Frank Sidari, Environmental Compliance Director, joined PWSA full-time in March, but has been working alongside the Authority for some time now, both as an embedded consultant and on a number of PWSA projects. In his role, he has his marching orders – to shift our culture to one where environmental compliance is front-of-mind in everything we do.

Give us a brief description of your responsibilities at PWSA. 

I’m responsible for our Environmental Compliance Program. This work will continue to expand under PWSA’s Administrative Agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure we comply with mandated requirements, like expanded training, the implementation of a whistleblower hotline, and independent monitoring and reporting. I’m also leading the development of an Environmental Compliance Group, responsible for overall compliance and monitoring and reporting associated with our wastewater, stormwater, chemical storage, air, and waste management regulations. Finally, I serve as a compliance resource for all PWSA staff.

What made you decide to pursue a career in your field?

I’ve always had an interest in the environmental field. A professor got me interested in calculus, which led me to pursue course work in civil and environmental engineering, and I eventually became a professional and board-certified environmental engineer focused on drinking and wastewater work. 

What made PWSA an attractive career? 

I joined PWSA full-time because the job drew on a number of my areas of expertise, and I was excited by the current leadership team and the changes I saw the Authority undergoing.   

What impact do you hope to have at the Authority? 

I hope we can shift our culture and make environmental compliance a forethought rather than an afterthought. This will require a multi-departmental approach to environmental compliance. There is always someone responsible for completing a task who are often supported by other individuals. In other words, our best job is done when we work together. 

What do you like to do in your spare time? 

I wake up early each morning to lift weights. I also enjoy spending time with my wife, son and two Bernese Mountain Dogs. I have two years left to enjoy watching my son play lacrosse before he graduates high school.