NACWA is mourning the loss of former Board Member and President Erwin J. Odeal, who passed away May 12, 2024. Odeal, who served as NACWA’s 9^th President from 1988-1990, oversaw the transition of what was then called the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA) into a stand-alone association. Odeal was highly involved with the Association through the 1980s and 1990s and remained engaged until his retirement in 2007.

Odeal’s long career included 33 years of service at the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD), including 24 years as Director and Executive Director from 1983-2007. At NEORSD he was considered a force for progressive environmental action, contributing to the District’s earliest strategies addressing combined sewer overflow control and regional stormwater management, and establishing the day-to-day operation of the District’s award-winning treatment facilities, which continues to guide the District’s ongoing work protecting public health and water quality for the people of Northeast Ohio.

NACWA extends its deepest condolences to Odeal’s family and friends. Rest in peace, Erwin.