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The Pennsylvania Water Environment Association (PWEA) is offering PA DEP Operator Certification Exams on different dates and locations in 2025. You may register for more than one exam date, but you should allow at least 30 days between paper-based exam dates so DEP has time to grade exams and send pass/fail notifications by email ONLY.

Please Follow The Instructions Below: 

Questions about certification exams should be directed to: 
pwea@pwea.org or breyanafulton@pwea.org.


Reserving your exam seat(s) can only be done online through PWEA's online registration system.  Payment for exams is by credit/debit card only. 

Before registering, please download and review the DEP informational document titled "
Important Information for Operators Taking 2023 Certification Exams" (PDF).


REGISTRATION IS A TWO-PART PROCESS ~ PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS BELOW!  

1.  Complete your online registration and pay the registration fee (credit/debit cards only) in order to reserve your seat.  After completing the registration and payment process, you will receive a system-generated email confirming your reserved seat at the exam location you selected.

2.  You then need to complete and return to PWEA the PA DEP Test Selection Form within 10 work days - a link to this form will be included in your exam seat confirmation email. (IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT THIS FORM IN 10 DAYS YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM THAT TESTING DATE)

The Test Selection Form advises the DEP of your facility class and which drinking water or wastewater tests you want to take, so they can be loaded onto a computer for you or packaged for your written exam. Please do not delete any content from the DEP Test Selection Form prior to submitting to PWEA. Your completed DEP Test Selection Form must include your hand-written signature.   DO NOT TAKE A PICTURE OF YOUR TEST SELECTION FORM WITH YOUR SMART PHONE; the images arrive blurry, are too dark, are crooked, or are too small when printed and the DEP will reject your form.  


Completed DEP Test Selection Forms must be returned by email to breyanafulton@pwea.org OR faxed to 717-303-5219 within 10 days of your online registration and payment.  

PWEA will use your completed PA DEP Test Selection Form to prepare a detailed certification exam confirmation letter; it will be emailed to you at the email address you provide - be sure to check your Spam and Junk folders and to save the email with attachment for future reference.  Please ensure you mark pwea@pwea.org as a safe sender in your address book to prevent the confirmation letter from going to the Spam or Junk folder.  Your confirmation letter will include information you need to know prior to showing up at the exam site.

- Examinees taking computer-based exams at the DEP Regional Offices, receive immediate test results at end of exam.

- Examinees taking paper-based tests will receive results via email only; allow 30 days to receive your test results before contacting the PA DEP. 

 2025 Exam Date:
  • Written Exam May 6th 
    • Registration cutoff April 7th.
  • Computer-Based June 3rd
    • Registration cutoff May 1st. 
  • Written Exam June 25th 
    • Registration cutoff May 21st..
  • Computer-Based August 12th 
    • Registration cutoff July 9th. 
  • Computer-Based August 21st
    • Registration cutoff July 17th. 
  • Written Exam September 23rd 
    • Registration cutoff August 20th. 
  • Computer-Based Exam October 1st
    • Registration cutoff August 28th

Exam registration fees are: 
        $75 for PWEA Members
        $125 for Non-Members


All credit/debit card transactions will include a 3.5% technology fee.

The name and address information for the credit/debit card you use to make an online payment must EXACTLY match what is on record with the financial institution issuing the card or else the transaction will be declined.  This is a security measure to prevent fraudulent activity.  Credit card numbers are NOT stored by PWEA or the payment gateway vendor.

Cancellation Policy:  No refund will be offered after the detailed confirmation letter has been processed and sent to you, unless there is someone on a wait list for the same exam date. (30 days before the exam.)


Questions about certification exams should be directed to:  pwea@pwea.org  or breyanafulton@pwea.org.

 

more info...
9/23/20259:00am to 1:00pmBreyana Fulton


BY INVITATION ONLY
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND
PWEA Member Reception at WEFTEC
Date:         Sunday, September 28, 2025
Time:         Beginning at 8:00pm
Place:        Weathermark Tavern 
                   1503 S. Michigan Ave
                    Chicago, IL 60605

This year, PWEA will hold its Member Reception Weathermark Tavern. PWEA cordially invites its Members registered for WEFTEC 25 to attend this Appetizers, Deserts & Cocktails Reception. The reception will be a great way to network with other members of PWEA. We hope you will join fellow PWEA Members to kick off WEFTEC25!

Pre-registration is required to attend.  PWEA must provide a count for food in advance of the reception. Members will be able to register only one guest, the guest being a spouse or life partner who is not involved in the water/wastewater industry. There will be a nominal fee of $25 charged for a guest registration. 

