WEF Highlights

While everyone uses water and wastewater infrastructure daily, not everyone knows exactly how it works and why it needs to be funded. The New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) decided to illustrate the importance of this infrastructure to the public with a video and accompanying guide. NYWEA’s messaging video and its guide, “Sustaining and Enhancing […]

A new suite of public outreach materials helps communicate the value of water and wastewater services and the need for infrastructure investment. The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) partnered with the American Water Works Association (AWWA; Denver) to develop these materials, which are available to free-of-charge. The materials include a series of five “The United […]

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) wants to share videos highlighting best practices in stormwater management. For the 2017 StormTV Project, WEF will collect and share videos that seek to educate about stormwater. Through June 12, WEF will accept video entries that exemplify good communication and effective public outreach on stormwater. The competition element […]

When wastewater treatment professionals noticed an increase in clogged pipes, the City of Carlsbad, Calif., decided to do something about it. City officials released the Wipes Clog Pipes video series to educate the community about the problems wipes can cause for infrastructure. “The goal of our campaign was to inform residents that disposable wipes, even […]

The sociological concept of “legitimacy” means that individuals and groups recognize and accept the appropriateness of an authority to lead. This concept becomes even more important to the water sector as communities implement seemingly more complex and controversial projects, particularly those seeking to implement potable reuse. Legitimacy starts with creating an authentic conversation with the communities […]

Padre Dam Municipal Water District (PDMWD; Santee, Calif.) hopes to build public support for its East County Advanced Water Purification Program with a 2-minute video featuring a message for all ages. The potable reuse program has the potential to meet up to 30% of local drinking water demand from approximately 100,000 customers, according to a […]

The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) helped spread the message about the causes of pipe clogs by taking to Twitter during the city’s annual Fiesta San Antonio, held each year in April. Using #WipesClogsPipes, SAWS awarded sparkling toilet medals with the slogan “wipes clog pipes,” to daily winners of Twitter “pot” quizzes. — Jeff Gunderson, […]

Virginia names June 30 as Drinking Water and Wastewater Professionals Appreciation Day From now on, June 30 will be known as Drinking Water and Wastewater Professionals Appreciation Day in Virginia. The day celebrate the efforts of water sector professionals to protect public health and the environment. The Virginia General Assembly passed Joint House-Senate Commending Resolution […]