WASTEWATER EDUCATION 501(C)3
Water is water - NOT waste!
Mission
To provide education which increases public awareness of the link between clean drinking water, safe recreational waters, environmentally sustainable surface and groundwater with watershed based, best management practices related to appropriate wastewater systems, technology, treatment and management.
Notes from the nonprofit
The average US adult has barely a 6th grade grasp of basic science. Increasing, and more importantly retaining, that knowledge is already critical to environmental sustainability in the 21st century. The world is already experiencing the social, economic and environmental consequences of that lack of basic knowledge and belief in science with an ever increasing chasm between truth and ignorance. Is it safe to swim here? Is it safe to eat the fish? Do my parents, grandparents remember at time when they could do that? Where does our drinking water come from? Will there be enough for the future? Why are the storms more intense? The impact from our programs will help students, their communities, and those involved in providing wastewater services think about those questions and hopefully find locally relevant solutions. We connect the messages - that water quality is a local public health, a local economic and a local environmental issue.
Ruling year
2003
Executive Director
Mrs. Dendra J. Best
Main address
PO Box 792
Traverse Clty, MI 49685 USA
EIN
20-0042087
NTEE code
Water Resource, Wetlands Conservation and Management (C32)
Alliance/Advocacy Organizations (S01)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990-N.
Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2023, 2022 and 2010.
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Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Why is a nonprofit dedicated to education about wastewater? We provide information, resources and education activities to facilitate consensus building in an open, informed, collaborative, and inclusive process. Communities should be directly engaged in determining their specific needs, organizational and financial capabilities, and the water management solution that best meets those criteria. Far too often those decisions are driven not by need but by outside influences. WasteWaterEducation.org is all about bridging the gap between perception and reality. There's a reason the average life expectancy has doubled in this country - electricity, refrigeration, and access to decent, affordable sanitation. We seek to create a platform for wastewater service providers to acquire the skills they need to present that public image of the professionals they are - the original advocates for public and environmental health.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Property Owner Outreach Wastewater Education
We provide water and wastewater education programs to the general public and municipalities
Wastewater Service Provider Training
We provide online / on demand interactive Continuing Education certified courses via Zoom and Adobe® Connect™ distance learning.
Water Is Energy - EPA WaterSense program
We provide materials and presentations to link the use of water with energy consumption and the economic and climate impact as a long time EPA WaterSense Partner.
Social Media and web based resources
To minimize overhead costs we provide services via our Web site, Zoom, Podcasting, Blog, Twitter, LinkedIn and Adobe® Connect™ Distance learning.
Small Community Mediation and Planning Service
We are able to offer community planning and conflict mediation which so often erupts due to proposed wastewater changes. Affordable, acceptable solutions can be created when all parties feel they have a say and due regard is paid to both current and long term demographics and economic forecasting. By using nationally developed 'table top' discussion templates, community members can 'see' for themselves what they affordable options are.
Where we work
Awards
Certificate of Achievement 2012
EPA Watersense
WaterSense Certificate of Achievement 2015
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
WaterSense Certificate of Achievement 2020
EPA Watersense
Affiliations & memberships
National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) 2015
National Wildlife Federation 2017
NOWRA 2010
WEF 2021
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of lessons taught
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Wastewater Service Provider Training
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Continuing Education hours provided
Number of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) developed
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Wastewater Service Provider Training
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
All available online, on-demand, interactive, distance learning classes and multi part courses.
Number of health education trainings conducted
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Age groups
Related Program
Small Community Mediation and Planning Service
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Wastewater Education 501(C)3 is a public outreach and consulting organization dedicated to advocacy for the protection of water as a vital human and ecological asset through the implementation and man
Total number of classes offered
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Average dollar price for classes
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Work status and occupations
Related Program
Wastewater Service Provider Training
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of paid registrants to classes
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
In 2016 there was an 18 month reporting period changing from calendar to fiscal year July-June.