If you plan to attend this Member Reception, register online by no later than NOON on Friday, September 12th.  If you register and your plans change, we ask that you let us know so we have an opportunity to revise the food count. The guest registration fee is non-refundable if canceled after September 12th.  

Questions?  Email annmariewhalen@pwea.org or call (717) 642-9500

more info...
9/28/20258:00pm to 11:00pmAnnmarie Whalen


The Pennsylvania Water Environment Association (PWEA) is offering PA DEP Operator Certification Exams on different dates and locations in 2025. You may register for more than one exam date, but you should allow at least 30 days between paper-based exam dates so DEP has time to grade exams and send pass/fail notifications by email ONLY.

Please Follow The Instructions Below: 

Questions about certification exams should be directed to: 
pwea@pwea.org or breyanafulton@pwea.org.


Reserving your exam seat(s) can only be done online through PWEA's online registration system.  Payment for exams is by credit/debit card only. 

Before registering, please download and review the DEP informational document titled "
Important Information for Operators Taking 2023 Certification Exams" (PDF).


REGISTRATION IS A TWO-PART PROCESS ~ PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS BELOW!  

1.  Complete your online registration and pay the registration fee (credit/debit cards only) in order to reserve your seat.  After completing the registration and payment process, you will receive a system-generated email confirming your reserved seat at the exam location you selected.

2.  You then need to complete and return to PWEA the PA DEP Test Selection Form within 10 work days - a link to this form will be included in your exam seat confirmation email. (IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT THIS FORM IN 10 DAYS YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM THAT TESTING DATE)

The Test Selection Form advises the DEP of your facility class and which drinking water or wastewater tests you want to take, so they can be loaded onto a computer for you or packaged for your written exam. Please do not delete any content from the DEP Test Selection Form prior to submitting to PWEA. Your completed DEP Test Selection Form must include your hand-written signature.   DO NOT TAKE A PICTURE OF YOUR TEST SELECTION FORM WITH YOUR SMART PHONE; the images arrive blurry, are too dark, are crooked, or are too small when printed and the DEP will reject your form.  


Completed DEP Test Selection Forms must be returned by email to breyanafulton@pwea.org OR faxed to 717-303-5219 within 10 days of your online registration and payment.  

PWEA will use your completed PA DEP Test Selection Form to prepare a detailed certification exam confirmation letter; it will be emailed to you at the email address you provide - be sure to check your Spam and Junk folders and to save the email with attachment for future reference.  Please ensure you mark pwea@pwea.org as a safe sender in your address book to prevent the confirmation letter from going to the Spam or Junk folder.  Your confirmation letter will include information you need to know prior to showing up at the exam site.

- Examinees taking computer-based exams at the DEP Regional Offices, receive immediate test results at end of exam.

- Examinees taking paper-based tests will receive results via email only; allow 30 days to receive your test results before contacting the PA DEP. 

 2025 Exam Date:
  • Written Exam May 6th 
    • Registration cutoff April 7th.
  • Computer-Based June 3rd
    • Registration cutoff May 1st. 
  • Written Exam June 25th 
    • Registration cutoff May 21st..
  • Computer-Based August 12th 
    • Registration cutoff July 9th. 
  • Computer-Based August 21st
    • Registration cutoff July 17th. 
  • Written Exam September 23rd 
    • Registration cutoff August 20th. 
  • Computer-Based Exam October 1st
    • Registration cutoff August 28th

Exam registration fees are: 
        $75 for PWEA Members
        $125 for Non-Members


All credit/debit card transactions will include a 3.5% technology fee.

The name and address information for the credit/debit card you use to make an online payment must EXACTLY match what is on record with the financial institution issuing the card or else the transaction will be declined.  This is a security measure to prevent fraudulent activity.  Credit card numbers are NOT stored by PWEA or the payment gateway vendor.

Cancellation Policy:  No refund will be offered after the detailed confirmation letter has been processed and sent to you, unless there is someone on a wait list for the same exam date. (30 days before the exam.)


Questions about certification exams should be directed to:  pwea@pwea.org  or breyanafulton@pwea.org.

 

more info...
10/1/20259:00am to 1:00pmBreyana Fulton


Pennsylvania Stormwater Summit 2025
Staying Ahead of the Curve – Tools for Stormwater Resiliency
October 9, 2025, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
The Camelot Event Center – Wexford
250 Swinderman Rd, Wexford, PA  15090

 
Pennsylvania’s stormwater infrastructure is being strained by extreme rainfall events, with an increasing urgency for tools to adapt to modern day weather conditions while building for sustainability and resilience. This conference is organized by the Pennsylvania Water Environment Association Stormwater Committee, and the 2025 Stormwater Summit is crafted to deepen the technical knowledge of professionals from around Pennsylvania involved with meeting the regional challenges of stormwater management, as well as to provide an in-person forum where issues relating to stormwater can be discussed.
 
