Reservoir Center Movie Night
2023-09-26 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Reservoir Center, 301 Water St SE, Washington, 20003, United States
Thank you to everyone who joined us for a Reservoir Center night at the movies! It was a fun and informative evening filled with impressive films and great networking. The movies’ screened were water-focused documentaries “Upstream, Downriver” and “A River Out of Time”.
“Upstream, Downriver” takes viewers into the heart of the battle for water justice. Powerful stories with frontline community activists are interwoven with historical context about landmark regulations that significantly reduced water pollution in the U.S. but failed to serve disadvantaged communities that are hardest hit by today’s climate crisis.
“A River Out of Time” follows a crew of scientists, artists, educators, and river lovers on a trip that was simultaneously a celebration of modern river life and a critical look at how we interpret the Colorado River’s history and use its waters. In 1869, a small group of surveyors led by John Wesley Powell set out to map the unknown extent of the Colorado River Basin. 150 years later, this team set out to raft in Powell’s footsteps in an effort to reevaluate Powell’s legacy, absorb the unquantifiable power of place, and articulate what the future may hold for water in the American West.
Fernando Castro-Alvarez, Regional Liaison for the Bureau of Reclamation, provided an in-depth overview of the challenges and opportunities facing the Colorado River, along with sharing his personal connection to the water challenges confronting the western U.S. Visitors were treated to pizza, local craft beer, and popcorn. We hope you can join us for our next movie night!
Special thanks to our event co-hosts: Anacostia Riverkeeper, Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA), Women’s Aquatic Network, Potomac Riverkeeper Network

Innovation and Access: Water Solutions for Underserved Communities
2023-09-21 15:30 - 17:00
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

Integrating Water and Transportation Infrastructure Decision-Making in the Climate Change Era
2023-06-20 16:00 - 17:30
The future of climate resilient communities starts with us. Thank you to everyone who came to our thought-provoking Integrating Resilient Water and Transportation Decision-Making event. Productive discussions covered the importance of heightened stakeholder collaboration, open communication, access to updated data and more.
Let’s harness these insights to drive progress in water and transportation planning for a resilient future!

Special thanks to our co-sponsors:

American Society of Civil Engineers / ULI Washington / International Economic Development Council /
United for Infrastructure / National League of Cities

Run Blue
2023-04-27 16:00 - 19:00
On April 27th, a team of runners joined Mina Guli at the Reservoir Center for Water Solutions for an informative and action packed afternoon as they Run Blue together in Washington, DC.
Together, they ran and walked along the Anacostia River, tackling water pollution by picking up trash along the way, and finished with happy hour and a intimate conversation with Mina, hearing about all she learned throughout her journey and at the recent UN Water Conference.

Mina Guli is a water advocate and ultramarathon runner who recently completed 200 marathons in a year-long journey leading to the United Nations (UN) water conference on World Water Day, 22 March 2023, in New York. Over 12 months she traveled to locations most impacted by the global water crisis, drawing attention to challenges faced by communities, and demanding action from governments, companies, and individuals. Mina is the CEO and founder of Thirst Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on raising awareness and driving action on water through large, inspirational, out-of-the-box campaigns that put water on top of the global agenda. To date, she’s been joined by thousands of fellow water advocates. In March, the World Water Run included participants from 200 countries and territories, who collectively contributed more than 295,000 miles.
Photo credit: Stephen Higgins

And just for your information / interest, here’s a list of the countries / territories that participated: Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America.

Careers for Change: Environmental Justice and Equity
2023-03-30 17:30 - 20:30
Who is leading the way on social and environmental justice causes in their communities, workplaces, schools and careers? And where do you fit in?
The effects of environmental degradation and climate change fall first on under-resourced, and often minority, communities. Learn how you can contribute your time, energy, and skills to support marginalized communities in a just transition.
The participants met with a diverse group of experts leading on environmental justice in their communities and driving equity and inclusion in their organizations. After short introductions, everyone had the chance to mix and mingle with these leaders and their peers to ask authentic questions, learn from their story, and get their advice on how to leverage their skills to support environmental justice movements, local and global.
This event continued our Careers for Change series that empowers both college students and rising professionals to harness their skills and energy to have a positive impact in addressing sustainability challenges.

