Jammin’4Water Rocks WEFTEC

Water industry musicians have a well-kept secret at the annual WEFTEC show that is building momentum in its fourth year. Held on Sept. 24, Jammin’4Water welcomed hundreds of musicians, along with their friends, families, sponsors and WEFTEC attendees to Generations Hall in New Orleans who gathered to kick out the jams.

Traditionally held the Saturday before WEFTEC, Jammin’4Water is organized by the Water Charities Fundraising Board and volunteers. The open mic event first launched in 2013 and involves musicians who donate to charity to secure a stage spot – the rights to perform and produce their bucket list music before an enthusiastic audience. Some songs are solo while others are true jam sessions with a full band on stage.



Water Charities Fundraising is a group that raises funds for the WEF Community Service Project and other charitable organizations that focus on water, sanitation and hygiene. The 2016 Jammin’4Water drew more than 600 people, with more than 50 sponsors, 70 musicians and raised approximately $70,000 in donations for water projects in seven countries. In four years, Water Charities Fundraising has raised more than $125,000 for a dozen individual charities and organizations.

“In addition to supporting water charities, the garage band atmosphere excites young and senior WEF professionals alike,” says event organizer Dave Kinnear. “It’s WEF meets Woodstock in a positive groove.”

Jammin’4Water began as a means to fund a venue for a group interested in playing together at WEFTEC. The growing popularity and the hard work of its musicians have since attracted a growing numbers of sponsors and musicians each year. The 2016 the event featured two stages at New Orleans’ Generations Hall – one for a smaller, coffeehouse atmosphere with featured acoustic sets, and a main stage featuring performances from a full band with a horn section. The set list generally includes classics from artists like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eric Clapton and The Doobie Brothers to James Brown, Santana and The Ramones.



For more info on Jammin’4Water and how to get involved, visit www.jammin4water.org.

Editor’s Note: Jammin’4Water includes performances from several musicians who were featured in Trenchless Technology’s August piece highlighting musicians in the water/wastewater industry.