Memphremagog watershed, free online Leachate Symposium

“Leachate” is the liquid residue from landfills. The Memphremagog Watershed Association (MWA) invited members of the public curious to know more about leachate management practices to join a free, online Leachate Symposium, Monday Jan. 31 from 7-9 p.m.

The MWA promises an informative and technical discussion offering unbiased and accurate information for the public. The Vermont-based not-for-profit notes that leachate and its treatment within the Memphremagog watershed has been a hot topic on both sides of the Canada-u.s. border.

The expert panel and Q&A will be free and open to the public via Zoom with moderation by a professional facilitator. Pre-registration is required. Visit the Events sections of www.mwavt.org to sign up.

“MWA understands that leachate is a fact of landfills and hopes that by informing the public, rational and thoughtful discussions can result between all parties,” states Mary Pat Goulding, ex-officio board member. “This is not a topic unique to our location, and we hope to gain some insight from others across the country and the world with this symposium.”

MWA notes that Vermont’s only active landfill is situated near Lake Memphremagog, and that about three quarters of the water that feeds the Lake comes from Vermont whereas three quarters of its surface area is in Canada.

A map in the cross-border watersheds section of the International Joint Commission website, circumscribes a Lake Memphremagog watershed that includes the Barton, Black, Clyde and Johns Rivers in Vermont, as well as the Magog, St-francois, Saumon, Saumons, Eaton, Moe, and Coaticook Rivers in Quebec.

Panelists will include Justin Pimpare, Regional Pretreatment Coordinator, New England Office, Environmental Protection Agency; Anne Tavrlire, Pretreatment Program Specialist, Water Resources Division/emerging Pollutant Section, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy; Rick Burns, Michigan Rural Water Association; Amy Dindal, Director of Environmental Research & Development, Battelle Laboratories; Nick Giannetti, Pretreatment Coordinator, Vermont Agency of Natural Resource, Department of Environmental Conservation; and Kasey Kathan, Vermont Solid

Waste Program, Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation.

MWA was founded in 2007 to preserve of the environment and natural beauty of the Memphremagog watershed. Its mission is to inform and educate the public concerning issues related to the watershed. The association collaborates with Memphremagog Conservation Incorporated (MCI) in Magog, as well as the Northwoods Stewardship Center and various lake associations throughout the watershed.