June 2012 at a glance

June 30, 2012

Collaboration Is the Key to Innovation

Wastewater professionals meet with German leaders to discuss energy and innovation

Sharing knowledge and forming partnerships provides the key to the real-world implementation of innovation. That was the consensus at an April 30 meeting between German and Washington, D.C.-area wastewater sector leaders.

WEF Hosts Meeting To Begin Plotting Energy Road Map

Reaching energy neutrality and beyond

The old saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” In the case of wastewater, what a city flushes is an entire treasure trove of resources: nutrients, water, and energy. The key is developing the infrastructure and a culture, internally and externally, that supports recovering these resources through wastewater treatment facilities.

Luncheon Speakers Issue Challenge to Water Industry Professionals

Professionals are asked to find ways to improve clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in poor countries

World Vision (Federal Way, Wash.) speakers at a luncheon hosted by the Federal Water Quality Association (Washington, D.C.) on April 12 challenged attending water industry professionals to use their background and knowledge to help countries in need.

U.S. Operations Challenge Team Builds International Ties in Argentina

On April 19, veteran U.S. Operations Challenge competitors joined to compete against 20 teams in the 6th Olimpiadas Sanitarias in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Team members attended the event not only as competitors but also as ambassadors.

From the President: Driving Innovation in the Water Sector

I continue to be amazed by the excitement generated by the new Water Environment Federation (Alexandria, Va.) strategic direction. WEF leadership and staff are working to implement the ambitious objectives in the strategic direction, and none is more exciting than our objective to “Drive Innovation in the Water Sector.”

WEF Staff Support WATER’s WORTH IT™ Message With Action

The staff of the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) have been busy this spring getting the word out about how much WATER’S WORTH IT™ and backing up the message with action.

Website Helps Donors Direct Funds Where Most Needed

Many organizations contribute funds to improve water access, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). To optimize the donation process, the Foundation Center (New York) launched a custom Web portal to provide information and resources on who is funding what project and where, according to a Foundation Center news release.