Application
All professionals in the water sector (drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater), such as utility staff, consulting engineers or service providers, regulators, academics, admin, or equipment manufacturers, are encouraged to apply. The Water Leadership Institute is a program for emerging leaders in the water sector, which may include young professionals, career changers, and veterans, for example. For seasoned utility management professionals looking to move to Executive Management Positions, please see the Water & Wastewater Leadership Center.
The 2027 application period will open November 3rd and close January 15th at midnight. Notifications for WLI27 will go out in early March.
The steering committee is looking to get to know you. The best applications are often personal, in first person, and give an insight into who you are as a person. Try to avoid just copy/pasting an office bio, and write like you would if you were telling someone outloud.
That is not a problem! Whether you were officially the leader or not, you’ve likely had some kind of leadership experience you can share. This could be in your personal, academic, or professional life. Let us know what you’ve done and what you’re hoping to learn.
No, you do not have to be a WEF member to apply to the WLI. However, the member tuition price is cheaper.
The WLI Steering Committee has developed “The Employer’s Guide to WLI” to help explain what your participation means. Please feel free to download it and send it to your employer for approval.
Tuition/Fees
There is no fee to apply to the program.
If you are accepted, you or your organization will be invoiced for the program after you have confirmed your spot.
2027 Member Price: $2,100
2027 Non-Member Price: $2,350
This fee includes a full conference registration to WEFTEC in Chicago (a $950 value), access to 6 live webcasts (a $240 value), and the two-day workshop in Arlington (a $400 value). In addition, it includes monthly virtual roundtable discussions, CliftonStrengths leadership assessment, homework assignments, and a final project. WLI registration also includes a complimentary one-year WEF membership for non-members. Program participants are responsible for all their own travel and hotel costs, as well as any fees for calling in from a phone.
You will receive an invoice shortly after you confirm your position in the Water Leadership Institute. This is often early April. Once you receive the invoice, you will have 30 days to pay. If this timeline is not possible, you must make special arrangements with WEF.
Yes. Please see Scholarships for more information.
Program Information
As the water sector faces challenges from aging infrastructure, climate change, financial constraints, and increased demands, professionals who can develop and implement solutions to these issues are needed. The Water Leadership Institute is designed to encourage networking, innovation, entrepreneurship, and professional commitment from those individuals who will be leading the water sector into the coming decades, to preserve and enhance water resources for our current generation, as well as future generations.
This course runs from April 2027 – October 2027. There are six live webcasts throughout the months that last 1.5 hours each. In addition, there is a virtual small group roundtable discussion for 45 minutes each month. The in-person compontent consists of a 2-day workshop in the Washington, DC area in May (dates currently TBD) and a full-day workshop at WEFTEC 2027 in Chicago on, Sept. 26.
In addition, you will have to complete a final group project with deliverables throughout the course. Participants have often held weekly meetings for 30-60 mins. In recent years, a portion of the final project work has sometimes continued after the official end of the program to publish or present materials through WEF.
The curriculum will be delivered by high caliber guest instructors from water and wastewater utilities and companies active in the sector. Guest lecturers from government agencies, communication firms and financial groups will also share their knowledge and experience.
Past participants often rave about the colleagues they get to know through WLI. Participants cover a range of roles and organizations in water, from consultants to regulators, academics to operators, manufacturers to utility support staff.
The web-based meetings will be conducted using Teams or Zoom. You will need a computer with an internet connection for the web meetings. You will need computer speakers to use the Voice over IP audio function. You will also need internet access for readings viewing and online forum participation.
The Water Leadership Institute offers a combined total of 21 education hours. WEF does not obtain prior state credit approvals for WLI. We do provide a document confirming the hours, which can be independently submitted by participants. Typically, as a leadership training, WLI does not qualify for operator credit.
Depending on where you are in your leadership journey, you may also want to consider:
- Integrated Leadership Webcast Series: This online course gives you access to the WLI recorded webcasts, pre-readings, and a chance to interact with your classmates via discussion boards. It will not, however, give you access to the WLI in-person trainings, group chats, live webcasts, or final project experience.
- Leadership and Management Fundamentals for Operators: This online, short course is for operators who are either looking to advance in the future or have recently advanced to a management position. Drawing on WLI content and speakers, this operator-focused course provides an overview of important non-technical skills, including classes on leadership, management, communication, and finance.
- Water & Wastewater Leadership Center: WEF partners with UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School on this program for seasoned utility management professionals looking to move to executive management positions. Applications are typically accepted in the fall for a spring 10-day residential learning experience.
- Master of Science in Water Utilities Management at Xavier University: WEF is a partner on this new graduate program with Xavier University’s Williams College of Business. The 16 months of online coursework blends essential business training – finance, marketing, data analytics, management, and ethics – with specialized courses in rate setting, strategic planning, water regulations, cybersecurity, public communication and emerging technologies like AI in water systems.