Equity & Access

The Transformative Issues Symposium brings together water sector professionals from across North America to discuss the most important and challenging issues of our times. 

Coming Soon: Transformative Issues Webinar Series

Look for more information to be released by April 2021!

 Webinar Series Registration Rates
 		 Member 
 		 Non member 
 
Individual Webinar $75 $120
Three-part Webinar series  $180 $285
     
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be received in writing and faxed or mailed to AWWA. Phone cancellations are not accepted. All cancellations postmarked/fax-dated by early deadline will receive a refund, minus a 25% administrative fee. Cancellations post-deadline will not be refunded; however, substitute registrants are welcome, if pre-approved in writing.
 

2021 Transformative Issue Symposium - Webinar Series

Returning in 2021 as a 3- part webinar series, AWWA’s Transformative Issues Symposium is a timely event designed to advance understanding and insight into critical topics for the water sector. This series explores multidimensional perspectives of Equity & Access, within a framework of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks. Each webinar focuses on a unique aspect of ESG risks and how they are connected to utility challenges presented by recent global events, including accessibility and affordability, strengthening public trust, and resilient utility management. Join water sector thought leaders in a provocative series of conversations addressing some of water’s most wicked challenges.

Webinar 1 - Advancing Affordability and Access
The Transformative Issues Webinar Series kicks off with an overview and exploration of the environmental, social, and governance risk assessment methodology, before launching into a conversation addressing water affordability and access. The financial impacts of the global pandemic have highlighted challenges to water affordability and inequities in access to safe water – a core principle in AWWA’s 2025 Strategic Plan. The evolution of a long-term solution to this challenge requires collaboration, communication, and community engagement. This engaging conversation features utility perspectives, research insights, and collaboration successes to address this challenge and advance access to safe water globally.
 
Webinar 2 - Deliver the Message Where it Matters: Strengthening Public Trust Through Targeted Communications
According to a national survey conducted in 2020 by AWWA and Morning Consult, consumers who recall receiving communication from their water utility in the last year are more satisfied with their water, more likely to rate their water quality as excellent, and perceive their water to be safer than those who did not recall any communications.  The survey also captured results that varied according to income and race. How can targeted communications be used to reach all water utility customers, including the most vulnerable populations? Join this conversation, incorporating diverse perspectives, for an insightful look at reaching the hard to reach and the role communications plays in strengthening public trust.
 
Webinar 3 - Resilient Water Resources Management
Consistently ranked among the top five issues facing the water sector in AWWA’s State of the Water Industry Survey, ensuring long-term water supply availability is a critical component to strengthening utility resilience. Whether the result of climate change, urbanization, or other factors, a collaborative approach to water resources management serves to engage stakeholders in building the foundation for a resilient future. The final webinar in the Transformative Issues Webinar Series introduces this challenge and the risks it presents to utility, community, and society. The role of reuse and integrated water resources planning will be covered, along with the role that industrial water stewardship plays in addressing this challenge. The series concludes with a look forward to future steps the water sector can take to advance these issues.


Advertisement
Advertisement

 

For questions regarding registration, lodging or general conference questions, please contact the Conferences and Events Group.