Central States Water Environment Association

CSWEA WEF Delegates Report

Building Momentum into 2026

by Anna Munson and Autumn Fisher
Updated 04/12/26

As the Water Environment Federation (WEF) House of Delegates (HOD) moves into 2026, the focus remains on strengthening connections between Member Associations (MAs), expanding leadership development opportunities, and ensuring the water profession continues to evolve with changing industry needs. The December 2025 Quarterly HOD Meeting provided valuable updates on WEF initiatives, upcoming events, and new tools to support collaboration and engagement across the federation.


Strengthening Communication and Engagement
One of the most notable developments is the continued rollout of WEF Unity, a centralized online platform that now houses documents for the HOD and the Community Leadership Council (CLC), along with forums for discussion and collaboration. This resource is designed to streamline communication between delegates, committees, and WEF staff while improving access to reference materials and best practices. Additional training and content will be released in 2026 to help maximize its use.
The WEF Community Engagement Team also announced leadership updates, with Amy Kathman stepping into the Senior Manager role for HOD committees and work groups, while Kelsey Hurst continues to lead WEFMAX and broader community engagement efforts. These transitions aim to strengthen support for delegates and improve coordination across the organization.

Culture, Belonging, and Workforce Development
WEF’s former DEI Committee has offi cially been renamed the Culture and Belonging Committee, refl ecting a broader focus on creating inclusive, welcoming environments throughout the water sector. The HOD has aligned with this change, and new efforts are underway to support Member Associations in developing similar initiatives.
A webinar titled “From Service to Solutions: Recognizing & Elevating Veterans in the Water/Wastewater Industry” was held on January 28, 2026, highlighting workforce recruitment opportunities and honoring veterans transitioning into water careers. Quarterly Culture and Belonging calls have also been established to continue this important dialogue throughout the year.

Advocacy and Industry Visibility
The National Water Policy Fly-In is scheduled for April 14–15, 2026, providing water professionals an opportunity to engage directly with policymakers on critical water issues. Grants will again be available for students and young professionals to support participation.
WEF continues to raise the profile of the water profession through high-visibility media outreach. WEFTEC 2025 set new attendance records with over 23,000 participants and more than 1,000 exhibitors. The event also featured a Water AI Center of Excellence, reflecting growing interest in artificial intelligence to enhance utility operations. WEF was further highlighted on the cover of The Wall Street Journal, bringing national attention to the importance of water infrastructure and operations.

WEFMAX: Collaboration Across Member Associations
WEFMAX (WEF Member Association eXchange) remains a cornerstone for sharing best practices and strengthening MA-to-MA connections.
The 2026 WEFMAX schedule includes:

  • Montreal, Canada – April 22–24
    (Theme: MA-to-MA Collaboration)
  • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – May 6–8
    (Theme: Operator Engagement)
  • Bend, Oregon – May 27–29
    (Theme: Channeling the Undercurrents)
  • Virtual WEFMAX – July/August

WEF has increased its financial support for host associations to $25,000 per event and expanded the hosting window from February through late June. Hosting a WEFMAX offers MAs a chance to showcase their strengths, connect with peers nationwide, and elevate leadership development, though it also requires significant planning and coordination.

Supporting Delegate Participation
The HOD leadership continues to encourage Member Associations to consider financial support for delegate travel. Without MA assistance, the costs of attending WEF meetings often fall to individual delegates or their employers, which can limit participation from public-sector professionals. Several MAs currently offer reimbursement for WEFMAX, WEFTEC, and Fly-In travel, and the HOD has emphasized the value delegates bring back to their associations through national engagement.

Looking Ahead
The House of Delegates enters 2026 with strong momentum. Work Groups focused on Water for AI and AI for Water, International MA Development, MA-to-MA Engagement, and MA/CLC Advocacy are actively developing tools, surveys, and resources to support Member Associations.
For CSWEA members, these initiatives offer opportunities to stay connected to national conversations, learn from peer associations, and contribute to shaping the future of the water profession. Whether through WEFMAX, advocacy efforts, leadership training, or Culture and Belonging initiatives, WEF continues to provide pathways for engagement, growth, and collaboration.


As WEF Delegates, we are here to support you and represent the interests of the CSWEA to the House of Delegates and WEF. If something is on your mind, please feel free to call or email Anna at amunson@hazenandsawyer.com or Autumn at afisher@donohue-associates.com We are here to serve you/CSWEA and be a liaison to WEF leadership.