The target audience for the Summit includes municipal managers, authority directors, elected officials, public works directors, local government, non-profit and conservation organization representatives, stormwater professionals, planners, and engineers.
 
The Summit will include oral presentations, interactive discussions, exhibitors, and opportunities for networking in dynamic settings. Potential speakers are invited to submit an abstract for an oral presentation. Interaction with participants throughout the presentation is encouraged. All presentations are to be 45 minutes which includes audience Q&A.

Event Registration:
https://mms.pwea.org/members/evr/reg_event.php?orgcode=PWEA&evid=46423459

more info...
10/9/20259:00am to 3:00pm



CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
Instructions for Submitting an Abstract/Presentation for the PWEA Annual Technical Conference
June 16-18, 2026 • Hershey Lodge • Hershey, PA
 
The Pennsylvania Water Environment Association (PWEA) has issued a Call for Abstracts for its 97th Annual Technical Conference & Exhibition – PennTec 2026.

Individuals desiring to present at the PennTec Conference should submit an abstract no later than October 31, 2025. Please read the criteria below to be sure your abstract contains the most relevant information.  Presentations will be in blocks of 30 minutes or 1 hour, which includes time for questions and answers.
Abstracts will be submitted electronically via this SmartSheet link:
Call for Abstracts 2026 PennTec | 97th Annual Conference & ExpoJune 16-18, 2026
* Abstracts mailed or submitted via email will not be accepted.
 
There is no limit to the number of abstracts that may be submitted by an individual, company, organization, or institution.  However, in order to provide a valuable educational experience for attendees, the Program Subcommittee will work to limit the number of presentations by a single company or organization during a technical session. Membership in PWEA is not a requirement to present. Speakers are responsible for their own transportation, lodging and travel related expenses. Discounted registration fees will be offered to the Primary Presenter for the day of presentation, or for the entire conference. (Any additional presenters must register at the regular conference rates.) Please note that only one Primary Presenter per technical session will be published in the PennTec Conference Registration Brochure.
 
Abstracts are being solicited on cutting-edge and hot topics for Wastewater, Stormwater, and/or Drinking Water in the categories below. The main bullets are the Technical Program categories, indicating the focus for each program. The sub-bullets are suggestions for topics in each discipline. Other topics not included on this list are welcome.
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
    • Water operations
    • Wastewater operations
    • Engineering
    • Assessment and Planning
    • Legal Concern & Issues
  • Biosolids
    • Innovative usage
    • WWTP Case Studies
    • Emerging Technologies
    • Dewatering
    • Disposal
  • Collection Systems
    • Inflow & infiltration
    • Private property issues
    • Flow issues related to climate change
    • Pump station topics
    • Force main topics
    • Measurement – tv – laser – sonar
    • Smart or intelligent system management
    • Pipe or lateral rehab
    • Water impacts with Data Centers
    • Other relevant issues
  • Engineering (W/WW)
    • New techniques and equipment for underground utility verification/location
    • Improvements related to drinking water or wastewater safety
    • Mitigation of disinfection byproducts
    • New and innovative WW Treatment Processes
  • Construction (W/WW)
    • Alternative Project Delivery methods
    • Use of Design-Build for project delivery
    • New/innovative construction techniques
    • Constructability reviews for Design projects
  • Government/Regulatory Affairs (W/WW)
    • Complying with regulatory requirements
    • Case studies about regulatory agency and regulated entity cooperation
    • Needed regulatory program changes
    • Impact of legislation and/or regulations on facility operations and budgets
    • Privatization of Public Systems
  • Industrial Waste Pretreatment
    • Innovative Design
  • Municipal Industrial Pretreatment Program Tasks
    • Emerging Contaminants
    • PFOS/PFAS
    • Water Source Protection
    • Developing and complying with EPA mandated Industrial Pretreatment Programs
  • Laboratory Practices (W/WW)
    • Catalysts and Reagents
    • Ethics
    • Equipment
    • Innovative Techniques & Methods
    • Data Management
  • Professional Operations (W/WW)
    • Ethics/Best Practices
    • Innovation
    • Preventative Maintenance
    • DEP - such as handling NPDES Permit renewals, DEP inspections and/or Regulatory compliance
    • PA One Call
    • Mapping/GIS integration
    • System Optimization
    • Smart Development/System Growth Practices
    • Crisis/Emergency Management
  • Safety (W/WW)
    • OSHA Updates and Practices
    • Employee Safety – office, plant and field
    • Public Safety (EPCRA, DOT HazMat, RCRA, etc.
  • Stormwater
    • Regional approach to stormwater management
    • Integrated water resource planning
    • Ramping up a stormwater authority
    • Water quality at the watershed scale
    • GIS tools for planning and asset management
    • Stormwater BMPs – Case studies of funding, performance, and maintenance
    • Urban climate resilience
    • Impact of the new normal for weather patterns
    • Updating codes and ordinances for better stormwater management
    • Municipal collaboration for meeting MS4 requirements
    • Model programs for MS4 public education and involvement
    • Innovative and cost-effective approaches to community stormwater problems
    • Model programs for flood management
    • Stormwater rate making
  • Drinking Water Topics
    • PFAS
    • Microplastics
    • Mitigation of Disinfection By-Products
    • Jar Testing
    • Lead Contamination
    • Corrosion Control of Lead Pipes 
  • Utility Management (W/WW)
    • Leadership Development and Organic Growth for Sustainable Management
    • Working effectively with neighboring utilities and municipalities; Community Outreach and meeting consumer demands with a focus on system sustainability
    • Effective Customer Service
    • Using Technology to Enhance Productivity
    • Setting rates based on sound operational and financial planning
    • Budgeting focused on critical activities for sustained performance
    • Inter-Agency cooperation:  Meeting service expectations and regulatory requirements
    • Levels of Service:  Improving responses to emergencies and the security and safety of assets
    • Prolonging asset life and improving decisions about asset rehabilitation, repair, and replacement
    • Asset Management/Business Case Evaluation/Capital Program Optimization: Reducing overall costs for both operations and capital expenditures
    • GIS System Integration
    • SCADA Systems
  • Soft Skills
    • Time Management
    • Effective Communication/Conflict Resolution
    • Adaptability and Work Ethic
    • Proactive/Critical Thinking / Decision Making
 
