Water Environment Federation announces new stormwater institute

摘要

On June 24, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) announced the establishment of the WEF Stormwater Institute, a new venture to address the growing issue of stormwater and urban runoff. The institute will be housed within WEF to leverage the organization's existing leadership, breadth of membership, and varied partnerships with federal, state, and local entities responsible for managing stormwater. "The expertise and engagement of WEF's membership will allow the stormwater institute to chart a new course toward a healthier and more sustainable stormwater system not only in North America but worldwide," said George Hawkins, CEO and general manager of the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water). Bill Gaffi, general manager of Clean Water Services (Hillsboro, Ore.), added that "innovation is key to sustainable watersheds and communities, and better access to innovation puts a sustainable future within the grasp of more communities and can help inform policy making. The stormwater institute can play a powerful role in this regard."