Moving the industry forward in 2020
For 111 years, the Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association (WWEMA) has supported the interests of manufacturers in Washington and elsewhere as one voice for our industry. WWEMA is the only advocate solely dedicated to the interests of water and wastewater technology providers, offering members a level of influence no single company could achieve on its own.
As of Jan. 1, 2020, I have the privilege of becoming the 112th Chair of WWEMA. As the incoming Chair, I get to set some of the organization’s priorities for the next year. I want WWEMA to focus on helping our members strengthen their underlying business foundations and prepare to meet the challenges of a changing landscape where states play a larger role in regulating water and environmental issues; where our workforce continues to age and we will need to train the new generation; and where climate change, drought, and natural disasters further drive the need for innovation to sustain water resources.
These priorities reflect the long-term strategic goals and mission statement of WWEMA: To Advocate, Inform, and Connect. WWEMA, as the voice of water and wastewater infrastructure and technology providers, has a mission to promote the advancement of technology solutions for clean water that ensure a future sustainable environment and to improve its members’ economic viability. Additionally, I want to focus on three areas of my own.
Inform a New Generation
Our industry is changing. We are getting older, grayer, and fewer. Yet, the demand for water and water supply treatment continues to grow and become more complex. To meet these needs, we must develop and train the next generation of water industry professionals.
WWEMA will provide a place for our members to help educate those new to the water industry. This will include new employees from our existing members, as well as companies new to our industry. Training will be meant to help these members understand how our industry works and the role of manufacturers and manufacturer’s representatives in the water industry. We made a very good start at this year’s Annual Meeting, where one of our best-attended events was the Next Generation Leadership Training Session.
Advocate in a Shifting Legislative-Regulatory Paradigm
WWEMA will expand its efforts to help members deal with state regulators and other non-governmental groups. Since the 1980s, WWEMA has been recognized by the regulatory community as the voice of manufacturers in the water industry, providing keen insight into the costs and feasibility of regulatory options. As an industry, we have been driven by federal regulation and client need. But this is changing. The federal regulation drivers are fewer and we see more direct involvement by state agencies, non-government organizations, and by the water consumer — setting priorities with new challenges and even more stringent regulations. WWEMA must be ready to help our members navigate the changing regulatory landscape.
Connect New Industry Needs with Membership
The need for clean water has also become more important as we face drought, diminished water sources, consumer scrutiny, and new and more complex water quality issues. We also face a major challenge in implementing innovation and new technology. Data-enabled, digitized, and automated systems are changing the way utilities operate. As manufacturers and suppliers, we must be ready to support this technological change, which will bring more automation, more smart equipment, less direct operator attention, and changing maintenance needs.
WWEMA is ready to help support our members in meeting the changing water industry landscape by providing them the tools they need to be successful and by uniquely representing their needs. WW
