Dedicated to "the preservation and enhancement of water quality worldwide," the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is an international professional organization of water quality experts. WEF is made up of 38,000 water professionals, including engineers, biologists, government officials, treatment plant managers and operators, laboratory technicians, equipment manufacturers and distributors, and educators.

WEF was founded in 1928 as the Federation of Sewage Works Associations and served as the publisher of the Sewage Works Journal. The organization has also been known as the Water Pollution Control Federation. Its scope has broadened significantly since its inception, and WEF currently publishes a variety of materials relating to the water industry. WEF also sponsors seminars, conferences, and briefings; offers technical training and education; produces informational videos for students; and provides input on environmental legislation and regulations to government bodies.

The publications issued by WEF cover a multitude of topics and are geared...