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Webinar: Introduction to the New York State Wastewater Surveillance Network

Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Time: 10:00am-11:00am EST

Recording Now Available

Description:

Scientific breakthroughs show that levels of coronavirus genetic material in wastewater systems can provide an unbiased measure of coronavirus transmission for a community to guide public policy and response to the pandemic.

This free, 1-hour webinar introduces the New York State wastewater-based epidemiology network. The network provides real-time monitoring of wastewater for coronavirus RNA. In collaboration with the New York State Department of Health and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Dr. David Larsen’s team is working to scale a wastewater surveillance network across New York State to aid the response to public health threats.

By January 2022, this new network aims to include at least one wastewater treatment plant in each New York State county to monitor for COVID-19. Join us to learn more about the current progress for monitoring wastewater for public health benefit and ask questions about the network during a facilitated discussion. Wastewater treatment staff are encouraged to attend.

For additional information, check out the Wastewater Surveillance Network website!

Presenters:

  • David A. Larsen, PhD MPH, Associate Professor and MPH Director, Falk College Department of Public Health, Syracuse University
  • Mary B. Collins, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Studies, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
  • Dustin T. Hill, PhD, Postdoctoral Researcher, Falk College Department of Public Health, Syracuse University

Webinar Resources to Download:

Partners:

This webinar is organized by Syracuse University Falk College Department of Public Health and the SU Environmental Finance Center, and is co-sponsored by the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) and NYS Water Resources Institute.

Webinar: Developing Resilient Stormwater Systems with a Municipal Downspout Disconnect and Green Infrastructure Program

Presentation Date: November 15, 2021
10:00am-11:30am ET

Watch Video Recording Here

Approved for 1 CEC for Certified Floodplain Managers by ASFPM. Registrants must have attended the full duration of the live broadcast on November 15, 2021 to receive a certificate of attendance. Each viewer must register and attend individually, and participate for the entire duration of the webinar. Attendees, please contact adavis02@syr.edu to request a certificate of attendance.

Increasing intensity and duration of rainfall events and impervious surfacesare causing runoff that can overwhelm stormwater and combined stormwater/sewer systems. High flows into aging, undersized systems can result in localized flooding and overwhelming flows to municipal water treatment facilities.

One strategy to reduce runoff into stormwater systems is to implement municipal downspout disconnect and green infrastructure programs. Disconnecting downspout connections and redirecting the water to green infrastructure reduces runoff into pipes and roads and results in: cost savings for wastewater utilities, decreased combined sewer overflow events, reduced demand on already stressed and aging pipes, and reduced stormwater runoff in neighborhoods and local waterways.

This free, 90-minute webinar provided an opportunity for municipalities to learn about the regulatory, financing, and implementation of a coupled disconnect/GI municipal program from experts who have experience working with municipalities to implement these types of projects. Participants learned how these approaches can – and have – helped NYS communities manage their stormwater.

Speakers

  • Andy Sansone, Industrial Waste Engineer, Monroe County Stormwater Coalition/Monroe County
  • Khris Dodson, Associate Director, Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center
  • Kristen Hychka, Research and Outreach Specialist, NYS Water Resources Institute

Panelists

  • Ethan Sullivan, MS4 General Permit Coordinator, Assistant Engineer, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
  • Dave Gasper, P.E., Stormwater Permits Section, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
  • Mary MacSwan, Chief Environmental Compliance Specialist, Erie County: Department of Environment & Planning/Western NY Stormwater Coalition
  • Nancy Heinzen, Program Coordinator/Coalition Director, Stormwater Coalition of Albany County

Additional Resources:

Resources Handout

Presentation slides:
Kristen Hychka, NYS WRI, Introduction to Municipal Downspout Disconnection
Khris Dodson, SU-EFC, Getting the Green for Green: an overview of Cost Savings & State Funding Resources for Green Infrastructure

For more information on developing a Downspout Disconnect and Green Infrastructure Program, download the resource below. This document was developed in collaboration with the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center and the NYS Water Resources Institute at Cornell University.

Developing a Municipal Downspout Disconnect and Green Infrastructure Program

This webinar is organized by Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center and the New York State Water Resources Institute at Cornell University and is co-sponsored by the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) Stormwater Committee and New York State Floodplain and Stormwater Managers (NYSFSMA).

