Welcome to February. The 2015 Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport (WWETT) Show is just a few weeks away and we’re gearing up for the largest event we’ve ever staged.

You’ll find a preview of the annual Industry Appreciation Party in this issue of Cleaner. It’s one of the highlights of the WWETT Show, and you should plan to attend if you make the trip to Indy. There will be live music from Cole Swindell and Blackjack Billy, 25-cent tap beer and we’re giving away a fully customized Chevy 4x4 pickup truck to celebrate our 35th anniversary.

This issue also features a profile on Downstream Services, a California-based wastewater services company whose ethics and mission are what the WWETT Show is all about.  

The company was built from an idealistic concept and a desire to keep our water sources clean and drinkable. Owner Victor Roberts says it all goes back to the Clean Water Act and the importance of maintaining and providing clean water sources for everyone. Having inherited a reverence for the natural world from his father, an author of multiple books on the flora and fauna of Baja California, Roberts isn’t shy about sharing his opinion on human responsibility to the environment. He says to continue living on the land, our waterways need to remain clean.

Downstream offers pipeline inspection, cleaning and repair, but it has evolved into a larger and more comprehensive role within the industry. The company has taken the next logical step, operating and maintaining municipal and government agency wastewater systems, including instrumentation, pump repair and maintenance.

Evolving, doing more and doing it better is a common thread between Downstream and the WWETT Show. Like the company, the show has evolved. What was once a small show for septic pumpers has grown to encompass so much more. The show provides opportunities for your company to grow, improve operations and expand into new services.

I’m looking forward to another trip to Indy and the opportunity to hear more stories like Downstream’s. I enjoy talking to as many of you as possible, getting your feedback and gaining a better understanding of the issues you’re facing.

And the WWETT Show is also full of opportunities for your business. From the moment you leave your hotel room to the very end of the night, in the elevator on the way down to the lobby, at breakfast, on the walk to the convention center and all throughout the day, you’ll have no problem striking up conversations with your peers. So take advantage: The insight you gain could make all the difference for your business.

There are also plenty of education seminars to help you improve and expand your operations. And of course there are tools and trucks – lots of them. Take it all in and enjoy the show.

If you haven’t registered or begun planning your time in Indy, visit WWETT.com for all the information you’ll need. It’s a great way to help build your business and there’s plenty of fun to be had, too.

Enjoy this month’s issue. See you in Indy.