DE&I Programming

Water Environment Federation: The Water Quality People

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Programming

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) maintains diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) as core principles of our organization’s mission. Our members, Board of Trustees (BOT), volunteer leaders, and staff — together and individually — share the responsibility to uphold these principles.

DE&I at WEFTEC

We celebrate these principles at WEFTEC in several ways. Our programming continuously evolves to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion, covering topics from equitable utility practices to environmental justice and the incorporation of indigenous knowledge.

Technical Sessions

Learn from water quality experts, in various unique session formats, selected through a highly rigorous abstract review process.

Monday, Oct. 7
1:30-3 p.m.	DE&I Representation and Impact
1:30-3 p.m.	Decentralized Systems: Wastewater Management for Small Communities
3:30-5 p.m.	Community-based Approach to Generate Equitable and Just Outcomes through Infrastructure Planning
Tuesday, Oct. 8
8:30-10 a.m.	Financing Stormwater Infrastructure in Communities
8:30-10 a.m.	Assessing Climate Risk and its Impact on Utility Operations: Financial Resilience and Insurability
1:30-3 p.m.	Indigenous Environmental Practices: Lessons from the Past for the Future
3:30-5 p.m.	Mobilizing Emergency Response: Collaborative Strategies for Ensuring Safe Water in Jackson, Mississippi for All
Wednesday, Oct. 9
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stakeholder Engagement Strategies to Promote Green Infrastructure and Environmental Justice

Affinity Events

The Affinity Group Series furthers WEF's efforts to create a sense of community and a forum to advocate for change that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. They bring together people who share a common identity and provide a safe space to discuss issues facing the group.

Note: Participation is limited to individuals who identify with the specific groups. There is no cost to participate but registration is required. Links to register will be available in July.

Black in Water Summit
Sunday, October 6 2 - 6 p.m. Hilton New Orleans Riverside Register	Sponsored by
Asian and Pasifika Cultures in Water Luncheon
Monday, October 7 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. New Orleans Convention Center Register agenda	Sponsored by
Hispanic in Water Luncheon
Monday, October 7 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. New Orleans Convention Center Register	Sponsored by

Learning Exchanges

Share your expertise and perspectives about trending DEI themes and topics in the water sector with peers in a roundtable setting.

Monday, Oct. 7
3:30-5 p.m.	LGBTQIA+ (including allies)
Tuesday, Oct. 8
8:30-10 a.m.	What is Trending in Public Communications?
8:30-10 a.m.	Board and HOD DEI Committees, CLC SC, and WEF DEI Staff Group: Infrastructure for an Inclusive Water Industry: WEF is championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and looking for ways to support the water industry in doing the same. This learning exchange aims to provide a space to share and build upon DEI best practices and develop meaningful networking connections between MAs, individuals, companies, and utilities alike. This event is co-hosted by the Board of Trustees’s DEI Advisory Committee, the House of Delegates DEI Committee, the Community Leadership Council, and the WEF Staff DEI working group.
3:30-5 p.m.	Workforce Part 1: Engineering and Young Professionals
3:30-5 p.m.	Women in Water
3:30-5 p.m.	Effective Government Affairs Grassroots Advocacy Strategies
Wednesday, Oct. 9
8:30-10 a.m.	Indigenous Peoples Issues
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.	Workforce Part 2: Operator Recruitment

WEFTEC Now

The Official News Source of WEFTEC

WEFTEC Now features timely coverage of major events leading up to, during, and after WEFTEC. This resource will become an enduring record of past WEFTEC conferences as well as provide notice of upcoming events and opportunities.