WEF Highlights

After spending more than 30 years working in the water sector, Thomas Sigmund has become a strong proponent of the value of water and the important services provided by water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs). Peers refer to Sigmund, the executive director of the Wisconsin-based utility known as NEW Water, as a “visionary leader” who is […]

Sandra Ralston calls her entry into the water sector “serendipitous.” In 1989, she was hired as regional marketing manager for Greeley and Hansen (Chicago), an environmental engineering firm focused on water. Her boss encouraged her to join the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.), which put Ralston on a path to water leadership and becoming […]

The National Priorities Water Research program has advanced water science through applied research projects. This provides direct benefits to water sector utilities through more robust knowledge, tools, and models that can improve public health and lower costs for municipalities. While the U.S. Congress has supported the program during the past 5 years, continued funding is […]

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) Government Affairs Committee tracks water-related legislation. On June 28, its Member Association Subcommittee hosted a webcast to inform members about regulatory trends. During the “Linking Member Associations with Important Federal Policies and Local Trends” webcast, panelists from different regions of the U.S. shared information about local regulations and […]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a National Leadership Summit to discuss per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), May 22–23. Water Environment Federation (Alexandria, Va.) staff and members attended alongside representatives from more than 40 states, tribes, and territories; 20 federal agencies; congressional staff; and other organizations. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt presented EPA’s four-step action […]

Increasing funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Water and Wastewater Loan and Grant Program can help provide water services to thousands of small communities and rural areas. In February, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) and other water sector organizations sent a letter to members of the U.S. House of […]

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) joined other water sector organizations in sending a letter asking U.S. Congress to support the National Priorities Water Research program. The letter, addressed to members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, requests that grant program funding be […]

On Feb. 12, President Trump released his 55-page outline for legislation to establish several new infrastructure funding programs, streamline the regulatory review process for projects, improve workforce development programs, and set other federal infrastructure priorities. The “Legislative Outline for Rebuilding Infrastructure in America” describes a new, $50 billion program to promote investments in various forms […]