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AWWA releases insights report from Water 2050 Sustainability Think Tank

December 1, 2022

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AWWA releases insights report from Water 2050 Sustainability Think Tank

A diverse group of influential thinkers from within and outside the water community put forth 10 recommendations for a sustainable water future in the first think tank report of the Water 2050 initiative.

Published today by the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the Water 2050 Sustainability Think Tank Report is the first in a series of five think tank reports associated with the initiative. Water 2050 seeks to envision the future of water and chart a course for sustainability.

The 24 participants in the Water 2050 Sustainability Think Tank, which took place Sept. 21-23 at the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas, included highly respected voices from the water and wastewater utility and consulting community, agriculture, climate science, academia, environmental advocacy, regulatory agencies, the beverage industry and innovation incubation, among others. The group engaged in a series of facilitated discussions and developed recommended actions that can be grouped into four broad categories:

  • Implement a new water utility paradigm
  • Establish a climate resilient water future
  • Define the value of water for a new reality
  • Achieve circularity of water

“AWWA is uniquely positioned to host these Water 2050 conversations and explore long-term solutions for the water community,” said AWWA President Joe Jacangelo. “By bringing together diverse voices and thought leaders from various fields, we will be better prepared to overcome the significant water challenges that lie ahead.”

Four other think tanks will be held over the next six months to visualize the future of water through the additional drivers of technology, economics, governance, and social/demographics. High-level recommendations will be reported after each think tank, and after all five are completed, the reports will be combined with additional Water 2050 inputs into a final report. Outcomes will be presented at AWWA’s 2023 Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE23) in Toronto to support the water community in realizing the Water 2050 vision.

The next Water 2050 Think Tank, focusing on technology, is Dec. 5-7 in Mountain View, California. To engage in AWWA’s Water 2050 initiative or to learn more, visit the Water 2050 webpage. To access the Water 2050 Sustainability Think Tank report, visit this webpage.

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Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most vital resource. With approximately 50,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life.

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