water, water everywhere?

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE?

The Water Resources Management Committee of the American Public

Works Association

WHAT IS THEIR MISSION?

1. To provide APWA members with the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully manage public works infrastructure and deliver cost effective public services for water-related issues.

2. To ensure that APWA will be the voice of the public works profession to policy makers, regulators, and implementing agencies on water-related issues.

3. The committeewill encourage APWA members to provide services which are consistent with community expectations for a quality of life in harmony with the need for sustainable development.

WHAT TOPIC-SPECIFIC AREAS ARE INCLUDED IN

THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE?

• Safe Drinking Water for Everyone• Collection and Treatment of

Sanitary Wastes• Stormwater Management• Protection and Safety of all

Vulnerable Infrastructure

WHAT DOES THE COMMITTEE DO?

Members serve as the “center of expertise” in water-related fields

They provide the necessary linkage between the working water professionals and the

Association.

Working with the Government Affairs Department in the Washington, DC office, they monitor legislative and

regulatory activities which may have an impact on our members.

They serve, when invited, as members of federal task forces or

working groups within the Environmental Protection Agency

providing the “real life” experience and impacts which may be missing

at the federal level.

They prepare and offer expert testimony on proposed regulations when the local perspective must be covered prior to making new rules

and regulations

They develop new position statements, and monitor existing ones, on behalf of the public

works professionals within the Association which state the accepted position of APWA

and may be offered to Congressional representatives during periods of debate and

rule making.

They write articles for the annual Water

related issue of the APWA Reporter.

They provide pertinent topics and speakers for education sessions conducted at the Annual APWA Congress each year.

They review existing APWA publications to ensure current information is presented to our

membership.

They provide topics and speakers to assist in the presentation of Click, Listen, and Learn sessions given

throughout the year.

Occasionally, they serve as authors for

new APWA publications pertinent

to water issues.

They monitor the Environment infoNOW community, offering

responses to questions when posed by members and generating topics

of discussion to educate the membership.

They coordinate activities with

other water-related associations to

offer our members a wide variety of opportunities for

education, training, and publications.

WHO CAN SERVE ON THE WATER RESOURCES

COMMITTEE?

• Every APWA member is eligible to serve.

• Nominations for appointment to the committee are advertised early each calendar year.

• Members may nominate themselves, be nominated by their Chapter, At Large Director, or a Board Member.

• Nominees submit an on-line application, including a resume, which is given full consideration by the President-Elect prior to annual committee appointments.

• While the overriding reason for selection for appointment is expertise in the subject area, an attempt is made to maintain a geographic distribution and diversity in filling all committees.

HOW LONG IS THE TERM OF SERVICE?

Members are appointed for one two-year term, with a

maximum of three two-year terms, or a total of six years, permitted for any member.

2006-

08

2008-

10

2010-

12

HOW OFTEN AND WHERE DO THEY MEET?

The committee meets monthly by teleconference call. The cost of the call is paid by

APWA. The call normally does not last longer than one hour. Calls are not held in September or one month in

the Spring.

Members meet in person only twiceduring the year;

once at their own expense as a registrant at the annual APWA Congress in the Fall and once, at APWA’s expense for an all day meeting in the Spring in Kansas City.

HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN SERVE?

The committee is composed of six members who have a strong

emphasis in water related issues.An At-Large Director, who serves as a Board Liaison, and a Staff Liaison also attend all committee meetings.

Each committee has an assigned APWA staff member who provides the

committee support by preparing Agendas, Meeting summaries, conference call

materials, and assists the committee in accomplishing the elements of their

annual Business Plan.

WHAT IS THE LINK BETWEEN OUR CHAPTER

AND THE NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE?

YOU!

Your Chapter will determine whether there is a need for a Water

Resources Management Committee at the Chapter level.

Do you have specific water projects or issues where you need support?

Are your members concerned about keeping water issues before your

membership?

Do you have members who have a real passion for developing

programs, monitoring Federal programs or permits, and who are

willing to lead the local chapter effort?

If the answer is Yes, then the Water Resources Management Committee

will be happy to provide you with information, updates, and response to your inquiries as you lead your

local Chapter emphasis.

If your Chapter is interested in more information, contact the current Chair of the Water Resources Management Committee or the APWA Staff liaison.

For all the necessary information, summaries of each month’s conference

call, and contact information, visit the APWA web site at www.apwa.net

and click on “Technical Committees” on the left

side of the screen.

Whether you’re getting a drink.

Taking a bath

Enjoying recreation

Or protecting your property

EVERYONE needs water.

Make the most of what you know.Share the experience and the

InformationBe an active APWA member.