This event took place on September 20, 2022.
Womble Bond Dickinson was proud to sponsor the 2022 Rethinking Water Conference presented by Sciens Water. During the conference, leading stakeholders across all areas of the water industry discussed the future of water in the USA, bringing together experts from federal agencies, academia, private industry, NGOs and philanthropies, and journalists, to foster action-oriented discussions targeting achievable goals.
Water is at the core of climate adaptation goals. It is essential for manufacturing, agriculture, human health, and the environment. But across the entire supply chain, our aging infrastructure is failing. From dams and levees, to main pipes and sewers, to increasing exposure to chemicals and pathogens, our water system urgently needs to be reexamined. Climate change will continue to exacerbate pollution, floods, and droughts, while decreasing community capacity to address these concerns. It is time for collective action and an opportunity for social investment.
Discussions and Insights
In 2019, the last conference outlined the need for massive federal funding and investment in water infrastructure. In 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was passed, allocating $50 billion to upgrade America’s aging water infrastructure. But federal funding won’t solve the issue alone – there are also massive opportunities for private investment. There are already many competing demands for water, and as the climate changes and events like floods, droughts and pollution increase, existing stresses will worsen. There’s a need for investment in infrastructure that is resilient, that meets the demands of today, and that can support the effective and safe delivery of water for all our needs.
Participants attended a full day of lectures, discussions, roundtables, and panels to work towards the production of a white paper. The paper summarizes the key findings and solutions resulting from interdisciplinary discussions and conversations, and serves as a guide for government, industry, and the private sector in the allocation and implementation of solutions.
Hear more from Womble Bond Dickinson attorney Damian Georgino in the video below:
