AGENDA
with Class Descriptions
and Speaker Biographies
7:30 am – 8:00 am – Registration & Refreshments
7:30 am – 12:00 pm – Trade Show
8:00 am – 9:00 am – Concurrent Session #1
The Basics of Pipe Locating
1.0 TCH for Water & Wastewater Operators | Tent
This session will cover the basics of how we locate both metallic and non-metallic pipe. We will review the different types of equipment available, how to perform the locate, and troubleshoot difficult locating scenarios.
Instructor: Eric Denslow, Eastcom Associates
Mr. Denslow, Area Sales Manager, has been with Eastcom Associates for over 16 years and is responsible for the training and locator sales throughout New England. Eric has taught many classes for multiple Rural Water Associations, Water Works Associations, and also to the Gas Industry. Prior to joining Eastcom Associates, Eric was a Water Circuit Rider with the New Jersey Water Association for 2 years, and also spent 4 years at the Ocean Twp MUA in Ocean County, NJ.
MassDEP & U.S. EPA Regulatory Roundtable Discussion
1.0 TCH for Water Operators | Indoor
This session will discuss regulatory updates & priorities from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Region 1 for the remainder of 2026 and into 2027.
Instructor: Michael Celona, MassDEP
Mr. Celona is an Environmental Analyst within the Drinking Water Program. His areas of focus include lead in school drinking water, supporting small public water systems, and water operator education and outreach.
Instructor: Andrea Traviglia, U.S. EPA – Region 1
Andrea Traviglia is an environmental engineer in the Drinking Water Quality and Protection Unit at EPA – Region 1; she’s been with EPA for 14 years. She works with the state of Massachusetts in Region 1 and is the coordinator for a number of drinking water rules and programs in the Region. Prior to joining EPA, she worked at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and at Malcolm Pirnie (now Arcadis) as a Project Manager on the Drinking Water Planning and Process Team. Andrea is a registered Professional Engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Tufts University and a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
9:00 am – 9:30 am – B R E A K
9:30 am – 10:30 am – Concurrent Session #2
Cellular Technology & Ultrasonic Metering Technology
1.0 TCH for Water & Wastewater Operators | Tent
This session will provide attendees with a complete overview of Cellular Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Smart Ultrasound Water Metering for water utilities. The advantages of using operational strategies of cellular Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) while utilizing ultrasonic, solid-state water meters to provide the utility with the most comprehensive, data-driven, and efficient method of water meter system management. We will discuss the process of completing an AMI water meter system upgrade from implementation to accessing all system info on any smart device or PC remotely. It will focus on replacing manual reading with cellular-enabled, real-time data transmission to improve billing accuracy. This will allow real-time monitoring of everything from leak detection to temperature and everything in between. The utility can then benefit from the enhanced water management efficiencies and complete customer transparency via a customer portal that allows for 24-hour reads each day. Effectively saving that utility valuable time from the office staff to the field technicians.
Instructor: Chris Boyd, Next Meters
Mr. Boyd brings nearly two decades of experience in the water industry, with a background that spans both distribution and manufacturing. Since 2006, he has worked alongside utilities to design and implement AMR, fixed network AMI, and cellular AMI systems tailored to their operational goals.
Known for his strategic approach and deep industry knowledge, Chris focuses on aligning technology with long-term utility performance. His experience across diverse system architectures allows him to provide clear, actionable guidance in an increasingly complex AMI landscape.
Instructor: Troy Ebbinghausen, F.W. Webb
Mr. Ebbighausen offers over 18 years of Waterworks industry experience; fifteen of those years being spent in the field as a water operator and water meter technician. He oversaw a municipal water department that served more than 16,000 people. In which time he aided in a complete water meter system overhaul bringing his city from AMR manual read to a completely functioning AMI fixed network, which entailed replacing all 5300 water meters and AMI endpoints. He holds a class D water operation certification, bringing to his position at F.W. Webb Company a resource that many rural water associations depend on to instruct classes and share his vast hands-on experience with those who are new to the field, even for your most seasoned water operators. He has collaborated with several Rural Water Associations to assist with classroom trainings.
Funding Your Projects: MassDEP & USDA Options
1.0 TCH for Water & Wastewater Operators | Indoor
MassDEP and the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust will provide an overview of the State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan application process and the benefits of financing water infrastructure projects through the SRF programs. Topics will include, but are not limited to, project eligibility, the added subsidies available for disadvantaged communities, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law supplemental funding for the SRF program. The USDA RD will also present on their programs as well.
Instructor: Gregory Devine, PE, MassDEP
Mr. Devine has worked in the municipal water and wastewater infrastructure industry for 23 years; with nearly equal ties in the private sector as an engineering consultant and in government as an environmental engineer with MassDEP. As a design engineer, Mr. Devine engaged in a variety of planning, design, and construction projects for municipal clients across New England. In his time with MassDEP, Gregory has served as project engineer within the State Revolving Fund program, including his current role as Section Chief, responsible for oversight of all SRF financed projects in the Western Region and the Northeast Region. He also manages the State’s Community Septic Management Program and supports other Agency grant and loan programs. Greg earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Tufts University and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering from UMass Amherst. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Massachusetts and is also a licensed Soils Evaluator in the Commonwealth.
