At the US Water Alliance, we are driving a One Water approach. What is “one water”? Our planet has a finite amount of available fresh water. Water is an essential resource that moves through a cycle of use and reuse in watersheds around the world. Wherever it is in this cycle, water has value. The one water approach views all water – drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, greywater and more – as resources that must be managed holistically and sustainably.
At the same time, water is life. It sustains us. It grows our food and makes our economies flow. Looking ahead, we see a future where all water is valued. By uniting diverse interests on a variety of water issues, from aging infrastructure to drought and flooding, we can secure a sustainable water future, now and for future generations. This is the One Water, One Future movement.
As we chart the course for a sustainable one water future, I am pleased to announce several exciting new programs that you can expect from the US Water Alliance this year.
June 8-10, 2016: One Water Summit 2016 – Save the Date!
We hope you will join us June 8-10 in Atlanta for the 7th Annual One Water Summit 2016. This is a tremendous opportunity for networking, learning, and forging partnerships for progress. More details on the program coming soon, but for now please mark your calendars!
Call for Nominations – US Water Prize
The US Water Prize celebrates organizations that are driving game-changing projects, policies, and programs in one water management. The 2016 Water Prize Celebratory Program & Reception will take place in Atlanta as part of the One Water Summit 2016. The nominations process is now open with a deadline of Tuesday, March 1 for submissions. We encourage you to nominate outstanding organizations who are advancing innovative approaches to one water management.
One Water Webinars
In February we will be kicking off our One Water Webinar Series that will take place every month. If you’d like to get plugged into these interactive forums for Alliance members and supporters, please email Hope Hurley. Upcoming webinars include:
- February 5: Tackling Climate Change Challenges with Integrated Water Resource Management
- February 26: Partnerships for Progress – Urban and Agriculture Coming Together For Healthy Watershed
One Water Spotlights
In January, we will be kicking off our One Water Spotlights, a monthly profile showcasing how Alliance members and supporters are driving the one water movement through innovative partnerships, policies, programs, and financing approaches. You won’t want to miss these inspirational stories of building a sustainable water future for all.
One Water Council
For the past several years, the US Water Alliance has convened the One Water Council, a collaborative cross-sector platform for US Water Alliance members and supporters to learn from each other, partner on policy development, develop joint advocacy positions, and work together to advance integrated approaches to water resource management. If you would like to get involved with the Council, please contact Hope Hurley.
Value of Water Coalition
The US Water Alliance is proud to convene the Value of Water Coalition, an unprecedented collaboration of organizations building public and political will for investment in water. We have a robust agenda for 2016, including the release of a national survey in February. And, we hope you will save the date to join us for Infrastructure Week 2016.
Our New Website
We are proud to launch the new US Water Alliance website. This is your hub for the one water movement and your gateway to connect with fellow water leaders, resources, events, and the latest innovation and thinking in one water management. In the coming months we will continue to build out our resource offerings, so stay tuned.
In 2016, these program offerings will support our work to accelerate the adoption of one water management strategies and celebrate what works by driving innovation in the water sector. Through the Value of Water Coalition, we’ll continue to educate the nation on the importance of water and the need for investment.
At the heart of the One Water movement is you: our partners. Our members are building stronger communities and a stronger America, together. These past 3 months as the new CEO of the US Water Alliance have been incredible. I’ve been awestruck by the passion and dedication of our partners and supporters. We thank you for your commitment and collaboration to building a sustainable water future for all. And we are proud to work with you on these new initiatives for advancing a one water future.
