Page last updated: May 5, 2020  |  This page will be updated periodically with limited general information, MWEA events information, and links to trusted sites for the most up-to-date official information.

Thank you for your understanding during this challenging time and for your continued support of MWEA. We understand that our members are concerned about the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its potential impacts on MWEA functions. Our staff are meeting daily and closely monitoring news from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); World Health Organization (WHO); and the State of Michigan. 

Page navigation:
Emergency Operator Staffing
Mental Health - Stress and Coping Strategies
Water Sector Virtual Meetings (Part 1 and Part 2) Recordings
Waters Worth It / Coronavirus Social Media Toolkit
Additional Information and Resources
MWEA Event Status Updates




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Emergency Operator Staffing:
The water sector in Michigan is one large community, and we want to help each other in this time of need.


Complete this form if you can be available to help keep Michigan's water and wastewater operations running for those facilities that find themselves short staffed due to illness.  Your information will be shared with any water or water recovery facility manager in your area who request help to supplement their staff.

Do you NEED staff?  Please REQUEST to view the volunteer operator pool from Allison Wood, MWEA Executive Director (awood@mi-wea.org or 517-903-0032).  For privacy reasons, the information cannot be posted online. 




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This is an unprecedented situation for most of us, and we want to provide you with resources to address your mental health.  People handle stress differently, and whatever you are feeling, it is okay to have those feelings.  If you, or a loved one, or a coworker, or a friend is struggling right now, feeling isolated, feeling trapped, having fears about what is going on around us right now, hopefully you can find some help here: MWEA Coronavirus Outbreak Mental Health Resources



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NEW: Recordings and helpful links from the second round of meetings held on 4/13 and 4/15.

Below are the links to view the recordings on You Tube. These are not public recordings, so you can't share the videos, but you can forward the link to a colleague. 
Monday, April 13th, 2:00pmFULL VIDEO RECORDING (YouTube Link) Please note: actual presentation starts at 1 minute in.
Wednesday, April 15th, 9:00am: FULL VIDEO RECORDING (YouTube Link)

Links from the meeting discussion:
Enforcement Discretion Due to COVID-19
EGLE and the Coronavirus FAQs
Executive Order 2020-48 (Temporary authorization of remote participation in public meetings and hearings and temporary relief from monthly meeting requirements for school boards):


Recordings and chat sessions from the first round of webinarsPlease note the Friday, 3/27 call had technical difficulties and did not record. 
Monday, March 23rd, 3:00pm (Regions 3 and 6, hosted by Wayne Jernberg)
FULL VIDEO RECORDING (YouTube Link)  |  AUDIO-ONLY RECORDING CHAT SESSION SUMMARY

Tuesday, March 24th, 1:00pm (Regions 2 North and 2 South, hosted by Don Grice)
FULL VIDEO RECORDING (YouTube Link)  |  AUDIO-ONLY RECORDING CHAT SESSION SUMMARY

Wednesday, March 25th, 9:00am (Region 7, hosted by Tim Neumann)
FULL VIDEO RECORDING (YouTube Link)  |  AUDIO-ONLY RECORDING  |   CHAT SESSION SUMMARY

Thursday, March 26th, 10:00am (Regions 1 and 5, hosted by Clyde Dugan)
FULL VIDEO RECORDING (YouTube Link)  |  AUDIO-ONLY RECORDING  |   CHAT SESSION SUMMARY

Friday, March 27th, 9:00am (Region 8, hosted by Tim Neumann)  recordings unavailable




The Water Environment Federation has put together a Waters Worth It / Coronavirus Social Media Toolkit.  It contains social media graphics, web banners, fact sheets and more.  




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Following the announcement on March 11th from MI-DHHS that recommended canceling any events over 100 people, MWEA Board of Directors and staff have made the difficult decision to postpone, cancel or reformat many of our upcoming events. Please see below for updates. 

This situation is developing rapidly. Please use the links below to access more updated and in-depth information:

*NEW* Links to Michigan Chamber members with PPE for sale

CDC Interim Guidance for Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers

Water Environment Federation: Water-Sector Specific Information

Water Environment Federation: Trusted Sources for News

Water Environment Federation: General Information

Coronavirus information from State of Michigan

MRWA Sustaining Operations Checklist


Tips from the MWEA Health & Safety Committee (updated 3.16.2020)

Sample Voluntary Employee Health Questionnaire

Confirmed Positive COVID-19 Test – 10 Steps for Employers

I think I have been exposed to COVID-19, what should I do?




