NACWA was pleased to join with the Water Environment Federation (WEF) on October 11 to sponsor the annual Utility Leaders’ Afternoon at WEFTEC 2022.  The event drew utility executives and clean water professionals to discuss a number of the most pressing challenges currently facing the clean water sector.

The event kicked off with keynote remarks from Radhika Fox, Assistant Administrator for Water at EPA, who expressed her gratitude for the work of clean water utilities to advance the goals of the Clean Water Act and highlighted the ways in which EPA is working to partner in that effort.  She particularly stressed investments being made by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and how utilities and EPA can work collaboratively to improve water quality in local communities.

The event also featured a roundtable discussion among a group of utility leaders about the current economic pressures facing the sector, including supply chain issues, employment challenges and inflation.  The panel was moderated by Ghassan Korban, Executive Director of the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans, and included Todd Swingle, NACWA Board member and Executive Director of the Toho Water Authority in Florida; OJ McFoy, NACWA Vice President and CEO of the Buffalo Sewer Authority in New York; and Jackie Jarrell, Deputy Director of Charlotte Water in North Carolina. 

The afternoon concluded with a recognition ceremony for the 2022 Utility of the Future Today program honorees.  NACWA congratulates all the winners!

NACWA is grateful to WEF for the opportunity to partner on this important event and looks forward to WEFTEC 2023 in Chicago.