US Water Alliance launches Water Equity Network

Network builds upon the agency’s two-year Water Equity Taskforce effort.

Sept. 25, 2020

2 min read

WASHINGTON, DC -- The US Water Alliance announced the launch of the Water Equity Network this week. This network builds on the agency’s two-year Water Equity Taskforce effort, whereseven cities came together to build cross-sector teams and create roadmaps for advancing water equity in their communities. These teams focused on the three pillars of water equity outlined in a national briefing paper, An Equitable Water Future:

Ensuring all people have access to clean, safe, affordable water service,
Maximizing the community and economic benefits of water infrastructure investment, and
Fostering community resilience in the face of a changing climate.

The Water Equity Network is a nationwide community of practice where cities can share best practices—including COVID-19 response strategies—in real time, engage in cross-city coaching and mentoring, and advance equitable water management. Network members will have an opportunity to build trusting relationships with diverse local partners to tackle water equity issues, and they’ll engage with other city teams facing similar issues to share ideas and solutions.

"As anchor institutions in their communities, water utilities can play a significant role in advancing water equity — but they can’t do it alone," the agency said in a statement. "Cross-sector collaboration among utilities, community organizations, environmental groups, philanthropy, and other local stakeholders is key to building thriving, equitable water systems and communities. And we can all can learn from and support one another in this work."