COMMITTEES
Nearly 20 committees plan and carry out the work and goals of FWEA. Volunteering on a FWEA committee is a great opportunity for you to build leadership skills, gain industry recognition and help shape the water quality field.
Each committee focuses on a different aspect of wastewater management. Whether you want to participate in water quality, be involved in policy making, or help with planning seminars and programs, there is a committee for you!
FWEA membership is required.
Air Quality CommitteeThe Air Quality Committee develops and conducts educational programs related to air quality and odor control within Florida's wastewater industry. A key focus of the committee is to educate the industry on cost-effective odor control systems. As Florida continues to grow rapidly, many POTWs are now surrounded by residential and commercial developments. With rising community expectations, effective odor control at neighborhood and master lift stations is increasingly important. The committee includes recognized experts in air quality and odor control, and hosts an annual workshop to share the latest technologies and tools for affordable, effective solutions. | Committee ChairDanielle Arney Xylem |
Awards CommitteeThe Awards Committee coordinates the nomination and selection of award recipients for both FWEA and WEF awards. The committee also oversees the awards luncheon at FWRC and makes recommendations to the FWEA Board of Directors regarding revisions to existing awards or the introduction of new ones. | Committee ChairKatie Templeton, P.E. JEA (904) 882-1815 |
Biosolids CommitteeThe Biosolids Committee promotes education, networking, and sound public policy in the field of biosolids, while advocating for proper biosolids management by utilities, haulers, land appliers, and other end users. The committee develops technical education seminars and hosts regular conference calls to keep members informed. It also collaborates with the WEF Residuals and Biosolids Committee to share national information with Florida stakeholders. | Committee ChairManuel Moncholi, PhD, P.E. Stantec |
Collection Systems CommitteeThe Collection Systems Committee (CSC) educates and informs the wastewater collection systems industry on trends in system design, management, operation, and maintenance. The committee develops conference programs, training materials, and seminars to support professional growth. In addition, CSC promotes the advancement of standards and methods used for the design, construction, operations, maintenance, and management of wastewater collection systems in Florida. | Committee ChairNicole Little BLD Services |
Contractors' CommitteeThe Contractors' Committee serves as a resource for FWEA members on all things related to construction in the water and wastewater industry. This committee seeks to increase direct communication between contractors and owners/engineers to support shared progress across the industry. The committee provides insights into the state of the industry from a contractor’s perspective, including labor and equipment resources, cost volatility, and subcontractor availability. It also facilitates dialogue around procurement methods and practices, helping stakeholders better understand how these impact the quality, schedule, and cost of final project outcomes. | Committee ChairJosh Burns Wharton-Smith, Inc. (407) 402-7528 |
Emerging Technologies CommitteeThe Emerging Technologies Committee explores innovative technologies and processes in the water industry. Each year, the committee develops a workshop focused on showcasing new and cutting-edge equipment and solutions—locally, nationally, and globally. | Committee ChairJennifer Stokke Nyfennegger Carollo Engineers com.emergingwatertechnology.chair@fwea.org |
Operations Challenge CommitteeThis committee provides training and education for operators and maintenance personnel through involvement in the Operations Challenge. Operations Challenge is an annual competition between utilities that includes events in process control, safety, maintenance, collections, and laboratory skills. The committee helps organize and implement the competition at the local level. | Committee ChairChris Fasnacht Orange County Utilities |
Public Communications and Outreach CommitteeThe Public Communications and Outreach Committee (PCOC) facilitates communications between our members and the public on water environment issues. The committee is a resource for members seeking to enhance public education efforts, offering support through the development and implementation of educational resources. The PCOC focuses on educating the public—especially K–12 students—about the clean water profession. Key initiatives include the To Flush or Not to Flush video contest, the Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP), the Biosolids Infusion Unit (teacher curriculum), and promotion of WEF PCOC programs. | Committee ChairDebbie Sponsler Orange County Utilities |
Safety CommitteeThe FWEA Safety Committee is dedicated to building a culture of safety through training, education, and recognition. We strive to ensure an incident-free industry by improving hazard recognition skills, ensuring employees return home safely each day, and keeping the communities in which we work and live hazard-free. | Committee ChairJacqueline Hall Director, Safety and Risk Management |
Students and Young Professionals CommitteeThe Students and Young Professionals Committee (SYPC) develops and implements programs to increase the activity and membership of students and young professionals within FWEA. Involvement and participation in this committee is vital, as this group represents both current and future leaders in our industry. The SYPC carries out this mission by:
| ChairOlga Mikhalchishina |
Utility CouncilThe mission of the Florida Water Environment Association Utility Council (FWEAUC) is to assist its members in achieving sound public health and environmental goals for the millions of users they serve in an efficient and cost-effective manner. The Council works for the reduction and elimination of water pollution in Florida and supports the adoption and implementation of effective wastewater legislation, regulations, and policy at the state and federal level. In particular, the goals of the Council are to:
| Council PresidentKevin Carter Broward County Water & Sewer (954) 856-3879 Council AdministratorChad Revis (850) 270-5938 |
Utilities Management CommitteeThe Utilities Management Committee (UMC) works to promote efficiency and excellence in utility management. Committee members include representatives from utilities, manufacturer representatives, and consultants. UMC is an active committee, providing educational outreach in the form of management workshops, webinars, and collaboration with other committees. | ChairElizabeth Keddy Hazen & Sawyer com.utilitymanagement.chair@fwea.org |
Wastewater Process CommitteeThe FWEA Wastewater Process Committee supports the FWEA mission in the areas of wastewater process design and operations. This includes educating the Florida public on the environmental engineering principles and operating methods employed to achieve a clean water environment; developing wastewater design and operations professionals through technical seminars and workshops; the presentation of technical papers at the FWRC, WEFTEC, and other conferences; publication of technical papers in journals such as the FWRJ; and supporting the FWEA Utility Council in promoting the application of sound scientific principles to environmental regulation. | ChairLindsey Tracey CDM Smith |
Water Resources, Reuse and Resiliency CommitteeThe Water Resources, Reuse and Resiliency (WR3) Committee grew out of the One Water concept when the Water Reuse and Integrated Water Resources Committees merged. The mission of the Committee is to provide a platform for innovative discussions in the field of water reuse, integrated water resources, water supply, water conservation, and resiliency by providing technical education and professional development programs for Association members through seminars, workshops, and access to technical experts in these fields. The committee meets regularly by teleconference to discuss technical and regulatory issues and events happening in the community, and holds a technical seminar and/or a technical roundtable yearly. The WR3 committee also publishes a quarterly electronic newsletter – The Droplet. | ChairMadeline Kender Kimley Horn |
