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Water For People CEO, Eleanor Allen, Recognized for Her Global Impact on Water Quality

DENVER, August 17, 2017 — Eleanor Allen, P.E., BCEE – CEO of Water For People – was awarded by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) the prestigious 2017 WEF Fellows designation. The designation recognizes achievements, stature, and contributions to water quality.

"WEF Fellows have significant professional accomplishments and have made contributions toward preserving and enhancing the global water environment," said WEF Executive Director Eileen O’Neill. "The Federation is pleased to recognize Eleanor Allen for her impact on clean water and the profession."

As CEO of Water For People, Allen’s work focuses on developing sustainable water and sanitation services for communities around the world where the needs are greatest. Through programs across nine countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, Water For People works in cooperation with local and national governments and the private sector toward achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, by 2030.

"Being named a WEF Fellow is a professional and personal honor for me," Allen said. "Having spent my entire career working towards improving water quality around the world, I am very honored to be recognized by my peers. Today, through Water For People’s work to end the global water and sanitation crisis, I am able to further champion the critical role engineers play – in partnership with communities, governments, and businesses – in achieving SDG 6 and solving one of the world’s greatest challenges."

Prior to her leadership role at Water For People, Allen worked as a consulting engineer at CH2M and Arcadis, leading multi-cultural, global teams in delivering large infrastructure programs. Her expertise is in design of water and wastewater treatment plants. She has worked across all disciplines in the water sector including municipal, industrial, and water resources in planning, design, construction management, and program management. Allen joined Water For People as CEO in 2015. Earlier this year, she was named by the Schwab Foundation as one of its Social Entrepreneurs of the Year – joining a global community of innovators and thought leaders working through close collaboration on the world’s pressing issues.

Allen and other 2017 WEF Fellows – including Water For People Ambassador James Clark, and Champions Al Goodman and Ed McCormick – will be recognized during WEFTEC® 2017, WEF’s 90th annual technical exhibition and conference, to be held from September 30 – October 4 in Chicago.

About Water For People Founded in 1991, Denver, CO, based Water For People is a global nonprofit working across nine countries in Latin America, Asia, and Africa to achieve lasting quality water and sanitation services. Water For People brings together communities, local entrepreneurs, and governments to build, operate, and maintain their own reliable water and sanitation systems and services. Currently working in 30 districts with 4 million people, Water For People is growing to deliver services to over 7 million people in 50 districts globally over the next 10 years. Water For People is also working at the national level in Rwanda, Uganda, Bolivia, and Honduras. Learn more at https://www.waterforpeople.org/.

About WEF The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 34,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment. As a global water sector leader, WEF’s mission is to connect water professionals; enrich the expertise of water professionals; increase the awareness of the impact and value of water; and provide a platform for water sector innovation. To learn more, visit wef.org.

Media Contact: Johnny Merolla, [email protected], 206-495-7623

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