WEF News

On December 16, the Biden Administration released a new plan for removing lead pipes across the U.S. via the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This plan — a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation on Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) — includes the goal to remove all lead service lines by the end of President Biden’s first term.

On Friday, November 5, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (H.R. 3684). This bill will provide nearly $1.2 trillion in funding for the nation’s infrastructure.

The federal district court in Charleston, South Carolina, has given “preliminary approval” to a proposed Class Action Settlement regarding wipe products between Plaintiff Charleston Water System and Defendant Kimberly-Clark Corporation.

Know your rights

Connect with colleagues, clients, and exhibitors during this conference-wide reception in the Exhibition. All registrants are invited to attend.

This year the WEFTEC Bookstore will host two authors to sign copies of their books. Visitors also can take advantage of expert demonstrations of Access Water, the Water Environment Federation’s technical content platform. On top of that, 16 new or updated water quality titles will be on display and available for purchase.

The Global Center offers a space for learning about global water issues offering two days of programming including presentations and panel discussions of global interest with topics ranging from energy efficiency to global water stewardship.

Each year WEFTEC attracts the leading experts from throughout the water sector on every topic imaginable. And that includes you. Others want to hear your insights and understand things from your perspective.

Be sure to visit the new Drinking Water Pavilion and SDG 6 Theater! This new spot in the exhibition will feature insights into all aspects of the one-water universe from drinking water to community capacity, water resources management, and circular economy.

Every individual who attends WEFTEC 2021 in Chicago will be required to provide either proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 or results of a negative test for COVID-19 obtained no more than 48 hours before arrival at registration to pick up credentials. These new requirements are in addition to the City of Chicago’s current indoor mask mandate.

On Sunday, August 8, by a vote of 68 to 29, the U.S. Senate cleared a final procedural hurdle to pass the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (H.R. 3684), which will provide nearly $1.2 trillion in funding for the nation’s infrastructure. Approximately, $550 billion of the total is new funding to be spent over the next five years. Sunday’s vote sets in motion the final vote to pass the bill late Monday night or Tuesday morning.

On Tuesday, August 10, the U.S. Senate voted 69 to 30 to pass this bill.

C40 Cities Urban Nature Declaration aims to kickstart climate change resilience and environmental equity around the world

Following the April 2021 virtual sessions with U.S. federal legislators and regulators, the water sector is already seeing some results.

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Virginia) hosted Water Week 2021 virtually during the last week of April. The virtual events between water sector leaders and U.S. federal legislators and regulators focused on changing water policy to help improve the water sector in the U.S. Chief among the concerns was repairing the nation’s often overlooked water infrastructure. Speakers included members of the U.S. Congress, the architects of the National Water Reuse Action Plan, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) leaders, including EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, and many others working to shape the future of water policy.

On June 2, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) made available $166.6 million USD in grants to help low-income ratepayers effected by the COVID-19 pandemic pay their drinking water and wastewater utility bills.