NIU STEAM Café

Turning Sewage into Energy

March 4, 2026
6:30 p.m.
Fatty’s Pub and Grille
1312 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, IL 60115

Speakers:

Nick Newman, ENV-SP, Environment and Technology Manager, Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District, NIU Alumnus (2019, ENVS/NNGO)

Ben Meier, Operations Foreman, Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District

Wastewater treatment is crucial for public health and has saved more lives than penicillin. However, treating wastewater is an extremely energy intensive process. The Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District (KWRD) has developed exciting innovations to make this high-energy process much more environmentally sustainable. By turning the waste that remains at the end of the treatment process into a source of energy, they’ve made the treatment process nearly energy neutral.

Each day, an average of 5.5 million gallons of wastewater flows through the sanitary sewers under DeKalb, NIU, the Village of Malta and Kishwaukee College. During heavy rainfall, the volume can be as much as 10 times that. Join Nick Newman and Ben Meier to learn about the daily operations at KWRD and hear how innovation helps the district monitor and evaluate the condition of more than 180 miles of sanitary sewer mains, while prioritizing energy efficiency.

About the speakers

Nick Newman is an NIU alumnus who specializes in environmental policy, sustainability and habitat restoration. Nick currently oversees energy analysis, sustainability and environmental initiatives, and data acquisition for the Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District, as well as managing the district’s GIS and Information Technology systems.  

Ben Meier is the Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District Operations Foreman and a Class 1 Operator with 15 years of experience. As operations foreman he has overseen the planning and implementation of operational workflow improvements, SCADA integrations, energy efficiency projects and maintenance platform coordination. He is a lifelong resident of DeKalb.

STEAM Cafes are fun, casual gatherings where adults can eat, drink and chat with STEAM professionals about the latest scientific research. These events are free and open to the public and are made possible by NIU STEAM in partnership with the NIU Alumni Association.

Register at: https://niu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1HAb123bpCC0h3U