Annual Report 2016-2017

http://www.mwra.state.ma.us/monthly/wac/wac.htm

An Introduction to the Wastewater Advisory Committee: The MWRA Board of Directors created WAC in 1990 to offer independent recommendations on wastewater policies and programs. WAC’s mission is to be an independent public forum for holistic discussion of wastewater issues. Membership is designed to reflect the knowledge and interest of major affected constituencies: engineering and construction, environmental advocacy, planning, academic research, and business.

Membership Mary Adelstein, citizen advocate Craig Allen, (vice Chair) Commonwealth Research Group, Inc. Adriana Cillo, Boston Water & Sewer Wayne Chouinard, Town of Arlington DPW Zhanna Davidovitz, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Karen Golmer, Water Strategies, LLC Stephen Greene, Howland-Greene Consultants James Guiod, MWRA Advisory Board Karen Heinze, Xyleco Taber Keally Neponset River Watershed Association Karen Lachmayr, Harvard University Beth Miller, independent engineer Martin Pillsbury, Metropolitan Area Planning Council Dan Winograd, Woodard & Curran.

Staff:

Andreae Downs: Andreae.wac@gmail.com 617-378-8972

http://www.mwra.state.ma.us/monthly/wac/wac.htm

WAC’s Contractual Duties: 1. Provide independent advice to the MWRA Board and staff on wastewater programs and policies

directly related to the MWRA 2. Review & comment to the Authority on wastewater reports and proposed documents; offer

independent advice on current and proposed wastewater program and policy directions to further MWRA objectives

3. Reflect the knowledge and interest of major affected constituencies, including a. Engineering b. Construction c. Business/industry d. Planning e. Academic research f. Environmental advocacy

4. Advise MWRA on wastewater planning 5. Increase citizen participation and education by providing MWRA with assistance in outreach.

Review programs and explain plans & policies to citizens 6. Attend Authority working groups related to wastewater programs and policy, including the AB

and WSCAC 7. Propose to the Authority ways to continue effective and efficient long-term public involvement in

wastewater programs

http://www.mwra.state.ma.us/monthly/wac/wac.htm

FY 2016 Highlights

Comments:

Letter to the state Department of Agriculture on Phosphorus limits for biosolids

Milestones

Elected new vice chairman, established a rotating structure for WAC leadership

New video “What is Deer Island?” created & posted to WAC website

James Guiod of the Advisory Board and Karen Heinze of Xyleco joined WAC

Meetings: Topics included: Water Quality monitoring by DEP and MWRA; Climate Change, River Flooding, Adaptation and MWRA plans; Green stormwater infrastructure planning; Coordinating underground infrastructure for construction; wastewater pipeline inspection & maintenance; State Auditor’s report on the cost of water infrastructure; MWRA budgets; Valve and pipe replacement at Deer Island

Outreach: New England Aquarium, recycling community, Environmental Business Council, Mass Rivers Alliance, Deer Island Advisory Committee, Northeast Biosolids & Residuals Association, watershed organizations…

Focus for 2017-18 Protecting the ratepayer’s massive investment in clean water remains one of WAC’s primary interests, and it will continue to monitor maintenance as well as progress on the CSO project.

WAC is interested in the possibilities of further energy efficiency and renewable energy production at all MWRA facilities.

Other areas of interest:

• Co-digestion as it expands across New England • Marketability of Bay State Fertilizer • Climate Change impacts • Regulatory changes that might affect MWRA