WASHINGTON, DC, Jan. 23, 2014 -- Awardees of the 2014 U.S. Water Prize were recently announced at the California Irrigation Institute Conference held Jan. 23-24 in Sacramento, Calif., in the midst of the state's worst drought in more than a century.
Announced by Ben Grumbles, president of the U.S. Water Alliance, the four winners are: Alliance for Water Efficiency, Chicago, IL; American Water, Voorhees, NJ; Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati, OH; and Orange County Water District and Sanitation District, CA. "Our 2014 winners are leading the way by reducing water waste, reusing water resources, and rethinking watershed strategies and technologies," he said.
The U.S. Water Prize was initiated four years ago by the U.S. Water Alliance to elevate those 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," remarked Grumbles, as he provided accomplishments of each:
The Alliance for Water Efficiency is a provider of education and advocacy, instilling an ethic of "every drop counts" and proving that a "save more, waste less" strategy applies not just to water but to energy and money as well.
(See also: "Alliance for Water Efficiency awarded 2014 U.S. Water Prize".)
Since 1981, American Water, the Innovation and Environmental Stewardship Team, has been conducting cutting-edge research, development and collaboration to advance the water and wastewater sector, underscoring the value of water and the benefit of technology. More than 20 scientists have been devoting themselves to the effort.
(See also: "American Water awarded 2014 U.S. Water Prize".)
Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati is pursuing cleaner, greener, and smarter strategies to reduce water pollution, beautify neighborhoods and drive economic development. Their green infrastructure strategy is winning support from regulators, environmentalists and businesses.
(See also: "MSD awarded 2014 U.S. Water Prize".)
Orange County Water District and Sanitation District's Ground Water Replenishment System is recognized for its reclamation and reuse efforts Their work to reclaim 70 million gallons per day is expanding to 100 million gallons per day, all to reduce regional water insecurity and recharge precious supplies.
Winners will be honored in an awards ceremony on April 7, 2014, at the National Geographic headquarters in Washington D.C. The recognition program will be attended by more than 300 water leaders from throughout the United States. "Water Prize winners reflect America's broad diversity and ingenuity, from the heartland to the coast, with urban and rural problem solvers working to keep water clean, safe and secure," said Chairman of the Board Dick Champion.
Nominations were reviewed by an independent, volunteer panel of judges respected as leaders in the fields of water and environmental policy: Monica Ellis, CEO, Global Environment & Technology Foundation and Global Water Challenge; Stephanie Johnson, senior program officer, National Research Council's Water Science and Technology Board; Rich Anderson, senior policy advisor, U.S. Conference of Mayors Water Council; Stephen Schoenholtz, professor, Virginia Tech, and director, Virginia Water Resources Research Center; Robert Sussman, former senior advisor to the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
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, contact Lorraine Koss at 202.533.1819 or email [email protected], or visit www.USWaterAlliance.org.
###
