President's Message

Already in Spring 2024, MeWEA continues our critical work to share, partner, and grow. By sharing our stories, we are joining a national initiative about the value of water. By partnering with others throughout Maine and the region within and outside the water industry, we are weaving a network of support for water. By growing through these partnerships, we are expanding our own knowledge and offering more for our members, such as more events and expanded network opportunities. 

I am so proud of this association and all the work by our tireless volunteers who stepped up during last year’s biosolids crisis, who worked through severe destructive storms, and who continue to think beyond the state’s limited landfill capacity. You are the heart of this association, and the executive team is sincerely proud to represent you this year.

As environmental stewards, it’s imperative now more than ever to share the value of water services. Foundational to economic growth, housing, and public health, clean water, drinking water, and stormwater services need continued infrastructure investment. One of our key messages will be to fully fund the SRF program here in Maine.

Maine’s PFAS concerns have sparked a national spotlight on our state. While we continue to work with our water partners to promote a federal CERCLA exemption for utilities, we also have a landfill capacity concern, documented in the recently completed study. We are grateful for our DEP partnership on this study, where MeWEA representatives from the Residuals Management and Government Affairs Committees had a seat at the table as the study progressed.

We find ourselves in an ever-evolving role – that of facilitator, partner, and communicator. It’s because of our strong members that MeWEA can continue this work to strengthen our water environment. If you are interested in joining a committee, please reach out and get involved. It only takes one person to bring innovative change.

Emily Cole-Prescott

MeWEA President

Presidents Message March 7, 2022

2021 Messages from President Phil Tucker

2020 Messages from President Michael Guethle

2019 Messages from President Stacy Thompson

2018 Messages from President Paula Drouin

2017 Messages from President Matt Timberlake