Economics
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Think tanks and critical drivers of the future of water.

Sustainability Technology
Economics
Governance Social/Demographics Think Tanks Summary & Path Forward

Water 2050: Economics

A diverse group of influential thinkers from within and outside the water community put forth nine recommendations for an economically sustainable water future in the third think tank report of the Water 2050 initiative.

The 26 participants in the Water 2050 Economics Think Tank, which took place Jan. 23-25, 2023, at the Penn Club in New York City, included highly respected voices from the water and wastewater utility, manufacturing and consulting community, as well as regulators and academics, CEOs and climate advocates and infrastructure and financial services experts. The group engaged in a series of facilitated discussions and developed recommended actions that can be grouped into three broad categories:

  • Reimagine the water economy
  • Embrace innovative economic models
  • Mobilize the water community

2050 Video:
Economics of the Future of Water

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Economics Think Tank

Where: The Penn Club, New York, New York
When: January 2023
Who: 26 Highly Respected Voices

Get the report(s) summarizing each of the Water 2050 Think Tanks

water-2050-think-tank

Five Forces Driving the Future of Water

AWWA identified five critical drivers that will influence progress toward a sustainable and resilient water future: sustainability, technology, economics, governance and social/demographic.

These drivers were considered by the Water 2050 think tanks and shaped all future work supported by this initiative.

  1. Sustainability. Managing our planet’s limited water resources and built infrastructure for water is paramount. Climate change is among the biggest risks. It will bring conditions that are more fierce and less predictable: extended droughts and heatwaves, increased hurricanes and wildfires, and severe winter storms. The future will require skillful and creative stewardship of our most vital natural resource, as well as innovative approaches to keep water infrastructure strong and resilient.

  2. Technology. As the world enters the fourth industrial revolution, water professionals have access to new technologies that are changing the way they interact with water resources, water systems and the people they serve. Advances in data, analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning and artificial intelligence will increasingly empower consumers and influence water system operations. Adoption of new technologies will solve complex problems and sometimes introduce unintended challenges.

  3. Economics. Water is a critical economic engine for North American communities and across the globe. Increasingly, the water community is asked to do more with less, while also addressing rising infrastructure needs. We must consider important economic factors such as regionalization, supply chain resilience, decentralized treatment, ESG approaches to assessing risks and value, and the benefits of a circular economy. Rate-setting will occur in a world more keenly aware of equity and affordability challenges.

  4. Governance. The roles of federal, provincial, state and local governments significantly impact how water utilities are operated and regulated. Both economics and governance will shape the model of tomorrow’s water utilities. Some communities may turn to regional solutions to gain efficiencies. As regulatory structures evolve, communities will have to evaluate new approaches, such as fit-for-purpose standards and decentralized treatment. 

  5. Social/Demographics. Public interest and concern about water quality and equity is rising, which means all communities must work to strengthen public trust. Simultaneously, potential population shifts between urban and rural areas are creating resource and infrastructure challenges — while also forcing community-driven water solutions. Population growth in water-stressed communities will require innovative thinking to manage limited supplies. 

Events & Development

March 11, 2022: AWWA announces Water 2050 initiative. AWWA Connections article.

June 12-15, 2022: Water2050 at ACE22. This initiative was a hot topic at AWWA’s Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE22) in San Antonio, Texas.

  • June 13: A path to Water 2050 begins at ACE22. AWWA Connections article.
  • June 15: The Last Drop closing keynote panel focused on the Water 2050 initiative.
  • The AWWA Pavilion in the Exhibit Hall featured a Water 2050 exhibit.
  • A new video, The Future We Create, featured what AWWA Young Professionals are thinking about the future of water. This debuted at the conference and will be shown throughout the initiative.  

Sept 21-23, 2022: Water 2050 Think Tank 1 - Sustainability. Twenty-four thought leaders gathered in Las Vegas exploring the theme of sustainability.

Dec. 5-7, 2022: Water 2050 Think Tank 2 - Technology. Thought leaders met in Silicon Valley exploring the technology theme.

Jan. 23-25, 2023: Water 2050 Think Tank 3 - Economics. Twenty-six thought leaders met in New York City exploring the theme of economy.

Feb. 27-March 1, 2023: Water 2050 Think Tank 4 - Governance. Twenty-seven influential thinkers developed nine recommendations for the future of water governance.

April 26-28, 2023: Water 2050 Think Tank 5 - Social/Demographics. A diverse group of influential thinkers helped develop nine proactive recommendations considering key social and demographic shifts.

Participants

  • Janice Beecher, Ph.D. Janice Beecher, Ph.D. Director, Institute of Public Utilities
    Michigan State University
  • Adam Carpenter Kevin Bergschneider Vice President and Water Program Leader
    HDR, Inc.
  • Adam Carpenter, Ph.D. Adam Carpenter, Ph.D. Manager of Energy and Environmental Policy
    AWWA
  • Stacey Isaac Berahzer Chuck Chaitovitz Vice President, Environmental Affairs and Sustainability
    U.S. Chamber of Commerce
  • Iris Fisher Jon Eaton Superintendent of Utilities
    City of Eagan
  • Iris Fisher Dave Fox Vice President
    Raftelis
  • Brianna Huber Stacey Isaac Berahzer Founder and CEO
    IB Environmental
  • Joe Jacangelo Joe Jacangelo, Ph.D. Vice President Director of Research
    Stantec
  • Robert Johnston, Ph.D. Robert Johnston, Ph.D. Professor of Economics and Director and Research Professor, The George Perkins Marsh Institute
    Clark University
  • Patrick Kerr Patrick Kerr Chair Of The Board Of Directors, CEO and President
    Baton Rouge Water Company
  • Cynthia Koehler Cynthia Koehler Co-Founder and Executive Director
    WaterNow Alliance
  • Patrick Kerr Rose Kyprianou Supervisor, Capacity Development Branch of the Capacity and Compliance Assistance Division
    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW)
  • David LaFrance David LaFrance CEO
    AWWA
  • John Logan John Logan Senior Principal Engineer
    Hazen and Sawyer
  • Rochelle Larson Paula MacIlwaine Deputy CEO
    AWWA
  • Barb Martin Barb Martin Director of Engineering and Technical Services
    AWWA
  • Paul Matthews Paul Matthews Chief Financial Officer
    Tualatin Valley Water District
  • Margaret Medellin Jason Mumm Principal
    FCS GROUP
  • Margaret Medellin Matt Roberts President
    Roberts Filter Group
  • Chi Ho Sham, Ph.D. Chi Ho Sham, Ph.D. Immediate Past President
    AWWA
  • Clayton Simons Clayton Simons Senior Sales Representative
    American Cast Iron Pipe Company (AMERICAN)
  • Christine Spitzley Christine Spitzley Principal
    OHM Advisors
  • Manuel Teodoro, Ph.D. Manuel Teodoro, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Public Affairs
    University of Wisconsin-Madison, The Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs
  • Brian Van Nortwick Brian Van Nortwick Senior Construction Engineer
    American Water
  • Michael Wertz Michael Wertz Vice President-Senior Analyst, Public Finance Group
    Moody's Investors Service
  • Kelley Dearing Smith Casey Wichman, Ph.D. Assistant Professor
    Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Economics