Even during the coronavirus pandemic, water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) cannot cease operations even for a moment. It remains critical, then, for WRRF managers to develop actionable plans to ensure continuity of operations despite potential staffing shortages and supply chain disruptions. For utility managers, effectively responding to coronavirus requires additional attention to employee safety and […]
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WEF Webcast Discusses Regulatory Concerns During Coronavirus Crisis
March 27, 2020
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![WEF Webcast Discusses Regulatory Concerns During Coronavirus Crisis Robert Pontau, Jr., a Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Virginia) member and assistant general manager of the Brunswick (Maine) Sewer District, recently reflected on how working in WRRF management during the COVID-19 pandemic has changed his perspective. Image courtesy of Pixabay](https://news.wef.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/HL-coronavirus-march20-scaled-75x75.jpg)
During the coronavirus pandemic, directives focused on avoiding social contact create unprecedented questions for the relationship between water and wastewater utilities and environmental regulators. For example, should regulators continue to enforce minor failures to meet permit obligations because of unavoidable staffing shortages at water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs)? Does the language in regulatory permits, agreements, […]
Water Experts Recommend New Methods to Measure Rate Affordability, Financial Capabilities
February 28, 2020
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![Water Experts Recommend New Methods to Measure Rate Affordability, Financial Capabilities Image courtesy of nattanan23/Pixabay](https://news.wef.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/money-2696219-75x75.jpg)
Water, wastewater, and stormwater bills have been increasing above general price inflation and household income growth rates for decades. Affordability, therefore, has become an increasingly important issue, heightening focus on utility rate design, customer service policies, and customer assistance programs. It’s time to revisit traditional methods of measuring household affordability and assessing community financial capability. […]
New WEF Publication Offers Guidance on Modeling Tools and Capabilities
February 11, 2020
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![New WEF Publication Offers Guidance on Modeling Tools and Capabilities SWR Modeling Cover_350x500](https://news.wef.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SWR-Modeling-Cover_350x500-75x75.png)
Selecting the best-suited model to support stormwater projects can be complicated. Today’s water quality managers must not only be able to predict peak flow rates, runoff volumes, and receiving water quality, they must also navigate stringent regulatory requirements and varying levels of resources. The Water Environment Federation’s (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) newest publication, Stormwater, Watershed, and […]
2019 LIFT Intelligent Water Systems Challenge Winners Demonstrate Power of Technology
December 17, 2019
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![2019 LIFT Intelligent Water Systems Challenge Winners Demonstrate Power of Technology The winning team from Boulder, Colo., the Colorado School of Mines (Golden), Baylor University (Waco, Texas), and Carollo Engineers (Walnut Creek, Calif.) included Christopher Marks; Tzahi Cath; Mandy Hering; Kathryn Newhart; and Tanya Rauch-Williams. Photo courtesy of Water Environment Federation (Alexandria, Va.)/Water Research Foundation (Denver, Colo.).](https://news.wef.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/HL-boulder-team-dec19-75x75.jpg)
At WEFTEC 2019, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) and the Water Research Foundation (Denver, Colo.) recognized three U.S. utilities for projects that demonstrate technology’s potential to solve complex environmental and economic challenges. This year’s winners of the Leaders Innovation Forum for Technology (LIFT) Intelligent Water Systems Challenge were the City of Boulder, Colo., […]
WEF Hosts Water Professionals from Palestine
November 27, 2019
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![WEF Hosts Water Professionals from Palestine Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) staff members stand alongside Palestinian water-sector delegates during an international meeting at WEF headquarters on Nov. 5. Photo courtesy of Mariah Walters Orose/WEF.](https://news.wef.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/WB-Visit-3-75x75.jpg)
On Nov. 5, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) welcomed an international delegation from Palestine to discuss the current status and future of water in the West Bank region, which is bordered by the countries of Jordan and Israel. The meeting with the group of seven delegates focused on how international cooperation can help […]
WEF Eco Members Mark Drains to Aid Local Stormwater Outreach Efforts
November 20, 2019
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![WEF Eco Members Mark Drains to Aid Local Stormwater Outreach Efforts Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) staff members (from left) Katherine Saltzmann, Brad Lovett, Ronnetta Zack-Williams, and Maggie Siddle joined the City of Alexandria in marking 52 storm drains around WEF headquarters, indicating to residents that anything that goes down the drain empties directly into local waterways. Will Fowler/WEF](https://news.wef.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/HL-drain-marking-1-nov19-e1573070866648-75x75.jpg)
Members of the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) WEF Eco program participated in the City of Alexandria’s storm-drain marking program on Nov. 4. Participants marked 52 drains near WEF headquarters with stickers that warn against illicit dumping. The program began through a citywide ordinance called the “Only Rain Down The Drain Campaign,” according to […]
From the President: Supporting Tomorrow’s Water Professionals
November 18, 2019
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According to the Brookings Institution (Washington, D.C.), as much as 50% of the current water workforce in the U.S. will retire within the next 35 years. The water sector must take steps today to ensure the next generation of water professionals can seamlessly take the reins, keep critical water resource recovery facilities running, and confront […]
March 27, 2020
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