Donna McNeil, B.S.
Research Engineer Associate
Professional Employment
2020 to Present: Research Engineer Associate, Kentucky Water Research Institute, University of Kentucky, remote-Frankfort, KY
2017 to 2019: Executive Director, Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, Frankfort, KY
2013 to 2017: Compliance Specialist, Kentucky Rural Water Associate, remote-Frankfort, KY
2005 to 2008: Environmental Control Branch Manager, Kentucky Division of Water, Drinking Water Branch, Frankfort, KY
1994 to 2005: Environmental Engineer Technologist, Kentucky Division of Water, Drinking Water Branch, Frankfort, KY
1989 to 1994: Office Supervisor, Kentucky Division of Water, Operator Certification Program, Frankfort, KY
Professional Interest and Expertise
Drinking water and wastewater operator workforce training, recruitment and retention, community and stakeholder engagement, water regulatory compliance, water utility management and education, infrastructure funding options, and environmental permitting.
Key Professional Achievements/Projects
2024-present: Surface Water Treatment Operator Certification Manual, Energy and Environment Cabinet, Kentucky Operator Certification Program, project management.
2024-present: Groundwater Treatment Operator Certification Manual, Energy and Environment Cabinet, Kentucky Operator Certification Program, project management.
2023-present: WaterWORCs in Appalachia, Boyd County, KY for US Department of Labor, project management, internship and mentor training.
2023: Distribution Operator Certification Manual, Energy and Environment Cabinet, Kentucky Operator Certification Program, project management.
2020-present: Appalachian Community Technical Assistance and Training (ACTAT) Program, Appalachian Counties of Kentucky for US Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, administrator, technical consultant, drinking water and wastewater utility training development and facilitation.
2022: Wastewater Collection System Operator Certification Manual, Energy and Environment Cabinet, Kentucky Operator Certification Program, project management.
2021: Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification Manual, Energy and Environment Cabinet, Kentucky Operator Certification Program, project management.
2017-2019: Drinking Water State Revolving Intended Use Plans, Statewide, Kentucky Infrastructure Authority
2017-2019: Clean Water State Revolving Intended Use Plans, Statewide, Kentucky Infrastructure Authority
Presentations
Kentucky Water Workforce Survey Results (2022 to 2024)
McNeil, D., Lucas, V., Water Professionals Leadership Academy, January 15, 2024 and February 16, 2023, Louisville, Kentucky
McNeil, D., Clean Water Professionals, January 31, 2024, national webinar, Frankfort, Kentucky
McNeil, D., ASCE Annual Meeting, November 16, 2023, Louisville, Kentucky
McNeil, D., Cumberland Area Development District Water Management Council, September 14, 2023, remote, Frankfort, Kentucky
McNeil, D., Kentucky Water Research Institute Advisory Board, June 14, 2023, Lexington, Kentucky
McNeil, D., Lucas, V., Northern Kentucky Water Service District-Public Service Commission Training, November 9, 2022, Covington, Kentucky
McNeil, D., Kentucky Water Resources Symposium, September 19, 2022, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky.
McNeil, D., Lucas, V., Kentucky Division of Water Drinking Water/Clean Water Advisory Council, September 13, 2022, Lexington, Kentucky
McNeil, D., Lucas, V., Kentucky Rural Water Association Annual Conference, August 30, 2022, Lexington, Kentucky
Basic Hydraulics for Drinking Water Distribution System Operators (October 2023)
Basic Hydraulics for Wastewater Collection System Operators (June 2023)
Basic Math for Certifying Drinking Water and Wastewater Operators (June 2022)
An Evaluation of Kentucky’s Operator Workforce Survey and Small System Issues in Kentucky, 19th
Annual USEPA Drinking Water Workshop, Covington, KY (August 2022)
CWSRF Alternative Funding (September 2022)
Technical Assistance Programs for Small WWTPs in Kentucky and Results from Kentucky’s Water Workforce Survey, USEPA Wastewater Systems Symposium (October 2020)
Sustainable Management of Rural and Small Water Systems (2020-2021)
Publications
Ormsbee, L., McNeil, D., Byrne, D., and Yost, S. (in progress) Drinking Water Distribution System Operator Certification Manual, Energy and Environment Cabinet, Kentucky Operator Certification Program.
Ormsbee, L., Koyagi, E., McNeil, D., Shelly, J., Lucas, V. (2023) Kentucky Water and Wastewater Operators Workforce Survey, Journal AWWA, July 2023, https://doi.org/10.1002/awwa.2126
McNeil, D., Ormsbee, L., Koyagi, E., Shelly, J., Lucas, V. (2023). The Survey Says, AWWA/CWP Connector Magazine, May 2023.
McNeil, D., and Ormsbee, L., (2022) Wastewater Collection Operator Certification Manual, Energy and Environment Cabinet, Division of Compliance Assistance, 351 pp.
McNeil, D., and Ormsbee, L., (2021) Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification Manual, Energy and Environment Cabinet, Kentucky Division of Compliance Assistance, 267 pp.
