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. 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	Sponsored by
Asian and Pasifika Cultures in Water Luncheon
Monday, October 7 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. New Orleans Convention Center	Sponsored by
Latino and Hispanic in Water Luncheon
Monday, October 7 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. New Orleans Convention Center

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: Topic TBD
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.