SIUE’s ERTC Hosts 2026 IAWPCO Southern Regional Conference
The Environmental Resources Training Center (ERTC) on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, hosted the 2026 Illinois Association of Water Pollution Control Operators (IAWPCO) Southern Regional Conference on October 20. This is the second year ERTC has hosted the annual event.
IAWPCO is the statewide water pollution control operator’s association that brings wastewater treatment professionals that represent government municipalities, private industries, universities and apprentices across the state. Their mission is dedicated to improving the environment through the advancement of knowledge and technology.
Conference attendees included current president, Jeff Reininger (City of South Beloit) , Executive Director Doug Armstrong (city of Addison) and Secretary Treasurer Josh Stevens (Bloomington-Normal Reclamation District). Students at ERTC and Operators throughout the southern region of Illinois heard training presentations and met with water-oriented organizations.
ERTC Director Rick Lallish addressed the crowd with updates on ERTC and IEPA information.
Lunch and networking opportunities were provided.
SIUE School of Engineering Dean Liang Cheng, PhD, and Associate Dean, Chris Gordon, PhD, were also in attendance. Cheng and Armstrong discussed possible coordination and collaborations in the future.
IAWPCO has a joint conference with IWEA (Illinois Water Environment Association) in March. ERTC will be instrumental in the spring conference, providing wastewater training presentations. ERTC students are offered a unique opportunity to attend. IAWPCO also presented at conferences for Central Illinois in Decatur on October 21 and Northern Illinois in Rockford on October 22.
PHOTO: The 2026 IAWPCO Southern Regional Conference at ERTC
