Our Strategic Plan

At the Water Environment Federation, our vision for the future is life free of water challenges. 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.

Download the Strategic Plan

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.

Share Your Water Story

The WEF Strategic Plan

Statement of Purpose

Our Mission

Inspiring the water community in pursuit of human and environmental well-being

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Our Vision

Life free of water challenges

     

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Outcome Statement

Amplify stories of water to grow, strengthen, and diversify the water community

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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

Our Strategic Goals

These are the strategic goals WEF is pursuing, and the strategies we will use to fulfill those goals.

Strategic Goal #1

Attract and develop a diverse and passionate water workforce 
 
Strategies
  1. Raise public awareness about the importance of water and the water workforce
  2. Reduce barriers to workforce entry and retention
  3. Provide extraordinary opportunities for connection, growth, and education
  4. Cultivate strategic partnerships

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Strategic Goal #2

Cultivate a purpose-driven community to sustainably solve water challenges for all
 
Strategies
  1. Drive connection and collaboration for the development of innovative solutions 
  2. Deliver best-in-class member experience
  3. Creatively develop and deliver content and programming

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Strategic Goal #3

Lead the transformation to the Circular Water Economy
 
Strategies
  1. Convene stakeholders to craft WEF’s Circular Water Economy framework and best practices
  2. Proliferate WEF’s Circular Water Economy framework and best practices
  3. Champion adoption of Circular Water Economy
  4. Eliminate barriers to Circular Water Economy adoption

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Our Core Values

Lead boldly with purpose and agility

Focus on our customers through empathy and service

Collaborate for collective impact

Integrate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in all we do

Aimeé Killeen discusses WEF's core values that will help guide us toward a better, more sustainable #water future. Join us as we set our sights on new horizons!

Water Story Video Gallery

A proverb says, “Those who share their stories rule the world.” As part of our new strategic plan, WEF is working to amplify the stories of water to grow, strengthen, and diversify the water community.

By sharing your stories with the water community and the public, we build community, strengthen partnerships, increase awareness and appreciation of our work, and create more stories of success.

To share your water stories with us, contact communications@wef.org and/or tag us and #WEFwaterstories on social media!

Angela Charles

Charlotte Water
Angela discusses how beer made from recycled water can teach the public about the circular economy.

Stephen Sanders

Director and Head Trainer, Environmental Training Center at Morrisville State College
Stephen explains why we need to better express the value of having a diverse water workforce and inclusive work environments.

Viraj deSilva

Freese and Nichols
Viraj talks about the many opportunities for young professionals to work in water and help solve today's water challenges.

Shannon Harty

The commissioner of water environment protection for Onondaga County, N.Y., explains how she got her start in water and fell in love with wastewater!

Kari Steele

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Kari talks about the importance of introducing young people to the water sector and all the available career opportunities.

Daehyun Bae

Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-Water)
Daehyun shares his thoughts about attracting diverse young professionals to the water sector and explains how K-Water is getting involved.

Eira Corral Sepúlveda

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Water is life: Eira talks about what water means for her community and why we need to protect water for our collective future.

Crysele Evans

What makes YOU passionate about #water? Hear why Crysele is passionate and motivated to #workinwater.

Leanne Scott

Nashville Metro Water Services
Leanne talks about the need to increase diversity in the water workforce to gain new perspectives.

Julian Sandino

Wastewater Global Solutions Director, Jacobs
Julian talks about how the WEF community helped him advance his career and gain leadership opportunities.

Sanjiv Joshi

IntelliFlux Controls
Sanjiv is passionate about solving the issues facing the water community and will continue to work to protect this valuable resource.

Valerie Jenkinson

Operators Without Borders
Valerie explains why we all need to work together on water and wastewater issues to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Nicole Cohen

Carollo Engineers
Nicole discusses the importance of attracting and developing a diverse and passionate water workforce.

James Clarke

DC Water
Growing up, James received "boil-water alerts," which was a water quality concern for him. He talks about his journey into the water workforce and the progress made to address water issues in his community.

Melanie Vines

Melanie Vines of the Alabama Water Environment Association says the Flint, MI water crisis motivated her to pursue a career in water. Watch her journey and learn more about the University of Alabama's WEF Student Chapter— which won WEF's 2023 Student Chapter of the Year Award!

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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EXPLORE ALL PRACTICE AREAS

WEF is a source of high-quality technical resources featuring the latest research, news, and education. WEF's members and other credible resources have created and compiled this information into the Practice Area groupings listed in the dropdown menu.

Operations

From hands-on-training and leadership opportunities, such as Operations Challenge, to online training, such as the Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals series, WEF provides operators with many opportunities to advance on-the-job knowledge and develop their careers.

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Water & Wastewater Treatment

More than 16,000 publicly owned water resource recovery facilities operate in the United States. Skilled engineers and operators work together to ensure new and updated facilities continue to protect public health and the environment.

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Biosolids Resource Recovery

Through biosolids management, solid residue from wastewater treatment is processed to reduce or eliminate pathogens and minimize odors, forming a safe, beneficial agricultural product. Biosolids are carefully monitored and must be used in accordance with regulatory requirements.

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Industrial Water Resources

Industries treat and reuse wastewater and process water as well as provide environmentally sustainable wastewater treatment while reducing costs and maintaining value for their businesses.

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Utility Management

To respond to myriad daily challenges faced by water and wastewater utility leaders, WEF continuously works with its members and partners to develop a variety of management initiatives; resources; and educational, training, and networking opportunities.

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Government & Regulatory Affairs

WEF advocacy activities aim to educate WEF members and the water sector on public policy issues related to water quality and resources and equip them to play a greater role in water policy discussions.

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Collection Systems and Conveyance

The system of underground pipes and maintenance structures that convey wastewater has brought dramatic improvements to public health. Most sewers carry wastes from households and commercial establishments and are referred to as sanitary sewers.

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Stormwater & Watershed Management

Take a comprehensive look at how all water resources, including uplands, drainage basins, wetlands, stormwater, surface water, and groundwater interact.

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Public Health

The water sector and its systems protect public and ecological health. Using the data that can be collected through smart water technologies provides additional insights to address complex public health issues.

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