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Water Environment Federation

EIN 53-0225129 · Alexandria, VA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WEF's mission is inspiring the water community in pursuit of human and environmental well-being. WEF is a global environmental leader committed to water quality education and technical best practices. WEF connects water professionals; enriches the expertise of water professionals; increases the awareness of the impact and value of water; and provides a platform for water section innovation.

Income
$31.0 million
Spending
$28.6 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
9.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 87%
Employees
103
Volunteers
3,200
Highest pay
$238,571, chief mission officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 49% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (6)
  1. $7.0 million spent. WEFTEC is the most comprehensive gathering of water quality professionals and thought leaders, featuring the sector's leading technical education program; an extensive exhibition showcasing the field's most cutting-edge solutions; and a variety of valuable networking opportunities. WEFTEC provides access to the latest technologies, services and products for those looking to design, build, maintain, or upgrade water management systems and programs.
  2. $5.7 million spent. Technical Programs, Seminars, and Workshops - As the leading source of water quality expertise, WEF is committed to advancing the professional workforce development of the water sector through educational seminars and workshops that focus on environmental, sustainability, and public health topics. WEF provides education to water professionals from over 70 countries at WEFTEC as well as at WEF's specialty conferences. WEF's educational content includes all areas of water resources management, including utility management and operations, collection systems, stormwater, water and wastewater treatment, and biosolids. WEF's commitment to the sustainable development goals focus on safe, sustainable access to clean water and sanitation, innovation and a circular economy. WEF provides in-depth education on biological hazards to wastewater operators through virtual workshops and public health communications platforms, and provided a free update to a manual of practice on safety and security of water resource recovery facilities.
  3. $2.9 million spent. Public Outreach & Advocacy - WEF's public outreach and advocacy programs encompass a broad range of activities intended to better inform the public and policy leaders of critical issues and the vital role water resources play in the everyday lives of citizens. These programs include coordinating all interviews and meetings with media/news outlets, writing and dissemination of all society news releases, training society leaders and members in public communications and effective media relations, providing communications counsel to the Federation's various member associations. WEF's water advocates program empowers WEF members to share knowledge and expertise to inform government decision-makers about the importance of water. Water advocates program helps grassroots communities all of the US speak with a united voice for water to reach out to and connect with elected officials on important water quality issues including aging infrastructure, affordability, and continued economic pressures which have put unprecedented stress on local governments and agencies that provide essential water services.
  4. $2.4 million spent. Membership Services - Handles customer service operations, membership recruitment and retention, and engagement with customers, members, member associations and affiliated organizations.
  5. $2.7 million spent. Publications and Subscriptions - WEF publishes technical and educational magazines, newsletters, books, technical reports, fact sheets, conference proceedings, and training materials. Water Environment & Technology (WE&T) is the publication professionals read to learn about the latest technologies, trends, and news in water quality. Members receive it monthly as a membership benefit. In addition, the publication is sold on a subscription basis to libraries and other water professionals. WEF publishes digital newsletters, WEFTEC Now and WEF Smartbrief. WEF also publishes Water Environment Research, a peer-reviewed research journal, in partnership with Wiley. WEF publishes an extensive range of peer-reviewed manuals of practice, textbooks, and supplemental texts for classroom use as well as a comprehensive operator training series titled Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals. This training series includes manuals, trainer's kits, companion online training, and study guides. WEF co-publishes Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater with the American Public Health Association and the American Water Works Association. WEF's conference proceedings, magazine features, technical reports, fact sheets, books, and training materials are published on Access Water, WEF's online library.
  6. $652,762 spent. Grants & Contracts - Includes funds used to provide subject matter expertise in the development and updating of multiple wastewater unified facility criteria and unified facility guide specs. CDC funds were received to set up a community of practice for correctional facility wastewater surveillance.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1962.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.