The Water Environment & Research Foundation, Water Environment Federation and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies have partnered to form a new scholarship opportunity for utilities. The Scholarship Exchange Experience for Innovation & Technology (SEE IT) is available to utility personnel to visit peer facilities with innovations of interest and provide an effective way for utilities to learn about, gain confidence in and adopt new technologies and approaches more quickly.

The program is part of the Leaders Innovation Forum for Technology (LIFT) program.

“This effort helps utility peers see the latest technology, have an open discussion on what works and what are some issues from a practical standpoint,” says Ting Lu of Clean Water Services.

LIFT SEE IT is part of a broader clean water sector effort to help provide the tools and resources necessary to help utilities transform their facilities into leading actors in the world of wastewater, stormwater and water reuse. 

Utility representatives interested in investigating a new technology or learning about an innovative approach are encouraged to submit an application. If selected, the sponsoring organizations (WE&RF, WEF and NACWA) will provide travel support for the personnel to visit the utility that is implementing the technology or innovation of interest. The scholarships are being administered through LIFT. Candidates can apply to visit innovations that include new technologies and processes, but also novel approaches to service, operations and finance. 

LIFT has identified 12 Technology Focus Areas as priorities, however applicants are not necessarily limited to these topics. Scholarship recipients will be required to record and share their experiences with peer utilities and others. LIFT SEE IT applications are due Dec. 1.

About WE&RF
The Water Environment & Reuse Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation seeking to identify, support and disseminate research that enhances the quality and reliability of water for natural systems and communities with an integrated approach to resource recovery and reuse. The group also facilitates interaction among practitioners, educators, researchers, decision makers and the public.