Hello Wastewater Professionals,
The Spring Equinox 2026 (also known as the Vernal
Equinox) occurred last Friday, March 20, 2026. This celestial event marks the
official beginning of astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the
start of autumn in the Southern.
Equal Day and Night: The term "equinox" comes
from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night), as the Sun shines directly over
the Earth's equator, making day and night nearly equal in length everywhere on
the planet. On this day, the Sun rises almost exactly due east and sets almost
exactly due west for everyone on Earth. Following this event, the Northern
Hemisphere begins to tilt more toward the Sun, leading to progressively longer
days and shorter nights until the Summer Solstice in June.
Also, March 22nd is World Water Day. Every
year on March 22, the world unites to recognize World Water Day. Established by
the United Nations in 1993, this initiative highlights the importance of fresh
water and the need for sustainable access for all. Please see the link below
for more information.
World Water Day | United Nations
The Western Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control
Association held its 2026 final planning meeting on this great first day of
spring. Executive board members, committee chairs and committee members, all
gathered to finalize the plans and events scheduled for 2026. Please visit the WPWPCA
website at https://wpwpca.org to view the
2026 Schedule of Events.
Our first Plant Tour/Luncheon/Business Meeting will be
hosted by the Avonmore Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) on Friday, April 17th,
2026. MAWC acquired Avonmore WWTP in 2001. Originally it was an extended air
plant rated at 0.190 MGD that discharges to the Kiskiminetas River serving 437
customers. A new plant was constructed in 2024 to handle the higher wet weather
flows and seal off also SSO. The new plant is a 3 basin SBR plant with UV
disinfection, while the original plant tanks were converted to raw wet wells
and digesters, now rated at 0.257 MGD.
Registration begins at 8:30AM, over coffee and donuts,
visit with the exhibitors and there are plenty of social and networking
opportunities. Introductions and opening remarks begin around 9:00AM followed by
a guided plant tour presenting plant design and operations. Lunch and business
meeting will follow and then nice door prizes and a 50/50 raffle will conclude
this event. Visit https://wpwpca.org to register.
April will be a busy month, come join us for the first
Sporting Clay Shoot of 2026 on April 24, 2026 form 8:00AM till 12:00PM.
WPWPCA's
Scholarship Fundraiser Event: 100 Round Sporting Clays Shoot. 7:45 AM to 8:45
AM - Registration & Breakfast (Coffee & Donuts) in Pro Shop 8:45 AM -
Welcome and Safety, 9:00 AM - Take Flight on Clays Course, 12:00 PM - Lunch
Served & Awards $125 Per Person: Includes cart, lunch, and prices. Four-man
team registration OR Individuals registering will be placed on a team. Sponsorship
opportunities are available. Please visit https://wpwpca.org
to register.
Location:
Hunting Hills Shooting Preserve, 181 Hunting Hills Road, Dillner, PA 15327
2026 New WPWPCA member registration and membership
renewal is now open and available online. To Join Now go to https://wpwpca.org
and click MENU and then Join Now- Online Application. Complete the registration
form. To renew your WPWPCA Membership for 2026, please go to https://wpwpca.org and click MENU then Members Only
then Renew My Dues.
To our Exhibitors and Sponsors, thank you for your past
support and involvement with the Western Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control
Association. Your company advertisements are now available to be posted on the
WPWPCA Website. Company logo ads can be purchased for $200 and will link to
your webpage. Company partial page advertisements are available for $250.00 Company
Line Card website posting is available for $250.00.
These Logo’s, advertisements
and line cards will be posted on the WPWPCA Website April 1, 2026, and run for
1 year until March 31st, 2027. Space is limited, go to https://wpwpca.org to
order yours today.
Together, let us continue to lead with purpose, reach out
to others to expand our membership, and continue making a lasting impact on the
future of water quality in Western Pennsylvania.
With gratitude,
Scott Hinsch
President, Western Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Association (2025–2026)
VP Engineering and Sales, DRV Inc.
