NACWA Member Update (MU07-05)

Hotel Deadline:
June 26, 2007

Join your clean water colleagues July 17 - 20, 2007 for the National Association of Clean Water Agencies’ (NACWA) 2007 Summer Conference and 37th Annual Meeting, Sustainable Infrastructure Choices…Gray, Green, & Everything In Between. As utilities consider the best ways to develop sustainable clean water infrastructure, significant choices exist between traditional ‘gray’ infrastructure with new ‘green’ infrastructure approaches. The conference program will focus on the benefits, incentives, and challenges of balancing green and gray infrastructure.

Presentations to Highlight Opportunities and Obstacles for Infrastructure Choices
Panel presentations and roundtable discussions will examine both the opportunities and obstacles associated with combining green and gray infrastructure in terms of regulatory requirements, economics, and environmental progress. Specific topics will include:

• What Does “Green” Mean? – How are utilities combining green infrastructure with their existing infrastructure? Is green infrastructure a reasonable choice for managing stormwater and controlling combined sewer overflows? What challenges have cities faced when implementing green infrastructure and how have they overcome them?

• Costs and Benefits – Can the effects of green infrastructure be quantified to determine if it is providing benefits to clean water agencies? What are the costs associated with green infrastructure, and are the costs justified by the water quality benefits?

• Collaborating with New Partners – How can collaboration with new partners lead to greater green infrastructure success for clean water agencies? What expertise and insight can new partners provide?

• Resolving Regulatory Challenges – Can regulatory agencies provide the flexibility needed for clean water agencies to establish green infrastructure appropriate for their local needs? What is EPA doing to promote acceptance of green infrastructure?

• Building Support for Green Infrastructure – How can clean water agencies build support for green infrastructure solutions in their local communities? What types of funding are available for green infrastructure projects?

• Energy Efficiency for Wastewater Treatment – How can wastewater treatment facilities increase energy efficiency to improve their economic outlook and long-term sustainability?

Special Events Planned for 2007 Summer Conference & 37th Annual Meeting
In addition to the informative technical program and the Annual Association Business Meeting, attendees can choose to participate in two special events held during the afternoon of Thursday, July 19th.

• The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) will be offering a Facility Tour of their Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant. NEORSD provides wastewater treatment to the greater Cleveland metropolitan area, including the City of Cleveland and 60 suburban municipalities. The Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant, on a 273-acre site, serves over 601,000 people and is one of the largest plants of its kind in the country. The tour is complimentary and includes a box lunch.

• The 2007 NACWA Open will be held at the Acacia Country Club in Lyndhurst, Ohio. This historic course was designed so that people of all abilities can play and enjoy it.

To register for the Facility Tour or the 2007 NACWA Open, simply select your choice on your conference registration form.

A special reception will take place at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Since its opening in 1995, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum has established itself as the preeminent home for the celebration and study of rock and roll music. The exhibits, educational programs, and performance events have made the Museum a popular destination for fans, scholars, and the artists themselves.

Plan Now to Attend – Hotel Reservation Deadline is June 26th!
Now is the ideal time to make plans to attend NACWA’s 2007 Summer Conference. Included in this Member Update are a narrative agenda, registration information, and a registration form. Don’t delay – make your plans to attend today by reserving your hotel accommodations and registering online at www.nacwa.org.

• Reserve your hotel room today by contacting the Renaissance Cleveland at 216.696.5600 or 1.800.468.3571 to guarantee the special conference rate of $159 single/double. Be sure to mention that you are a participant in NACWA’s 2007 Summer Conference. The hotel reservations deadline is Tuesday, June 26, 2007.

• Online conference registration is now available — www.nacwa.org/meetings. The deadline for advance registration is Thursday, June 28, 2007.

We look forward to seeing you in July.

ATTACHMENTS:

• 2007 Summer Conference & 37th Annual Meeting Narrative Agenda (PDF)
• 2007 Summer Conference & 37th Annual Meeting Registration Form (PDF)
• 2007 Summer Conference & 37th Annual Meeting Hotel & Registration Information (PDF)