On December 5, Delaware State University (DSU) and the US Water Alliance held a community event to celebrate the launch of their new partnership (supported by the Environmental Protection Agency) to bolster water infrastructure across the country. The event—held on DSU’s campus—began with speeches from the US Water Alliance’s Renée Willette and Delaware State University’s Dr. Cherese Winstead. Members of the DSU student body and EPA staff were also in attendance. Photos courtesy of Delaware State University are available here.
In her remarks, Renée Willette, Chief Strategy Officer of the US Water Alliance, said “The US Water Alliance is honored to launch our partnership with Delaware State University in providing community centered water technical assistance across the US. As the first Environmental Finance Center to contractually partner with a Historically Black College or University, we aim to leverage DSU’s many skills to advance water infrastructure improvements.”
These efforts will be housed under DSU’s new Center for Environmental Justice, which is set to open as part of the partnership. The Center will launch a novel workforce development program, offering students externships and other unique opportunities to gain hands-on experience with local governments, water utilities, and communities in need of water infrastructure investment. The Center will also contribute to the US Water Alliance’s robust technical assistance offerings in support of community-centered infrastructure planning, including environmental justice screenings, asset mapping, and research. Lastly, this exciting partnership will empower Environmental Finance Centers to assist disadvantaged communities in accessing DSU’s state-of-the-art Water Quality Lab for extensive water testing.
Mami Hara, CEO of the US Water Alliance, underscored the importance and goals of the partnership, stating “the US Water Alliance National Environmental Finance Center is thrilled to partner with Delaware State University in providing the water and wastewater technical assistance needed by too many communities across our country—and cannot wait to work with the wonderful faculty and students of DSU. The Alliance is committed to ensuring that this partnership is just the first step in tapping into the knowledge and skills of Historically Black Colleges and Universities to advance community-tailored technical, financial, management, and engagement assistance.”
“Delaware State University proudly embraces this groundbreaking partnership with the US Water Alliance National Environmental Finance Center,” said Jason Nunley, Program Director for the Center for Environmental Justice. “This collaboration exemplifies our shared commitment to addressing water and wastewater challenges while fostering equity and opportunity. Through our new Center for Environmental Justice, we are providing critical technical assistance to underserved communities and creating transformative opportunities for our students to lead in environmental justice, water infrastructure, and community resilience. Together, we are building a future where every community can access safe, sustainable water systems and the expertise needed to maintain them.”
Today in the United States, Black communities disproportionately lack access to safe drinking water, and less than 10 percent of water workers are Black. The aim of these programs is to help enhance the state’s water infrastructure, largely by addressing existing racial gaps in water access and the water workforce.
