This year brought unprecedented challenges and change, but despite it all, WEF remained focused on meeting the needs of our members while adjusting to deliver the educational and technical information the water sector depends on. Here's a rewind of the year:

November 19 is World Toilet Day, the annual reminder about the importance of sanitation to health, communities, the environment, and the economy. While the day organized by the United Nations (UN) is an opportunity to celebrate how much the toilet has done for civilization, it also serves as a stark reminder that over 4 billion people live without access to safety managed sanitation. Instead they often use unreliable, inadequate toilets or practice open defecation. Untreated human waste gets out into the environment and spreads deadly and chronic diseases.

Our latest technical publication, Odor Emissions and Control for Collection Systems and Water Resource Recovery Facilities, MOP 25, offers guidance to help facilities develop an effective and compliant odor control program. The manual of practice's lead authors, Neil Webster and Raymond Porter, provide insights.

In recent years, PFAS has become a topic of public concern, particularly when found in water supplies. We in the water sector are also concerned about PFAS because protecting public health and the environment and increasing sustainability in our communities is our daily mission.

The Water Environment Federation is truly a global organization, with members in 78 countries, Member Associations and Corresponding Associations representing 36 countries, and partnering organizations on every continent (except Antarctica). We deeply value the international representation and relationships, as well as the collaboration with each one of them.

As the world is facing clean water limitations and surface water scarcity due to population growth, climate change, and non-sustainable use of water, transformational leadership has become a necessity to solve these worldwide problems. As part of the WEF Water Leadership Institute’s (WLI) 2020 cohort, we were able to learn some of those skills, as well as develop a Community Outreach Webcast Series as part of our final project.

We may not be able to interact face-to-face this year, but that’s not stopping us from bringing you the next best thing. WEFTEC Connect is jam-packed with opportunities each day to engage and network with colleagues, attendees, exhibitors, and friends.

Our latest technical publication, Peracetic Acid Disinfection: Implementation Considerations for Water Resource Recovery Facilities, aims to bridge the knowledge gap about the value of peracetic acid as a wastewater and stormwater disinfectant. The handbook's lead author, Dr. Kati Bell, offers insights.

Earlier this summer our nation exploded with outrage at the senseless killings of George Floyd and other Black Americans, calling tremendous attention to the systemic racism and lack of equity that continues to exist.

Having diversity, equity, and inclusion in all levels of the workforce is vital to innovation and growth in the water sector. We are excited to update you on the work of the WEF Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, which will be wrapping up in the next month and transforming into a standing board Subcommittee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.