Number of program graduates
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of program participants who remain employed 12 months after program completion
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of pre-recorded hours of broadcast
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Our message is simple and clear - all water is connected, all water use is connected, water is water~ not waste! Our intended purpose is to provide clear, consistent information that emphasizes this fact.
Wastewater Education 501(C)3 is a public, and professional, education, outreach and consulting non profit organization, a dedicated advocate for the protection of water as a vital human and ecological asset through the implementation and management of affordable, appropriate wastewater systems.
We are independent and impartial, assisting individuals and communities, at little to no cost, to discover the financial and environmental advantages of implementing sustainable, integrated water infrastructures.
It goes to the heart of teaching as opposed to presenting. Tell me and I'll listen, show me and I'll watch, write it down and I'll read it later - but let me try it myself and I'll learn!
Because water is water, not waste!
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
* Expand, online, on-demand, interactive, Continuing Education onsite wastewater and service provider classes
* Capitalize on increased Social Media activity - specifically LinkedIn and Twitter, as the most effective means to reach community leaders and practitioners
* Promote the role of professional environmental health entities in water source protection
* Expand YouTube recordings to provide Closed Captioning and translation services
* Expand guest events in our Tuesday@Two online series and Regulators Round Table
* Fund Flushed With Success public education series
* Secure underwriters for Adobe Connect Distance Learning platform
* Hire a Development Officer
* Expand writing and publishing, both in professional journals and in our online magazine WasteWaterEducation.info
We can be both proactive and reactive in the minimal amount of time.
We have no ego. It doesn't matter who takes the lead. If we can put together a team to address an issue, we don't have to be in charge.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
WasteWater Education is a truly independent, impartial entity.
Our network of contacts is extensive - witness the explosion of activity on our web site and social media accounts listed in the most recent Annual Report.
What contributes to our success is the support of professional colleagues, respect from specific vendors, gratitude from the individuals and organizations we have been able to assist.
We have built a community of informed consent which we are consistently taking steps to grow and expand. Our philosophy is gaining acceptance - that we are all stronger together - that 50% of something is better than 0% of nothing.
We have created an organization culture of generosity - both of thought and action.
We continue to entertain and educate at the same time for without joy there can be no learning. We offer solutions and creative thinking, via mobile access on tablets and smart phones - 'the sky is falling' will never be our mantra.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Google For NonProfits Partner
Zoom For Education platfrom
Tuesday@Two Online Public Education outreach
- using 100 Site Adobe Connect Distance Learning License.
- During Earth Month we host an event each week.
Regulator Round Table: An online distance learning/conferencing service to provide environmental health regulators the ability to discuss cutting edge technology or management
Web based small community mentoring service.
WasteWaterEducation.org and WasteWaterEducation.info:
Mi State Admin Code for Wastewater Consensus Platfrom
educaciondeaguasresiduales.org - our Spanish language service
EPA WaterSense Partner
CEU training: via our live, interactive distance learning platform for wastewater professionals
The nation's infrastructure is based on 19th Century thinking. To change it will require a) a huge financial investment for which there is little political support and
b) a 'sea change' in rethinking how to re-plumb, re-power and reuse our water resources. This is where we are focused.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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WASTEWATER EDUCATION 501(C)3
Board of directorsas of 02/19/2023
Ben Kele
Arris Water
Term: 2021 - 2022
Oliver Grievson
WIPAC
Term: 2021 - 2022
Bill Crawford
Benzie-Leelanau District HD Retired
Scott Kendzierski M.S., R.E.H.S
State of Michigan
Sam Lines
Concrete Sealants, Inc.
Oliver Grievson
http://uk.linkedin.com/in/olivergrievson
Lesley Desjardins
Western Canada Onsite Wastewater Management Association
Richard Flynn
Irish Onsite Wastewater
Todd Drefcinski
Jewell-Osco
Gregg Mayfield
Southern Water and Soil, Inc
Ben Kele
Arris Water
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.
Equity strategies
Last updated: 02/19/2023GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
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