WEF Formalizes Commitment To Intelligent Water Systems, Smart Water Networks

Partnership to cultivate opportunities for engagement, workforce development

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Smart Water Networks Forum (SWAN), agreeing to jointly promote the development of best industry practices for more efficient and sustainable smart water networks.

The water sector continues to promote and embrace innovation, and smart water networks have emerged as a popular way to use technology to optimize system operations. Smart water networks have a range of applications, from detecting system leaks to managing energy. As technological advancements continue to change the water sector, the qualifications for water sector jobs change too, presenting an opportunity to equip water professionals with new skill sets and knowledge. Through this partnership, WEF and SWAN will continue to advance workforce development.

“Supporting innovation is essential to the water sector, and to further development of intelligent water systems” WEF Executive Director Eileen O’Neill said. “The memorandum of understanding between WEF and SWAN is the first step to create the kind of collaborative engagement needed for the future of the sector.”

SWAN’s focus on smart wastewater network management enables efficiencies and improvements in three categories: customer, environmental, and operational benefits. This complements WEF’s attention on the value of integrating intelligent water practices into the water sector, determining common barriers of implementing intelligent water practices, technology trends, and new solutions. This year WEF published “Intelligent Water Systems: The Path to a Smart Utility,” which provides a glimpse into the potential benefits of implementing intelligent water systems and global examples from which the water sector can learn.

About WEF
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 33,000 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 SWAN
The Smart Water Networks Forum (SWAN) is the leading global hub for the smart water sector, accelerating the awareness and adoption of data-driven technologies in water and wastewater networks worldwide. A non-profit organization, SWAN brings together key players in the water sector to collaborate and share knowledge while offering access to cutting-edge research, global networking opportunities, and the ability to proactively influence the future of the water industry. For more information, visit https://www.swan-forum.com/.