This April, New Hampshire was well represented in Washington, DC during the National Water Week Fly-In with the American Water Works Association (AWWA). I was fortunate to represent and partner with AWWA, NEWWA, NEWEA, NHWPCA, and NHWWA, bringing New Hampshire’s “One Water” priorities to Capitol Hill.

This year’s NH team included April Sargent of RMI, NHWPCA Government Affairs Committee Chair; Tracy Wood of NHDES; and Nora Sinno of Hazen and Sawyer, NHWWA YP Treasurer. Together, we met with all four members of New Hampshire’s congressional delegation and/or their staff to emphasize the importance of sustained funding, resilient infrastructure, cybersecurity, workforce development, PFAS, affordable housing, and science-based decision-making.

Our first meeting was with Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s office, where the full team met with congressional staffer Anna M. Ricci. We discussed infrastructure needs, cybersecurity, workforce challenges, current legislation, and the continued need for strong federal funding. We also expressed appreciation for Senator Shaheen’s long-standing willingness to listen to New Hampshire’s water community as she prepares for retirement.

Nora and I then met with Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, who was enthusiastic about New Hampshire’s “One Water” approach and interested in applying NHWWA concepts in her work on Capitol Hill. April and Tracy later met with Senator Maggie Hassan’s office and staff member Nick Caron, with Senator Hassan joining briefly to discuss funding, cybersecurity, PFAS, workforce needs, and affordable housing.

We concluded our Capitol Hill meetings with Congressman Chris Pappas’s office, where Nora and I met with Savannah Rogers, James Beaurdy, and Congressman Pappas directly. The discussion was candid and productive, covering the serious issues facing the water sector and reinforcing the importance of continued communication between NHWWA and federal leaders.

This year’s fly-in reinforced that New Hampshire is already leading with a collaborative “One Water” mindset. NHWWA looks forward to continuing its partnership with NHWPCA through more combined events and shared advocacy. As we prepare for the next legislative year in New Hampshire and return to DC in 2027, we will continue to advocate for practical, science-based solutions that put New Hampshire’s water needs first.