In This Issue

- Message from your Chair

- October Membership Meeting Recap

- Preview of November Membership Meeting

- E. Ted Erickson Distinguished Environmental Professional Award

- Mark Your Calendars for the Rest of ‘23-’24 Meeting Season

- IWWSG Members

Message from your Chair

Greeting Dear Friends!

With calendar year 2023 quickly coming to an end, the challenge for our Steering Committee was, after earlier highlights such as our May Chicago River Cruise and our June Golf Outing, how do we close out the year on a high note?? The answer, of course, is by having high expectations, both literally & figuratively, while keeping the focus on our organization’s foundation, our Chicagoland Industrial Users!! With our upcoming November Membership Meeting (see below for details and registration info), we believe we have done just that! Please check it out and sign up early!! This meeting requires a menu selection, and we will not be able to accommodate late registrations.

A big “thank you” to Deborah Stone, Cook County Chief Sustainability Officer, our October speaker, and all the attendees for making IWWSG’s Meeting at the Chicago Yacht Club a big success (see recap below)! Please also check the website for additional photos.

Even if you haven’t participated recently, we cordially invite you, to again be part of our Group. We need and appreciate your paid memberships (’23-’24 membership fees are now due), attendance at meetings/events, and other support. You are helping to keep IWWSG alive and well! Thank you!!

Hope to see you soon!

Best Regards,

Barb Scapardine

IWWSG 23-24 Chair

October 18 Membership Meeting Recap

At the beautiful Chicago Yacht Club on October 18, Deborah Stone, Chief Sustainability Officer, Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability, informed IWWSG’s membership about the BRITE program offered by Cook County, which provides funds and technical assistance for environmental assessments. This free program offers on-site assessments to businesses to reduce pollution and become more sustainable. Upon completion of the assessment, businesses will 1.) learn how to reduce their environmental impact, as well as how to create a healthier environment for their employees, customers, and community, and 2.) be offered the opportunity to apply for grant funding. This funding can be used to cover expenses associated with implementing cost-saving solutions and environmentally friendly recommendations that best modernize business operations. [photos courtesy of Ted Denning.]

Preview of November Membership Meeting

November 15, 2023: Venue: The Metropolitan Club of Chicago, Willis Tower, 67th Floor!!

Topics/Presenters:

- Innovative Algae Based Technology for Wastewater Treatment, Resource Recovery, and Enhanced Regional Circular Economy (Kuldip Kumar, MWRD Principal Environmental Scientist)

- Phosphorus at the MWRD (Heidi Warner, MWRD Senior Environmental Specialist)

- Significant Changes for Industrial Wastewater Certifications (Jay Patel, IEPA Region Manager, Field Operations Section – Des Plaines, Division of Water Pollution Control, Bureau of Water)

- User Charge & Enforcement Charges Recap (Jennifer Wasik, MWRD Assistant Director of M&R)

All past presentations slides & documentations are available on the IWWSG website under "RESOURCES".

Ted Erickson Distinguished Environmental Professional Award

Nominations are being accepted for:

The Distinguished Environmental Professional Award, named in honor of founder E. Ted Erickson, was established by the IWWSG in 2000 to recognize an individual who has made a significant contribution(s) in the environmental area, especially at the local and regional levels. The award is granted based on recognition of the recipient‘s community service advancing IWWSG‘s goals, leadership / service to environmental professional organizations, including the IWWSG, and contributions to the field of environmental laws / compliance / management / education.

Please see the website for past recipients at:

https://www.iwwsg.org/e_ted_erickson_award_recipien.php

Take part in making a difference in someone’s life and help us continue to recognize and appreciate those who make a difference! Please forward your nominations to membership@iwwsg.org.

2024 Meeting Season Save the Date

We are finalizing our meeting details, please check our website soon for updates.

******* January 17, 2024: TBD *******

******* February 21, 2024: TBD *******

(Joint Meeting with IWEA）

******* March 20, 2024: TBD *******

******* May 15, 2024: TBD *******