About WEF

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) and its members work every day to fulfill our Mission of inspiring the water community in pursuit of human and environmental well-being.

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of more than 30,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations (MAs) representing water quality professionals around the world. Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment. WEF and its global network of members and member associations provide water quality professionals around the world with the latest in water quality education, training, and business opportunities. WEF’s diverse membership includes scientists, engineers, regulators, academics, utility managers, plant operators, and other professionals. WEF uses this collective knowledge to further a shared goal of improving water quality around the world.

WEF is operating under a new Strategic Plan built on the vision of a life free of water challenges. Our ultimate goal is a world where each person has access to clean water and sanitation, where communities prosper, and where nature thrives. The key strategic goals under the new Strategic Plan are: 1) to attract and develop a diverse and passionate workforce; 2) to cultivate a purpose-driven community to sustainably solve water challenges for all; and 3) to lead the transformation to the circular water economy.

The new Strategic Plan embodies WEF’s embrace of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. WEF is committed to equity and inclusion in all aspects of our work, including within the governance structure and leadership, WEF partners, WEF staff, and the WEF membership. This commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion will guide our work and our programs, culminating in outcomes that improve public health for all.

EF is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of more than 30,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment.

Previously called the Federation of Sewage Works Associations (1928), the Federation of Sewage and Industrial Wastes Associations (1950), and the Water Pollution Control Federation (1960); the name was changed to the Water Environment Federation in 1991 to reflect an expanded focus on non-point and point sources of pollution. 

WEF and its global network of members and Member Associations (MAs) provide water quality professionals around the world with the latest in water quality education, training, and business opportunities. WEF’s diverse membership includes scientists, engineers, regulators, academics, utility managers, plant operators, and other professionals. WEF uses this collective knowledge to further a shared goal of improving water quality around the world.


At WEF, we have set our sights on new horizons and are operating under a new Strategic Plan. Our vision for the future is life free of water challenges.

Read WEF's Strategic Plan

As water professionals, this is our ultimate goal – a world where each person has access to clean water and sanitation, where communities prosper, and where nature thrives. To get there, our mission is to inspire the water community in pursuit of human and environmental well-being.

We need to attract and develop a diverse and passionate workforce, cultivate a purpose-driven community to sustainably solve water challenges for all, and lead the transformation to the circular water economy. As we undertake this work, let’s also shine a light on our sector. Let’s amplify the stories of water to grow, strengthen and diversify the water community.

We all have a part to play in forging a sustainable water future. So, bring your talents, your ingenuity, your dedication, and your water stories, and join us.

Related Areas

Upcoming WEF Events
Upcoming WEF Events
Cooling Tower Water Management and Best Practices
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Integrated Planning in Action
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Wastewater Disease Surveillance Summit
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Imagine life free of water challenges. What does that look like to you? Check out WEF’s new Strategic Plan to see how we’ll get there and then share your water story.

Details About the Strategic Plan

Join or Renew Your WEF Membership Today

Connect with our community of water professionals who ensure that our local communities have access to clean water that protects public health. Explore our member benefits and find the membership type that’s right for you.

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Selected Upcoming Events

WEF offers an assortment of conferences, webcasts, and other meetings and events. View the list of All Events.

  • 14 Sep

    Integrated Planning in Action

    Gain insight from case studies about the benefits and lessons learned of utilizing Integrated Planning as a tool to achieve a One Water approach for compliance with the Clean Water Act, utility management, and watershed management. Presenters provide first-hand knowledge of implementation of integrated planning for large-scale utilities to small-scale utilities covering regions from the East Coast, Midwest, to the West Coast.

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  • 19 Sep

    Research & Innovation RISE Forum: Algae

    Fundamental and applied research is an essential component of developing and adopting innovative technologies and practices. Speakers during this webcast will discuss issues pertaining to algae. The Research and Innovation Forum exists to provide WEF members with a central location for the dissemination and discussion of all research-related matters across WEF.

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  • 21 Sep

    Cooling Tower Water Management and Best Practices

    This webinar will focus on water management in cooling towers. This will include perspectives from cooling tower operators (facilities), tower construction, chemical maintenance, and engineering. Goal is to educate the WEF community on issues, opportunities, and best practices of water management in this very common and growing operation.

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  • 01 Oct

    Wastewater Disease Surveillance Summit

    The Wastewater Disease Surveillance Summit is a one-day, one-track event taking place in Chicago. Join water and public health professionals, practitioners, and policymakers to share ideas and lessons learned related to the implementation of wastewater surveillance programs.

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