수질환경연맹(WEF)는 점점 증가하는 우수 및 도심 유출수 문제를 처리하기 위한 새 사업으로 WEF 우수 연구기관의 설립을 발표했다. 이 기관은 WEF 내에서 기존의 조직 리더십 영향력을 높이고, 우수 문제를 관리하는 책임을 가진 연방, 주, 지역 등 멤버십 및 다양한 파트너십의 폭을 넓히기 위한 연구를 수행할 예정이다. 

한편, 우수는 북아메리카 전역의 많은 수계에서 물 오염의 원천으로 점점 영향력이 커지고 있다. 도심지는 점점 커지고, 심각한 기상이 계속 발생하고 있으므로 우수관리 문제는 점차 중요한 이슈가 될 것으로 보인다.

 

 

 

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has announced the establishment of the WEF Stormwater Institute, a new venture to address the growing issue of stormwater and urban runoff. The institute will be housed within WEF to leverage the organization's existing leadership, breadth of membership and varied partnerships with federal, state and local entities responsible for managing stormwater issues.

 

The WEF Stormwater Institute will serve as a center for excellence and a resource for stormwater practitioners and regulator communities. Stormwater is the only growing source of water pollution in many watersheds throughout North America. As urban areas grow and more severe weather occurs, the issue of stormwater management will only increase in importance.

 

The growing issue of stormwater pollution coupled with regulatory pressure has created a need for national leadership that the WEF Stormwater Institute aims to provide. The institute will have a strong initial focus on the development of technical tools, professional training and networking opportunities for stormwater practitioners worldwide. Many existing stormwater initiatives within WEF will be brought under the umbrella of the institute, and new programs in key areas such as green infrastructure will be developed.

 

"The WEF Stormwater Institute has been created in direct to response to a gap in the water resource recovery sector for a central stormwater leadership, information and advocacy hub," said WEF President Ed McCormick. "With more than 36,000 members across the globe, we are thrilled to apply our unique strengths to tackle these vital issues and provide effective and efficient solutions to the thousands of water communities that we serve. WEF is very excited about connecting stormwater professionals from both our MAs and regional stormwater organizations as we collaborate to provide leadership across North America."

 

WEF's commitment to the institute will include dedicated full-time professional staff as well as significant funding for collaborative projects. Additional announcements about the structure and programmatic activities of the WEF Stormwater Institute will be made in the weeks ahead.

 

[출처 = Water World / 2015년 6월 26일]