The American Membrane Technology Association (AMTA) is an organization like no other. As a member for nearly two decades, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing AMTA expand and mature in lockstep with the technology that defines us. Growing from a boutique group of processes whose limited use reflected the industry’s minimal institutional knowledge of membranes, today membrane-based systems enjoy the broadest application of any technology class, including critical roles in the treatment of brackish groundwater, seawater, recycled wastewater for potable reuse, produced water, and industrial process water and waste streams. Likewise, AMTA has grown from a niche group of specialty practitioners in its infancy to a globally influential professional association with thousands of diverse members and associates around the world.
As the leading voice on membrane treatment, AMTA organizes technology transfer workshops throughout North America, publishes a quarterly journal/industry newsletter called Solutions, and in partnership with the American Water Works Association (AWWA), conducts the annual Membrane Technology Conference, which attracts over 1,000 attendees from six continents in what has become the world’s most important forum for discussing its most versatile and increasingly essential class of treatment processes. Recognizing the importance of our shared history, AMTA has also taken the initiative to capture firsthand accounts of the early development and commercialization of membrane technology in a series of video interviews called “Chats with the Pioneers.” These videos are archived for posterity and available for free public viewing here on the AMTA web site.
Most importantly, AMTA is a community of students and professionals with a common interest in, experience with, and enthusiasm for applying membrane technology to help solve a wide array of water and wastewater treatment challenges. This community is the hallmark of all AMTA events, which are organized by dedicated volunteer contributors like you and supported by our very generous sponsors. In addition to high quality technical content, these events provide a welcoming atmosphere for networking, collaboration, exchange of ideas, connecting with long-time friends, and meeting great new people.
I look forward to seeing you at one of our outstanding events in the near future. Please feel free to introduce yourself and give me any feedback that you may have on how AMTA is serving your needs and ways in which we can continually strive to do so in better and more creative ways. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at: brent.alspach@arcadis.com.
Brent Alspach, PE, BCEE
AMTA President