Planning and Funding Municipal Water Infrastructure

No-cost Webinar Series for Local Leaders, Spring 2021

USDA Rural Development Update for Engineers and Fiscal Advisors

Presented: Thursday, June 3, 2021, 1-2:30pm

Watch Video Recording

This no-cost webinar will focus on USDA Rural Development application and technical updates for water and wastewater projects that serve populations of 10,000 or less. Attendees will learn how to submit stronger applications to the USDA RD Water & Wastewater Loan & Grant Program.

Presenters: Representatives from USDA Rural Development

Resources for Download

New York State’s Consolidated Funding Application is now open, with $750 million available through more than 30 state programs – watch our webinar recordings to learn about planning and funding water infrastructure projects!

Paying for Drinking Water and Wastewater Projects – 2021 Update

Presented: Monday, May 3, 2021, 1-3pm

Watch Video Recording

Based on the latest information about 2021 funding, this webinar will focus on available water infrastructure funding & financing programs (and related grant programs), intended for those who are well along in project planning and ready for the next step.

Presenters: Representatives from USDA Rural Development, NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation, NYS Departments of Environmental Conservation, Health, Homes & Community Renewal, and State.

Resources for Download

  • Paying for Drinking Water and Wastewater Projects, Contact List
  • Resiliency Funding Sources for New York State Watersheds and Water Infrastructure, Funding Source Guide
  • NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation and Department of Health, Presentation Note: EFC had inadvertently included incorrect information in the ‘Paying for Drinking Water and Wastewater Projects” Presentation on Monday 5/3/2021. On slide 10, the correct date for Applications due to EFC is JUNE 25, 2021. The new version of the corrected presentation is now available for download.
  • US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Presentation

Planning for Drinking Water and Wastewater Projects

Presented: Monday, April 5, 2021, 1-2:30pm

Watch Video Recording

Plan a successful drinking water or wastewater project! Join the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center to learn directly from state and federal funding agency representatives. In this free webinar, we will focus on the planning process for water infrastructure projects, the Intended Use Plan, and available engineering planning grants.

Presenters: Representatives from USDA Rural Development, NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation, NYS Departments of Environmental Conservation, Health, Homes & Community Renewal, and State.

Resources for Download

  • Planning for Drinking Water and Wastewater Projects, Contact List
  • Resiliency Funding Sources for New York State Watersheds and Water Infrastructure, Funding Source Guide
  • NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation and Department of Health, Presentation
  • US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Presentation

Continuing Education Certificates

These webinars have not been submitted to licensing agencies for preapproval of continuing education or training credits. We can provide certificates for your personal record.

Additionally:

  • Each viewer must register and attend individually, and participate for the entire duration of the webinar
  • Group rosters will not be accepted

We recommend that you check with your licensing agency to learn about its criteria, rules, and what you need to do in order to receive credit for your attendance. It is your responsibility to verify this information with your licensing agency. 

Requirements to Receive a Certificate of Attendance: 

  • You must attend the entire session on the original broadcast date
  • You must register and attend using your real name and unique email address
  • Questions? Contact Meredith at maperrea@syr.edu

Organized by Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center. Thank you to our co-sponsorship partners: New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA), New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), and the New York Section – American Water Works Association.

These webinars are based upon work supported under a grant by the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture. 

Web Meeting: Introducing Coronavirus Wastewater Surveillance Dashboards

Zoom meeting date: Thursday, October 15, 2020
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Join David Larsen, PhD, MPH, Syracuse University, Hyatt Green, PhD, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and colleagues from SUNY Upstate Medical University, as they present their newly-developed dashboards for public health action with regards to wastewater surveillance. 

The online, public dashboard will use wastewater surveillance data to show counties across the state where virus transmission is increasing, decreasing or stable.The team is observing a clear early warning of about one week, and have ready for you an easy-to-use tool to guide understanding of coronavirus transmission. 

To access the meeting via Zoom on Thursday, October 15th, please use the link and Zoom meeting information below. Either click on the link or cut and paste the URL address into your browser.

Feel free to share this registration link with anyone who might be interested.

