Understanding and Applying Effective Utility Management Workshop
Take a 360-degree look at your utility and set priorities that work for your utility and community
Move from reacting to the “hot priorities” of the day to proactively planning for the future
Workshop Highlights
Workshop Agenda
Conduct the EUM Self-Assessment and use the results to spark and support further dialog within their utility about areas for potential improvement and further use of the EUM framework
Equip participants to create an internal team and utilize the EUM framework to assess utility conditions and create a plan for improving
Create an opportunity to learn from utility peers about their challenges, successes, and plans for improving in the future
Trainer: Frank Roth, AWWA Program Manager
Introductions & Workshop Objectives
Overview of Effective Utility Management
Utility “Self Assessment” Exercise
Balancing Your Utility Performance
Prioritizing Improvement
Establishing Targets and Outcomes
Developing an Action Plan
At Water Institute & Equipment Expo on Tuesday, December 2nd French Lick, IN
P.O. Box 127 Brownsburg, IN 46112 Office: 866-213-2796 Fax: 866-215-5966
2025-2026 Board of Trustees
CHAIR
Mr. Neal McKee 765-648-6420 nmckee@cityofanderson.com
CHAIR-ELECT
Mr. Chris Johnsen 219-221-3916 cjohnsen@mcwaterdept.com
VICE CHAIR
Mr. Larry Haag 812-549-5341 larry.haag@egis-group.com
PAST CHAIR
Ms. Cathy Lance 574-254-9050 cathy.lance@peerlessmidwest.com
SENIOR PAST CHAIR
Ms. Jaimie Foreman 317-571-4144 jforeman@carmel.in.gov
SECRETARY- TREASURER
Mr. Josh Castor 765-648-6420 jcastor@cityofanderson.com
ASSISTANT SECRETARY-TREASURER
Ms. Katie Armenta 812-358-3654 karmeta@cityofberne.in.gov
DIRECTOR
Mr. Ed Nugent 317-501-0956 ednugent@utilitysupply.com
TRUSTEE – SMALL SYSTEMS NORTH Mr. Justin Shaffer 260-692-6909 jshaffer@townofmonroe.com
TRUSTEE – SMALL SYSTEMS SOUTH Mr. Bill Jones 812-350-1732 bjones@edinburgh.in.us
TRUSTEE – NORTHEAST DISTRICT Mr. Brad Semon 765-438-6426 bsemon@utilitysupply.com
TRUSTEE – SOUTHEAST DISTRICT
Ms. Donna Ennis 502-612-2930 donna@dcdevelopco.com
TRUSTEE – CENTRAL DISTRICT Mr. Bryan Forkner 317-339-8241 bryan.forkner@amwater.com
TRUSTEE – NORTHWEST DISTRICT
Ms. Cara Lance-Emerick 574-315-2752 caral@mesimpson.com
TRUSTEE – SOUTHWEST DISTRICT
Mr. Jeremy Ferrar 812-872-2212 jeremy.farrar@poseyville.us
Message from the Chair
Neal McKee, Chair Indiana Section Board of Trustees
The Older We Get, the Faster the Years Go By
The Indiana Section is excited about the launch of our new website, which happened on May 29 of this year
Wow! I can’t believe we are already halfway through 2025. My Dad once told me that the older we get, the faster the years go by. So far, he has been right, like most things he told me. These past four months as the Chair of the Indiana Section have been awesome! I have tried to make it a point to get around to as many district meetings and workshops as I could to see what other parts of the state are doing, and I am amazed at how much is going on in all our districts. I have met many of the district officers, and I just want to say they are all hard-working and care deeply about the S ection and its members. I also want to give a shoutout to our staff for all their hard work at these events, as well as our vendors who always participate physically and as sponsors.
I hope all of you who participated in the annual golf outing enjoyed yourselves. Even though the temperature was hot, it was a beautiful day, and the turnout was awesome with 64 teams participating. Another big thanks to all of those who volunteered and those vendors who sponsored. I would like to highlight one of the other Sections’ events, and that is the Operator Bootcamp in Peru. We have had a couple of scorching hot days the past few years for this event, but participation was still good with more than 150 attendees for the 20th Anniversary edition of the event.
The Indiana Section is excited about the launch of our new website, which happened on May 29 of this year. I hope all of you have had a chance to visit and utilize the new site. It is so much more user-friendly than the previous site, so please log in, create a profile, and begin utilizing all of the updated features of our new website.
