WEF and Others Launch Utility of the Future Today Recognition Program

April 24, 2016

The Utility of the Future (UOTF) Today Recognition Program celebrates the progress and performance of U.S. wastewater utilities while supporting the widespread adoption of an innovative business model. The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.), Water Environment Research Foundation (Alexandria, Va.), National Association of Clean Water Agencies (Washington, D.C.), and WateReuse (Alexandria, Va.), with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, launched the program this month.

The UOTF concept guides utilities of all sizes toward smarter, more efficient operations, and assists with a progression to full resource recovery with enhanced productivity, sustainability, and resiliency. The concept promotes such activities as

water reuse,
watershed stewardship,
beneficial biosolids reuse,
community engagement,
energy efficiency,
generation and recovery, and
recovery of nutrients and other materials.

Many utilities have successfully implemented new and creative programs to address technical and community challenges associated with local wastewater treatment. The program will celebrate these advancements and experiences; encourage adoption of UOTF principles as the culture of the future; and enable participants across a broad range of capacities and capabilities to collaborate, learn, and continue to evolve as a water unified sector. Program honorees will be recognized during an awards ceremony at WEFTEC^® 2016.

“Promoting utilities of the future and the sector-wide adoption of resource recovery remains a top priority for WEF,” said WEF Executive Director Eileen O’Neill. “We are excited about this new opportunity to recognize the achievements of small, medium and large forward-thinking utilities that are providing sustainable, efficient, and value-added service to communities nationwide.”

Public and private wastewater utilities that have no major permit violations in the past year are encouraged to download an application and submit it by 5 p.m. EDT, June 17.

For more information, send an email to UtilityRecognition@wef.org.