Wastewater, a nice way of saying sewage, is not exactly a sexy topic and surely one that doesn’t command headlines unless, of course, there’s a disaster.

Yet, as the state’s 19 wastewater treatment plants are transforming 119 million gallons of sewage into usable water daily, they play a huge role in ensuring a healthy, clean and sustainable environment. In that context, Bill Patenaude is a big deal. He’s the founder of the Department of Environmental Management’s Wastewater Boot Camp.

It doesn’t stop there for Patenaude, a principal engineer in DEM’s Office of Water Resources. He is also a key player in a project to improve the storm/flood resiliency of wastewater facilities in the state.

Those were two of Patenaude’s contributions identified by Paul Dombrowski, a nationally known wastewater process and design engineer with Woodard & Curran Inc. in nominating him for the Clair N. Sawyer Award from the New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA). Patenaude was presented the award Wednesday at NEWEA’s annual conference in Boston.

Established in 1976, the award honors those who have given truly outstanding service in one or more of the following aspects of the wastewater industry: university teaching, operator training, research, application of innovation to improve the water environment, and the development of technical publications that advance the knowledge of wastewater practitioners. The award is named for Dr. Clair N. Sawyer who served New England, the nation, and the world as a professor, consultant, and technical author who pioneered many innovative concepts in wastewater treatment technology.

In nominating Patenaude, Dombrowski said, “Bill’s passion for protecting the environment and for supporting the folks who serve on the front lines of the wastewater industry is without equal. It is truly a pleasure to both work with Bill and to help our professional community recognize someone who makes such a difference for our region.”

Patenaude has worked at DEM for 30 years and is responsible for enforcement and training activities for wastewater treatment operators in Rhode Island. In 2007 he initiated DEM’s Wastewater Leadership Boot Camp, which to date has provided training to more than 80 aspiring wastewater treatment facility managers. This free, industry-driven program provides intensive training, networking, and skill-development course work to help groom the next generation of wastewater management leaders. Rhode Island’s Boot Camp program has since been replicated and is ongoing in every New England state.

He also has been a key player in a project to improve the storm/flood resiliency of wastewater facilities in RI. Implications of Climate Change for RI Wastewater Collection & Treatment Infrastructure examined Rhode Island’s 19 major public wastewater treatment facilities and major collection system infrastructure, and the physical impacts that could be sustained at these facilities from projected increases in storm intensities, rainfall amounts, and rising seas. Its goal is to help state agencies and communities consider how best to protect this critical and expensive infrastructure in current and future conditions.

A resident of West Warwick, Patenaude holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Rhode Island and an M.A. in theology from Providence College. In addition, he is a certified Myers-Briggs Type facilitator and an acclaimed speaker and writer with a focus on the intersections of religion and environmental protection.