When Dr. Sherri Mason walks into a room, people pay attention. As one of the world’s leading researchers on microplastics in drinking water, she has spent years documenting something most of us would rather not think about – the tiny plastic particles that have made their way into our taps, our rivers, and our bodies.
On May 29, she is coming to Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA to deliver the keynote address at H2O Water Network’s Spring Confluence 2026. And if you have not registered yet, this is your reason.
Why Microplastics Matter Here
The Upper Ohio River Basin is not immune to plastic pollution. Communities across western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, and West Virginia rely on rivers and groundwater sources that have been increasingly studied for microplastic contamination. The Ohio River alone serves as a drinking water source for millions of people downstream.
Dr. Mason’s research has shown that microplastics are not just an ocean problem – they are a drinking water problem. A tap water problem. A here-and-now problem for communities like ours.
Who Is Dr. Sherri Mason?
Dr. Mason is the Sustainability Coordinator at Penn State Behrend and a nationally recognized authority on plastic pollution and water quality. Her peer-reviewed research has been cited in major publications and has influenced policy conversations at the state and federal level. She has testified before Congress and spoken at international conferences – and now she is bringing that expertise directly to the Upper Ohio River Basin.
She does not just present data. She connects it to real communities, real water systems, and real choices that local leaders and advocates can make.
What to Expect from the Keynote
Dr. Mason’s address at Confluence 2026 will cover the current state of microplastics research, what it means for drinking water systems in our region, and what communities and water authorities can do right now. Expect it to be eye-opening, practical, and directly relevant to the work happening across H2O’s partner network.
The Full Day Has More in Store
The keynote is the centerpiece of a full day that also includes a Water Authority Panel with representatives from PMAA, Beaver Falls, and Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County – breakout sessions on stream restoration and source water protection – the Boatload of Knowledge exhibit floor featuring partner organizations from across the region – and the first-ever preview of H2O’s new Water Resource Library.
Register for Spring Confluence 2026
Date: May 29, 2026
Location: Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA
Registration: HERE NOW
This is the kind of event that changes how you see your work. Don’t miss it.
Don’t just come and listen – be part of the solution. Bring you single-use plastics to the 26 Spring Confluence. Fayette County Recycling will ensure they are repurposed.