I want to mention one last thing before signing off. Awards and Recognition are two of my favorite things to be a part of or witness. I really enjoy seeing someone be recognized for the hard work they do every day and receiving an award that will remind them in the future that someone did see and appreciate all of the things they did to make our industry better. So please take some time to visit our website, click on Member Compass, then Awards and Recognition, and take a look at some of the awards that are
available and nominate someone in your utility or in the industry for the award that best fits their accomplishments and commitment.
I look forward to seeing and talking with many of you at the upcoming fall district meetings as well as the Water Institute in December.
Keep Our Water Safe!
Ed Nugent, INAWWA Director
Ihope everyone is enjoying their summer. It has been a busy one with the AWWA ACE 2025 Conference in June, the golf outing in July and with business kicking into the busy season time flies by.
On the AWWA National level, the Association has been approving by-law changes for the different sections, working on policy statements for Drinking Water Quality, Operator Certifications, Developing, Protecting and Managing Water Resources & Health, Safety and Environmental Programs. All necessary and needed to keep the Association moving forward.
AWWA also has been updating Standards – C222 Standards for Polyurethane coatings and linings for steel water pipe and fittings and C-519 High Performance Butterfly Valves are just a couple of examples. The Standards Committee is constantly being asked for updates as new and different situations present themselves. And while we all think it is the slowest possible group to deal with, the process is what takes all the time. The reviews, the comment periods, the follow ups all take time. Do we like it – no, but it has to be this way. AWWA wants to make sure it is right the first time, so they will triple check everything before issuing a standard.
Getting back to AWWA ACE 2025 in Denver, the Association had a very successful conference with 11403 attendees and 1100 booths in the exhibit hall. Membership numbers are really close to their goal of 50,000+ members, so there is strength in numbers. You are part of a much larger organization and that allows all of us to individually have a voice and collectively a much larger voice for national issues.
I will be representing the Indiana Section in Vancouver, BC, Canada for the Winter Board Meeting in January, 2026. Not sure about Canada in late January, but they didn’t ask me.
On a personal note, I want to express my condolences to Justin Schaffer on the passing of his father Marty. I met Marty very early in my waterworks life. Back in 1982 when I first started
out as a salesman. He accepted this young greenhorn and allowed me to ask him anything about the industry. I appreciated him then and was sorry to hear of his passing.
Hope to see everyone at Water Institute in December! Until then keep our water safe!
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Committee Reports
Awards Committee
John Crider and Jeff Cunningham, Co-Chairs
The Indiana Section Awards Committee is seeking nominations of candidates for the following awards. If you know of a co-worker, associate or any individual deserving of recognition, please let us know. These awards are presented at the Water Institute in French Lick (December 2-4).
The Operator of the Year Award – Multiple Categories:
• Large System Water Operator
• Small System Water Operator
• Large System Wastewater Operator
• Small System Wastewater Operator
The Bonna Burns Administrative Professional Award –This award is to recognize someone who works in the billing or administrative side of the utility, whose efforts have gone above and beyond for the utility and their customers.
The Hoosier Water Award – Given to honor achievements in the promotion of the Indiana Section’s Mission and Values and the advancement of our industry’s mission to provide safe water for all Hoosiers. Utility personnel and Service Providers (vendors) are eligible for this award.
Additionally, awardees for the following are usually recognized at the district level and locally, within their community. We are always accepting nominations for these awards.
Water Wheel Award – This award is to honor service to the Indiana Section through support of the district’s activities or Section level volunteerism. Candidates for this award must be a member of the Indiana Section for at least five consecutive years and cannot have served as a Section Officer. Past and current District Officers are eligible.
Prime Mover Award – This award is to recognize outstanding utility men and women in small communities who, through their efforts, provide a service to their customers by providing a safe water supply. To qualify, the population of the community or system served shall not exceed 3300 people. The candidate shall have worked for the utility for at least five years and shall have exemplary service through personal effort in providing the community with a continuous safe water supply. If you have any questions or would like to submit nominations, please email the Awards Committee at awards@inawwa.org
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Committee Reports
Source Water Protection Committee
Indiana One Water Bella Foster and Ginger Davis, Chairs
A water education pilot program in Indiana first set out to create mobile educational products and explore the possibility of a traveling exhibit on state water issues. What began as a straightforward project has since evolved into something much larger –a collaborative effort aimed at breaking down barriers to water education from multiple perspectives. This work has grown into a discussion about how to reframe water education, so it resonates with diverse audiences from students and teachers to community leaders and everyday citizens.