Thank you to our co-sponsors:

Water Community Workday "Data Science in Water"
2023-02-16
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Reservoir Center for our Data Science in Water themed work day.
The series continued with engaging discussions over lunch and many constructive conversations between attendees from Anacostia Riverkeeper, World Resources Institute, Internet of Water Coalition and Xylem.

Here is our schedule for upcoming topics:

March 15: Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH)
April 20: Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Water Community Workday "Marketing and Communications in Water"
2023-01-18
Excited to share that on Wednesday, January 18th, we had our first themed work day series! Our theme for the day “Marketing and Communications in Water”! We hosted water sector marketing and communications professionals for the day at the Reservoir Center. The session allowed marketing and communications peers to work at the Reservoir Center for the day, enjoy lunch (on us), network with peers, meet new colleagues and learn about new trends in the field.
During lunch (starting at noon), attendees heard from Travis Loop, founder and host of waterloop and Pat Sinicropi, Executive Director of the WateReuse Association.
Thanks to AMWA, WateReuse, Xylem, ASDWA, WSSC Water, ASCE, and DC Water who joined us for lunch!

Water and Climate - What COP27 Means For You
2022-11-16 08:30 - 14:00
HYBRID EVENT
In November, the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation hosted the COP27 Water Pavilion in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt.
On Wednesday, November 16th the Reservoir Center for Water Solutions hosted its own “Water and Climate” pavilion highlighting the importance of COP27 to the water sector.
The event featured a cross-section of water stakeholders – including Water Utilities from Europe and the Americas – and Administration officials live from Sharm El Sheik highlighting the importance of water in COP27 discussions as well as the latest trends for climate resilience and mitigation in the water sector.

DID YOU MISS IT?
See the various sessions below:
9:00 – 9:30 AM (EST) I 3:00 – 3:30 PM (CET) I Opening Session: What is COP and what does it mean for water?

Welcome and Reservoir Overview: Josh Mahan, Director Government and Industry Relations Regulatory Affairs, Xylem
Welcome and Overview of the Day: Austin Alexander, Vice President Sustainability, Xylem
Live from Sharm El-Sheik, Opening Remarks: Tanya Trujillo, Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, Department of the Interior

Watch the opening remarks

9:30 – 10:30 AM (EST) I 3:30 – 4:30 PM (CET) I EU Utility Panel – Climate mitigation and adaptation for Water Utilities: European Priorities for Future-Proof Services
Under recent extreme weather events across the EU and changes in regulatory frameworks, leading European Water Utilities have started to implement ambitious climate mitigation and adaptation plans to adapt their infrastructure and operation with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emission and building resilience in their water services. Commitments to carbon neutrality, elimination of sanitary overflows, and reduction of water losses are some of the additional objectives that stretch Water Utilities today, but that will secure sustainable water and wastewater services across the EU tomorrow. Leaders across Europe collaborate daily to plan, validate, implement, and verify the endless legislative, financial, and technical opportunities to secure the path to success.
In this panel, Water Utility leaders, Policy Makers, and Solution Suppliers will share knowledge and experience to bring about faster implementation.
Moderator: Alexis de Kerchove, Senior Director Europe Client Sustainability, Xylem Europe
Panelists:

Hans Goossens, CEO, De Watergroep, Belgium; President, Water Europe
Ruben Fernandes, CEO, Águas e Energia do Porto, Portugal
Mads Leth, CEO, VCS Denmark
Norbert Jardin, CEO, Ruhrverband, Germany
Veronica Manfredi, Director for Zero Pollution and Green Cities, European Commission

Watch the EU utility panel conversation.

