Social / Demographics
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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: Social / Demographic

A diverse group of influential thinkers from within and outside the water community developed nine proactive recommendations considering key social and demographic shifts and their impact on the future of water in the fifth think tank report of the Water 2050 initiative.

The 27 participants in the Water 2050 Social Demographics Think Tank, which took place April 26-28, at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, Alabama, included highly respected voices from the water and wastewater utility community, international development agencies, academics, demographers, cultural  anthropologists, consulting and manufacturing firms and CEOs. The group engaged in a series of facilitated discussions and developed recommended actions that can be grouped into three broad categories:

Recommended Actions

Participants emerged with 10 recommended actions encompassing four broad categories:

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

2050 Video:
Social/Demographics Issues

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Social/Demographic Think Tank

Where: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Birmingham, Alabama
When: April 2023
Who: 27 Influential Thinkers

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

  • Susan Ancel Susan Ancel P.Eng, FCSSE Director, One Water Planning
     EPCOR Water Services, Inc.
  • Adam Carpenter Adam Carpenter Manager of Energy and Environmental Policy
    AWWA
  • Tom Dobbins Tom Dobbins Chief Executive Officer
    Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA)
  • Pooja Chari Pooja Chari Project Engineer
    Woodard & Curran
  • Iris Fisher Iris Fisher Chief Financial Officer
    The Water Works Board of theCity of Birmingham, Alabama
  • Iris Fisher Jim Holway, Ph.D. Director
    Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy
  • Brianna Huber Brianna Huber Director of Water Filtration
    City of East Molin
  • Joe Jacangelo Joe Jacangelo, Ph.D. Vice President Director of Research
    Stantec
  • Chris-Jarrett Chris Jarrett Director, Sales
    American Cast Iron Pipe Company (ACIPCO)
  • Michael Johnson Michael Johnson General Manager
    The Water Works Board of the City of Birmingham, Alabama
  • Amanda Jones Amanda Jones Project Manager
    Tucson Water
  • Patrick Kerr Patrick Kerr Chair Of The Board Of Directors, CEO and President
    Baton Rouge Water Company
  • Nilaksh Kothari Nilaksh Kothari, P.E. CEO
    Preferred Consulting
  • David LaFrance David LaFrance CEO
    AWWA
  • Rochelle Larson Rochelle Larson, P.E. Principal Engineer - Planning & Engineering Division
    Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority
  • Barb Martin Barb Martin Director of Engineering and Technical Services AWWA
  • Trina McGuire-Collier Trina McGuire-Collier Principal Strategic Communications Advisor HDR INC
  • Margaret Medellin Margaret Medellin Deputy Manager – Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
    City and County of Denver
  • Margaret Medellin Olga Morales-Pate Chief Executive Officer
    Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated (RCAP)
  • Margaret Medellin Cheryl Porter Chief Operating Officer
    Great Lakes Water Authority
  • Lucero Radonic Lucero Radonic Associate Professor
    Northern Arizona University, Anthropology Department
  • Pete Rogerson Pete Rogerson, Ph.D. Professor of Geography and Biostatistics
    University at Buffalo
  • Jennifer Sara Jennifer Sara Global Director, Climate Change Group
    World Bank Group
  • Sagar Shah Sagar Shah, Ph.D., AICP Manager, Research and Strategic Initiatives
    American Planning Association
  • Chi Ho Sham Chi Ho Sham, Ph.D. Past President, AWWA
    Independent Consultant
  • Kelley Dearing Smith Kelley Dearing Smith Vice President of Communications and Marketing
    Louisville Water Company
  • Michelle Stockness Michelle Stockness ENV SP, P.E. Vice President
    Barr Engineering Co.