Water 2050

One Water Governance

Water 2050

Overview

The One Water Governance Strategic Implementation Team (SIT) is focused on promoting smart governance and scaling solutions regionally, paving the way for a water sector that’s not only sustainable but thriving for future generations. We believe effective governance and economies of scale are foundational to sector growth and innovation, creating a future where water is more reliable and accessible than ever before.

The Challenge

The United States water utility sector is at an inflection point, with more than 53,000 community water systems and approximately 16,000 wastewater utilities operating under fragmented governance structures. This structure is increasingly strained by:

Aging infrastructure and rising capital needs
Complex and evolving regulatory requirements
Workforce constraints
Widening funding gaps.

“Current delivery models—largely decentralized and uneven in scale—are increasingly unable to sustain reliable, affordable, and resilient service.”

The Team’s Response

A comprehensive framework for national and regional utility integration. The approach emphasizes:

Scalable governance reform
Operational consolidation
Cross-sector coordination across drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and energy systems.

“By aligning governance structures with modern business models and leveraging economies of scale, utilities can significantly improve efficiency, reduce costs, stabilize rates, and enhance long-term sustainability.”

Water 2050: One Water Governance

The envisioned world of 2050 will include:

A holistic approach with a national water governance framework that reconciles the competing priorities of entities (i.e., water, wastewater, energy, etc.) that currently operate in separate paradigms — to achieve a common water goal.
Fully engaged and empowered communities that view water as a part of their identity and that can influence key water policy.
Water and utility providers as part of the economic and infrastructure growth plans, integrating sustainable practices across our communities.
Multilateral and cooperative water governance approaches, that underscore widely accepted fit for purpose standards.
Regionalization of water utilities around watersheds.

Recommended Actions

The short-term recommended actions for the One Water Governance Strategic Priority include:

Integrate management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and energy utilities (could include telecom).
Encourage national governance structures with a One Water focus and regulatory frameworks that include diverse stakeholders.
Achieve economies of scale of water systems through consolidation and operational efficiencies.

Governance

Resources

Water 2050: The Value of Regionalization or Consolidation of Water and Wastewater Services

If your utility or region is considering regionalization or consolidation, this webinar offers a valuable opportunity to learn from seasoned and skilled practitioners. Find out what it takes to successfully implement water and wastewater utility regionalization or consolidation and explore different opportunities or solutions available to support your efforts.

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Water 2050: The Value of Regionalization or Consolidation of Water and Wastewater Services

Access Recording

2050 Video

Water Governance for a Better Future

Who will be in charge of water in 2050? Future water utilities, as well as the governance and regulation of water, will probably look different from today.

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Water 2050 Think Tank Reports

Governance Think Tank:

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.