10:45 – 11:45 AM (EST) I 4:45 – 5:45 PM (CET) I Quick Pitches & Live from Sharm El-Sheik

White Paper: Tallulah Lutkin, Utility Performance Editor, Global Water Intelligence
Climate Smart Utilities: Daniela Bemfica, Strategic Programmes & Engagement Director, International Water Association
Nature-Based Solutions for Rivers and Wetlands: Jeff Opperman, Global Freshwater Lead Scientist, World Wildlife Fund US
Claire Seaward, Global Campaigns, Water Aid

Watch the quick pitches

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM (EST) I 5:45 – 6:45 PM (CET) I Innovative Technology for Utility Decarbonization Panel
Moderator: Austin Alexander, Vice President Sustainability, Xylem
Panelists:

Morgan Brown, Senior Program Manager, U.S. Water Alliance
Piers Clark, Chairman, Isle Group
Hardeep Anand, Director, One Water Strategy at Miami-Dade County
Greg Fogel, Director of Government Affairs and Policy, WateReuse Association

Watch the Innovative Technology for Utility Decarbonization session

12:45 – 1:00 PM (EST) I 6:45 – 7:00 PM (CET) I Closing remarks
Live from Sharm El-Sheik: Dave Keating, Energy Monitor
Watch the closing comments

Careers for Change: Meet the Peers and Pros Tackling the Climate Crisis
2022-10-17 17:30 - 19:30
Our Careers in Change event was hosted by the Reservoir Center in conjunction with DC CHEERS (the Coalition of Higher Education on the Environment, Resilience, and Sustainability). We had panelists from 10 different organizations representing different voices in sustainability. Attendees loved the diversity of perspectives!

The climate is changing. How can your skills and passion for the environment jumpstart a career contributing to a more equitable, sustainable world?
Attendees had the opportunity to meet a diverse group of experts leading their organizations to champion sustainability and develop solutions to address the climate crisis.
Climate solutions must be interdisciplinary and cut across sectors to adequately address the many challenges of the climate crisis, participants had the chance to meet sustainability leaders from a wide range of organizations, working in an array of sectors and fields. Guests had the chance to connect with these leaders and learn more about what drives them, the impacts of their work, and how they got there.

Image source: Professor Ed Hawkins (University of Reading) and the Climate Stripes team

Empowering the Next Generation of Women Closing the Gender Gap
2022-08-31 09:30 - 11:30
This in-person event was an interactive session with a diverse panel who are eager to share their experiences working in water technology and offer insights into what it takes for women to succeed in the field. Even though the session focused on advising girls on how to build successful careers in technology, it was open to everyone interested in this important topic and included the importance of both being and having male allies. The panelists shared their unique journeys, reflecting on topics such as building self-confidence, developing peer networks, importance of mentorship and the role of male allies.
In addition to the Reservoir Keynote speaker, Deputy Chief of Mission Ingrid Ask, Embassy of Sweden in Washington, DC, we had exciting breakout conversations with the moderator and panelists on the following themes:

building self-confidence
developing peer networks
importance of mentorship & sponsorship
the role of male allies

This event was co-sponsored by the Embassy of Sweden in Washington, DC and the Women’s Aquatic Network. The same event was concurrently hosted by Xylem during Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI)’s World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden. Keynote addresses were broadcasted between our two locations.
Did you miss it?
Watch the keynote of Deputy Chief of Mission Ingrid Ask, Embassy of Sweden in Washington, DC here

Career Development Opportunities Panel as a Result of BIL
2022-07-14 16:00 - 19:00
Reservoir Center hosted a panel discussion to learn about career development opportunities that are extenuated as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). With the passage of this historic legislation the water sector is in the midst of a unique opportunity in time to both update our infrastructure as well as transform the ways we leverage and manage this infrastructure. Our esteemed panelists represent several different parts of the water industry (USDA rural development, utility leadership, university and technology incubation, and consulting) to provide a well-rounded discussion.
