There are those people you look up to, who serve as mentors. John F. Donovan is one. He has helped many in the field of biosolids management reach for a higher level of professionalism and quality. His engineering work is scrupulous, and he also knows how to assemble teams that can address complex issues with diverse perspectives.
NEBRA's leadership and members strongly supported NEWEA in awarding John its first-ever Biosolids Management Award at the annual NEWEA awards ceremony on January 28, 2015, in Boston. NEBRA's letter of support shows all he's done for biosolids management in this region and around the continent. We are fortunate to have John's participation and energy in this region and in NEBRA.
As John looks to (semi-) retirement this winter, we can see a legacy of his work on outstanding, trend-setting biosolids management systems at MWRA, Greater Lawrence Sanitary District, Lewiston-Auburn Water Pollution Control Authority, and DC Water/Blue Plains (amongst others). These water resource recovery facilities - and their biosolids management – are more sustainable because of John's work.