It may not be as revolutionary as the tearing down of the Berlin wall, but it is not without significance that I acknowledge a gradual transformation in the attitude held by members of the water and wastewater community toward the role of the equipment manufacturers.
Once viewed as third-class citizens whose role was that of exhibitor ... advertiser ... vendor, manufacturers now are being courted for their technical expertise and sought out for their guidance in helping shape the future course of the industry they have so feverishly served.
This "new thinking" is evidenced by AWWAs decision to elevate the Manufacturers Advisory Committee to a Council level, thus affording manufacturers direct access to leadership positions within that Association. I dare say that when I became associated with this industry some 20 years ago, this visibility would have been unthinkable. After all, the "vendors" place was in the exhibit hall, not the Boardroom! (Note that I use the word "vendor" as disparagingly as it is typically implied.) We applaud AWWA for recognizing the visionary contributions of their Associate members. Could a presidency role for a manufacturer be far behind?
Our own U.S. Environmental Protection Agency deserves equal kudos, specifically on the part of the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water. Ten years ago, EPA all but dismissed the use of ultraviolet technology for potable water applications. Last week the Agency devoted two entire days at a UV workshop analyzing its capabilities and identifying its place among the arsenal of technologies available to our nations water utilities to comply with emerging drinking water regulations. EPA embraced the viewpoints of the equipment manufacturers who provided much of the research and technical expertise during this gathering.
The fact that WWEMA has been given a seat on the federal advisory committee responsible for drafting the microbials/disinfection by-products rules is further confirmation of the Agencys new way of thinking about the important role served by equipment manufacturers in advancing the state of the drinking water industry.
Unfortunately, work still needs to be done to break down the wall between some facets of our industry that are holding on to the old way of thinking. At a dinner meeting held in conjunction with the UV workshop, discussion took place on whether a need to form an Association dedicated to the advancement of UV radiation exists. Though I wont comment on the viability of this idea, it deserves scrutiny from the perspective of the role to be played by the equipment manufacturers in its formation.
While the manufacturers at the meeting were encouraged to advertise in the production of a UV Journal, and pay corporate dues to finance the start up of the Association, the line was drawn there. One of the academicians leading the discussion proclaimed he would remove himself from any journal that had trade involvement beyond advertising. Another consultant made it very clear that this would be a technical and scientific association, not a trade association (as if they need be mutually exclusive!). Corporate interests were told that they could serve in a leadership roles if they were sponsors of the new Association. The same qualifier was not placed upon the other disciplines in the room.
These remarks came from the same individuals who were earlier exalting the work of the equipment manufacturers in advancing the field of ultraviolet radiation during the EPA workshop. I would submit that had it not been for the scientific contributions made by these manufacturers -- leaders in the field of environmental technology -- ultraviolet radiation would not have come to bear as a viable option for use in the drinking water industry; nor would there have been cause for even considering formation of a new Association.
I found the experience to be yet another reminder of how equipment manufacturers are valued - or shall I say undervalued! - by some sectors of this industry. Lets follow the lead that AWWA and EPA have set and dismiss this destructive behavior that only serves to limit the potential that exists among us all!
