Reservoir

Innovation and Access: Water Solutions for Underserved Communities
2023-09-21 15:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Reservoir Center, 301 Water St SE, Washington, 20003, United States
We hosted a thought-provoking conversation on water access for underserved communities. Our event co-hosts included Anacostia Riverkeeper, DigDeep, Moonshot Missions, U.S. Water Alliance, Engineers Without Borders-USA, and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership.
In addition to experts representing our co-hosts, Mae Wu, Deputy Assistant Administrator for the EPA Office of Water offered remarks about the Biden Administration’s $200 million investment in technical assistance to communities to improve access. The conversation centered around investment in human capacity within communities, infrastructure, engineering, technology, and the need for human-centered design for water projects. Speakers shared inspiring experiences about leveraging existing solutions, improving relationships and the value of sharing knowledge between utilities and communities.
The event emphasized the urgency of this issue, and the opportunity we must pursue together to rise to the challenge of delivering water to communities in need.

AGENDA:
Introductory Remarks

Dr. Lindsay Birt, Client Solutions Manager, Xylem
Boris Martin, CEO, Engineers Without Borders USA
Mae Wu, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Water, EPA

Panel 1 “Water Access and Service Challenges in Historically Underserved Communities”
Moderator: Dr. Lindsay Birt, Client Solutions Manager, Xylem

Maranda Saling, Government Affairs and Policy Manager, RCAP
Paula Conolly, Director of Local Engagement and Senior Advisor for Distributed Infrastructure, US Water Alliance
Edna Primrose, Board Director, DigDeep

Panel 2 “Technology and Engineering Solutions to Improve Water Access, Service, and Community Outcomes”
Moderator: Travis Loop, Founder, waterloop

Trey Sherard, Anacostia Riverkeeper, Anacostia Riverkeeper
Ellie Carley, Program Manager, Engineers Without Borders USA
Andrew Kricun, P.E., Managing Director, Moonshot Missions