At the heart of this effort is the adoption of a One Water approach. This framework emphasizes that all water – whether flowing from the tap, coursing through a stream, filling a lake, stored in the aquifer, or carried away in a sewer – is interconnected; it must be understood holistically. Education under this model is not just about science; it’s about building awareness, equipping people with practical knowledge, and encouraging changes in behavior that ultimately influence how entire systems are managed. In other words, the goal is to help communities recognize that water management is not isolated to a single department or agency, but rather a shared responsibility.
The success of this initiative has relied on a uniquely diverse partnership. State and federal agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, and water professionals from across Indiana have all contributed their expertise. Each partner brought a different perspective – scientific research, policy guidance, community engagement strategies, or on-the-ground technical knowledge. Together, this collaboration ensured the program was not only scientifically accurate but also accessible, inclusive, and adaptable for a wide range of audiences.
The success of this initiative has relied on a uniquely diverse partnership.
To support this vision, the team has developed One Water fact sheets tailored for Indiana. These concise, accessible resources highlight key water topics such as drinking water supply, stormwater management, aquatic habitat, and recreational use. Each fact sheet is written in plain language, supported by clear graphics and actionable insights. For the general public, they provide an easy entry point into understanding how daily decisions affect water systems. For educators, the fact sheets are a ready-made classroom tool that can be adapted into lesson plans, community presentations, or hands-on activities. By putting reliable information into simple, shareable formats, the fact sheets lower the barrier to engagement and invite more people into the conversation about water stewardship.
Ultimately, this approach represents more than just an educational program –it is a cultural shift in how we think about water in Indiana. By bridging the gap between technical expertise and public understanding, the One Water initiative is helping to build a foundation for lasting change. When individuals recognize their role in water systems and feel equipped to act, communities can move from awareness to action, and from isolated efforts to systematic improvements. As Indiana continues to refine this model, it provides a framework for other States and organizations can adapt, demonstrating that water education, when made accessible and collaborative,
has the power to transform how we care for our most vital resource.
Partners include: AWWA, Conner Prairie, Project Wet, Hoosier Riverwatch, Hoosier Environmental Council, White River Alliance, Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy (Purdue Extension), Mundell and Associates, Friends of Lake Monroe, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, IDEM, IDNR, USGS, IGWS, IU, Water and Wastewater utility Board Members, Indiana American Water, scientists, consultants and educators.
For more information, contact Ginger Davis at gindavis@iu.edu.
Committee Reports
Young Professionals Committee
Dylan Buechler, Committee Chair
The Indiana Section AWWA Young Professionals (YP) Committee has been actively involved in a variety of exciting initiatives over the past few months, continuing to foster growth, learning, and connection among emerging professionals in our industry.
One of our more rewarding collaborations has been with the IWEA Collections Systems Committee, joining them for their summer site visits. In June, our YPs had the opportunity to tour the Cumberland North Gem Wastewater Treatment Plant in Cumberland, Indiana. We followed up in July with another visit to the Whitestown Wastewater Treatment Plant. Both facilities are currently undergoing upgrades, offering a valuable chance for our members to ask questions and deepen their understanding of treatment processes. We are grateful to the IWEA Collections Systems Committee for welcoming us and providing such beneficial learning opportunities.
In July, the YP Committee also hosted a fun and engaging happy hour at Metazoa Brewing Company. One of the highlights of the evening was a fire hydrant operation demonstration led by EJ, where they took apart a hydrant piece by piece and explained how everything works. It was a great hands-on learning experience that sparked a lot of curiosity and conversation.
Alongside the demo, attendees enjoyed networking, a raffle, and of course, some local brews! A big thanks to EJ for putting together such a cool and informative event for our group.
We are proud of the strong participation from our Young Professionals. Their enthusiasm and commitment are the driving force behind these successful events. The YP Committee remains dedicated to engaging YPs through a variety of initiatives, including educational sessions, social events, facility tours, and networking opportunities.
If your company has Young Professionals – individuals who are 35 years old or younger, or who have been in the industry for less than 10 years – we warmly invite you to connect them with
our committee. To stay informed about upcoming events and opportunities to get involved, please contact us at indianaawwaiweayp@gmail.com or visit our INAWWA YP website.
ANNUAL Golf Outing 2025
This year’s Annual Golf Outing fundraiser benefiting Water For People, the Nenyui Project and the Indiana Operator Scholarship Fund. The outing was held at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Indianapolis, Indiana and sold out with 64 Teams participating on July 30, 2025. This was our 29th annual charity outing. Organized and staffed by a fantastic group of dedicated volunteers.
A Green Solution for Nitrate Reduction
When the town of Bolton, nestled in New York’s Adirondack Mountains, set out to reduce the nitrates in its wastewater, there were many expensive options to choose from. But they just weren’t viable for the town, a popular tourist destination with about 2,000 year-round residents.
