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 committee will 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

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 twice during 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 the Combined Technical Committee meeting when all the technical committees meet 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.

One Board Member At Large is elected to serve as the Liaison between the Board of Directors and the committee.

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 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 Information Be an active APWA member.