For Immediate Release
May 8, 2017

GANDER, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) partnered with Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador to present a session on wastewater management at the 2017 Municipal Symposium last week in Gander.

“New federal wastewater systems effluent regulations are now in effect, yet many of our systems across Newfoundland and Labrador need a substantial investment in order to be in compliance,” said Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director. “The purpose of the session on wastewater management was to provide decision-makers with more information on what these regulations mean to their municipalities, and what some of the potential solutions are.”

The wastewater session included: a review of the national regulations and their implementation; a summary of what those regulations mean for communities across the province; and a panel discussion featuring local wastewater management service providers.

“NEIA members had the opportunity to discuss their expertise in wastewater management, and how their products and services could help meet the needs of municipalities,” said Hanley. “Firms in Newfoundland and Labrador have excellent capabilities to treat wastewater, and as decision-makers develop their plans to comply with the regulations, we want to make sure they are aware of these local solutions.”

Hanley notes that the continued development of capacity within local firms working with wastewater can provide significant longer term economic development opportunities. “There are many other jurisdictions internationally that face the same challenges we do with respect to treating wastewater,” said Hanley. “The expertise we develop here in providing efficient solutions in rural and remote areas where economies of scale are difficult to achieve – can be exported around the world.” Hanley says NEIA actively works with its members to bring their technologies to international markets.

“NEIA would like to thank Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador for allowing us to be a part of their Municipal Symposium,” added Hanley. “It is important that stakeholders on important issues like these work together to achieve the best possible outcomes – from both environmental and economic perspectives.”

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org.

Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org

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