Numerous long-time NEBRA members were recognized for their contributions to the water environment at the New England Water Environment Association’s annual conference in Boston on January 29th. Clean water professionals are a humble bunch and go about their work way too quietly so its good to pause at least once a year to celebrate our individual and collective accomplishments. In her comments at the awards ceremony, WEF President-Elect Lynne Broadus urged everyone to take the opportunity to brag about what we do and our accomplishments. NEBRA is pleased to oblige and proud to acknowledge our members recognized by NEWEA!

First off, the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District (GLSD) garnered this year’s Biosolids Management Award for their sustained commitment to biosolids utilization. GLSD -- which is led by NEBRA Board member Cheri Cousens – serves the communities of Lawrence, Methuen, Andover, North Andover, and Dracut, Massachusetts, as well as Salem, New Hampshire. GLSD has made major investments in its 52 million gallon per day treatment facility in North Andover, especially its solids handling processes.

In 2019, GLSD completed a $27 million organics-to-energy project, a key element of its goal to become a Net-Zero or possibly a Net-Positive energy user. While self-sufficiency was the goal, the project also creates an outlet for food waste and other outside organics that are required to be diverted from the “waste” stream under Massachusetts’ Solid Waste Management Plan. GLSD’s organics-to-energy project began in 2016 and was completed at the end of 2019. The work included the installation of a fourth anaerobic digester, underground food acceptance tanks, and all the pumps, pipes, and equipment needed to produce quality fuel to fire the two new 1.6 megawatt cogeneration engines with state-of-the-art air pollution controls.

Cousens is quick to recognize the staff at GLSD — including Capital Projects Manager Richard Weare — and other collaborators including financial contributions from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the Clean Energy Center, the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), National Grid, and the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. DOER estimates the project will cut GLSD’s greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent and has the potential to offset its nearly $3 million annual energy bill. GLSD recognizes that its solids are “powerful” resources and worth the investment! Congratulations to the entire GLSD team for this important recognition from NEWEA and thank you for being a leader in biosolids management.

NEBRA’s Ned Beecher received the Elizabeth A. Cutone Executive Leadership Award. Those of you who know Ned, know he doesn’t do it for the recognition which is all the more reason to recognize him. Ned is the first non-profit executive to receive this award created in 2013 and named for the long-time executive director of NEWEA (also a non-profit organization).

Other NEBRA members recognized at the NEWEA awards ceremony include:

• Travis Peaslee (Lewiston-Auburn Water Pollution Control Facility, Maine) took home the Arthur Sidney Bedell Award for his leadership and service to NEWEA, especially as the chair of the Operations Challenge Committee for the last three years.

• Noelle Osborne was named Operator of the Year for New Hampshire (Nashua facility);

• Bob Fischer was named Operator of the Year for Vermont (South Burlington facility);

• Howard Carter of Saco, Maine was presented with NEWEA’s Founders Award;

• Fred McNeill from Manchester, New Hampshire, received the WEF Service/Delegate Award; and

• NEBRA executive director Janine Burke-Wells received NEWEA’s Past President Plaque and Pin.

Thanks to the NEWEA Awards Committee for recognizing the contributions of all these NEBRA members. Also thanks to the NEWEA Residuals Committee for putting together yet another outstanding program with two packed technical sessions, as well as collaborating with the Energy Committee on another technical session.