“We were looking for a cost-effective way to reduce nitrates in our effluent,” said Kathleen Suozzo, an engineer working with the town. “The treatment plant, originally built in the 1960s, had been upgraded over the years, but nitrate removal remained a challenge.”
The town, on the western shore of Lake George, faced an added complexity: All wastewater must be discharged into the ground, not surface waters, per New York state regulations.
Bolton’s bioreactor was constructed by the town’s chief wastewater operator, highway department and a local contractor. It was funded by a $50,000 grant.
So they turned to an unconventional solution: a woodchip bioreactor.
Inspired by agricultural applications in the Midwest, where researchers at the universities of Iowa and Illinois developed the technology to treat nitrate-rich runoff from fertilized fields, Bolton adapted the concept for municipal wastewater. Bolton is believed to be the first municipality in the United States to do so.
The bioreactor – essentially a “big bathtub,” Suozzo said, with an impermeable pond liner filled with woodchips – allows treated
A Green Solution for Nitrate Reduction
wastewater, low in carbon but high in nitrates, to flow through an anoxic environment. Naturally occurring bacteria use carbon from the woodchips and oxygen from the nitrates, converting them into nitrogen gas, water, and carbon dioxide.
“It’s a passive, green, denitrification process,” said Suozzo, managing principal at Suozzo, Doty and Associates. “And it worked.”
The bioreactor – 20 feet wide, 100 feet long, and 4 feet deep –was constructed by the town’s chief wastewater operator, Matt Coon, with help from the town’s highway department and a local contractor. It was funded with a $50,000 grant from the Lake George Waterkeeper.
Coon described the project as “a big science experiment.”
For example, when solids started to accumulate – because there is no underdrain – Coon thought to try flooding the bioreactor to flush it.
“We were learning as we went,” he said. “There’s no manual for this.”
The flushing worked, so he continued to do it proactively every four to six weeks to keep the bioreactor efficient.
Coon also pulled water samples and sent them to a lab every two weeks to test for effectiveness.
“We were constantly checking on the bioreactor, changing how many gallons per minute were going through it,” said Coon, one of two operators at the plant. “We were going up a couple times a day to check on it.”
For two and a half years, the bioreactor treated up to 100,000 gallons of wastewater daily during the tourist season and 80,000 gallons of wastewater in the low season, reducing nitrate concentrations from 10 mg/L to 3–4 mg/L. However, as the woodchips began to decompose and oxygen levels rose, performance declined.
The town is now preparing for a new phase, thanks in part to a $246,000 Water Quality Improvement Program grant from New York state. They have taken the bioreactor offline while they construct a new one – this time, with concrete walls, a sacrificial front end for easier maintenance (most of the woodchip breakdown occurs in the first 20 feet), and more closely screened woodchips.
“We’ve learned a lot, and we’re applying those lessons,” Suozzo said. She added: The project’s success is a testament to local ingenuity and collaboration between the town board, town supervisor, water plant operators, and Lake George waterkeeper.
“It was all hands on deck.”
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Heather Collins: Leading Through Collaboration
AWWA Connections
Heather Collins, the 144th president of the American Water Works Association, has built her career and leadership philosophy around a central theme: collaboration. From her early days as an engineering intern to her current role as a senior executive, Collins has championed the power of working together to solve complex water challenges.
“Collaboration is the thread that runs through everything I’ve done,” said Collins, who oversees operations, maintenance and compliance for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. “Whether we’re regulators, utilities, researchers, or community members, we achieve more when we bring diverse perspectives to the table.”
Collins’ journey into the water sector began unexpectedly. Hailing from a family of engineers, she began college by studying aerospace engineering, but as a woman in the field, opportunities
were scant. “I started seeing my friends in civil and environmental engineering were having a lot more integrated opportunities than I was in aerospace,” she said.
Heather Collins, of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, became AWWA president in June.
She landed an internship at a local water district, which opened her eyes to the impact of water on public health and community well-being. That experience, coupled with her mother’s background in communications and advertising, helped shape Collins into a rare blend of technical expert and effective communicator.
Her career has spanned public health regulation, water quality operations, and crisis response. One of her proudest accomplishments was leading collaborative efforts to address groundwater contamination in Southern California in the 1990s. As a public health regulator for the state at the time, Collins worked with petroleum companies and federal agencies to develop and permit treatment technologies that restored potable water supplies — an effort that spanned more than a decade.
“That experience taught me the value of persistence and partnership,” she said.
