Eldridge will host clean water forum

From staff reports

MetroWest Daily News, Sunday, March 7, 2010

MAYNARD - Senator Jamie Eldridge will host a forum on Smart, Clean, Green: Innovative Water Systems for our Communities on Saturday March 13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Clock Tower Place in Maynard. The forum is co-sponsored by the Organization for the Assabet River (OAR), Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund and is free and open to the public. A light lunch will be provided at no charge.

“Clean water is a foundation for the residents of our communities, and is an essential element for growth and productivity in our economy” said State Senator Eldridge. “I’m hosting this forum to bring community members together to discuss the challenges facing our water infrastructure system over the coming decades, and steps we can take to protect our clean water supply in Massachusetts.”

The forum will look at the leading-edge of new practices from the perspectives of ecology, energy use, and community development. Local and national experts will discuss alternative wastewater systems, integrated water and energy management, and innovative stormwater solutions. The forum will include time for discussion with Senator Eldridge and the speakers.

“Clean water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource in Massachusetts. At this forum, we’ll be discussing things we can do to ensure that we have enough clean water in our rivers, streams and wells to support our communities. Taking a new approach to water infrastructure can enhance public health, job creation, and the quality of life in our communities in the coming decades,” said Alison Field-Juma, OAR’s Executive Director.

The keynote speaker will be Jim Kreissl, an expert on small community wastewater treatment and reuse systems. Brent Reagor, Concord’s Public Health Director, will speak on local use of innovative water re-use technology and Bob Zimmerman of the Charles River Watershed Association will show new directions for stormwater management. Patrick Lucey, President of Aqua-Tex Scientific in British Colombia, will show how Integrated Resource Management can tie together wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water with energy recovery and conservation, and improved solid waste handling.

“Innovations in water management in the U.S. and abroad can help us develop a new approach to water, stormwater, and wastewater infrastructure which is urgently needed. Massachusetts is well placed to be an innovative market based on the state’s experience with clean energy technologies,” said Becky Smith of Clean Water Action.

The forum will be relevant to municipal officials, state and local resource managers, water and wastewater commissioners, environmental groups, and concerned citizens throughout the Concord, Assabet and Sudbury watersheds.

The forum program and further details are at www.assabetriver.org. Space will be limited. Register by RSVP to oar@assabetriver.org or (978) 369-3956.