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Recovering Stronger: State Innovations—Northeast Region: Centering Relationships

Joya Banerjee and Sarah Huckins | July 1, 2021

In the Northeast, challenges in the region are shaping priorities for recovery efforts. Across the region, increasing climate impacts are demonstrating the importance of protecting water resources. Drought, not something typically experienced in the region, is now becoming a lived reality and driving attention to water quantity challenges. The region is also vulnerable to climate disruptions such as sea level rise and warming oceans.   | More >

Recovering Stronger: State Innovations—Mid-Atlantic Region: Harnessing Creativity

Joya Banerjee and Sarah Huckins | July 1, 2021

The Mid-Atlantic is defined by water—bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and home to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Increasingly, the region is being shaped by severe weather events causing damage from too much water. From 2000-2020, the Mid-Atlantic had twice as many hurricanes as the preceding two decades. Climate change is making these weather events more intense and frequent and is compounding the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, participants of the Mid-Atlantic Recovering Stronger Listening Session shared optimism that this time of transition provides an opportunity to embrace bold new approaches. | More >

Washington DC Update—June 2021

Scott Berry, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, US Water Alliance | June 25, 2021

Infrastructure remains a top priority for the White House and Congress, and President Biden and Senate leaders are moving closer to introducing a bipartisan package. While President Biden ended negotiations led by Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) earlier this month, the President held a successful meeting with a bipartisan group of senators about a $953 billion infrastructure package. Following the meeting, Biden announced his support for the proposal, and emphasized that it should be accompanied by a larger package.    | More >

Why Regionalization Should be Prioritized and Incentivized by Policymakers

Laura Landes and Sarah Buck—Rural Community Assistance Partnership | June 22, 2021

Navigating the challenges of our time requires a shift from competition to collaboration, and policymaking at all levels must support that. This has never been more true for the small, rural, and tribal communities across the country we work with at the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP).  | More >

Insights from a Water Equity Taskforce Member

Andy Kricun | June 19, 2021

The Alliance is pleased to announce the release of our report, “Water Equity Taskforce: Insights for the Water Sector,” a report that highlights the achievements of the Water Equity Taskforce and the lessons learned throughout the project. The goals of the Taskforce were to promote water equity, the notion that everyone is entitled to safe drinking water and clean waterways no matter where they live or who they are, test and implement more inclusive and just strategies, and institutionalize equitable water management practices in the water utilities involved in the project.  | More >

Reflections on Juneteenth

Benny Starr, US Water Alliance Artist-in-Residence | June 11, 2021

As we approach Juneteenth this coming Saturday, June 19, 2021, I’m reflecting on the impact the holiday has had on me, how I’ve celebrated it through my work, and how our journey towards liberation continues. | More >

Washington DC Update—May 2021

Scott Berry, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, US Water Alliance | May 27, 2021

After last month’s release of the American Jobs Plan, which calls for $111 billion in water infrastructure investment, water is still in the spotlight. While the Biden Administration has not yet received Republican support for what is now his $1.7 trillion infrastructure proposal, Senator Manchin (D-WV) has asked for more time to help build a bipartisan package and Senate Republicans are slated to announce a new counteroffer close to $1 trillion. However, Speaker Pelosi indicated that an infrastructure package could be brought to the House floor before the July 4th holiday, making bipartisan compromise in the House very unlikely.  | More >

Recovering Stronger: State Innovations—Mountain & Southwest Region: Recovery isn’t Zero-sum

Joya Banerjee and Sarah Huckins | May 25, 2021

Across the Mountain and Southwest region, intersecting crises are driving powerful responses. The region is experiencing a “megadrought,” with several states experiencing their most intense period of drought since 2020. Looking towards the dry summer months, leaders are concerned about increased water restrictions and wildfires. Winter Storm Uri also devastated Texas, as subfreezing temperatures shut down the state’s electricity infrastructure—resulting in broken pipes and shortages of water, food, and heat. These severe weather events, made more intense and frequent by climate change, are creating pressure on top of a year of deep stress from COVID-19.   | More >

Recovering Stronger: State Innovations—Midwest Region: Expanding Possibilities

Joya Banerjee and Sarah Huckins | May 25, 2021

After a devastating year following the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, signs of hope are beginning to shine through. The Alliance convened the Recovering Stronger Midwest Listening Session against the backdrop of the vaccine rollout and the release of the Biden Administration’s American Jobs Plan, which includes a historic $111 billion for water infrastructure investment. With the introduction of this plan, the water sector is seeing new partnership emerging at the federal level, after decades of disinvestment.    | More >

Washington DC Update—April 2021

Scott Berry, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, US Water Alliance | April 27, 2021

Less than a month after releasing the American Rescue Plan, President Biden made history once again. On the last day of March, President Biden released the American Jobs Plan, which calls for an unprecedented $111 billion in water infrastructure investment. After decades of chronic underinvestment in the nation’s water infrastructure, the American Jobs Plan signals a stark contrast from the status quo. | More >