ACE 2026

ACE 2026 will be held in Washington, DC, June 21–24, 2026. Register here. If you're attending, plan to join fellow SCAWWA members for a reception at Mallard restaurant on Monday, June 22, 5:00–8:00 pm — open to all SCAWWA members and their guests. View invitation.

A note on Hydrant Hysteria: The competition will not be held at ACE this year, but AWWA is working with the competition sponsor to bring it back in 2027.

Director's Report

Angie Mettlen shared an update from AWWA, including that membership numbers are strong. The AWWA Summer Workshop will be held in Denver, July 29–31, 2026. TJ Stroebl was elected President-Elect during the AWWA winter board meeting in Vancouver (details).

On the advocacy front, Congress is considering reauthorizing the 2018 Farm Bill, which includes funding for conservation practices that protect drinking water sources. AWWA is advocating for reauthorization of this source water protection funding, administered by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Learn more: Source Water Collaborative Farm Bill source water protection fact sheet and AWWA source water protection info.

SCAWWA Members on National AWWA Committees

SCAWWA is looking to do more to recognize members who serve on national AWWA committees and share information about their work. If you serve on a national committee, an Executive Committee member will reach out to you soon.

Incoming Committee Chairs

Thank you to those who attended the Joint Planning Retreat last month. Your Executive Committee liaison will be in touch soon with support and answers to any questions. Thank you for serving!

Current FY Budget Update

As of May 6, 2026:

• Cash on hand: $89,589
• Cash reserves: $652,874
• Legacy of Learning Scholarship funds: $430,918
• Total cash: $1.1 million
• Total fixed assets: $799,549

As of April 30, 2026, total revenue is $235,765, expenses are $298,961, and principal and interest payments on the office building total $116,788. Note: SCAWWA typically shows a loss at this point in the fiscal year; revenue from joint SCAWWA/WEASC committees, including SCEC proceeds, is transferred to SCAWWA at the end of June.

FY 2026–27 Budget Approved

The Executive Committee unanimously approved the FY 2026–27 budget of $490,000. This is $6,100 higher than the current year's budget.

Committee Updates

• Customer Service Committee hosted a successful workshop last month.
• Water Treatment Committee, led by Tony Hill, is gaining momentum and planning a short school in February.
• Water Loss Committee will hold a virtual Lunch and Learn on Wednesday, May 13.
• Joint PIO Committee is holding a Communications Workshop on June 5.
• System Protection Committee is holding a Sanitary Survey workshop on June 17 in Lancaster.
• Ad-Hoc Joint Technology Committee will become a standing committee, led by Toby Louris. It will address technology topics, including cybersecurity and AI.
• The Executive Committee is planning a workshop on soft skills in July. Details will be announced soon.
  

Visit the events page for details on upcoming workshops.

SCAWWA Manual Update

The SCAWWA manual (formerly called the "handbook") has been revised. It outlines the organizational structure of SCAWWA, including committee descriptions, policies, and procedures. The updated manual is posted at scwaters.org/page/SCAWWADocsForms.

SCAWWA @ Clemson Football Game This Fall

SCAWWA will host an event for members (with a special focus on student chapter members) at a Clemson home game this fall. Details will be announced once a date is confirmed — stay tuned!

The next SCAWWA Executive Committee meeting is July 24.

2026–27 Budget Approved

Treasurer Madeline Zimmerman presented the proposed budget for 2026–27, which the committee approved. The budget totals $1,040,500 — up from this year's $928,000 — with the increase primarily driven by the cost of hosting a WEFMAX next year. Estimated hosting costs are $60,000, with WEF reimbursing $20,000 of that amount.

Treasurer's Report

As of April 30, WEASC has 2,984 active members, 351 life members, and 76 student members. Year-to-date expenses total $660,000, plus $126,000 invested in the new office, for a current net loss of $44,000 (which is typical for this time of year and actually lower than usual). Revenue from joint SCAWWA/WEASC events will be transferred to WEASC in June, once all joint activities for the year have concluded. Total assets stand at $3.3 million, including $1.2 million in cash reserves, $812,000 in the Legacy of Learning scholarship account, and $337,000 in the Jimmy Wigglesworth Fund.

