Legacy of Colorado WQA to Live On Through Important WQRF Research

The Colorado Water Quality Association (CWQA) may have terminated operations, but the organization’s profound effect on the water quality improvement industry will be felt for many years to come. In September, shortly after the announcement that the organization had dissolved, the outgoing CQWA board of directors announced that they would be donating the remaining funds in their accounts to the Water Quality Research Foundation (WQRF). During the Water Quality Association’s Mid-Year Leadership Conference in September, CWQA officials made a $150,000 commitment to WQRF’s Investing in Your Future capital campaign.

 

“This is a bittersweet moment in CWQA’s 55-year history,” said CWQA President Peter Waelti, RainSoft of Denver, citing the organization’s declining membership and lack of interest in its annual conference as the primary reasons for dissolution. “However, we know that CWQA’s contribution will do lots of good under WQRF’s stewardship.”

 

CWQA, which served industry members in Colorado from 1959-2014, will be honored as a Visionary-level partner under the Campaign’s Individuals, Dealers and Other Campaign Partners designation.

 

“CWQA’s leadership, membership and gracious gift represent the kind of commitment and professionalism that our industry stands for,” says Darwin “Dar” Watts, SEAS Capital Partners, LLC, a member of the Campaign’s National Steering Committee. “WQRF and its board of directors are humbled by the trust that the CWQA’s membership has placed in future generations and the advancement of our important research work at WQRF. We will honor that trust at every step as part of our guiding and operating principles.”

 

The Investing in Your Future capital campaign is raising money to enhance the research efforts of WQRF. For additional information or to make a pledge, please contact Campaign Director Tyler Eble at foundation@wqrf.org.

 

CWQA board members present a check for $150,000 to WQRF. Pictured (left to right) are CWQA Treasurer/Secretary Rick Arnold, CWQA Board Member Lynda Thomson, CWQA Immediate Past President Dean Lewis, CWQA Vice President Larry Lewis, CWQA President Peter Waelti, WQRF President John Packard, WQRF Capital Campaign National Steering Committee Member Darwin “Dar” Watts and WQA Deputy Executive Director Pauli Undesser.

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