WEF Highlights

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) proudly announces 15 distinguished members as the 2019 WEF Fellows recipients. This prestigious designation recognizes members’ achievements, stature, and contributions in the water profession. “These outstanding individuals have made a profound impact on the global water environment, and we are proud to recognize and honor their efforts,” said WEF Executive […]

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 […]

Growing up in the northeast U.S., Paul Dombrowski had two dreams: sail alongside Jacques Cousteau, studying the ocean while advocating for environmental protection, and play for the Boston Red Sox. While Dombrowski, a 28-year member of Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) may not have made the National Baseball Hall of Fame, his decades-long career […]

Eleanor Allen has had a hand in designing and improving water resource recovery facilities in cities around the world during her more than 25 years as a wastewater engineer, project manager, and water-sector executive. But her skills as a leader and technical expert are not the only reasons Allen was recognized as a 2017 Water […]

April Z. Gu has loved water since she was very young. Combined with her inherent curiosity and a self-proclaimed drive to “get to the bottom of everything,” this love led Gu to research water topics. Gu’s contributions to water research and to the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) earned her a spot among the […]

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 […]

James (Jim) E. Smith Jr., grew up in a family that worked in water. His grandfather operated a fishing boat and his uncle managed a Greater Cincinnati Water Works water resource recovery facility (WRRF).  “I always loved being in and around water,” Smith said. This love led him to enter a more-than-50-year career that began […]

Six years ago, 2017 Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) Fellow Ed McCormick led the development and implementation of an energizing program for the water sector. The program cemented East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD; Oakland, Calif.) as the first North American water resource recovery facility to be a net producer of renewable energy. But […]