SUBMISSION FORMAT REQUIREMENTS 
Abstracts will be submitted electronically via this SmartSheet link:
Call for Abstracts 2026 PennTec | 97th Annual Conference & ExpoJune 16-18, 2026
* Abstracts mailed or submitted via email will not be accepted.
 
 
Abstracts should be a minimum of one and a maximum of three double-spaced full pages of text, including bibliography. Up to three additional pages of supporting tables and graphics may be included. The footer of each page should contain the corresponding author’s last name, abstract title, and the page number (example: Smith, Regional Approach to XYZ, page 1 of 3). Abstracts that fail to meet the maximum page requirement will be given consideration after other submissions. PLEASE SUBMIT ALL DOCUMENTS AS ONE ATTACHMENT. Abstracts must clearly define the objectives, status, methodology, findings, and significance of the investigation or study. Submissions on hot topics, regulatory issues, and new technologies are especially welcome. The Primary Presenter indicated on the Abstract Submission Form will be notified of acceptance or rejection by January 15, 2026.

 
CRITERIA FOR ABSTRACT SELECTION
 
  1. RELEVANCE: The topic presented in the abstract should appeal to the Joint Conference audience; presenting breakthrough technologies, new concepts, novel applications of concepts, original ideas, new twists, hot topics, or application of fundamental techniques to today’s problems. The abstract should present ideas, concepts or lessons learned that are transferable and usable for other facilities and situations.
  1. STATUS OF PROJECT: The abstract should establish that the project or case study is well-developed and should present data or results to support the hypothesis or principle being demonstrated. Data should have been subjected, at a minimum, to preliminary analysis. Abstracts showing concrete results with practical applications are more likely to be accepted.
  1. TECHNICAL CONTENT: The objectives and scope of the project should be stated. The conditions under which the data were obtained, and the general procedures/methodology used should be presented. The abstract should address the consequences of the issue/project presented. The consequences, both intended and unintended, could include environmental, economic, and social impacts.
  1. BENEFITS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Actual benefits and applications should be reported. Has the project helped to clean water or has it reduced pollutant discharges? Does the method described save time or money or increase accuracy? Is system management or operations more efficient or effective? Is this a specific finding or of more general application?
  1. CONTENT, CLARITY, AND QUALITY: Authors should prepare clear, concise abstracts that follow the requirements. The quality and content of the abstract are considered indicative of the final technical presentation for PennTec 2026.

more info...
10/31/2025 PWEA


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