Become Involved in WWOAP...
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What is WWOAP?
Originally established and organized in 1927 to improve and advance
the public water supply industry across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
the Water Works Operators' Association of Pennsylvania (WWOAP)
remains faithful to that creed and objective today.
Because it believes that understanding, cooperation and progress
are more readily attainable through open  communications
among all levels of the industry as well as with regulators, the
WWOAP has become the central forum in Pennsylvania for all those
involved with and concerned about the standards and quality of
the treatment and delivery of water for use by the general public.
Through numerous programs and committee activities, the WWOAP
efficiently communicates and disperses technological information
to the Commonwealth's entire public water supply industry. Whether
municipally-operated or investor-owned, this information can mean
a better, safer product for all consumers.
The WWOAP is dedicated to:
- Increasing the knowledge and expertise of those working at
all levels of Pennsylvania's water supply industry.
- Disseminating information about public water supply and the
public water supply industry.
- Encouraging exchanges among its members about design, construction,
operation and management of water supply systems through meetings
and other activities.
Who are WWOAP members?
WWOAP members are people involved directly or indirectly with
the operation, management, design or construction of municipally-operated
or investor-owned public water supply systems including:
- Operators
- Engineers
- Chemists
- Bacteriologists
- Equipment and materials manufacturers or suppliers and their
representatives
- Local, state and federal government officials and personnel
- Others who are engaged or interested in the water supply profession.
WWOAP helps its members grow...
...through statewide conferences —
- Each year, the WWOAP holds a statewide conference in August
on the campus of the Pennsylvania State University. These sessions
feature outstanding speakers and presenters on a wide variety
of subjects pertaining directly or indirectly to the profession.
In addition, several educational and social events and activities
are sponsored by the WWOAP for attendees, their spouses and
guests.
...through sectional meetings —
- WWOAP has divided the Commonwealth into three distinct sections
— Eastern, Central and Western — each of which meet
separately several times a year at various locations within
their boundaries.
Members attending these meetings hear or make presentations
on subjects of interest, view displays and acquire helpful and
up-to-date information on the latest trends within the industry.
They also have the opportunity to discuss specific problems
with other members who have mutual concerns or have already
dealt with the same or similar problems.
State and federal regulatory agency representatives often discuss
their plans, actions and viewpoints during these meetings.
...through newsletters —
- The WWOAP publishes three newsletters a year which contain
articles and photographs on such matters as
:
- the annual conference, sectional meetings, executive board
sessions and committee activities
- operator certification training courses, workshops and
other educational activities
- recent developments and advances in the water supply
industry
- financial reports of the Secretary-Treasurer
- biographical data on the officers, award recipients and
members who contribute significantly to the profession
- listings of the new members, obituaries and address changes
- company promotions and other personnel news
- employment opportunities plus special articles on subjects
of interest to those in the profession.
...through a web site —
- The WWOAP recently launched this World Wide Web site to better
increase the knowledge and expertise of Pennsylvania's water
supply professionals. This vehicle disseminates information
regarding public water supply design, construction, operation
and maintenance.
...through membership directories—
- Every other year, the WWOAP publishes a completely updated
membership directory for distribution to all members. Included
are listings of members' addresses, current WWOAP officers,
committee chairmen and members, WWOAP bylaws, and all award
recipients, past WWOAP presidents and WWOAP scholarship recipients.
Click here for related scholarship
award news.
In the intervening years, a Directory Supplement is produced which lists any new members or changes of address registers since the last state conference as well as that year's officers, committees and the most recent award recipients.
Who benefits from WWOAP membership...and
how?
Operators and Managers do— through the exchange of
ideas and solutions to problems which are discussed at the Annual
Conference, sectional meetings, workshops and in newsletter articles.
Likewise, courses offered by the Operators'Training Committee
help members keep abreast of developments within the industry,
offer basic training courses for those new to the industry and
help new members prepare for state certification examinations.
Municipalities do— through the guidance and information
municipal employees receive by attending and participating in
the Annual Conference and sectional meetings. By encouraging their
employees to actively involve themselves in WWOAP, municipalities
benefit from more efficient, competent and professional operation
and maintenance of their water treatment plants and distribution
systems.
Manufacturers, Suppliers and their Representatives do—
by receiving invaluable exposure and contact with people who specify
and use their equipment. They also may receive constructive criticism
of their products from those who use them under actual field conditions.
These criticisms can be used to improve the products and thereby
increase sales.
Consulting Engineers do— by gaining exposure through
preparation of articles and presentations of papers that describe
projects recently completed. In addition, they have the opportunity
to meet with potential clients during WWOAP's various activities.
Consulting engineers also have the opportunity to become familiar
with other engineers by working with them on WWOAP committees
and by attending meetings and technical sessions.
Governments do— because WWOAP maintains open channels
of communication with the state and federal government through
various programs, committee activities, operator training courses
and articles published in the newsletter. The annual conference
and workshops also provide excellent opportunities to discuss
recent developments in regulation.
Educations and students do— through the presentation
of papers at WWOAP meetings, technical sessions, at the annual
conference or in the newsletter.
In 1977, a cash grant was awarded by the WWOAP to a worthy student
for the first time. Since 1980, similar grants have been made
annually to at least one outstanding student to help defray the
costs of his or her education and, thus, make it easier for them
to eventually enter the public water supply profession.
What constitutes membership?
Membership Article IV:
Section 4.03
A Utility Member shall be a manager, superintendent, operator,
or other employee of a municipal or private water works; an employee
of a regulatory or governmental agency; or an employee of an institution
of higher learning.
Section 4.04
An Non-Utility Member shall be a person or a representative of
a firm or corporation engaged in manufacturing, furnishing, selling
or promoting the sale of materials or services used in the design,
construction, operation or maintenance of water works.
Fees and Dues Article V:
Section 5.01. The Board of Directors shall be vested with
the authority to determine the annual dues for each class of membership.
Section 5.02. Annual membership dues of the Association
shall be due January 1 of each year for the ensuing calendar year.
Tell me more...
Download a membership application
in .pdf format by clicking here, or for more information
on WWOAP membership advantages, contact Duane
R. Close.
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