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