District Treasurer Training is June 26th

District treasurers: please plan to attend a training session on Thursday, June 26, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the Association office. Look for a calendar invite from Lynn Foisy soon.

WEF Delegates Report

WEASC had strong representation at recent WEFMAX events. Beth Thompson, Morgan Young, Bill Davis, James Hawthorne, and Lynn Foisy attended the Montreal WEFMAX April 22–24, where both Bill and James presented. Earl Sheppard extended his thanks to everyone for their support while he was out sick; he will attend the Pittsburgh WEFMAX this week, along with Madeline Zimmerman and David Baize. David will present on WEASC's Voluntary Collections Certification (VCC) program. Ray Petersen attended the first regional MA-to-MA meeting with fellow Region 9 member associations — North Carolina and the two Virginia MAs — and will attend the WEFMAX in Oregon on May 27.

WEFMAX 2027 Coming to Charleston — Dates Set!

WEASC will host WEFMAX on May 19–21, 2027, at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston. Planning is underway!

District Training Meetings: A Note on Terminology

If your district offers training that qualifies for continuing education contact hours, please use the Association's agenda template (available here), which meets LLR requirements and can serve as proof of attendance if members are audited. One important reminder: please avoid using CEU in your materials (it is a defined term, and 1 CEU=10 contact hours). Please use continuing education contact hours instead.

100th Anniversary Planning Update

WEASC's centennial celebration is taking shape! Janet Hurley Cann provided an update on the effort, which includes a commemorative book, a gala with a history exhibit, and other celebration activities. So far, 40 people have signed up to help, from donating archive documents to writing or reviewing book content. If you'd like to be part of this milestone, visit scwaters.org/weasc100 or contact Janet at janethurleycann [at] gmail.com.

Thank You to District & Committee Chairs

Thank you to those who provided an update during the meeting or submitted a report to Secretary Ginger Clark in advance. Your participation keeps the Executive Committee informed and connected across the state.

Next Meeting

The next Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for July 17, 2026 @ 10am at the Association office, with a Zoom option available.

The digital edition of the Summer Journal is posted here, and hard copies will arrive in mailboxes by mid-May.

Here's a look at what's inside:

• SCEC Recap — competition results, award winners, and plenty of photos.
• Wastewater Documentary — hear from Portland Water District staff and the director of Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong exploring the film's message and impact — plus details on how to host a screening.
• Industrial Waste Surveys — a practical approach to understanding and managing industrial discharges.
• Iron & Manganese — detecting and removing these nuisance metals in drinking water.
• The Outfall Podcast — two Chattooga River legends share the river's living history and a lost waterfall.
• Managing Grant or Loan-Funded Projects — best practices for meeting financial, administrative & technical requirements.
• Committee & District Updates — event photos and news from around the state.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this issue!

Call for Content – Fall Journal Issue

The Journal welcomes submissions from members, including district and committee updates, event photos, utility spotlights, feature articles, and technical pieces.

The content deadline for the Fall 2026 issue (publishing mid-September) is July 17, 2026. For article submission guidelines, advertising information, and the Journal archive, visit scwaters.org/journal.

Questions? Contact Jenny Craft, Journal editor, at jenny@scwaters.org.

Attendance records are compiled from the name badge scans at the start of each session.

Here's how to access your attendance record in your member profile:

1. Sign in to the website with your username and password.

2. At the top right, click your name and select Account + Settings.

3. From the profile screen, select the Professional Development tab.

4. View, filter, edit, print, or email your attendance record.

Important reminder about attendance records

License holders are responsible for tracking their continuing education contact hours and ensuring that credits are appropriate for their license. SCAWWA/WEASC staff does not manage members' contact hours records and cannot provide documentation beyond what's available in our membership database. We recommend that you keep a copy of your SCEC program marked with the sessions you attended for your records.

