Water Week

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Water Week 2018 will communicate the value of water to environmental protection, to economic development and to job creation – and inspire action.

Thank you to all who attended and supported Water Week 2018!

Over 250 WEF, NACWA, WateReuse and WRF members attended the National Water Policy Fly-in 2018 in Washington, DC, on April 17-18.  It was part of WaterWeek 2018  which drew a combined 500 water professionals to Washington, DC. Fly-In attendees heard from top officials in the EPA and key Members of Congress.  They also met with their Members of Congress about the water sector’s priorities. Joint congressional briefings and receptions were held with AWWA attendees. For the first year WEF offered a Young Professional scholarship which supported the participation of 7 YPs. 

 

SAVE THE DATE:  WATER WEEK 2019!
March 31st - April 6th!

Couldn't make it in person?

Here are some ways you can advocate for clean water from home.

PARTICIPATE REMOTELY!

America's Water Infrastructure Infographic

 

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2018 Water Week Events

Schedule-at-a-Glace

WEF Stormwater Institute Members Meeting
(SWI members only)
Monday, April 16, Noon – 5:00 PM
Washington Court Hotel, Executive Room

WEF Government Affairs Committee Meeting
(Open to WEF members)
Tuesday, April 17, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Washington Court Hotel, Montpelier Room

Young Professional Networking Lunch
(YPs and sponsors only)
Tuesday, April 17, Noon – 1:30 PM
Washington Court Hotel, Montpelier Room

National Water Policy Fly-In
April 17, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
April 18, 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Washington Court Hotel, Grand Ballroom

Joint Water Associations Congressional Briefing
April 18, 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Capitol Visitors Center Auditorium

Joint Water Associations Congressional Reception
April 18, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Library of Congress, Montpelier Room

Click to Learn More About All Water Week Events

National Water Policy Fly-In

April 17-18, 2018
Washington Court Hotel
525 New Jersey Avenue
Washington, DC

With more participation, reach and impact than ever, you will not want to miss the 2018 National Water Policy Fly-In!

As the Trump Administration and Congress turn their collective focus towards infrastructure investment, it is crucial that policymakers hear directly from YOU about the challenges your utility, agency and community face; and that sound policy and robust investment in water are critical for all Americans right now.

The issues of infrastructure funding, affordability, regulatory reform, and research support will be front-and-center in 2018, and utilities nationwide must make their voices heard on these critical priorities. This collaborative offering of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), WateReuse, and the Water Research Foundation (WRF) will offer opportunities for engagement with EPA, other Administration officials, and Members of Congress.

Together, we can move the levers of power, and continue advancing water priorities on the national and local levels. More information on the Policy Fly-In will be available on the Water Week 2018 website soon.

Make your voice heard, and plan to attend today!

Click Here to Register for the National Water Policy Fly-In

Young Professional Scholarship

Make Your Voice Heard!

Your voice is powerful. It has the ability to educate and influence policymakers on what matters most to you. Only you can voice your concerns and make your voice heard. 

The National Water Policy Fly-In Young Professional Scholarship program seeks to provide Young Professionals with an opportunity to participate in the highest levels of policy advocacy before Congress and the Administration as well as to build professional connections with water professionals from the nation.

This unique scholarship gives Young Professionals the platform to speak up and to help WEF deliver a message to Congress and Administration officials that sound policy and robust investment in water are critical for all Americans right now!

Scholarship Deadline: April 13, 2018

Scholarship Value: $100.00 (covers cost of registration)

Applicants must:

  • Be a WEF Young Professional (YP) Member.
  • Be less than (35) years of age at the time of application.
  • Have five or fewer years’ experience in the sector.
  • Limit of 30 applicants will be accepted.
  • YPs from Wyo., La., Okla., and Miss., are strongly encouraged to apply – although scholarships are available to all YPs!


How to apply:


For more information:

  • Contact Amy Kathman at akathman@wef.org.   
  • *NOTICE: Scholarships are available on a first-come-first-serve basis and WEF retains the right of selection. WEF’s selection committee will make all final decisions.

How to Remotely Participate in Water Week

For those who are unable to make it to Washington for Water Week, WEF is providing resources and suggestions for advocacy at home. This remote participation in Water Week is vital to our sector sending a loud and strong message.


Suggested Activities:

  • Contact your congressional office: Contact the offices of your members of Congress. Let them know it is Water Week and voice your support for the policy asks. Invite them to visit a water facility or project.

    Contact your members of Congress.

  • Post to social media: Be active on social media. Use #WaterWeek2018 in your posts. Voice support for funding and policies outlined in the document. Tag your members of Congress. Follow and share posts from WEF on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

  • Publish an op-ed or blog: Use the Policy Asks document as the basis for an op-ed for the local newspaper or blog for your website. Include local examples of why water is important and why investment is needed.

  • Join WEF’s Water Advocates: It is a grassroots advocacy program that makes it easy for WEF members to engage with their federal elected officials on matters of importance to the water sector. Membership is free and you will raise your profile among your water professional colleagues as a champion for our sector.

    Join the WEF Water Advocates.

If you have any questions about Water Week, please contact Steve Dye at sdye@wef.org.

Thank you for adding your voice to WEF’s advocacy for water!

National Water Policy Fly-In Prep Webcast

Water Week 2018 is almost here! Over 300 water professionals from across the nation will be in Washington, DC, on April 17-18, 2018. 

Recently, WEF, NACWA, The Water Research Foundation, and WateReuse held a webcast to help attendees prepare for the upcoming Fly-in!

View a recording of the webcast here!

Webcast Agenda Items:

  • Overview of the National Water Policy Fly-In and our request to Congress,
  • Instructions on how to set up and have a successful congressional meeting,
  • Guidance on how to connect with AWWA attendees to hold joint congressional meetings, and
  • Tips on social media and other ways to carry our message to a broader audience.

Recently, WEF, NACWA, The Water Research Foundation, and WateReuse held a webcast to help attendees prepare for the upcoming Fly-in!  

If you missed the webcast or would like to watch it again, you can view a recording of the webcast here!

Webcast agenda items: Overview of the Fly-In and our request to Congress, instructions on setting up and having successful congressional meetings, guidance on connecting attendees with AWWA attendees to hold joint congressional meetings, and tips on social media and other ways to carry our message to a broader audience.

Water Week Hotel

Book your stay during Water Week 2018 at the Washington Court Hotel. Please use the event code Water0418 when making your reservation to receive the negotiated water week rate. Please note, reservations are on a first-come-first-served basis and may sell out before water week.

Click to Make Your Reservation

Address: 
Washington Court Hotel
525 New Jersey Ave NW,
Washington, DC 20001

Phone: (202) 628-2100

WEF Government Affairs Committee

The Committee shall provide direction and leadership on the formation of government environmental policies, interaction with WEF members and MAs on these policies, and implementation of sound environmental policies.

Visit the Government Affairs Committee page.

More WEF Advocacy Programs

WEF pursues many different advocacy and outreach through several programs aimed at various audiences. Explore these opportunties via the links below.