CH2M hosts water sector leaders to showcase a new vision for water infrastructure investment

June 9, 2017
How water utilities can meet aging water infrastructure challenges by adopting new investment practices.

DENVER, CO, JUNE 9, 2017 -- CH2M and top water sector leaders recently hosted a special webinar highlighting cost-saving solutions for water infrastructure being pioneered by west coast water utilities and leading private and non-profit organizations.

The webinar featured contributors from the recently published, A Northwest Vision for 2040 Water Infrastructure: Innovative Pathways, Smarter Spending, Better Outcomes report. The report, released by The Evergreen State College's Center for Sustainable Infrastructure, demonstrates how water utilities can meet aging water infrastructure challenges by adopting new investment practices for billions of dollars in annual spending, guided by long-range vision and strategy.

From the report:

"Clean, readily available water is vital for any community to thrive. Local sewage and wastewater has to be processed to protect public health. And stormwaters need to be managed to prevent local flooding."

"The report brings together three main types of water infrastructure that by 2040 could be managed much more holistically, as integrated systems: 1) water supply; 2) wastewater treatment and recycling; and 3) stormwater and flood prevention. It focuses primarily on leadership by water infrastructure agencies and policymakers, but other players -- non-profits, companies, foundations, investors, colleges, customers -- are important partners in building a high-performance culture that can develop.

Speakers from the recent webcast included Radhika Fox, CEO, U.S. Water Alliance; Rhys Roth, Director, Center for Sustainable Infrastructure, The Evergreen State College; Chuck Clarke, CEO, Cascade Water Alliance; Liz Kelly, Vice President, CH2M; Bobby Cochran, Executive Director, Willamette Partnership; Judi Gladstone, Strategy and Governmental Affairs Director, Seattle Public Utilities; and Julie Davies O'Shea, Executive Director, Farmers Conservation Alliance.

"50 industry experts came together to develop a regional shared vision for the future of water infrastructure in the Northwest, and I'm looking forward to again coming together with several of our partners to discuss how we can work together around the nation to harness this vision and continue to improve our vital infrastructure," said Liz Kelly, CH2M vice president and strategic consulting lead, prior to the webinar.

About CH2M
CH2M leads the professional services industry delivering sustainable solutions benefiting societal, environmental and economic outcomes with the development of infrastructure and industry. In this way, CH2Mers make a positive difference providing consulting, design, engineering and management services for clients needing world-class solutions in environmental; industrial and advanced facilities; transportation; and water markets, from iconic infrastructure to global programs like the Olympic Games.

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