Instructor: Joseph Delbove – USDA RD
Mr. Delbove is with the USDA Rural Development.
Instructor: Megan Llewellyn – USDA RD
Ms. Llewellyn is a Senior Loan Specialist with USDA Rural Development, specializing in the water and wastewater program and the community facilities program. She has extensive experience in the financing of rural water and wastewater systems, public safety complexes, and healthcare facilities utilizing USDA Rural Development funding. She holds a B.S. in Finance and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Connecticut.
10:30 am – 11:00 am – B R E A K
11:00 am – 12:00 pm – Concurrent Session #3
Certified Stenner Technician Training
1.0 TCH for Water & Wastewater Operators | Tent
CST (Certified Stenner Technician) training covers the operation, installation, maintenance, and repair of the Stenner Classic Series Peristaltic Pump.
This hands-on training class will allow participants to make standard tube changes, tubing connections to the pump and disassemble the feed rate control to identify possible wear to internal pump components, Identifying basic repairs at minimal cost. Each person completing the class will receive a CST certificate from Stenner.
This class will cover the following topics:
1. Proper use and application of Stenner Pumps for Water and Wastewater treatment and Commercial Swimming pools.
2.How to troubleshoot and repair Stenner pumps.
3. Learn how to service and repair: Tube changes, Feed Rate Control, Gear case maintenance. As well as how to properly maintain suction and discharge tubing lines and injector fittings.
Instructor: Kevin Moran, Stenner Pumps
Kevin Moran is the Regional Manager for Stenner Pumps in the Northeast, covering 9 states (Maine to Pennsylvania ) and eastern Canada. Kevin’s home office is in Arlington, MA. (Just west of Boston MA.) Kevin has over 35 years of experience in the Design, Manufacturing and Sale of peristaltic and electronic metering pumps and water treatment related equipment. Kevin joined Stenner Pump Company in 2022 and has conducted hundreds of CST training courses for Water, Wastewater and Industrial Water Treatment professionals.
PFAS Treatment Technologies: Options, Trade0-Offs, Decision Factors, Technical Support, and Grant Programs
1.0 TCH for Water Operators | Indoor
MassDEP Drinking Water Program and UMass Amherst are providing training related to the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant. This training will present a high-level overview of the most commonly used PFAS treatment technologies for drinking water, including how they work in practice and where they fit best within a treatment process. The webinar will discuss and compare key pros, cons, and real-world considerations, including performance, costs, operations, residuals, and implementation, to help you make informed treatment decisions. This webinar will also cover available technical support and provide a brief summary of the Emerging Contaminants Grant Programs.
Instructor: Shane Hancox, UMass-Amherst
Mr. Hancox is a Research Fellow and Ph.D. student in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering at UMass Amherst. His research focuses on the degradation of emerging contaminants, including PFAS, using advanced electrochemical processes. Before starting his Ph.D., Shane worked as a Scientist at Sublime Systems, where he contributed to developing technologies to decarbonize cement production. He earned his Master’s in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering from UMass Amherst in 2024 where his work focused on the synthesis and application of mixed metal oxide electrodes for advanced oxidation in water and wastewater treatment.
Instructor: Abby Jacobs, MassDEP
Ms. Jacobs is the MassDEP Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) grant manager and has been with MassDEP for three years. She manages all aspects of the grant program, from managing workplans to EPA, PWS projects through the grant process, personnel, and coordinating communication with all stakeholders. She’s worked for 15+ years in environmental science and in the drinking water industry. She earned a B.S. In Marine Science from the University of Maine, and an M.S. In Biology from Loyola University Chicago.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – L U N C H B R E A K
BBQ Lunch | Annual Meeting | Drinking Water Taste Test
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Concurrent Session #4
PVC Pipe Installation Best Practices for Water & Wastewater Applications
2.0 TCH for Water & Wastewater Operators | Tent
This session will cover best practices for the proper installation of PVC pipes in water and wastewater applications. Topics will include jobsite handling, joining, tapping, trenching, etc. The class will also debunk common misconceptions when using PVC pipe.
Instructor: Thomas Peters, National Pipe & Plastics
Mr. Peters is an Engineer with National Pipe & Plastics. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and is based in Medford, MA. He joined National Pipe & Plastics in 2023 and provides technical support for National’s various PVC pipe products. Thomas is also an active member on PVC pipe committees such as AWWA and ASTM.
Advancements in Potable Water Disinfection & Distribution System Monitoring
2.0 TCH for Water Operators | Indoor
Attendees will gain clarity on chlorine dosing control, residual management, and the operational importance of maintaining stable disinfectant levels from plant to distribution endpoints. We will also address the formation and control of regulated disinfection byproducts, particularly trihalomethanes (THMs). Operational strategies such as system mixing, storage management, standpipe considerations, and air stripping (“blowing”) will be reviewed as practical mitigation approaches.
Instructor: Matthew Brunetti, Tensile Water
Mr. Brunetti is the Owner of Tensile Water
Instructor: Jeffrey Glavin, Tensile Water
Mr. Glavin is the Regional Sales Manager for Halogen Systems, with 30+ years in the water industry. He is the former Director of US Support Services for Flow & Analytical Equipment for ABB.