Nicholas DeVecchis was appointed a three-year term on the Board of Trustees of the American Water Works Association of New Jersey.
By Krista Cerminaro
Born and raised in Washington Township, Nicholas DeVecchis said working in the water industry has been tremendous for himself, his family and his career.
According to the international nonprofit organization Water for People — where DeVecchis has served as chairman of the New Jersey section committee in 2016 and 2017 — 2.1 billion people lack access to safe water and 4.5 billion lack access to basic sanitation, such as toilets and hand-washing stations.
“Women spend their entire days just getting access to water. They get up in the morning, and walk two to three miles to a local water source, multiple times a day, and women are the ones that bear the burden. While the men are out working, women are trying to tend to the home, and what’s more important to a home than access to clean water for sanitation, cooking, things like that?” DeVecchis said. “As a father of two young girls, thinking that’s the life that billions of women across the world live trying to get access, [it] doesn’t seem right to me.”
DeVecchis, who strives to do his part in giving back to those in need, said when he was presented with the opportunity to serve in a leadership capacity — he jumped.
DeVecchis was recently appointed to a three-year term on the board of trustees of the American Water Works Association of New Jersey, a volunteer position that will allow him to provide guidance to AWWA NJ and address the state’s water challenges.
“I’ve really grown to love the industry,” DeVecchis said. “There’s a lot of good people with a good mission — to provide clean, safe water to people in New Jersey.”
During his time as chairman, the New Jersey section of Water for People was able to raise $275,000 for the organization — which was started by AWWA in 1991 to provide clean water and basic sanitation services to less fortunate people around the world.
“That goes a long way in providing clean water for folks,” DeVecchis said. “We take it for granted in this country. We turn the tap on, and it’s there.”
DeVecchis said some of the challenges New Jersey faces include supply and resilience.
“Supply is certainly an important one, because we’re a growing state. New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the country,” DeVecchis explained. “Think about the growth that’s happening in and around Washington Township.”
DeVecchis noted new strip malls, warehouses and other new development coming about in the state come with a need for more water, and making sure there’s a sufficient supply and strong utilities is crucial for the economy to sustain itself.
Additionally, DeVecchis said with storms intensifying and increasing in frequency, it’s important to make sure utilities are equipped to handle them.
“Making sure we’re building resilient water facilities, redundant sources of supply and ways to move water around the state, that’s very important. [And] making sure there’s inner connectivity between various water utilities.”
DeVecchis said the industry is a 24–7, 365 operation.
“Water never stops — not for holidays, not for weekends. It doesn’t matter — the water’s always running,” DeVecchis said. “There’s no such thing as a holiday in the water business.”
DeVecchis also noted another water challenge is bringing a wave of youth to the industry.
“One of the biggest problems I think, today, is the lack of new, young talent coming into the industry,” DeVecchis explained. “The association is really focused on making sure we’re reaching out to the next generation of water utility operators, and giving them the opportunity to learn about the industry.”
DeVecchis said the AWWA also awards scholarships to those looking to turn their passion into a career.
“They do a bunch to advance public health, safety, the economy and the environment. I’m pleased to be a part of it for so many years,” DeVecchis said.
Throughout Devecchis’ three-year term, he will also be responsible for making sure conferences throughout the year are run successfully.
These conferences provide licensed operators and professionals opportunities to fulfill training hour requirements and help advance those who provide clean water and safe water in New Jersey.
