A partnership of water sector organizations—the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) and WateReuse—with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—launches the Utility of the Future (UOTF) Today Recognition Program. The program celebrates the progress and performance of the nation’s wastewater utilities while supporting the adoption of the UOTF business model.
The UOTF concept was introduced in 2013 to guide utilities toward smarter, more efficient operations and a progression to full resource recovery with enhanced productivity, sustainability and resiliency. Since then, many utilities have implemented new programs to address local wastewater technical and community challenges, according to WateReuse.
The UOTF Today Recognition Program encourages the adoption of UOTF principles (water reuse, watershed stewardship, beneficial biosolids reuse, community partnering and engagement, energy efficiency, energy generation and recovery, and nutrient and materials recovery) and enables participants to collaborate, learn and continue to evolve as a unified sector.
Public and private wastewater utilities of all sizes are encouraged to apply by June 17. Applicants must have no major permit violations in the past year prior to the submission date of their applications. Winners will be notified by July 29 and announced/officially recognized during an awards ceremony at WEFTEC 2016—WEF’s 89th annual technical exhibition and conference—in September in New Orleans.
For more information, visit: www.wefnet.org/utilityrecognition
