Improving Water Quality for 80 Years

Formed in 1928, the Water Environment Federation® (WEF®) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization with 35,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. WEF and its Member Associations proudly work to achieve our mission of preserving and enhancing the global water environment®.

Membership:

WEF and its global network of Member Associations (MAs) help provide water quality professionals with the latest in water quality education, training, and business opportunities. WEF's diverse membership includes scientists, engineers, regulators, academics, plant managers and operators, and other professionals working in the United States and around the world. As a membership organization, WEF uses the collective knowledge of its membership to further a shared goal of improving water quality. Together, WEF and its members:

* research and publish the latest information on wastewater treatment and water quality protection
* provide technical expertise and training on issues including wastewater collection, treatment, reuse, and operations; residuals and utility management; sustainability; and emerging water quality issues such as microconstituents
* sponsor conferences and other special events
* review, testify, and comment on environmental regulations and legislation

History:

WEF has guided technological development in water quality since 1928. Previously called the Federation of Sewage Works Associations (1928), the Federation of Sewage and Industrial Wastes Associations (1950), and the Water Pollution Control Federation (1960); the name was changed to the Water Environment Federation in 1991 to reflect an expanded focus of non-point and point sources of pollution.

Technical Training and Education:

As a leading source of water quality expertise, WEF is committed to advancing the water profession by providing unparalleled access to the world's best science, engineering, and technical practices in the water environment field. WEF continuously evaluates its programs and services to maintain alignment with its overall goal of ensuring clean water for the protection of public health and a sustainable water environment.

WEFTEC® - The Water Quality Event:

WEFTEC (WEF’s annual technical exhibition and conference) is North America’s largest exhibition and conference on water quality and waste­water treatment technology and the largest annual water quality exhibition in the world. WEFTEC annually hosts more than 20,000 water quality experts from around the world and features more than 600 technical pre­sentations and 1,100 exhibiting companies.

Specialty Conferences, Seminars, and Webcasts:

WEF continously seeks to diversify the topics and delivery mechanisms of its educational resources and training events to include specialty conferences, seminars, and webcasts. WEF's educational events focus on a wide range of timely water quality topics including: collection systems, sustainable water management, membrane technology, nutrient removal, water security and emergency response, utility management, biosolids management, plant operations, and energy efficiency.

Technical Publications:

To ensure that its resources represent the state of industry practice in all areas of water quality, WEF publishes more than 190 technical publications including peer-reviewed Manuals of Practice and Technical Practice Updates with the goal of providing timely and accurate information on evolving technical topics.

Magazines and Journals:

Water Environment & Technology (WE&T)
Water Environment Research (WER)
World Water & Environmental Engineering
World Water & Environmental Engineering - Chinese Edition
Journal of the U.S. SJWP
Electronic Newsletters
Water Environment Laboratory Solutions
Biosolids Technical Bulletin
Industrial Wastewater Technical Bulletin
WEF Highlights
Utility Executive
Water Environment Regulation Watch

Access Water Knowledge™:

Access Water Knowledge is a fully searchable library of WEF’s research journals and papers presented at the organization’s conferences since 2000. The database also includes discussion forums and Knowledge Centers for key information on seventeen different water quality issues such as collection systems, infrastructure, stormwater, sustainability, and utility management. These areas offer convenient access to information from WEF and other credible sources, including the latest technical research, books, articles, news features, training, and networking opportunities for water quality professionals.

Committees and Communities of Practice:

More than 2,500 WEF members participate in WEF’s committees and other program activities. Committee members write technical manuals and books, and develop training materials, conference programs, and program content. Members with specific areas of expertise also primarily comprise WEF’s Communities of Practice (CoP) to address emerging and cross-cutting issues in the water quality field.

Sharing Knowledge, Exploring Solutions for a Sustainable Future:

WEF recognizes that climate change is a priority concern for its members and acknowledges a responsibility to lead efforts to mitigate and reduce negative impacts on the water environment. In support of this commitment, WEF has adopted a climate change resolution, appointed a Sustainability Task Force and CoP, held its first sustainability conference, and initiated the award-winning WEFeco or "low carb(on) diet" that aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from WEF’s facilities and business practices.

Public Communications:

As a leading source of water quality information, WEF develops programs and materials to help its members communicate with their target audiences about key water issues. Its goal is to increase an understanding of the direct role water and wastewater services have in the protection of public health, the economy, and the environment. WEF works to provide its members, public officials, and the general public with the necessary tools to engage in or learn ways to improve quality of life through water resources management, water protection, and water and wastewater treatment.

Stockholm Junior Water Prize:

The Stockholm Junior Water Prize is the most prestigious international youth award for a high school water science research project. In the United States, WEF and its MAs organize the national, state, and local competitions.

Water Is Life, and Infrastructure Makes It Happen™:

Water Is Life, and Infrastructure Makes It Happen is a public education program designed to inform and motivate the public, ratepayers, and elected officials to invest in water and wastewater infrastructure.

World Water Monitoring Day™:

World Water Monitoring Day is an international outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world.

Government Affairs:

WEF regularly tracks, monitors, and actively comments on legislative, regulatory, and compliance issues that relate to and impact our nation’s water resources. WEF organizes and sponsors congressional briefings and outreach activities to help educate Congress and elected officials about pressing water issues; develops position and policy statements on timely water quality topics; and publishes "This Week in Washington", a weekly newsletter that provides updates on the latest legislative and regulatory developments that affect the water and wastewater communities.