Government and Regulatory Affairs

WEF advocacy activities aim to educate WEF members and the water sector on public policy issues related to water quality and water resources, and equip them to play a greater role in water policy discussions.

Water Week 2025 | April 6-12

National Water Policy Fly-In – April 8 – 9, 2025

Join water professionals from across the nation to help advance key water policy priorities such as sustained growth in federal infrastructure investment, addressing water affordability, supporting water research and development and advancing sound science-based solutions, and making our critical infrastructure more resilient. 

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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS NEWS

The latest government affairs and legislative/regulatory articles, videos, and other content from throughout the organization and across the water sector.

Industrial Water Resources
Wastewater Collection System Operator Certification Studybook, 3rd Edition

Expand your knowledge of wastewater collection systems operation and prepare for certification examinations

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Government & Regulatory Affairs
Boston Prioritizes Community While Implementing Green Infrastructure

Boston Prioritizes Community While Implementing Green Infrastructure

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Climate Change
WEF Represents Water Sector at White House Roundtable on Water Security and Climate Resilience

WEF Executive Director Ralph Exton had the unique opportunity to highlight the federation's commitment to building a more sustainable and resilient water future.

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Industrial Water Resources
Intelligent Water Solutions from Jacobs and Palantir

Sponsored WEFTEC Product Launch presentations and Q&A sessions bring a new level of detail and technical specifications to exhibition programming.

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Industrial Water Resources
How AI and Cloud Based Capabilities Are Changing Stormwater and Wastewater Management

Sponsored WEFTEC Product Launch presentations and Q&A sessions bring a new level of detail and technical specifications to exhibition programming.

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Industrial Water Resources
Protect Your Water Network with Grundfos Smart Water Sensors

Grundfos is transforming water management with Metasphere smart water sensors. These innovative sensors detect rising water levels in manholes before they lead to ...

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Featured Government & Regulatory Affairs Resources

WEF engages in appropriate and nimble advocacy on legislative and regulatory issues to improve the scientific and technical foundation for water quality laws and regulations, support the need for continued progress in controlling pollution, protect public health and the health of aquatic ecosystems, and promote sustainable management of water resources.

WEF works closely with its membership to educate Congress on clean water issues impacting their districts and states and disseminates information on Congressional activities to WEF members via meetings, webcasts, and emails. WEF also collaborates with other organizations to provide support or comment on pending legislation affecting the clean water community.

Water Advocates

Let’s speak with a loud, united voice for water. The Water Advocates Program helps you to reach out to and connect with elected officials on important water quality issues.

Become an Advocate

Position Statements

WEF has developed a series of clean water position statements to guide the critical work WEF provides in clean water policy.

Read WEF's Positions

Canadian Water and Wastewater Association

CWWA is a nationally registered not-for-profit corporation representing the common interests of Canada’s public sector municipal water and wastewater services and their private sector partners that support them.

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Value of Water

As a critical part of our mission, WEF works to elevate clean water, the water profession, clean water services, and the infrastructure that supports it as essential to protecting public health, the environment, and quality of life.

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WEF Government Affairs Community

The members of the WEF Government Affairs Community and its Focus Groups help to position WEF as a recognized expert voice on all water as well as provide input on environment-related policies through actions including engagement with government officials and written comments and testimony on regulatory and legislative matters.

Join the Government Affairs Community

Join or Renew Your WEF Membership Today

Connect with our community of water professionals who ensure that our local communities have access to clean water that protects public health. Explore our member benefits and find the membership type that’s right for you.

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EXPLORE ALL PRACTICE AREAS

WEF is a source of high-quality technical resources featuring the latest research, news, and education. WEF's members and other credible resources have created and compiled this information into the Practice Area groupings listed in the dropdown menu.

Biosolids Resource Recovery

Through biosolids management, solid residue from wastewater treatment is processed to reduce or eliminate pathogens and minimize odors, forming a safe, beneficial agricultural product. Biosolids are carefully monitored and must be used in accordance with regulatory requirements.

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Collection Systems and Conveyance

The system of underground pipes and maintenance structures that convey wastewater has brought dramatic improvements to public health. Most sewers carry wastes from households and commercial establishments and are referred to as sanitary sewers.

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Government & Regulatory Affairs

WEF advocacy activities aim to educate WEF members and the water sector on public policy issues related to water quality and resources and equip them to play a greater role in water policy discussions.

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Industrial Water Resources

Industries treat and reuse wastewater and process water as well as provide environmentally sustainable wastewater treatment while reducing costs and maintaining value for their businesses.

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Operations

From hands-on-training and leadership opportunities, such as Operations Challenge, to online training, such as the Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals series, WEF provides operators with many opportunities to advance on-the-job knowledge and develop their careers.

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Public Health

The water sector and its systems protect public and ecological health. Using the data that can be collected through smart water technologies provides additional insights to address complex public health issues.

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Stormwater & Watershed Management

Take a comprehensive look at how all water resources, including uplands, drainage basins, wetlands, stormwater, surface water, and groundwater interact.

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Utility Management

To respond to myriad daily challenges faced by water and wastewater utility leaders, WEF continuously works with its members and partners to develop a variety of management initiatives; resources; and educational, training, and networking opportunities.

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Water & Wastewater Treatment

More than 16,000 publicly owned water resource recovery facilities operate in the United States. Skilled engineers and operators work together to ensure new and updated facilities continue to protect public health and the environment.

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