Research Foundation Reaches Out to Manufacturers
The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) was established by the Water Environment Foundation (WEF) in 1989 as a mechanism to fund research for the betterment of the wastewater treatment industry. Although funding for WERF was to be derived from a number of federal groups that would benefit from such an effort, like the EPA, the majority of the funding would come from the foundation?s subscribers. Originally, it was imagined that subscribers primarily would consist of municipal utility authorities, consulting engineering firms, and possibly some large industrial giants who could benefit from such a research effort.
Surprisingly, rather early in the subscription process, a number of industry manufacturers recognized the importance of such an organization. We expressed our interest by also joining the foundation as subscribers. Following 10 years of funding and publishing volumes of successful industry research, which historically has been performed by the municipal, academic and consulting communities, the foundation is beginning to recognize the value of the massive research that is annually performed by the manufacturers within the industry.
In January a group consisting of WERF senior managers, Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Assoc. (WWEMA) management, and a couple of manufacturer subscribers, met in Washington to discuss ways that these important subscribers might play a more active role in the foundation. The meeting?s participants decided to begin to assess the establishment of ?technology development groups,? which will come from the manufacturing subscriber companies. The ultimate objective is to bring this important level of subscriber into the forefront by allowing them the opportunity to participate in foundation research opportunities.
The WERF Board of Directors must vote on this plan. But if it is accepted, a trial group will immediately be formed to investigate the opportunities for companies that can advance the wastewater treatment industry through ?monitoring and measurement technologies? research. If it is successful, research participants from that sector of the industry should establish the groundwork necessary to open a whole new level of research into our industry.
About the Author:
WWEMA-member Jim Dartez is President/CEO of Royce Instrument Corporation (New Orleans, Louisiana) and serves on the Research Council of the Water Environment Research Foundation.