Join Zoom Meeting – October 15, 2020 at 1pm

Join Zoom Meeting
https://syracuseuniversity.zoom.us/j/99138968770?pwd=aVd6RG9laUErc3NZaGtZZDFIc0pwdz09

Meeting ID: 991 3896 8770
Passcode: 966438
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Meeting ID: 991 3896 8770
Find your local number: https://syracuseuniversity.zoom.us/u/acQsfxYLMb

Work-In-Water Information Session

Webinar Presentation Date: November 10, 2020
Time: 10 am-11:30 am (EST) 

Presented by the New York Water Environment Association and the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center

Watch Video Recording Here

Resources from the webinar:

The New York Water Environment Association and the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center held a 1.5 hour informational webinar on engaging high school students in water careers.

NYWEA’s Work-in-Water Program is actively recruiting student and utility participants to take part in classroom engagement, facility tours, and internships. This unique, hands-on learning program allows students to see first-hand the skills, technology, and people that are working to ensure the public has access to clean water resources.

Use the link to the “interest form” to learn about a new mini-grant offered through NYWEA’s Work in Water Program and how it can be used to support utility-school partnerships and interns.

This webinar’s agenda included:

10:00 am  Welcome & Introductions
William J. Nylic III, President, New York Water Environment Association  
10:05 am  Work-in-Water Overview
Discover the Work in Water program and how it can be effective and valuable to your utility and community.
10:10 am  Engaging Schools
Create a connection between students and water careers at your school or utility. Find out who to contact, what messages resonate, and learn about previous successful partnerships between schools and utilities.
10:20 am  Classroom Toolkit
An explanation of the opportunity to use pre-developed activities and tools directly with students. 
10:25 am  Facility Tour Experience
Find out how to lead awesome tours through your water and wastewater treatment plants. Inspire students to consider water careers, and share what they learn with others during facility tours.
10:35 am  Student Internship
Learn about the benefits of hiring an intern at your utility. 
10:55 am  Mini-Grants Opportunity
Learn how your utility can apply for funding for the internship and/or transportation for your first Work-in-Water experience.
11:05 am Let’s Hear From You
Ask questions and learn more about how you can use this program. Meet other water professionals, utility staff, school administrators and teachers, and talk to NYWEA and SU-EFC staff. 
11:30 am  Conclude

This webinar is based upon work supported under a grant by the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture. 

Wastewater Coronavirus Surveillance Systems: Advancing Research and Municipal Coordination Part II

Webinar Presentation Date: Wednesday October 28, 2020
Time: 2PM-3:15PM EDT

Watch Video Recording

Tracking infectious disease transmission through wastewater has been an important tool for safeguarding public health for 25 years. Recent scientific breakthroughs show that levels of coronavirus genetic material in wastewater systems can provide an advanced warning of an increase in coronavirus transmission in a geographically-targeted area. These measures will also help us identify areas where the virus is spreading, waning, or absent; can identify asymptomatic cases; and can predict cases a week sooner than incident cases seen in the health system.

This free, 75-minute webinar provides a follow up to our conversation in June where experts from academia and practice discuss their experiences with the research behind wastewater surveillance for COVID-19 and its implementation at institutional-to-regional scales.

The facilitated discussion addressed safe and effective real-time monitoring of coronavirus RNA in wastewater, to share information for how this surveillance method can help guide us through the process of safely reopening the state.

Facilitated by Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center and the New York State Water Resources Institute

Resources for Download

Panelists

  • Hyatt Green, Assistant Professor, Environmental and Forest Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 
  • Anthony Hay, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Agricultural & Life Sciences, Cornell University
  • Seth Jensen, Director, Municipal Utilities, City of Auburn, NY
  • David Larsen, Associate Professor, Public Health, Falk College, Syracuse University 
  • Lachlan Squair, Chief of Facilities and Safety, SUNY Oneonta
  • Teng Zeng, Assistant Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University 

Organized by Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center, the New York State Water Resources Institute at Cornell University, New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA), and New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC).

This webinar is based upon work supported under a grant by the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture. 

Download agenda

This webinar has not been submitted to licensing agencies for preapproval of continuing education or training credits. It is your responsibility to check with your licensing agency or municipality about its rules and criteria for credit.
Requirements to Receive a Certificate of Attendance: •You must attend the entire 75 minute session on the original broadcast date (October 28, 2020) •You must register and attend using your real name and unique email address •Questions? Contact Meredith at maperrea@syr.edu.

