Article submitted by Melissa Carmichael & Tony Jones (Biosolids/Co-Generation Committee)

WEF/IWA Residuals and Biosolids Conference was held May 16–19, 2023, in the beautiful city of Charlotte, North Carolina. This annual event was the 37th Annual Residuals and Biosolids Conference and it was hosted by Water Environment Federation, the International Water Association, NC OneWater and the IWA USA National Committee. Although being nearly 5,000 miles away the conference was well attended by HWEA members. Representatives from City & County of Honolulu, Synagro, Bowers & Kubota,

R. M. Towill, Carollo, and Brown & Caldwell were in attendance as well as many subject matter experts who support our ongoing improvement projects from the mainland. A remarkable display of leaders coming together that will help us all gain the knowledge that will help ensure our islands continue to secure the most cutting edge technologies and allow our future leaders the best chance to tackle the unique challenges of the future! 

The conference began on Tuesday, May 16 with Pre-Conference Workshops focused on regulatory trends, digestion of organics, biosolids advocacy and marketing, and comprehensive biosolids planning.

Day two Wednesday morning the Opening General Session official welcome and kick off of the technical and exhibit portions of the conference. 

 Day three Thursday continued with technical presentations by industrial leaders to cover the latest research, innovations, resource recovery, land management, planning and economics, and bioenergy. 

Friends of Biosolids Social Event was hosted by NC OneWater with an evening of fun and networking. It was great to meet up with those that we normally see in a virtual setting and meet new fellows that will shape us all in the future. 

 Wrapping it up with Day four Friday morning a Dewatering Demo and facility tour of Charlotte Water’s McAlpine Creek Water Facility.