“We had to align science, policy, and community needs to find solutions.”
Collins, who took the helm as AWWA president in June, has been a member for more than 30 years, starting as a student. She credits mentors and colleagues for encouraging her to get involved in committees, conferences, and leadership roles. Her early participation on the Young Professionals Committee and the editorial board of Opflow helped her understand the breadth of AWWA’s mission and the importance of nurturing the next generation of water leaders.
As president, Collins is focused on three key priorities: expanding strategic collaborations beyond the water sector, creating pathways and leadership opportunities for the next generation of water professionals, and advancing public trust in tap water. Each of these goals, she said, requires a collaborative mindset.
“We need to engage with sectors like big tech, agriculture, and pharmaceutical to build a more resilient water future,” she said. “And we must create clear, accessible pathways for people to enter and grow in the water profession.”
Collins envisions AWWA as a central hub for water-related collaboration, connecting entities across disciplines and geographies. She’s particularly passionate about workforce development and sees potential in creating tools that help individuals discover careers in water based on their interests and skills. “I want people to see water not just as a utility, but as a community,” she said. “When we collaborate, we create solutions that are smarter, stronger, and more sustainable.”
To expand partnerships, Collins is looking beyond traditional water sector boundaries. She envisions deeper engagement in sectors that rely heavily on water but may not be fully integrated into water planning and policy discussions. By fostering these connections, she hopes to build a broader coalition that can advocate for sustainable water management and innovation.
It’s also partly why she has championed initiatives like AWWA’s Young Professional Advisors pilot program and encourages members to create inclusive spaces where emerging leaders can thrive. She believes that experienced professionals have a responsibility to guide the next generation.
“Being involved in AWWA has been a source, a fuel of connectivity for me,” she said. “Day to day, I can solve a problem within two phone calls, and I try to pass that on to young professionals.”
To strengthen public trust in tap water, she aims to support AWWA members with techniques and tools that promote transparent communication and community engagement. She sees collaboration between utilities, communicators, and public health officials as key to building confidence in water systems. By sharing stories, data, and best practices, the water community can better connect with the people it serves.
Collins likes to invoke Bruce Lee’s famous quote, “Be water, my friend,” not only because of its direct connection to the field, but because it encourages adaptability and resilience. “Adjust and you will find your way around it or through it,” she said.
An apt motto for her AWWA presidency — and for life.
Heather Collins poses with her two daughters and husband after the gavel-passing ceremony at ACE25.
AWW A ACTI VE COLLEGE CAMPUSES
AWWA Connections
As the new school year kicks off, more than 50 student chapters of the American Water Works Association are cultivating the water professionals of the next generation.
Student chapters are a critical entry point for aspiring water professionals. They help students get acquainted with the array of jobs available in the water sector, and members begin building a network of soon-to-be colleagues who will spread out to work in utilities, government agencies, consulting firms, and more.
Here are just a few examples of student chapter activities from the last year:
At the Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, the UNI Peru student chapter conducts several visits to treatment plants to expand students’ knowledge and understanding of the field. Last year, they visited the Provisur Desalination Plant, the first desalination plant in Lima, where they learned about reverse osmosis and submarine outfalls. They also visited La Atarjea – SEDAPAL, the largest drinking water treatment plant in Peru, and Taboada, the largest wastewater treatment plant in South America – a visit coordinated by an AWWA member.
“These visits are of great value to our members, as our university’s curriculum does not usually include practical field visits,” wrote Karla Durand Hurtado, president of the chapter. “Thanks to AWWA’s support, we have been able to access key facilities in the country and enrich both our technical and professional training. Additionally, by arranging university transportation, we also invited other students from our faculty, extending the impact.”
At the University of South Florida, the student chapter engages members in a multitude of ways, thanks to support from Region IV of the Florida Section. In the last year, it hosted technical workshops, competed in the Florida Section’s Annual Water Bowl, presented research posters at various conferences, and volunteered for beach cleanups with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful.
The chapter also worked to inspire the next generation through hands-on water treatment demonstrations at the USF Engineering Expo and during the Great American Teach-In.
Using a jar test and mini-filtration setup, officers showed K–12 students how water goes from murky to sparkling clean through coagulation, sedimentation, and filtration.
“These activities not only expand technical learning,” wrote Natchaya (Jade) Luangphairin, president of the chapter, “they also give our members the opportunity to strengthen their confidence and leadership skills while engaging K–12 students and inspiring the next generation of water leaders.”
