ST. LOUIS — Dec. 21, 2015 — The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) and the WateReuse Research Foundation (WRRF) intend to merge and integrate, according to a press release.
The two nonprofit organizations conduct research in complementary areas: WateReuse focuses on water reuse and desalination, while WERF focuses on resource recovery and water quality impacts from wastewater and stormwater, noted the release.
A merger of the two groups is expected to “create synergies, reduce future water research redundancy, further the evolution toward a unified voice for water, and increase the value proposition to their respective subscribers by enhancing and leveraging investments,” stated the release.
“The water industry is currently at a critical juncture as it relates to acceptance and implementation of reuse — driven by demand, environmental needs, and the creation of a local, sustaining water supply,” commented Doug Owen, chairman of the WRRF, in the release. “The merger has the opportunity to strengthen the value of water that was historically used only once.”
Kevin Shafer, chairman of the WERF board of directors, added in the release: “Our organizations share a common commitment to making the most of the water we use. Merging will strengthen that commitment as well as increase the return on investment in research for our members and the industry as a whole.”
Founded in 1990, WRRF and its sister organization, the WateReuse Association, advocate for policies, laws and funding at the state and federal level to increase the practice of recycling water.
WERF, established in 1989, focuses on scientific research into wastewater and stormwater issues.
You can find the entire release here.
