Get Complimentary Access to MWEA + WEF Memberships

Through a partnership with the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), a limited number of Michigan water professionals can receive complimentary membership in both the Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF). This program is exclusively available to GLWA Member Partner organizations and their eligible staff.

No cost. No catch. 

Why this matters 

Michigan’s water sector faces aging infrastructure, PFAS, workforce shortages, and major funding decisions that will shape the next generation. 

• Michigan needs $85 billion in water and wastewater investment over the next 20 years (about $4.2B per year). 

• In 2025, Michigan received only about 7% of its annual water infrastructure funding need from federal sources. 

• A 24-hour disruption in water or wastewater service would cost Michigan hundreds of millions of dollars across healthcare, real estate, food, and manufacturing. 

• Every $1 invested in Michigan water infrastructure generates about $2 in economic output and supports jobs statewide. 

Being connected statewide and nationally helps professionals solve challenges faster and influence the decisions ahead. 

What you receive with this complimentary membership 

• Full membership in MWEA (Michigan’s statewide network) 

• Full membership in WEF (the leading international water organization) 

• Technical resources, publications, and best practices 

• Networking with peers, mentors, and industry leaders 

• Professional development and training opportunities 

• Eligibility for committees, leadership roles, and awards 

• Discounts on conferences and events 

MWEA Benefits WEF Benefits

Strengthening Michigan’s water community — together 

When more professionals are engaged, the entire sector benefits. Your experience helps shape Michigan’s water future. Sign up today!

Questions? Email membership@wef.org.

During the join process:
Select either Young Professional, Professional, or Professional Operator;
Select Annual Membership (not Auto-Renew Membership);
Select Michigan WEA as your Member Association; and
Use GLWA2026 as your promo code before checking out to receive your membership for free. 
For step-by-step instructions, click here.

You can also learn more about the benefits offered by MWEA and WEF below.

MWEA Benefits

• Member pricing for all MWEA Conferences
• MATTERS Magazine - a professional magazine distributed to all members quarterly covering a wide variety of water environment topics such as emerging issues, innovative solutions, utility highlights, and more.
• MWEA Monthly E-Newsletter - a monthly e-newsletter with information on upcoming MWEA events, opportunities, and other important industry updates.
• MWEA Awards – professional recognition opportunities for all members
• Career engagement, career path advancement, leadership opportunities - through participation in seminars, training, committees, etc. professional connections, networks, knowledge base, and engagement increases fostering measurable career investment. Engaged and invested employees are more likely to remain in the industry.
• Collaboration on industry recruitment initiatives - working with MWEA’s Youth Education and Outreach Committees, opportunities can be fostered to collaborate on recruitment initiatives.

MWEA Committee’s and Committee Leadership - 30 different committees including 18 technical committees, New Professionals Committee, etc. Committee participation enhances subject matter knowledge and builds valuable professional networks.

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WEF Benefits

WEF Publications

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• $300 discount on Access Water Basic individual annual subscription + WEF digital books (valued at $2,280).
• Subscription to Water Environment & Technology (WE&T) magazine (print and digital), published monthly and featuring cutting-edge technologies, innovative solutions, operations and maintenance, and regulatory updates.
• Complimentary access to Water Environment Research (WER), an international multidisciplinary water resource management journal.
• Complimentary access to WEF SmartBrief, a daily e-newsletter for water quality professionals.
• 20% discount on WEF technical publications, newsletters, manuals of practice, magazines, training guides, and journals.

WEF Events

• The Water Environment Federation's Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) 25% registration discount.
• WEF specialty conference registration member pricing.
• Operations Challenge competition eligibility.

WEF Online Learning

• 40% discount on the WEF Learning Center featuring WEF's online courses, webcast events, and virtual conference content.
• Complimentary access to WEF webcasts on water industry trends, best practices, technologies, solutions, and legislative and regulatory updates.

Recruitment Support

• 5 Pack of Premium Job FlashTM Emails and Postings in WEF’s Career Center featuring job announcements sent to 35,000 water quality professionals, job postings, premium search results and highlighted posts. Valued at $1,120.
• Member savings on job postings in the WEF career center.

Additional WEF Benefits

• WEF communities: participation in the WEF Utility Management Community and other WEF communities.
• WEF awards and recognition program eligibility.

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