CDM and Wilbur Smith Associates (WSA) announced the acquisition of WSA by CDM. The combined organization expands both firms? global, full-service capabilities in water, environment, transportation, energy and facilities.

On behalf of the nation?s mayors, the U.S. Conference of Mayors President Elizabeth Kautz, mayor of Burnsville, Minn., released the following statement in response to President Obama?s FY 2012 Budget:?The nation?s mayors are pleased that the President?s budget proposes significant boosts to programs that impact Main Street America because investment in cities and metropolitan areas makes for a strong national economy.

The Clean Water America Alliance announced the 2011 U.S. Water Prize winners. Each winner has been recognized for their watershed-based models and programs that advance our country toward greater water sustainability.

On Feb. 28, Water For People (www.waterforpeople.com) marked its 20th anniversary of working to create a world where all people have access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation, and where no one suffers or dies from a water- or sanitation-related disease.

The annual UIM Conference ? themed ?A Holistic Approach to Water Management? ? was a success Dec. 6-7 at the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District?s Environmental and Maintenance Services Center in Cleveland.

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) Board of Trustees announced that Jeff Eger has been named the new Executive Director of the federation, a not-for-profit technical and educational organization with 36,000 members representing water quality professionals around the world.

The Clean Water America Alliance welcomed Ben Grumbles, a dynamic water policy professional, as its new President in December.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors held a Mayors Water Summit Dec. 8-9 at the St. Regis Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C.

Mueller Water Products Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of products and services that are used in the transmission and distribution of safe, clean drinking water and in water treatment facilities, is expanding its ability to help municipalities rebuild North America?s aging water infrastructure with the acquisition of Echologics Holdings, the parent company of Echologics Engineering Inc.

The National League of Cities annual Congress of Cities & Exposition met Nov. 30-Dec. 4 in downtown Denver at the Colorado Convention Center.