Final Water 2050 think tank examines Social/Demographics issues

The fifth and final think tank report from the Water 2050 initiative led by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) summarizes recommendations from a gathering that explored social/demographic issues and their impact on the future of water.

The Water 2050 Social/Demographics Think Tank Report, which will be available online next week, recommends actions in three broad categories:

• Community-centric water management approach
• Sustainable services through collaboration
• Innovative solutions for equitable water

The 27 participants in the Water 2050 Social Demographics Think Tank met April 26-28 at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Alabama. The group included respected experts from the water and wastewater utility community, international development agencies, academics, demographers, cultural anthropologists, consulting and manufacturing firms and CEOs. Participants engaged in facilitated discussions and developed nine recommended actions, which will be found in the full report.

Water 2050 is a collaborative effort to envision the future of water and chart a course for sustainability. Previous think tanks focused on the drivers of sustainability, technology, economics and governance. Information from the five think tank reports will be consolidated into a final Water 2050 summary, with highlights presented at AWWA’s 2023 Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE23) in Toronto.

To learn more or engage in AWWA’s Water 2050 initiative, visit the Water 2050 webpage.