SC Water Associations Executive Director David Baize and Water Utility Council Chair David Niesse of Powdersville Water represented SCAWWA at AWWA's Water Matters Fly-In on April 14–15, 2026. They met with staff from South Carolina's congressional delegation to discuss the challenges and needs facing water and wastewater utilities, including:

• Infrastructure funding, especially reauthorization of the state revolving funds
• PFAS liability protection for utilities
• Cybersecurity support and guidance
• Creation of a federal low-income household water assistance program to address growing water affordability concerns

The AWWA Fly-In was held alongside the National Water Policy Fly-In, coordinated by WEF, NACWA, AMWA, the Water Research Foundation, and the WateReuse Association. Together, these Water Week events give the water sector a unified voice on Capitol Hill. Learn more: AWWA Fly-In | Water Week

A new independent documentary uses storytelling and humor to bring public attention to the essential but often invisible world of wastewater.

Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong follows the staff at a wastewater plant in Portland, Maine through the daily realities of running the plant. Described by its makers as a "buddy comedy about poop and the pursuit of making a better world," the film takes a warm, human approach to a topic most people don't know much about. Watch the trailer.

The film was spearheaded by a husband-and-wife team, Alex Lewis and Kaitlyn Schwalje, who got the idea after taking a public tour of the Portland Water District's plant. During filming in 2022 through early 2024, they got to know the plant's staff and developed a deep appreciation and passion for the industry and its people.

The documentary has been well received in both the film world and the wastewater community, winning the Audience Award at its debut at the Camden International Film Festival in September. Director Alex Wolf Lewis said the plant staff featured in the film were there and received a standing ovation, a meaningful moment for those who rarely receive public recognition.

Hosting a Screening

The filmmakers are distributing Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong exclusively through the grassroots approach of private screenings. So far, they've had about 30 screenings across New England and California. Another 100 screenings are planned by utilities, high schools, colleges, and community organizations nationwide.

Screenings can be held for any size group and for a variety of purposes, including employee appreciation events, community education, and workforce recruitment. Many screenings include a panel discussion featuring local utility staff.

The film's creators are offering screenings for SCAWWA/WEASC members for a flat screening fee of $500. The fee helps cover the costs of making the film. Once the fee is paid, you'll receive a streaming link to the documentary, which is 73 minutes long.

To set up a screening, email Alex Wolf Lewis at wastewaterfilm [at] gmail [dot] com. If the fee is outside your budget, reach out to Alex. He says they're always willing to work something out so that as many people as possible can see the film.

To learn more, visit the film's website, cardboardseagull.com.

More Information About Screenings from Director Alex Lewis

Payment: We send over an invoice and W9. Payment can be made by check or direct deposit to our production company.

Timeline: The process of booking the screening can happen quickly. It's as easy as sending payment and receiving the film file. However, we recommend booking a minimum of four weeks ahead of the planned date to allow time for marketing and promotion.

Showing the Film: Once the screening is scheduled, we send a link or file for you to play the film. All that is needed is a location with an AV system. We've done screenings everywhere from conference rooms to 500+ seat auditoriums.

Best Practices: The film deals with topics that are relevant to the entire wastewater industry in a fun and engaging way: Aging infrastructure, the silver tsunami, workforce development, PFAS, biosolid management, mental health, public perception.

The film is a great way to spark meaningful conversations and bring together various stakeholders. We recommend holding a post-screening Q&A with local wastewater operators, town managers, environmental orgs, or anyone that can bring YOUR local story to life. It makes the screening feel more like an exciting event that the general public wants to show up for. Consider pairing the screening with a tour of your plant for maximum engagement.

Virtual Q&A: A member of the film team can virtually join your post-screening Q&A. Price is $150.

Marketing Materials: We can provide marketing materials to help promote the screening, such as posters, still images, language, clips, etc.

In this issue:

• 2026 SC Environmental Conference program preview
• Career options for operators
• Preparing for the LCRI compliance journey
• A roadmap for utility AI adoption
• The leader's role in knowledge management
  
• How an Upstate utility built an asset condition assessment program
• A Lowcountry utility reaches young people with a "bring your kids to work" day
• The movie that helped save a river
• Engaging your community through SC Adopt-a-Stream

Contribute to the Summer 2026 Journal. Send committee or district announcements, event photos, utility spotlights, or feature articles to jenny@scwaters.org by March 20, 2026. The Summer issue will be published in mid-May.

For the Journal publication schedule, issue archive, and advertising rates, visit scwaters.org/journal.

• SCAWWA Water Treatment Committee
• SCAWWA System Protection Committee
• Joint Stormwater Committee.

