WASHINGTON, DC, April 9, 2015 -- The U.S. Water Alliance (USWA), along with hundreds of water leaders from across the nation, will convene at the National Geographic Society Headquarters in Washington D.C., on Monday, April 13, to honor the 2015 U.S. Water Prize winners: the City of San Diego Public Utilities Department, Calif.; Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, Calif.; and The Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta, Ga.
The U.S. Water Prize was initiated five years ago by the USWA to elevate organizations with strategies that promote the value of water and the power of innovating and integrating for one-water sustainability. "These winners offer approaches that will build resiliency in the face of challenges like the California drought and other climate change impacts," said Dick Champion, USWA board of director's chairman.
The keynote address will be hosted by Kathryn D. Sullivan, Ph.D., Oceans and Atmosphere undersecretary of commerce and NOAA administrator. "This year's awardees highlight the commitment and innovation we see throughout America's water and business sectors," said Tracy Mehan, USWA interim president. "The Alliance board and staff offer their heartfelt congratulations to them all."
City of San Diego Public Utilities Department
The City of San Diego Public Utilities Department'sWater Purification Demonstration Project is recognized as a trailblazer for reservoir augmentation. The project findings are helping develop standards for potable reuse across the country.
"Pure Water San Diego will provide one-third of the city of San Diego's water supply upon completion in 2035," said Halla Razak, Public Utilities Department director. "Water supply independence is an ever important goal because of the increased pressure on imported water supplies due to recurring droughts, rising population, increasing costs, and climate change. The city is committed to controlling more of its own destiny by implementing potable reuse."
The Electric Power Research Institute
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and a collaboration of power companies, farmers, state and federal agencies, and environmental interests have established the world's only interstate water quality trading project.
"[The] project is an impressive example of how we can work together to realize solutions to our shared challenges," said Bob Perciasepe, EPA former deputy administrator and Center for Climate and Energy Solutions current president. "[It] has overcome challenges that have ended similar efforts, and companies now have an opportunity to receive turnkey verified credits to meet their stewardship goals, address compliance needs, support farms, and protect ecosystems."
The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Companyhas replenished an amount of water equivalent to more than 70 percent of its total beverage volume in North America, with an ultimate goal of being water neutral. Through collaborative partnerships, water efficiency in manufacturing operations and sharing best practices, the company is a specialist in advancing water sustainability.
"Water is the main ingredient in our beverages. It's essential to our business and vitally important to the communities we serve," said Sandy Douglas, Coca-Cola North America president. "We strive to be a steward of this precious resource by using it more efficiently and building community water projects -- all with the goal of replenishing 100 percent of the water we use by 2020. We humbly thank the partners who are helping us achieve this goal and the U.S. Water Alliance for acknowledging our efforts."
Nominations were reviewed by an independent, volunteer panel of judges respected as leaders in the fields of water and environmental policy: Monica Ellis, Global Environment & Technology Foundation and Global Water Challenge CEO; Stephanie Johnson, National Research Council's Water Science and Technology Board senior program officer; Rich Anderson, U.S. Conference of Mayors Water Council senior policy advisor; Stephen Schoenholtz, Virginia Tech professor and Virginia Water Resources Research Center director; and Robert Sussman, EPA administrator senior advisor.
See also:
"U.S. Water Alliance announces winners of 2015 U.S. Water Prize"
"U.S. Water Alliance now seeking applicants for new president, CEO"
About the U.S. Water Alliance
The U.S. Water Alliance was formed in 2008 as a 501c3 nonprofit educational organization whose goal is to unite people and policy for one-water sustainability. The Alliance awards the U.S. Water Prize and organizes the One Water Leadership Summit annually. A broad cross-section of interests has come together through the Alliance to advance holistic, watershed-based solutions to water quality and quantity challenges. For more information, visit www.USWaterAlliance.org.
###