In Virginia, the George Mason University student chapter creates opportunities that connect budding water professionals with practitioners. At one event, the chapter teamed up with the American Society of Civil Engineers, Virginia Section, the county department of public works, and local consulting firms to host a career panel with networking.
Engineers shared their career paths and project experiences, and afterward, students had the chance to ask questions in small groups. “That made it easier to build personal connections,”
for the chapter. Additionally, members from the GMU chapter traveled with engineers last year to construct a water system for a rural community in Costa Rica. The project included developing a reliable water source, building a treatment system, installing storage facilities, and laying out a distribution network. “The trip fostered strong mentorship bonds between students and professionals, while immersing participants in the realities of community-driven engineering in a low-resource setting,” Doyle wrote.
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wrote Matthew Doyle, faculty advisor
USF chapter members pause to pose during a campus fair.
GMU chapter members pause for a photo during a field project.
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Help AWWA Tell Congress to ‘Keep Funds Flowing’ For Water Infrastructure
Proposed budget cuts in the US Congress threaten to reduce funding for loans under the State Revolving Fund (SRF) and Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) – critical financing for countless infrastructure improvements across the United States.
That’s why the American Water Works Association has launched the “Keep Funds Flowing” campaign. Through stories that capture the tangible benefits of projects funded by SRFs and WIFIA loans, AWWA is underscoring the urgent need for continued federal investment in water systems.
“Programs like WIFIA and the SRFs are efficient, strategic funding tools that help our communities thrive and maintain high standards of public health protection,” said AWWA Legislative Affairs Director Nate Norris. “These vital programs should continue to be supported and fully funded.”
The EPA estimates that over the next 20 years, US drinking water systems will need to invest $625 billion for repairs and upgrades, and wastewater and stormwater systems will need to invest $630 billion.
SRF and WIFIA loans provide low-cost financing that makes important projects possible, particularly for smaller utilities with smaller budgets. The SRFs are state-managed loan programs that reinvest money as loans are paid off, so funds can be used for other projects. In part because loan repayments revolve back into the fund, every $1 invested in the SRFs results in $2 in infrastructure improvements.
WIFIA uses a small congressional appropriation to cover the credit subsidy cost for low-interest, long-term loans, enabling the program to support up to
$100 in project financing for every $1 invested by the federal government. In 2024, EPA closed 18 loans and provided nearly $2 billion in financing to support more than $4 billion in projects.
AWWA has already shared stories from Colorado, Florida and Utah that showcase the magnitude of improvements that are possible with these loans, and AWWA is looking for more.
Has your utility benefited from federal infrastructure funding? For more information, visit www.awwa.org/keepfundsflowing.
AWWA Connections
The 2025 iteration of the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) State of the Water Industry survey included new questions exploring natural and human-caused hazards facing water utility professionals.
Among human-caused hazards, cybersecurity was the No. 1 concern. Two-thirds of utility executives surveyed said cybersecurity and privacy are top priorities moving into this year. However, one-quarter of small systems indicated they have limited ability to implement cybersecurity controls.
The State of the Water Industry survey results demonstrate that awareness of cyberthreats is higher than it has ever been, rising in the past several years to consistently rank in the top 10 of utility manager concerns. AWWA and other water sector partners are supporting policy initiatives designed to provide sound footing for sensible, risk-based cybersecurity measures, including additional funding for tools, technical assistance, and enhanced information-sharing.
AWWA has advocated for a sector-led model to build cyber resilience among water systems, which is the intent of H.R. 2594, the Water Risk and Resilience Organization (WRRO) Establishment Act. The act would establish an independent, nongovernmental organization led by the sector to develop minimum cybersecurity requirements with oversight from the US Environmental Protection Agency. This approach ensures direct engagement by water system owners, operators, and subjectmatter experts in the development of cybersecurity requirements that can be right-sized to the needs of water systems.
“This bill represents exactly the kind of thoughtful collaboration we need to address a very serious threat to our nation’s water systems,” David LaFrance, AWWA CEO, said when the bill was introduced earlier this year.
In the meantime, utilities have access to free AWWA resources that can assist in cybersecurity planning:
• Water Sector Cybersecurity Risk Management Guidance, newly updated to help water systems at any stage of their cybersecurity journey.
• The Getting Started Guide to risk management outlines the first set of actions any system can implement to mitigate cyber threats.
• An Assessment Tool that generates a customized, prioritized list of controls that are most applicable to the system and its threats.
A TOP PRIORITY FOR UTILITIES, REPORT FINDS
AWWA Connections
The 2025 State of the Water Industry is available for download from www.awwa.org
AMONG NATURAL HAZARDS, THE DATA SHOW A SPLIT BY GEOGRAPHIC REGION
The eastern half of North America reported extreme weather patterns, precipitation patterns, and flooding as the top concern. The western half listed droughts, wildfires, and precipitation patterns as their top concerns.