Learn more here. If you're interested in getting involved, contact us! You can also learn more by attending the SCAWWA Business meeting at SCEC. Check the conference program for details.  

AWWA Fly-in is April 14–15, 2026
Water Utility Council Chair David Niesse and Executive Director David Baize will represent South Carolina. The Fly-In is an opportunity to speak to decision makers in Congress about issues important to the water sector. 

ACE Registration is open!
AWWA's Annual Conference and Exposition will be held June 21–24 in Washington, D.C. Mark your calendar and make plans to attend. Visit ace.awwa.org for details.

Pro-Russia Hacktivists Conduct Opportunistic Attacks Against US and Global Critical Infrastructure

The latest Joint Cybersecurity Advisory (JCSA) reports that pro-Russia hacktivist groups are currently conducting lower-impact but persistent cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure. These attacks often exploit minimally secured, internet-facing virtual network computing (VNC) connections to access operational technology (OT) control devices—including those used in water and wastewater systems.

We encourage all water and wastewater utilities to review the advisory and implement the top recommended actions to strengthen cybersecurity resilience and reduce exposure to these threats.

View the alert on CISA's website
Download the PDF version of the full report

Top Recommended Actions:

1. OT owners and operators and critical infrastructure entities should take the following steps to reduce the risk of attacks through VNC connections:
2. Reduce exposure of OT assets to the public-facing internet.
   Adopt mature asset management processes, including mapping data flows and access points.
3. Ensure that OT assets are using robust authentication procedures.

For more information on Russian state-sponsored threat actor activity, visit CISA’s Russia Cyber Threat Overview and Advisories page.

This issue is packed with great content: get an initial look at pass rates for the new operator license exams, hear an upstate utility's experience implementing AI agents, and explore the importance of master planning in preparing for the future. You'll also find photos and highlights from the Operator Conference and WEFTEC, plus the fascinating history of storm oil in sea travel.

Check out the photos! Districts and committees share updates and event highlights throughout the issue—you may even spot yourself or colleagues in the photos!

Contribute to the Spring 2026 Journal. Send committee or district announcements, event photos, utility spotlights, or feature articles to jenny@scwaters.org by January 7, 2026. The Spring issue will be published in mid-February.

For the Journal publication schedule, issue archive, and advertising rates, visit scwaters.org/journal.

• North Charleston Sewer District's Surge won 3rd place in Division 2 and placed second in the Collections event.
• Greenwood Metropolitan District's Lethal Concentration finished 5th place in Division 1 and won 2nd place in the Lab event.
• Mount Pleasant Waterworks' Controlled Chaos took 4th Place in Division 1.
• Columbia's Connoisewers competed in Division 3 and finished 21st.
  

Congratulations to all! Check out the photos below (photo credit: Seth Duncan), and read the full recap on here on WEFTEC's website.

Reach thousands of water professionals and support SC's water industry by sponsoring the 2026 South Carolina Environmental Conference.

Corporate and event-level sponsorships are available. Visit the sponsorship page for details and to sign up online. But don't wait—sponsorships are limited and are going fast! Commit by December 5, 2025, to be included in all conference materials. Sponsorship closes January 30, 2026.

SCEC is our largest event of the year, with more than 2,200 attendees, 180 technical sessions, and many opportunities to learn, connect, and grow. 

SCEC 2026 will be held March 15 - 18, 2026, at the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

Thank you the sponsors who have already committed to support the 2026 conference. Your generous support allows us to continue the SCEC tradition of bringing together SC's water and wastewater professionals for professional development and lots of fun!

To learn more about SCEC, visit www.scwaters.org/scec.

The updated exams will provide a better testing experience and consolidated study material. Updated Need-to-Know Criteria and additional study resources are posted on the VCC page.

Questions? Contact Tiffany Avant, VCC / Events Specialist at tiffany@scwaters.org.

Scholarships are awarded in various amounts, and the number of scholarships depends on funding. To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants must be a member of WEASC/SCAWWA, have a family member who is a member, or be sponsored by a member. Applications must be submitted online by November 15, 2025.

