Water organizations meet to discuss priorities, issues for 2007

• AWWA hosts 2nd Annual Officers' Summit.

WASHINGTON, DC, Jan. 5, 2007 -- The officers of the major water and wastewater organizations in North America met yesterday in Washington, DC, to discuss their major initiatives, priorities and programs for the coming year.

"This is a wonderful chance for us to build relationships, discuss areas of collaboration and understand each others' perspectives on major issues," said AWWA Executive Director Jack Hoffbuhr. "Our hope is that this understanding will enable us to serve our members more effectively as we work to protect the public health by providing a safe and secure water supply."

Participating organizations included the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the National Association of Water Companies (NAWC), the National Rural Water Association (NRWA), the National Water Resources Association (NWRA), and the Water Environment Federation (WEF).

Discussion centered on initiatives and projects that provide partnership opportunities, such as communicating the value of public water and wastewater service and the need for infrastructure reinvestment. The officers also discussed issues the industry is expected to face in the upcoming Congress, such as the 2007 Farm Bill, where AWWA will seek support for efforts to direct significantly more financial and technical resources into protecting public water supplies. Additionally, the officers discussed cross cutting issues, such as endocrine disrupters and pharmaceutical products that are flushed down toilets and end up at extremely low concentrations in public water supplies.

AWWA (www.awwa.org) is the authoritative resource for knowledge, information, and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of water in North America and beyond. AWWA is the largest organization of water professionals in the world. AWWA advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of the full spectrum of the water community. Through our collective strength we become better stewards of water for the greatest good of the people and the environment.

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Also see:
-- "AWWA opens new DC government affairs office"
-- "Portland Water Bureau details case against LT2ESWTR"
-- "Three candidates nominated for AWWA presidency"

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