Thanks for the Opportunities and the Memories

By Rebecca West, 2008-2009 WEF President

Well I’m getting close to the end of my term, and I've got to say that it’s been an awesome ride! Like probably every other WEF President, I’m hoping to leave the Federation just a little bit further down the road in terms of providing the world’s best technical knowledge and training in water. To that end, I’m happy to report that Stormwater and Nutrients are two areas the Federation has targeted for resource development. And hot topics like these will be considered as a part of WEF’s latest efforts to “globalize” programming and products for a broader appeal to our members seeking a global perspective on water issues.

As I look back over the last year, it’s also been good to see other priorities take shape, like initiatives to strengthen the relationship between WEF and our outstanding MAs and a fresh look at communications.
That includes a redesigned WEF website for much better access and delivery of products and services – btw, check out our new website - what do you think? – and our focused discussions on water infrastructure in the media through the launch of the Liquid Assets program.

Cruising into next year as immediate past president, I’ll look forward to continued work with AWWA and EPA on our efforts to develop a clearinghouse for water sector education and related communications for water sector workforce issues. In addition, I look forward to supporting WEF’s continued efforts that further our mission of water as a global citizen – specifically in bringing access to clean and safe drinking water and sanitation to others in developing communities through our relationships with Water for People, the Peace Corps, and others. The strengthening of support for these efforts during this past year has been personally exciting to see take shape and further defines the critical connection between water and global health.

Perhaps most important, I’d like to leave with a big thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers, members and hard-working WEF staff who have made this year such a memorable and rewarding experience. It has been a privilege and honor to work with you all – now let’s have some fun at WEFTEC in a few weeks!

Liquid Assets: It’s Time to Review the Nation’s Portfolio

By Rebecca West
President of the Water Environment Federation

You’ve probably heard it said that when the market’s down, it’s time to invest. Although I can’t speak to personal financial decisions (that’s someone else’s blog), public investment in the nation’s aging infrastructure--especially our drinking water and wastewater systems--makes a lot of sense and seems to be gaining some traction as one way to address our current economic woes through job creation and so forth. But beyond infrastructure funding as an economic stimulus, it’s simply past time for communities across the country to review their water infrastructure investments. And in light of declining revenues and the challenges of financing future debt, communities everywhere will want to make sure they can continue to provide water and sewer services that protect public health and maintain quality of life. All of this is pushing the community dialogue about where to get the best value for infrastructure investments, and that’s a very good thing.

I just got back from a great North Carolina Water Environment Association meeting, where of course the growing national focus on infrastructure (and the potential for increased funding) was a hot topic, and I heard some pretty interesting ideas. One was that economic considerations plus infrastructure demands could result in scenarios where communities combine their resources to address infrastructure issues. Evidently that’s already happening in some areas, and we are likely to see more in the future, especially as we get even more broadly into management from a watershed perspective and as communities explore the most cost-effective ways to provide essential water and sewer services to their customers.

The other thought that really surprised me during dinner conversations was whether or not water utilities should be lumped in with failing corporations in terms of government assistance. Yes we all recognize that our water infrastructure badly needs a cash infusion, but do we want that as part of an economic bailout by government? After all, infrastructure problems have resulted from a failure to invest and will this fact lead the public to believe that our water infrastructure problems are a result of poor management or a lack of leadership? I wanted to share these thoughts with you because they speak to the ongoing philosophical discussion of whether investments into water infrastructure should be made by the national government or made and defined at the local level?

One way or another, it looks like public infrastructure awareness is going up, and in our case must be raised to a level where citizens understand their health and quality of life depend on water infrastructure investment and are willing to support it. This is our BIG opportunity as water quality professionals to work to build public understanding of water’s value, its connection to public health, and the vital need for resources to support smart, sustainable management of the water environment.

“Water Is Life, and Infrastructure Makes It Happens™” can help us strike while the proverbial iron is hot. Initiated by WEF with support from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), Water Is Life at www.WaterIsLife.net is a program designed to mobilize grass roots support by providing utilities with professional outreach tools including brochures and bill stuffers, ads and public service announcements, webcasts, and much, much more. For example, in Spartanburg, infrastructure education, including Water Is Life materials, have helped us engage in ongoing community discussions and attract media attention to our water infrastructure issues.

The centerpiece of Water Is Life’s 2008-09 program is “Liquid Assets: The Story of Water Infrastructure,” a $1 million documentary project produced by Penn State Public Broadcasting that examines the critical role water infrastructure plays in protecting public health and promoting economic livability. You might be interested to know that WEF provided financial support to this important project and is working with NACWA, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and others to increase viewership of the program and build local coalitions to create one voice for water infrastructure.

The program is airing around the country (check the latest schedule), and I’d encourage all of you waterbloggers to contact your local PBS station, request airings in your communities, and do everything you can to spread the word. I’d also appreciate any comments or additional thoughts about today’s column, so feel free to blog away!