View application requirements and apply online

The Fall 2025 Journal is now available online, with print copies heading to your mailbox in early September. This issue highlights the people and projects shaping water and wastewater across our state.

What's Inside:

• ACE Recap: See how SCAWWA members made their mark at the AWWA ACE conference.
• Community impact: Photos and stories from Columbia's inaugural Walk for Water
• Funding insights: The Rural Infrastructure Authority breaks down grant application strategies and showcases three successful projects statewide
• Case study: How one water district transformed their static capital improvement plan into a dynamic, interactive tool that adapts to changing priorities
• Committee & District photos: Women in Water Life, Collections Short School, YPs, Lowcountry District plant tour, Capital District Family night, and more!
• Buyer's Guide: The latest comprehensive list of industry products and services
• Helene one year later: Upstate utilities reflect on Hurricane Helene's impact and lessons learned
• Behind the scenes: The Outfall podcast takes you inside the March 2025 Mountain Fire response – SC's largest recorded mountain wildfire
• Leadership lessons: The top three leadership models for effective project management
• Harmful algal blooms: How SCDES monitors algal blooms in lakes and rivers across the

Share your story in the next Journal

Have something to share? We want to hear about your projects, innovations, challenges, and successes. Send event photos, announcements, feature articles, and other content to be considered for publication in the Winter Journal (publishing December 2025).

Submission deadline: October 31, 2025

Send your ideas to: journal@scwaters.org

For publication schedules, article guidelines, or advertising opportunities visit scwaters.org/journal.

Kursty is our new Administrative Assistant, and Jenny has transitioned to a full-time Communications Coordinator position after serving as an independent contractor (Journal editor) for many years. Kursty works in the office, and Jenny works remotely.

Reach Kursty at kursty@scwaters.org and Jenny at jenny@scwaters.org. For the staff directory, visit scwaters.org/staff.

Kursty Morgan

Jenny Craft

The alert issued today strongly encourages all drinking water and wastewater systems to reduce exposure of their operational technology (OT) systems to the public-facing internet, update any default passwords on OT devices with strong, unique passwords, and implement multifactor authentication for remote access to OT devices. 

Read the full EPA Cybersecurity Alert (PDF) here

For more information about the Journal publication schedule, article guidelines, or placing an ad, please visit scwaters.org/journal.

Get the latest Association news in the Spring 2025 Journal, now available online, with hard copies arriving in mailboxes in late February.

This issue features a refreshed design and includes the SC Environmental Conference (SCEC) program and an in-depth look at the last 50 years of the Safe Drinking Water Act.

An upstate utility manger reflects on the stories of dedication and service after Hurricane Helene, and a Lowcountry utility shares a case study on improving meter management processes.

Plus, get an update on WEASC/SCAWWA’s new office building and the workforce marketing campaign.

Submit Content for the Summer 2025 Journal by March 21

If you have committee/district news or photos to share in the next issue of the Journal, scheduled for publication in May 2025, please send an email to journal@scwaters.org by March 21, 2025.

For more information about the Journal publication schedule, article guidelines, or placing an ad, please visit scwaters.org/journal.

Just like our old job board, WEASC and SCAWWA members have access to post open positions. In addition, all public water/wastewater utilities in SC—regardless of membership status—are eligible to post open positions free of charge. The goal is to create a central location for water job listings in SC to improve workforce recruitment and help build a strong workforce for the water industry.

The new job platform is operated by JobElephant, a San Diego-based company specializing in job recruitment advertising. JobElephant will manage the board, and SC utilities can easily post open positions using an online customer portal.

Visit the employer sign up page on the new job board and complete the form to get started. JobElephant has staff available to answer questions via live chat, email, or phone on weekdays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm EST.

This job board is a project of the Water Workforce Utility Collaborative and coincides with a marketing campaign to generate interest in water/wastewater operator careers. Learn more at www.scwatercareers.org.

The Associations’ old job board has been deactivated, and users will be redirected to the new job board.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get access to post jobs?

Visit the employer sign up page on the new job board to create an account with JobElephant. Once you have an account, you can post jobs using JobElephant's customer portal. 

I received an email from someone at JobElephant about posting jobs. Is this legitimate?

Yes. JobElephant may contact utilities about the new job board. Emails will be from “@jobelephant.com”.

