WEF President Rick Warner blogs about how WEF is supporting today's water quality professionals.
When we gather in Chicago to attend WEFTEC® 2017, it will mark the 90th year that the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) has hosted this annual conference. This is a good reminder that when the U.S. Congress overrode President Richard Nixon’s veto and approved the Clean Water Act (CWA) in 1972, the Federation and its members already had been working to restore U.S. waterways and protect public health for more than 45 years.
I see current-day WEF as an organization with a clear mission and attainable strategic outcomes focused on achieving clean water and vibrant communities. WEF advocates for clean water policy as well as federal and local funding using many strategies, and not all occur on Capitol Hill. WEF’s Water Advocates program is a grass roots initiative working to obtain funding at the local level to achieve clean water. Most important, through knowledge development and exchange, WEF is empowering individuals to make lasting changes in their communities.
I also see WEF as the champion for science-based regulations and innovative approaches that deliver solutions. WEF has partnered with our members to create advances in treatment technology, process modeling, environmental compliance monitoring, and effective utility management. We work with the regulatory community to produce measurable water quality improvements that go beyond simply meeting numeric-based discharge permits.
From my vantage point as president, I am confident that WEF is as forceful and relevant an advocate for the challenges of today as it has been in the past. We are building partnerships to help make that advocacy even more effective. Just as WEF helped equip the talented and dedicated water quality professionals that solved water challenges in the past, the Federation offers information, tools, and other support to those professionals on the frontlines addressing the water challenges of today and tomorrow.
As WEFTEC 2017 approaches, watch the progress of two ambitious members — Linda and Gary De Kock. These extraordinary members are setting off to raise money for Water for People (Denver) by taking an 1892 km (1176 mi) kayaking voyage to attend WEFTEC in Chicago. Make a pledge, and wish Gary and Linda a safe voyage.
Thank you for your passion and commitment to water.
Excerpted from WEF Highlights, April 18, 2017 “From the President.” Read the entire article.
Posted 5/1/2017
