eFlash #570

Date: 21-Jun-2023

Information for Water Industry Managers and Practitioners in the Queensland Water Industry

IN THIS EDITION:

Message from new CEO Dr Georgina Davis | Annual Forum 2023: Celebrating 20 Years | PFAS: New US Bill

NEW / HOT TOPICS

1. Message from new CEO Dr Georgina Davis

It is with deep regret that I announce the resignation of Linda Roberts, Director Innovation Partnerships, from qldwater. Linda has advised that she will not be renewing her employment contract with qldwater due to personal circumstances. Linda is a pivotal member of the qldwater team and she has made significant contributions both to the organisation and our members, especially during her 8 months as interim CEO.

I am very mindful of the criticality of Linda’s role as well as her great wealth of expertise and governance that she brings to qldwater’s partnership with our stakeholders, particularly those in the Queensland Water Regional Alliance Program (QWRAP).

Linda has kindly agreed to continue her employment arrangements with qldwater to facilitate the appointment of a new candidate as well as an orderly transition and handover period. I wish to ensure our members that we will maintain the close working arrangements for the successful delivery of QWRAP and other activities going forward.

We wish Linda all the best going forward, and I personally thank her for her amazing contribution to the organisation and the qldwater family, she will be profoundly missed by all.

The Program Director role is currently advertised on Seek – please share it with your contacts in the water sector to help us find a candidate that can hit the ground running in this critical role.

2. Date Claimer: Annual Forum 2023

Just a reminder to block the dates for the 2023 Annual Forum in your calendars. The event will take place from 5-7 September at the Clifford Park Racecourse in Toowoomba. Registrations will open soon.

The event coincides with the Festival of Flowers, so please ensure that you book accommodation as soon as possible.

The Forum will kick off with a couple of site tours on Tuesday 5 September, starting a little bit later in the day to ensure those traveling from Brisbane and further afield can get there in the morning.

On Wednesday, 6 September we will take a trip down memory lane, reflecting on the past 20 years as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Directorate and a gala dinner to commemorate those who have paved the way.

On the final day of the Forum we will look to the future 20 years ahead – where do we want to be and how will we get there? We look forward to seeing you there!

REMINDERS / OTHER NEWS

3. PFAS: New U.S. bill to protect the water and wastewater industry from liability claims

Water agencies are passive receivers of PFAS. PFAS enter treatment and collections systems through numerous sources. On May 3, 2023, U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis introduced the “Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act.” This bill will provide an exemption for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater agencies, including contracted services providers, from legal liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) for the release of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the environment.

Without the proposed liability exemption, a water agency could potentially be pulled into an enforcement action taken against a polluter, such as a PFAS manufacturer or industrial user. Such actions could lead to extensive unwarranted and misapplied legal and financial burdens for water agencies and their ratepayers.

The Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act is part of a series of five bills, each of which is designed to protect specific industries (including landfill and composters) from unintended liability or unintended costs from PFAS accumulation and treatment.