Governance
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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: Governance

A diverse group of influential thinkers from within and outside the water community developed nine recommendations for the future of water governance – including core principles frameworks and approaches – to assure a successful and sustainable water future in the fourth think tank report of the Water 2050 initiative.

The 27 participants in the Water 2050 Governance Think Tank, which took place Feb. 27-Mar. 1, 2023, at the Reservoir Center for Water Solutions in Washington, D.C., included highly respected voices from the water and wastewater utility community, regulatory agencies, international development agencies, manufacturing and consulting firms, advocates, academics, and CEOs. The group engaged in a series of facilitated discussions and developed recommended actions that can be grouped into four broad categories:

  • Implement a "One Water" governance approach
  • Optimize utility governance and business models
  • Develop governance that promotes innovation and sustainability
  • Advance collaboration to drive (governance) innovation

2050 Video:
Water Governance for a Better Future

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Governance Think Tank

Where: Reservoir Center For Water Solutions, Washington DC
When: February 2023
Who:  27 Subject Matter Experts

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

  • Caitlin Berretta Caitlin Berretta Director, Government Affairs and Sustainability
     Evoqua Water Technologies
  • Chelsea Boozer Chelsea Boozer Government Affairs Manager
    Central Arkansas Water
  • Alain Borghijs Alain Borghijs, Ph.D. Deputy Representative, North American Representative Office
    Asian Development Bank
  • Adam Carpenter Adam Carpenter, Ph.D. Manager of Energy and Environmental Policy
    AWWA
  • Marcus Firman Marcus Firman Director
    AWWA Ontario Section
  • Maury Gaston Maury Gaston Manager of Marketing Services
    AMERICAN Cast Iron Pipe
  • David Goldwater David Goldwater Vice President
    Stantec
  • Adam Roy Gordon Adam Roy Gordon Interim Executive Director
    United National Global Compact Network USA
  • Ben Grumbles Ben Grumbles Executive Director
    Environmental Council of the States (ECOS)
  • Stephanie Hubli Stephanie Hubli Project Engineer
    Woodard & Curran
  • Joe Jacangelo Joe Jacangelo, Ph.D. Vice President, Director of Research
    Stantec
  • Keith Kohut Keith Kohut Process Engineer
    Associated Engineering Ltd
  • Adam Krantz Adam Krantz CEO
    National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA)
  • David LaFrance David LaFrance CEO
    AWWA
  • Ken Lykens Ken Lykens General Manager
    Meridian Metropolitan District
  • Paula MacIlwaine Paula MacIlwaine Deputy CEO
    AWWA
  • Josh Mahan Josh Mahan Director, Government and Industry Relations
    Xylem
  • Barb Martin Barb Martin Director Engineering and Technical Services
    AWWA
  • Brenley McKenna Brenley McKenna Chief of Subscriber Services
    The Water Research Foundation
  • G. Tracy Mehan III G. Tracy Mehan III Executive Director, Government Affairs
    AWWA
  • William F. Moody William F. Moody Director, Bureau of Public Water Supply
    Mississippi State Department of Health
  • Shannon Murphy Shannon Murphy VP GM
    Aquamor
  • Kate Nutting Kate Nutting General Manager, Southwest District
    Golden State Water Co
  • Andy Richardson Andy Richardson Former Chairman and CEO
    Greeley and Hansen
  • Chi Ho Sham Chi Ho Sham, Ph.D. Independent Consultant
  • Claudio H. Ternieden Claudio H. Ternieden Senior Director, Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships
    Water Environment Federation (WEF)
  • John Young John Young Sole Member
    John S. Young JR, LLC