Who is eligible to post jobs?

WEASC members, SCAWWA members, and anyone who works for a public water or wastewater utility in SC (whether or not they’re a member of WEASC or SCAWWA) can post on the job board.

What if I or my utility aren’t members of WEASC or SCAWWA – can I still post jobs?

Yes! This job board is intended to serve all public utilities in the state, so you do not have to be a member to post, although we encourage you to consider joining and receiving the many benefits of membership.

What if multiple people from my utility need access to post jobs?

Each person can sign up to post open positions by clicking “Post a Job” in the job board navigation menu.

What are the benefits of posting on this new platform?

This board will serve as a one-stop-shop for anyone looking for water jobs in SC and better serve both job seekers and utilities.

Will anyone review job postings for legitimacy, errors, etc.?

Yes, JobElephant staff will review each posting to ensure the job board displays legitimate and current open positions from water utilities in SC.

What is the cost to post jobs?

It’s free for all public water and wastewater utilities in the state. JobElephant offers additional services to increase the reach of your job postings for a fee, but that is optional.

Who can I contact for help getting access to or posting on the new job board?

JobElephant staff are available to answer questions via live chat, email (info@jobelephant.com), or phone. SC Water Association staff will not be able to assist with job board questions, so please contact JobElephant.

The Instagram campaign began in January and features a mix of paid ads and organic posts designed to appeal to the target audience: Non-college bound high school juniors and seniors and 18–28-year-olds who work part-time and/or are attending vocational school. The Greenville-based marketing agency Crawford developed the campaign.

Posts include a “day in the life of an operator” video, on-the-job photos, and other short clips with key messages about water/wastewater operator jobs. Crawford held a photo shoot at Spartanburg Water in December and developed the campaign from those videos and images.

The ads include a “learn more” link that invites users to share their contact information. As of Jan 23, 2025, 93 people completed the lead generation form, and the campaign videos garnered 12,900 views. The project team is following up with those who completed the contact form.

The campaign runs through the end of February, and the results will be shared at SC Environmental Conference (SCEC) during a presentation in the Workforce Development session on Monday morning. Check the SCEC program for details.

The campaign is a project of the SC Water Workforce Collaborative, an effort spearheaded by the Associations to address the statewide operator shortage. SCAWWA, WEASC, the SC Water Quality Association, and the SC Rural Water Association all contributed funds to jump-start this recruiting effort and hired Crawford to design the campaign.

The hope was to create a state-wide campaign, but that scope wasn’t feasible within the budget, so the project team decided to focus on Spartanburg County for the initial campaign, then expand to other areas and beyond Instagram in the future, as funding allows.

For more information about the SC Water Workforce Collaborative, visit scwatercareers.org or contact David Baize at david@scwaters.org.

Get the latest Association news in the Winter 2024 Journal, now available online, with hard copies arriving in mailboxes in mid-December.

This issue features a preview of the workforce development marketing campaign launching in January and a photo recap from the Operator Conference and WEFTEC.

Read the stories of recovery after Hurricane Helene, including how a small town in Aiken County restored water service with support from near and far.

A Lowcountry utility shares an innovative approach to preventing customers’ landscaping from blocking AMI data transmission. Plus, get all the details about WEASC/SCAWWA’s new office building, now under construction in Lexington!

Submit Content for the Spring 2025 Journal by January 7

If you have committee/district news or photos to share in the next issue of the Journal, scheduled for publication in February 2025, please send an email to journal@scwaters.org by January 7, 2025.

For more information about the Journal publication schedule, article guidelines, or placing an ad, please visit scwaters.org/journal.

View project details and photos of construction progress

Plus, see photos from AWWA's ACE conference and learn about MetroConnects' community engagement efforts for a major wastewater collection system replacement project in Greenville. 

This issue also includes the 2024-25 Buyers' Guide and a preview of the WEASC Operator Conference. 

The Fall 2024 Journal is available online now, and members will receive a hard copy in the mail soon.  

For information about submitting an article, running an ad, or to view back issues of the Journal, visit scwaters.org/Journal.

The next issue will be published in December. The deadline for contributing content or placing an ad is October 25, 2024.

View the Fall 2024 Journal