The combination of climate variability and escalating cybersecurity threats is among the considerations all systems can evaluate in relation to their ability to sustain continuity or service. This comes as many community water systems are in the process of updating their risk and resilience assessment and emergency response plan to comply with SDWA Sec. 1433
“By embracing innovative solutions and sustainable practices, we can ensure system integrity and reliability, even as we face increasing natural hazards and the pressures of climate change,” said Heather Collins, AWWA president and director of water system operations at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. “Together, we must prioritize investment in resilient infrastructure to secure the future of water services for generations to come.”
To compile the industry report, AWWA surveyed 3,575 water professionals from September 23 to November 1, 2024. The largest category of respondents represented water sector utilities (64%), followed by those providing goods and services to the water sector (19%).
For the full report and other information, visit www.awwa.org/state-of-the-water-industry/.
2025 WATER INSTITUTE & EQUIPMENT EXPO PREVIEW
December 2-4, 2025
French Lick Springs Hotel & Casino, French Lick, IN
The Indiana Section AWWA Board and Staff invite you and your company to participate in our upcoming Water Institute, which will be held December 2-4, 2025, at the French Lick Resort and Conference Center in French Lick, Indiana.
OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTS
We are offering conference sponsorship opportunities, as well as Exhibit Hall and Equipment Expo space. Social events currently scheduled:
• Tuesday Sporting Clays Shoot
• Tuesday Meet & Greet Reception, 5:00-6:00 pm in the Exhibit Hall
• Wednesday Competitions Reception, 5:00-6:30 pm in the Exhibit Hall
• Wednesday After Hours Social Gathering at 33 Brick Street, Open to All Attendees
HOTEL RESERVATIONS
For hotel reservations: https://www.inawwa.org/events/2025water-institute-and-equipment-expo
CONFERENCE EXHIBITORS AND EQUIPMENT EXPO: DEADLINE – NOVEMBER 3, 2025
Exhibitors: It is important that you measure your exhibit space needs accurately and reserve an appropriate amount of space. We offer 10' spaces, so please purchase an appropriate number of booths.
Equipment Expo Participants: Please let us know how much space you will need and what equipment you will bring. We offer 20' x 20' and 20' x 40' spaces. Please measure your space needs accurately and reserve accordingly so we can accommodate everyone.
French Lick Resort Requirements for Equipment Expo:
• Size – The entry bay door can accommodate equipment up to 13.5' x 13.5'.
• Weight – The weight limit is 110 lbs. per square inch.
• Engine Operation – Equipment can be driven in and out, but no engines can be operated for demo purposes while in the expo space.
• Gas Tanks – Need to be drained or brought down to a low level once inside.
• Mats – Need to be placed under the equipment to protect the carpet.
Other Information for Exhibits and Equipment:
• Booths and Equipment must be set up by 4:00 pm on Tuesday. Set-up is from 1:00-4:00 pm on Tuesday. Equipment will be staged. Details will be provided closer to the event.
• For everyone’s benefit, no booths are to be torn down or equipment removed until after the Thursday morning break is over at 10:30 am.
• Electricity will be available in the Exhibit Area. Please indicate on your registration paperwork that you will require electricity. A fee of $150 is for the entire conference. If you wait to request electricity on-site, the fee is $250.
• Cancellation requests after November 5 are non-refundable.
• Join us in the Exhibit Hall for our competitions: Hydrant Hysteria and Meter Challenge.
ACTIVITIES
There will be a lunch and evening receptions on both Tuesday and Wednesday. There are numerous activities and venues on the Resort property and in town. Activities have already been planned – Sporting Clays Shoot on Tuesday and 33 Brick Street, Wednesday evening.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For questions or comments, please contact any of the following:
Monique Riggs; INAWWA Executive Director 317-372-9864 monique.riggs@inawwa.org
MaryJane Peters; INAWWA Director of Finance & Admin 866-895-4792 maryjane.peters@inawwa.org
Tim Hill; INAWWA MAC 317-695-9221 tim.hill@peerlessmidwest.com
Megan Fleming, Program Manager 317-446-4237 megan.fleming@inawwa.org
For more information on French Lick Resort activities and space: French Lick Resort; 812-936-5821
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2
7:00-8:00 am Registration
8:00 am-noon Pre-Conference Sessions
11:00-4:00 pm Sporting Clays Shoot
Noon-1:00 pm Lunch
1:00-4:00 pm Exhibit Set-Up
1:00-5:00 pm Pre-Conference Sessions
5:00-6:00 pm Welcome, Meet & Greet Reception –Exhibit Hall
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3
6:30 am Registration
7:00 am Exhibit Hall Open
8:00 am Sessions, Exhibits Open, Session Break
Noon-1:00 pm Awards Luncheon
1:00 pm Sessions, Exhibits Open, Session Break
5:00-6:30 pm Competitions Reception
8:00 pm-12:00 am 33 Brick Street, Hosted by Utility Supply, All Attendees Welcome
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4
7:00-8:00 am Exhibit Hall Open
8:00-9:40 am Sessions 9:40-10:30 am Exhibits Open, Session Break 10:30 am Exhibit Tear Down 10:30 am-12:10 pm Sessions
For everyone’s benefit, no booths are to be taken down or equipment removed until AFTER the Thursday morning break is over.
