Four associations worked together to produce the document; the American Public Works Association (APWA); the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE); the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF). The document is the first nationally recognised set of practices and core attributes for effectively managed wastewater collection systems and aims to address the lack of clear federal guidelines.

Ken Kirk, NACWA’s executive director described the Core Attributes as “a significant step towards a consistent national framework for the management of separate sanitary collection systems and a critical element of any future federal rule or guidance to address sanitary sewer issues holistically.”

The associations engaged a broad range of industry stakeholders to help identify the core issues and best management practices which make up the attributes.