The American Water Works Association (AWWA) recently announced an agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce to enhance international opportunities for the drinking water industry.
The agreement between the two organizations recognizes the critical importance of environmental technologies to the U.S. and international economies, and the contribution of those technologies to global sustainable development and protection of public health.
"This alliance creates an opportunity to enhance international trade of environmental technologies and to develop infrastructure projects that support growing populations, economic development, and protect the public health for people worldwide," said Jack Hoffbuhr, AWWA executive director. "AWWA is truly very honored to partner with the U.S. Department of Commerce and to exchange resources so that we may collectively work toward a unified goal of protecting public health."
"This agreement demonstrates our commitment to public-private partnerships that stimulate international trade," said Linda Conlin, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Trade Development. "This will benefit the U.S. environmental industry, enhance U.S. exports and advance the administration’s commitment to provide better access to safe drinking water to people around the globe."
The benefits of this mutual agreement to the drinking water industry and international community include:
• The opportunity to continue to advance programs to deliver safe, clean drinking water to those most in need.
• To support sustainable development overseas, protect public health, encourage responsible growth, and minimize the impact of population growth on the environment and the world population as a whole.
• To support joint U.S. and foreign economic development by establishing partnerships abroad.
Established in 1881, AWWA is the oldest and largest nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to safe drinking water in the world. AWWA has 56,000 members worldwide and its 4,500 utility members serve 80 percent of America’s population.
Source: AWWA