AnchorUpdates on MWEA Events:

The following events are CANCELED:

  • Fundamentals of Wastewater Math II | March 18 in Midland
  • Managing Sustainable Process Seminar | April 2 in Oakland County 
  • 2020 MWEA Local Section 21 Wastewater Operators Conference | May 2020
  • Scholarship Golf Outing | May 20 in Pinckney

The following events are POSTPONED (dates will be announced as they are confirmed):

**The MWEA Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to suspend all in-person events and trainings until the end of May. The health and safety of our members is our primary concern at this time. We are working on virtual options for training and will post updates as available.

All rescheduled classes are with hopes that the State of Michigan will be open to having small gatherings. We currently have the classes open for registration with a maximum of 10 attendees per class. All attendees are asked to stay home if they do not feel well. All attendees must wear a mask and maintain 6ft social distancing. 


MARCH

  • C&D Exam Prep | March 18-19 in Linden, MI   **RESCHEDULED to July 15 & 16**
  • Fundamentals of Wastewater Math II | March 20 in Escanaba
  • MI Watershed Summit | March 25 in East Lansing *rescheduled to July 15*
  • 2020 Biosolids Conference | March 25-26 in Holland *rescheduled to August 19-20*
  • C&D Exam Prep | March 24-25 at NKSA **RESCHEDULED to July 21 & 22**
  • C&D Exam Prep | March 26-27 in Boyne City  **RESCHEDULED to July 7 & 8**
APRIL
  • C&D Exam Prep | April 1-2 in Taylor  **RESCHEDULED to July 14 & 15**
  • C&D Exam Prep | April 1-2 at SHVUA  **RESCHEDULED to July 1 & 2**
  • C&D Exam Prep | Apil 7-8 in Kalamazoo  **RESCHEDULED to July 7 & 8**
  • C&D Exam Prep | April 7-9 in SCCUMA  **RESCHEDULED to July 8,9,10**
  • A&B Exam Prep | April 9-10 in Boyne City  CANCELLED
  • Maintenance 2 | April 15 in Kalamazoo  **RESCHEDULED to October 13**
  • Tertiary & Disinfection | April 16 in Grandville  **RESCHEDULED to August 4**
  • Fund. of Activated Sludge 1 | April 17 in Escanaba  CANCELLED
  • Fund. of Activated Sludge 1 | April 21 in Bay City   CANCELLED
  • Workforce Development Workshop | April 22 in East Lansing *rescheduled to October 29*
  • Fund. of Wastewater Math 1 | April 23 at South Huron  **RESCHEDULED to September 17**
  • Purpose & Fundamentals | April 23 in Linden  **RESCHEDULED to August 5**
  • Health & Safety | April 29 in Grandville  **RESCHEDULED to August 11**
MAY
  • Fund. of Solids Handling | May 13 in Grandville   **RESCHEDULED to July 29**
  • Fund. of Wastewate Math 2 | May 14 at South Huron   CANCELLED
  • Lab Practices Seminar | May 14 in East Lansing *rescheduled to August 26*
  • Fund. of Activated Sludge 2 | May 15 in Escanaba   CANCELLED
  • Preliminary, Primary & Secondary Treatment | May 21 in Linden   CANCELLED
  • Lagoon Seminar | May 28 in East Lansing *rescheduled to August 6*
The following events are PROCEEDING AS PLANNED:

JUNE
  • Effective Utility Mgmt Workshop | June 6 in East Lansing 
  • 95th Annual Conference | June 20-24 in Grand Rapids *Annual Conference has not been canceled, but MWEA Board of Directors and Staff are actively monitoring updates and recommendations on group gatherings*
  • Fund. of Wastewater Math 2 | June 25 at South Huron

Presently, no Federal restrictions are in place to prevent meetings and travel in the United States. Registration is temporarily closed for some events as we await further information.

Ultimately, we encourage everyone to make responsible decisions and stay home/do not travel if they are feeling unwell or have had contact with a known case of the COVID-19 virus.

Protect Yourself and Others from Contagion




The contents of the MWEA website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the website (Content) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the MWEA website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 or local emergency number immediately. MWEA does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the website. Reliance on any information provided by MWEA on the website is solely at your own risk.