The Future of the Great Lakes Series – Water Infrastructure

Billions of dollars in spending are headed to North America’s communities, and investing in the nation’s water infrastructure has been made a major strategic priority.  But where – and how –  should those dollars be spent? And who is influencing those decisions?

On September 9th, the Council of the Great Lakes Region teamed up with Black & Veatch, White & Case, St. Clair College, University of Windsor, and CityAge to bring the leaders investing in water systems and new technology from across the region and beyond. 
Key themes included: 

  • Sustainability in the water space, encompassing infrastructure renewal, climate change resilience, and financial sustainability
  • Water supply sustainability and funding
  • Funding and facilitating lead service line replacements and containment needs
  • Non-traditional water users (e.g., data centers) and collaboration opportunities with utilities (a new water revenue source for utilities) 
  • Alternative financing methods and new partnerships to deliver infrastructure quickly

Speakers included:

  • Dolly Mirchandani, Partner, White & Case
  • Nancy Quirk, General Manager, Green Bay Water Utility
  • Brian Perkovich, Executive Director, MWRD, Greater Chicago 
  • Debra Shore, Commissioner, MWRD, Greater Chicago
  • Cindy Wallis-Lage, President, Water Business Black & Veatch
  • Navid Mehram, Chief Operating Officer, Wastewater Operating Services, Great Lakes Water Authority
  • Michael McKay, Executive Director and Professor Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor
  • David Koch,  Associate Vice President, Black & Veatch 
  • Mark Fisher, CEO at Council of the Great Lakes Region