Header image is courtesy of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: a transmission electron microscope image which shows SARS-CoV-2.

Webinar: Introduction to FEMA National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System: a New York State Perspective

Presentation Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Time: 10:00-11:30am

Watch Video Recording

Follow-up Resources

Download the following resources from this webinar:

About: Flooding in New York State is a frequent threat and a costly disaster for communities. Local governments, however, can protect their citizens by taking flood risk reduction measures – and reduce insurance premiums as well. Join Syracuse University’s Environmental Finance Center to learn about FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System (CRS) program.  FEMA’s ​voluntary CRS program credits community efforts beyond minimum floodplain management standards by reducing flood insurance premiums for the community’s property owners.  This free 75 minute webinar provided an introduction to FEMA’s CRS program, followed by a panel discussion where speakers shared their diverse experiences with the CRS program.  Please join us to find out if your community is a good fit for CRS.

This free webinar was co-hosted by the New York State Water Resources Institute, New York State Floodplain and Stormwater Managers Association, and Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center

Presenters and Panelists

John Gauthier, P.E., CFM, Associate Engineer, Town of Greece

Russell Houck, P.E., CFM, Facilities Engineer, City of Syracuse

Nathan Mitchell, Chair of the Piermont Waterfront Resiliency Commission, Village of Piermont

Kristen Hychka, PhD, Research & Outreach Specialist, NYS Water Resources Institute

This webinar has not been submitted to licensing agencies for preapproval of continuing education or training credits. 

Requirements to Receive a Certificate of Attendance: •You must attend the entire 1.5 hour session on the original broadcast date (September 22, 2020) •You must register and attend using your real name and unique email address

Download an agenda here.

It is your responsibility to check with your licensing agency or municipality about its rules and criteria for credit.
The certificate of attendance and agenda may be useful for:
– New York Code Enforcement Official Professional Development Electives
– ASFPM Certified Floodplain Manager Continuing Education Credit Flood-related Virtual Learning Activity
– New York State Planning and Zoning Board training requirements, if your elected board considers the content relevant.

Questions? Contact Meredith at maperrea@syr.edu.

This webinar is based upon work supported under a grant by the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture. 

Webinar: Developing a Wastewater Coronavirus Surveillance System for New York State

Developing a Wastewater Coronavirus Surveillance System for New York State

Presentation Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Note: 
-The first 3.5 minutes of the webinar recording are audio only. Presentations begin at 3.5 minutes.
–Certificates of completion are provided only to those who registered and participated in the webinar on its original broadcast date.

View Webinar Recording

Tracking infectious disease transmission through wastewater has been an important tool for safeguarding public health for 25 years. Recent scientific breakthroughs show that levels of coronavirus genetic material in sewer systems predict cases a week sooner than incident cases seen in the health system. 

In this 75-minute webinar, experts from Syracuse University, Cornell, and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry will introduce their pilot project for tracking levels of coronavirus RNA in New York’s sewer systems. Tracking RNA will provide an advanced warning of an increase in coronavirus transmission in a geographically-targeted area and warn of an incoming surge in cases and hospitalizations. These measures will also help us identify areas where the virus is spreading, waning, or absent.

Ask questions during our facilitated discussion about safe and effective real-time monitoring of coronavirus RNA in wastewater, and learn how this surveillance method can help guide us through the process of reopening the state.

This webinar is organized by Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center, New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) and the New York State Water Resources Institute at Cornell University.

Presenters and Panelists

  • David Larsen, Associate Professor, Public Health, Falk College, Syracuse University
  • Hyatt Green, Assistant Professor, Environmental and Forest Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 
  • Anthony Hay, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Agricultural & Life Sciences, Cornell University

Panelists: 

  • Seth Jensen, Director, Municipal Utilities, City of Auburn, NY
  • Teng Zeng, Assistant Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University
  • Kristen Hychka, Research & Outreach Specialist, New York State Water Resources Institute, Cornell University
  • Rassil Sayess, Research & Outreach Specialist, New York State Water Resources Institute, Cornell University

Facilitation from Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center

This webinar is based upon work supported under a grant by the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture.