What is WEF?
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is an international not-for-profit educational and technical organization with more than 38,000 members.  WEF is the leading wastewater treatment organization, and WEF is also involved in other aspects of protecting water quality and the environment such as air quality, ecology, hazardous wastes, industrial wastes, nonpoint source pollution, water reuse, biosolids recycling, and groundwater contamination.

As the resource for the water quality profession, WEF provides its members with the latest technical information on water quality and technology, cost-cutting design and implementation strategies, U.S. EPA enforcement activities, and timesaving certified operations training.

WEF is a federation comprised of 79 “Member Associations”, six Operator Associations, and six Corresponding Associations in 32 countries. WEF's “Member Associations” carry out similar objectives to the Federation, but on a local level. Upon joining the Federation, you also become a member of the “Member Association” in your geographical area. Each “Member Association” is represented on WEF's Board of Directors, thereby having a strong impact on WEF's direction.

What is GAWP?
GAWP is the preeminent state association dedicated to education, dissemination of technical and scientific information, increased public understanding, and promotion of sound public laws and programs in the water resources and related environmental fields in Georgia.

GAWP is affiliated with several national associations (WEF, AWWA, AWRA, and ABPA) through their Georgia Member Associations/Sections. (See the diagram below.) GAWP is also affiliated with the Georgia Groundwater Association and the Georgia Water Wise Council.  All of these affiliates are sections under the GAWP umbrella.  Being affiliated with all of these organizations makes GAWP the strongest state water association, because its members represent all areas of water resources.  To ensure that the sections and GAWP work together, each of the sections is represented on the GAWP Board of Directors.  The GAWP committees, such as membership, program, public education, etc., work for the association, as well as, the sections so that there are not duplicate committees.