IL of replacing a lift station with a gravity sewer and review the different conclusions that can sometimes be drawn when looking at 20-year versus significantly longer planning periods. Finally, we will review a facility where two options were considered: replacing the treatment plant with a new facility and replacing it with a lift station pumping to a nearby town and note the sensitivity of planning parameters on the outcome of the analysis.

Get an update on the latest IEPA new and issues regarding watershed management in Illinois.

Hear the latest updates from the IEPA on wastewater water quality regulation issues in Illinois.

Find out the latest on the IL TMDL Program.

Discover the latest updates from the IEPA on wastewater permitting issues in Illinois.

This year's MS4 Program Update will focus on the new MS4 Permit from Illinois EPA and how communities are going about implementing its numerous new requirements. The new MS4 Permit becomes effective August 1, 2025. Permittees must update their Stormwater Management Program documentation with the new requirements and begin implementing them within 12 months. There have been significant changes and additions from the previous permit. Permittees will need to begin tracking additional information each year to meet the new annual reporting requirements of the Permit. MS4 reports must be submitted through IEPA's Central Data Exchange (CDX) system beginning December 21, 2025.

Urban watersheds pose multiple obstacles to achieving water quality and ecological resource goals. High population density and proliferation of impervious surfaces combine to deliver large volumes of wastewater and stormwater along with their associated pollutant loadings to surface waters. Combined with the extensive and profound physical modification of waterways, this has led to poor water quality and degraded ecological communities and inferior waterbody aesthetics. As a result, such waterways fail to meet the goals of the Clean Water Act. Remedying these issues is expensive and implementing improvements are fraught with uncertainty. Additionally, the concept of watershed management, with it's potential to develop more efficient solutions targeting multiple watershed issues, has not always lived up to its promise in practice. 

In order to try and overcome these obstacles the DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup (DRSCW) implemented a watershed wide adaptive management plan with the objective of optimizing the delivery of public resources towards the goals of improving surface water resource quality as measured by Indexes of Bio integrity (IBI). Since 2015 several targeted projects have been realized and evaluated under the DRSCW program. 

The presentation will look briefly at how these projects were selected, financed and designed, and most importantly, whether they succeeded in meaningfully improving instream ecology and pushing up IBI scores.

Come connect with dynamic professional Women in Water as they share their stories, what led them to the water industry, and how they navigated water opportunities. The Q&A session is a safe space to chat and gain from their experience.

Manju Sharma has over 40 years’ experience in planning, design, construction, project management, maintenance and operations of wastewater treatment facilities and stormwater management facilities. She is currently Senior VP and COO of Spaan Tech Inc., a full-service Architectural Engineering Services firm in Chicago, managing a wide variety of infrastructure, stormwater and wastewater projects.

Navigating the twists and turns of her dynamic career at MWRD had its challenges. Join her as she shares her story and provides tips for success.

Moderated by a member of the IWEA Workforce Development Committee, this presentation is interactive with the audience and covers:

• WEF's commitment to DE&I via our Organizational Values and Strategic Plan

• The nexus between DE&I and our industry (engages audience)

• Equity and Inclusion as a core human value: a daily practice (audience discussion)

• Sharing personal professional examples (audience sharing)

• WEF's adjustments via federal administration

• Future-forward efforts to support DE&I within WEF

• Decision Making 101 (tools you can use)

• Audience Q&A