WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 14, 2012 -- The Clean Water America Alliance this week announced a name change to the U.S. Water Alliance and the formation of a One Water Management network, both reflecting the organization’s core mission.
“We’re changing our name but not our game,” said Alliance President Ben Grumbles. “The Alliance’s mission – uniting people and policy for ‘one water’ sustainability – remains the same. Our new name is easier to remember and more closely aligned with the integrated ‘one water’ vision we’re working towards in watersheds and communities across the U.S.”
The One Water Management (OWM) vision continues to grow and is being embraced since the Alliance held a national dialogue on the subject in 2010, “Managing One Water.”
Earlier this year the Alliance convened a meeting with representatives from the full spectrum of water stakeholders to advance one water perspectives and sustainable solutions. Fourteen of the organizations are driving the formation of a network that will consider next steps and chart a course for action while being informed by ongoing research.
Activities of the network may focus on information sharing, staff training and capacity building (e.g. exchange programs among different utilities and agencies in different levels of government), identifying barriers and developing pilot projects to reduce or overcome barriers.
Since its launch in 2008, the Alliance has made steady progress in recognizing water champions through the U.S. Water Prize, convening collaborations for urban water sustainability, and advancing one water perspectives and sustainable solutions through education and outreach, exploration and analysis.
Dick Champion, chair of the U.S. Water Alliance, concludes, “With the new name, and as we convene the OWM network, we’ll continue to focus on all aspects of the water cycle and the constituencies that depend on it, sustain it, and innovate for its future.”
The 14 organizations signing on to the OWM network include the Alliance for Water Efficiency, American Public Works Association, American Rivers, Association of Clean Water Administrators, Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, National Association of Water Companies, National Ground Water Association, National Onsite Waste Recyclers Association, The Pacific Institute, U.S. Water Alliance, Water Environment Research Foundation, WateReuse Association, WateReuse Research Foundation and the Western Coalition of Arid States.
