[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 134 (Tuesday, August 8, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E761]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING TOM SIGMUND

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MIKE GALLAGHER

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 8, 2023

  Mr. GALLAGHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tom Sigmund for 
his service and accomplishments as the executive director of NEW Water 
and president of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies.
  Mr. Sigmund has committed his career to improving water quality 
throughout Wisconsin, as well as promoting a national water policy to 
create a more equitable water future. On July 13, 2023, Mr. Sigmund 
completed his service as president of the National Association of Clean 
Water Agencies. I stand today to recognize Mr. Sigmund's impressive 
leadership at NACWA as well as his service to the clean water industry.
  Since 2007, Mr. Sigmund has led NEW Water, the brand of the Green Bay 
Metropolitan Sewerage District, as its executive director, facilitating 
the delivery of the utility's wholesale conveyance and treatment 
services to 238,000 people throughout 15 municipalities in Northeast 
Wisconsin. Under Mr. Sigmund's leadership, NEW Water has achieved 100 
percent permit compliance and ushered in a new era for the utility in 
recognizing that material sent to the facilities is a valuable resource 
to be recovered and reused. He orchestrated the Resource Recovery and 
Electrical Energy, or R2E2, project, which recovers valuable resources 
from the wastewater stream to produce electricity and recovers heat for 
processes that run the facility.
  Mr. Sigmund aided in creating a circular reclaimed water system that 
was developed with a national paper mill, boosting economic development 
for the region, and providing a sustainable solution for the industry. 
Mr. Sigmund launched an adaptive management approach to achieve water 
quality improvements more cost effectively by working collaboratively 
across rural landscapes in the Green Bay watershed. These efforts 
target a reduction of sediment and excess nutrient run-off into 
impaired waterways, an improved ecosystem, and a pathway for continued 
success.
  Under his leadership, NEW Water entered a partnership with NASA to 
advance scientific knowledge of harmful algal blooms and their impact 
on public health. This initiative is housed under NEW Water's Aquatic 
Monitoring Program, which was established in 1986 and is one of the 
longest running water quality monitoring programs on the Great Lakes. 
Mr. Sigmund also supports his community by creating an educational 
STEAM Superheroes Camp with the local Boys & Girls Club to build 
critical skillsets, inspire water stewardship, and establish a talent 
pipeline for future employees.
  During the early stages of the pandemic, NEW Water joined the 
Wisconsin Wastewater Surveillance Program to advance public health 
efforts to understand COVID-19 in the community. Mr. Sigmund received 
his Bachelor and Master of Science in Civil and Environmental 
Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. A licensed professional 
engineer in Wisconsin and Ohio, he has served and continues to serve on 
board and leadership positions at various organizations. He chaired the 
Water Resources Utility of the Future Task Force, which developed the 
Water Resources Utility of the Future Blueprint for Action. He served 
as a member of the Utility Advisory Group, where he helped develop 
publications on Effective Utility Management related to water and 
wastewater utilities, as well as other sustainability efforts. A 
recipient of the NACWA President's Award, Mr. Sigmund is also a Water 
Environment Federation, or WEF, fellow. He has received the WEF William 
D. Hatfield Award and the WEF Schroepfer Innovative Facility Design 
Medal.
  These accolades and awards attest to Mr. Sigmund's dedication to the 
clean water industry. His strong character and visionary leadership 
have been instrumental in charting a course for improved water quality, 
particularly in Lake Michigan's Green Bay. I thank Mr. Sigmund for his 
commitment to Northeast Wisconsin, and I congratulate him on completing 
his service as NACWA president.

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