FWEA Chapter Corner— First Coast Chapter: Getting Bigger and Better

Welcome to the FWEA Chapter Corner! The Member Relations Committee of the

Florida Water EnvironmentvAssociation hosts this article to celebrate the success of recent association chapter activities and inform members of upcoming events. To have information included for your chapter, send details to Melody Gonzalez at gonzalezm@bv.com. Melody Gonzalez

First Coast Chapter: Getting Bigger and Better Every Year

First Coast Chapter is growing fast and looking for volunteers and sponsors

Manasi Parekh

First Coast Chapter leaders and volunteers at the Don Maurer Putting Tournament.

Young professionals and veterans networking event held at Veterans United Brewing in Jacksonville.

Overview of First Coast Events

The First Coast Chapter holds several social and technical events jointly with FSAWWA Region II. The year kicked off with the Sporting Clays event, which is held annually on Presidents’ Day. This event was held at the Saltwaters Shooting Club in St. Augustine and was accompanied by an amazing barbeque lunch and raffle prizes.

The chapter hosts a spring luncheon in conjunction with the FSAWWA Region II Drop Savers Poster Contest and Best Tasting Drinking Water Contest. In 2022, this event, at the San Jose Country Club, was very well-attended. Following the luncheon was the Don Maurer Putting Tournament held at TPC Sawgrass. The proceeds from this event go toward the Don Maurer Scholarship Fund at the University of Florida. This is one of the flagship events of the chapter and has seen over 130 participants.

The annual golf tournament at the end of summer was another flagship event, held at the St. Johns Golf and Country Club. Other summer events included the annual fishing tournament and young professionals and veterans networking events.

Last but not the least, we ended the year with a holiday social and toy drive. This is a member appreciation event to acknowledge all members, volunteers, and sponsors; take a look back on the previous year; and get energized for the upcoming year. This event, at Aardwolf Brewing in Jacksonville, was well-attended and included students from our thriving student chapters at University of Florida and University of North Florida.

Show Your Support!

We are continuously seeking volunteers and sponsors to join us in the continued growth of the First Coast Chapter and the numerous events we host year round. If you would like more information about getting involved, either as an individual or with company support, please feel to reach out to the chair of the chapter, Dave Rasmussen, at DRasmussen@ardurra.com.

Manasi Parekh, P.E., is past chair of the FWEA First Coast Chapter, chair of the Seminars Committee, and secretary of the Wastewater Process Committee. S