AWWA, NRWA to Work on Common Goals
American Water Works Association (AWWA) President Nilaksh Kothari
and National Rural Water Association (NRWA) President Rodney Tart
recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) affirming each
association's common goals and declaring their intent to work more
closely together in the future, AWWA announced on Oct. 1.
"AWWA is truly committed to developing this working relationship
with NRWA," Kothari said. "Both organizations will benefit from each
other's strengths, and this new era of cooperation and coordination
will ultimately serve consumers from communities of all sizes."
The MOU, signed during NRWA's Annual Conference in Philadelphia,
states that the respective presidents of each association will meet at
least twice a year and will appoint a joint work group to develop an
annual action plan to fulfill the intent of the agreement. The groups
also will review the implementation of the MOU, hold formal partnering
sessions and recommend amendments.
Tart stated: "It is important that our respective organizations
continue to seek opportunity in areas where we can find mutual
agreement. I am encouraged by this new collaborative effort to advance
the water industry."
The MOU states that the associations' common goals are to advance
education, science and technology; to disseminate technical information
and provide training assistance; to increase public understanding; to
promote sound public policy, and to improve trust and confidence
between AWWA and NRWA.