NEW Water News | NEW Water

E-News from NEW Water (Q1 2025)

Written by NEW Water | April 2, 2025

Image caption, left to right: Tricia Garrison, Public Affairs & Education (PA&E) Manager at NEW Water; Linda Gustke; Jeff Smudde, Director of Environmental Programs at NEW Water; Erin Houghton, Watershed Programs Manager at NEW Water; and Erin Collar, PA&E Specialist at NEW Water.

NEW Watershed Champion

We’re thrilled to announce Linda Gustke, Director of Education at the Green Bay Botanical Garden, as the recipient of the 2025 NEW Watershed Champion Award in honor of #WorldWaterDay! Congratulations, Linda!

Learn more about how Linda is inspiring and educating youth about the importance of water >>

PFAS annual data summary

As part of ongoing pollution prevention efforts, NEW Water conducted sampling at its two treatment facilities and monitoring within the collection system at major service area contribution locations, residential/commercial areas, and at industrial facilities that are known or potential PFAS sources. After a quality assurance/quality control review, a 2024 annual data summary has been compiled. Read more >>

Local industries lauded

NEW Water applauds local industries, which received Significant Industrial User Awards for achieving permit compliance! See the list of this year's awardees >>

National Environmental Achievement Award

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) has recognized NEW Water with National Environmental Achievement Award for Public Information & Education for its video “Critical Assets: Protecting Your Health, Every Day”. Read more >>

Watershed efforts highlighted

In the news: Clean Water Podcast

The #CleanWaterPod podcast featured innovative and cost-effective watershed work happening throughout Wisconsin, including with NEW Water. Erin Houghton, Watershed Programs Manager, shared her thoughts and expertise on happenings. Listen here >>

NEW Watershed Program Annual Luncheon

In February, NEW Water held an annual meeting with watershed partners to say thank you for contributing to three years of successful program implementation. Partnerships with landowners, farmers, municipalities, and other entities both rural and urban have helped improve area waterways through best management practices on land. Learn more about the Program >> 

Addressing funding challenges

  • NEW Water has joined a state-wide effort to reduce the financial burden of Northeast Wisconsin residents for critical wastewater and water services. Each year, area ratepayers benefit from NEW Water’s participation in the state of Wisconsin’s Clean Water Fund Program, to offset costs for financing projects. For the first time in its history, the program did not have sufficient funding for projects in 2024. Learn more >>

  • Tree grant update: In March, NEW Water was alerted that transitions underway at the U.S. Forest Service, which is the funding agency behind the grant to purchase some 3,600 trees in our region, may impact the program. NEW Water continues monitoring this issue. Read more >>

What's New at NEW Water

NEW Water held a quarterly update meeting with municipal and industrial partners on March 24, with topics including funding challenges, strategic financial planning, Capital Improvement Project updates, Inflow & Infiltration updates, and PFAS. See the presentation >> 

Welcome Commissioner Herrman!

We are pleased to welcome Commissioner Allan Herrman to NEW Water's Commission! Appointed for a five-year term, Commissioner Herrman officially joined us in January 2025. We look forward to his contribution and leadership. Learn more about Commissioner Herrman >>