IDRA And WEF Forge Global Partnership To Accelerate Water Solutions

Two of the world’s most influential water associations have joined forces to advance sustainable water solutions worldwide. The International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will strengthen collaboration in desalination, water reuse, and water quality management.

The partnership comes at a pivotal time. Climate-driven droughts, growing populations, and increasing industrial demand are placing unprecedented strain on global water systems. By combining their complementary strengths, IDRA and WEF aim to accelerate innovation, scale best practices, and expand cross-sector cooperation on critical challenges, from the circular water economy to the water–energy–food nexus.

Shannon McCarthy, Secretary General of IDRA:
“The challenges we face in water are interconnected, complex, and global — they cannot be solved in silos. By combining IDRA’s global network in desalination and water reuse with WEF’s deep expertise in water quality and utility operations, we can accelerate the exchange of knowledge, scale proven solutions, and open new channels between science, policy, and industry. Together, we have the capacity to support how water is managed, produced, reused, and safeguarded across the globe.”

Ralph E. Exton, Executive Director of WEF:
“This partnership with IDRA enables us to align our strengths, mobilize our collective memberships, and develop initiatives that directly support the transition to a more sustainable and resilient water future. By working together, we can create practical pathways for innovation and collaboration that deliver measurable impact at local, regional, and global levels.”

Jon Freedman, President of IDRA:
“This MOU unites IDRA and WEF to tackle urgent water challenges. Together, we will advance desalination, reuse, and wastewater innovation to deliver safe, sustainable water for communities worldwide.”