LIFT SEE IT Accepting Applications For Travel Scholarships In 2020

Scholarships through the Leaders Innovation Forum for Technology (LIFT) Scholarship Exchange Experience for Innovation & Technology (SEE IT) are available to allow utility personnel to visit other utilities with innovations of interest. The exchange, supported by The Water Research Foundation (WRF), Water Environment Federation (WEF), and National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), is an effective way for utilities to learn about, gain confidence in, and adopt new technologies and approaches more quickly.

As water utilities of all types are transforming themselves into utilities of the future and becoming drivers of resource recovery, economic growth, and improved environmental performance, the implementation of innovative technologies, processes, and approaches is essential. These scholarships enable utility personnel to visit innovations in action at peer facilities.

WRF, WEF, and NACWA will provide travel support for each scholarship recipient to visit a utility that is implementing the technology or innovation of interest. To date, SEE IT has provided funding for 77 staff members from 29 utilities to travel and see technologies in person. Candidates may visit peers using innovations that include new technologies and processes, or novel approaches to service, operations, and finance. LIFT SEE IT is part of a broader water sector effort to provide the tools and resources necessary to help utilities become leaders in the world of wastewater, drinking water, stormwater, and water reuse.

Aisha Niang, Assistant Director for the City of Houston, a 2019 SEE IT recipient who visited Seattle Public Utilities, said “Although a decision was made to implement a tunneling project in the City of Houston prior to this trip, Seattle’s project approach, staffing, program organization and management, as well as their learning experiences, were paramount.” LIFT has identified 13 technology Focus Areas as priorities, although applicants are not necessarily limited to these topics. Scholarship recipients will be required to record and share their experiences with peer utilities and others. The LIFT SEE IT Applications are due December 13, 2019.

About The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA)
For nearly 50 years, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) has been the nation’s recognized leader in legislative, regulatory and legal advocacy on the full spectrum of clean water issues. NACWA represents public wastewater and stormwater agencies of all sizes nationwide, who together serve nearly 125 million people. Our unique and growing network strengthens the advocacy voice for all member utilities, and ensures they have the tools necessary to provide affordable and sustainable clean water for all. Our vision is to represent every public clean water utility as a NACWA member, helping to build a strong and sustainable clean water future. For more information, visit www.nacwa.org.

About The Water Environment Federation
The Water Environment Federation is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 35,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment. As a global water sector leader, our mission is to connect water professionals; enrich the expertise of water professionals; increase the awareness of the impact and value of water; and provide a platform for water sector innovation. For more information, visit www.wef.org.

About The Water Research Foundation (WRF)
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the world’s leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of protection of public health and the environment. WRF represents approximately 1,200 subscribers, hosts an online research library of more than 2,300 completed projects valued at $700M, manages an innovation platform (LIFT Link) with a database of more than 140 innovative technologies, and supports the world’s largest body of stormwater best practice data. For more information, visit www.waterrf.org.