AWWA, WRF & ANZBP Joint Webinar: From Research to Practice: Advancing Biosolids Management

Written by Laura Jarimba | Oct 20, 2026, 4:48:40 AM

Join the Australian and New Zealand Biosolids Partnership (ANZBP), the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the Water Research Foundation (WRF) for an international discussion on the latest research and practical approaches to biosolids management.

Bringing together perspectives from Australia, New Zealand and North America, this webinar will explore recent research, industry developments and the challenges facing utilities and biosolids professionals. The session will feature presentations on research and industry findings, followed by a panel discussion on how research can inform decision-making and support practical biosolids management solutions.

Whether you work in a utility, consultancy, research organisation or across the broader biosolids sector, this webinar offers an opportunity to hear different perspectives and connect with industry colleagues across the two regions.

The webinar will begin with two presentations showcasing an Australian study from the Australian & New Zealand Biosolids Partnership (ANZBP) and a US study from the Water Research Foundation (WRF), presented by Maitreyi Nagarkar. This will be followed by a panel discussion featuring two panellists from Australia, Dr. Sonja Toft and Dr. Glenn Dale, and two from North America, Micah Blate and Dr. John Norton. The panel will explore the practical implications of the research, with an opportunity for attendees to ask questions.

Speakers

Facilitator
	Rob Tinholt Chair, Watercare, Auckland, New Zealand Rob is Watercare’s Resource Recovery Manager with a primary focus on creating beneficial reuse pathways for Auckland’s biosolids. He is developing products through his understanding of technology and the soil needs of end markets. He has over 20 years experience as a wastewater engineer and has been responsible for the planning, construction and operation of many wastewater assets. Rob also has delivered successful outcomes in complex resource consent applications for significant discharges to the environment, requiring an understanding of statutory planning frameworks and consultation with stakeholders and Iwi. His approach is to create a collaborative environment to achieve sustainable and economic outcomes.
Speakers
	Nicholas Bates Hunter Water Nicholas Bates is the Program Lead for Biosolids and Resources at Hunter Water. A chartered chemical engineer with 17 years of experience in the water industry, Nicholas is dedicated to a sustainable and circular approach to biosolids management and taking action on climate change.
	Maitreyi Nagarkar Research Manager, Water Research Foundation Maitreyi Nagarkar is a Research Manager at the Water Research Foundation, with a portfolio of projects related to solids management, nutrient removal, and resource recovery. Maitreyi has a B.S in Biology from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA and a PhD in Marine Biology from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego, CA, where her research focused on marine microbial ecology and environmental sequencing. Subsequently, she completed her post-doctoral research at the US EPA Office of Research and Development, where she conducted wastewater surveillance for microbial pathogens.
Panelists
	Dr. John Norton Vice President and co-founder, Midwest Biosolids Association (MBA) and Chair, AWWA Joint Section Research Committee Dr. John Norton is Vice President and co-founder of the Midwest Biosolids Association (MBA) and chair of the MBA annual conference. He was Principal Investigator of a US Department of Energy-funded $1.8 million biosolids hydrothermal liquefaction validation study and co-Principal Investigator of a $2.2 million “Pollutants in Biosolids” study funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency. He was editor of the recently published WEF book “Resource Recovery Handbook, and is currently the chair of the AWWA Joint Section Research Committee. John has focused his career on aligning various resources to address utility and operational needs.
	Glenn Dale Founder, Verterra Ecological Engineering Glenn is the founder and Managing Director of Verterra Ecological Engineering, Adjunct Associate Professor with the University of Southern Queensland, and a founding member of Foresters without Borders management committee. Glenn holds degrees in forestry and biochemistry, an MBA and PhD in Molecular & Quantitative Genetics. Glenn has over 32 years’ experience in natural resource management and ecological engineering, with broad international experience including New Zealand, China, USA, England, Spain, Portugal, Malaysia, Colombia, Brazil, Tanzania and Rwanda. Glenn has particular expertise in plant water use, plant nutrition, degraded land and mine site rehabilitation, soil conservation, carbon sequestration and erosion management relevant to beneficial use of biosolids as a valuable nutrition and soil conditioning product.
	Micah Blate Hazen & Sawyer Micah Blate has 14 years of experience in the wastewater industry, supporting utilities with process support, modeling, optimization, upset support, feasibility, study, and design of wastewater and biosolids facilities. His work includes calibrating whole plant process models, process upset support, process optimization, evaluation/implementation of nutrient removal strategies, as well as the design of new facilities. Additionally, Micah is experienced in lab, benchtop, and full-scale piloting, and applied research, and is currently a PhD Candidate studying PFAS behavior in liquid and solids matrices.
	Dr. Sonja Toft Manager of the Process Engineering team in Resource Recovery (RR), Urban Utilities Dr Sonja Toft is the Manager of the Process Engineering team in Resource Recovery (RR) at Urban Utilities. Applying over 20 years of expertise in wastewater treatment process and operation, this role involves providing specialist technical leadership and playing a critical role in the business transformation of Resource Recovery, including biosolids resilience as a key strategic focus. The Resource Recovery group covers the operation and optimisation of 27 wastewater treatment plants, 22 recycled water schemes, biosolids and energy recovery systems.

Event Details

Date	Tuesday 17 November 2026
Time	9:00am - 10:00am AEDT
Venue	Webinar - Online

For more information please contact:
Locus Liu, International and Industry Program Coordinator
E: LLiu@awa.asn.au

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