Upcoming Events & Activities
Please visit our website – www.inawwa.org – for details and registration information. Water and Wastewater Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are to be approved by IDEM. Well, Driller and Pump Installer hours are to be approved by IDNR, as applicable. Professional Development Hours (PDHs) for engineers are available, as applicable. Other events are being planned, so please check our website regularly, or call our office at 866-213-2796 for updates.
DATE EVENT
October 28, 2025 Well Driller Pump Installer Workshop – Washington Township Park- Avon
November 3-7, 2025 Operator Certification Training – Indiana American Water Greenwood Location
November 6, 2025 Southwest District Fall Meeting – Patoka Lake Regional Water & Sewer
December 2-4, 2025 Annual Water Institute & Equipment Expo – French Lick
Together, We are the Voice for Indiana Water
Please contact Monique Riggs at 317-372-9864/ monique.riggs@inawwa.org OR Megan Fleming 317-446-4237/megan.fleming@inawwa.org to host an event or suggest a topic for a workshop.
P.O. Box 127, Brownsburg, IN 46112 Office: 866-213-2796 (toll free) Fax: 866-215-5966 (toll free)
www.inawwa.org
TANKS (270) 826-9000 ext. 260 5
T ANKS (270) 826-9000 ext. 4601
Advertiser Product & Service Center
NewsLeaks is made possible by the companies below who convey their important messages on our pages. We thank them for their support of INAWWA and its publication and encourage you to contact them when making your purchasing decisions. To make it easier to contact these companies, we have included the page number of their advertisement, their phone number, and, where applicable, their website. You can also go to the electronic version of NewsLeaks at www.inawwa.org and access direct links to any of these companies.
Joe Johnson Equipment
Jones & Henry Engineers, Ltd.
419-473-9611 www.jheng.com
Kirby Risk Electrical Supply 12 877-641-0929 www.kirbyrisk.com
Kokosing Industrial, Inc. 32 317-891-1136 www.kokosingindustrial.com
M.E. Simpson Co., Inc.
800-255-1521 www.mesimpson.com
National Water Services, LLC 23 812-723-2108 www.national-water.com
Ortman Drilling & Water Services 27 765-459-4125 www.ortmandrilling.com
Peerless-Midwest, Inc. 44 574-254-9050 www.peerlessmidwest.com
Pittsburg Tank & Tower Group Inc. 40 270-826-9000 www.pttg.com
S & K Equipment Company, Inc. 42, 43 812-886-0245 www.skequipment.com
Strand Associates, Inc. 38 812-372-9911 www.strand.com
United Consulting 7 317-895-2585 www.ucindy.com
Waller's, Inc. 13 888-485-7018 www.wallersmeterinc.com
Water Solutions Unlimited, Inc. 8 800-359-3570 www.getwsu.com
Wessler Engineering 4 317-788-4551 www.wesslerengineering.com
Celebrating 50 Years of Providing Professional Water Solutions
At Peerless Midwest, we provide a comprehensive array of water supply services to municipalities and rural communities throughout the Midwest.
Founded in 1973, we opened our doors with 11 employees, a few pieces of equipment, and a belief that an unrelenting focus on providing high-quality customer service would bring us long-term success. Fifty years later, we’re an employee-owned industry leader with over 100 water supply and repair professionals working out of 6 offices in 4 states.
As we look forward to the next 50 years, we’re grateful for the special relationships we’ve enjoyed with the customers that helped make our success possible, and we welcome the opportunities ahead.
Water Supply Services
• Well Drilling • Well & Pump Repair
• Water Treatment • SCADA and Controls
• Hydrogeological Services
• Annual Performance Testing