About this Event
The Western Chapter NYWEA proudly announces our 44th Annual Greater Buffalo Environmental Conference. This is an all-day event, and it promises to be a fantastic opportunity for learning and networking. We will be highlighting all things wastewater, and it will offer a chance to connect with engineers, municipalities, operators, and equipment representatives.
During the conference, you'll be able to learn about new and emerging technologies, hear about local projects, and discuss the challenges we face in the wastewater industry. It's a perfect platform to gain insights and share knowledge with like-minded wastewater professionals.
Note the following:
- Registration closes at 10:00 pm on Monday, March 2, 2026. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT WALK-INS.
- Any requests for refunds must be made by 10:00 pm on Monday, February 26, 2026. If registering via credit card on EventBrite and a refund request is submitted, convenience fees will NOT be refunded.
- We cannot accept registrations and/or refund requests after the above-noted dates.
- If paying by check, please DO NOT register on EventBrite, but contact Lisa Smith directly at [email protected], so you will not be charged EventBrite fees.
Agenda
🕑: 08:00 AM - 08:45 AM
Breakfast/ Exhibits
🕑: 08:45 AM - 09:00 AM
Welcome - WNYWEA/ NYWEA Representatives
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:15 AM
NYWEA President - Incoming President Vijesh Karatt-Vellatt
🕑: 09:15 AM - 09:25 AM
Introduction to InFLOW Scholars
🕑: 09:25 AM - 10:25 AM
Keynote - East Meets West for a Tour of Japan's Resource Recovery Solutions
Host: Michael Kessler, Town of Tonawanda
🕑: 10:25 AM - 11:00 AM
Coffee Break/ Exhibits
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Breakout 1A - WWTF Electrical Upgrades
Host: Mike Nagiub & Chris Sieracki, TYLin
Info: Electrical Master Planning for Water and Wastewater Utilities
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Breakout 1B - WWTF Electrical Upgrades
Host: Josh Elston & Kyle Nadolinski, Arcadis
Info: Electrical Service Upgrade and Modernization of Plant Distribution at the Southtowns AWTF
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Breakout 2A - Pretreatment
Host: Kevin Hickey, Navitas
Info: Pretreatment 101
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Breakout 2B - Pretreatment
Host: TBD
Info: Industrial Wastewater Panel
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Breakout 3 - Maximizing Collection System Capacity
Host: John Story, GHD and Jeffrey Burroughs, Town of Amher
Info: Maximizing Wet Weather Capacity with Flow Diversion Between Two Large Diameter Interceptors
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Lunch & Awards
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:00 PM
Breakout 4A - Unique Design Considerations
Host: Jake Bower & Jason Ebbs, LaBella Associates
Info: Unique Sewer Design Strategies for Lakefront Systems
🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Breakout 4B - Unique Design Considerations
Host: Catherine Goerss-Murphy, AECOM
Info: Bird Island WWTF Insights into Clarifier Troubleshooting and Optimization
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
Breakout 5 - Asset Management
Host: Suman Bopaiah, Arcadis/TBD
Info: NYSDEC Asset Management Pilot Program: Case Studies, Background on Training
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:00 PM
Breakout 6A - Emergency Work
Host: Angela Horton, ECDSM; Nick LaMendola, Viridi; Tess Will
Info: Modernized Pumping Station Backup Power Through a Battery Energy Storage System
🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Breakout 6B - Emergency Work
Host: Noelle Sawicki, Town of Tonawanda
Info: Going with the Flow: Navigating Emergency Maintenance in Tonawanda’s Collection System
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:00 PM
Coffee Break/ Exhibits
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Breakout 7A - Biosolids
Host: TBD, Hazen
Info: Independent Review of the Performance of the Edmunds Dryer with Respect to Ability to Remove PFAS
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Breakout 7B - Biosolids
Host: Bob Wimmer, Navitas
Info: Town of Webster Biosolids Upgrades/Development of Fairlife
🕑: 04:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Breakout 7C - Biosolids
Host: Bill Brower, Brown & Caldwell
Info: State of Biosolids Disposal in NYS
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Breakout 8A - Legal Perspectives & Ethics
Host: Joe Manna, Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria
Info: Engineering Malpractice; Cause and Convenience Terminations
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Breakout 8B - Legal Perspectives & Ethics
Host: Rick Roll, NFWB
Info: Engineering Ethics
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Breakout 9A - Collection System Design Considerations
Host: Ed Bradfuhrer, GHD
Info: Genetic Algorithms to Plan Sewer System Overflow Reduction Strategies
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Breakout 9B - Collection System Design Considerations
Host: Kevin Alspach, AECOM
Info: NFWB Calumet Avenue Sewer Rehabilitation Project
🕑: 04:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Breakout 9C - Collection System Design Considerations
Host: Garry Pecak, ECDSM
Info: Back Creek Road Emergency Sewer Line Stabilization Mitigation Project in Eighteenmile Creek
🕑: 03:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Young Professionals Session
Info: Engineering the Next Generation: Technology, Sustainability, and the Evolving Role of Young Professionals
🕑: 04:30 PM
Reception
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Hyatt Regency Buffalo / Hotel and Conference Center, 2Fountain Plaza, Buffalo, United States
USD 28.52 to USD 642.09
