The initial results of a survey intended to identify the current and future trends for water technology implementation are now available in the form of a new interactive data visualization tool. Developed under the Leaders Innovation Forum for Technology (LIFT) – a joint initiative between the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the Water Environment & Reuse Foundation (WE&RF) – the survey and visualization tool helps utilities better understand innovative technology deployment across the water sector.
Led and coordinated by WE&RF, the survey currently includes more than 100 respondents representing the entire water sector – wastewater, stormwater, drinking water, desalination, and water reuse facilities – in North America and abroad. The visualization tool uses the accumulated data to illustrate two key elements: the percentage of facility respondents that have or are planning to deploy a technology at a given point in time and how quickly a groundbreaking, then leading edge technology evolves into standard practice.
General access to the visualization tool allows users to look at aggregated data and analyze it based upon facility type, size, location, and technology while members of the LIFT Utility Working Group (comprised of WE&RF utility subscribers) will be able to drill down deeper and see detailed survey results including utility specific information to help facilitate peer-to-peer networking.
The survey will remain open to utilities throughout 2017 and the visualization tool will be updated regularly to reflect newly collected data. WE&RF plans to reissue the survey within the next two to three years to monitor and assess the continued uptake of water innovation over time.
About WEF
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 33,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment. As a global water sector leader, our mission is to connect water professionals; enrich the expertise of water professionals; increase the awareness of the impact and value of water; and provide a platform for water sector innovation. To learn more, visit www.wef.org.
