Join us as we discuss solutions to the world’s most pressing water challenges, from the COVID-19 pandemic to business water resilience.
September 17-21, 2023 | UN General Assembly & SDG Summit
The 78th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) represents a powerful opportunity to mobilize action on the global water crisis.
Join us in New York City between September 17-21. The week includes Climate Week, the SDG Summit, and the Private Sector Forum among many others,
The Pacific Institute will join global leaders at events part of the UN General Assembly and Climate Week in New York City. Building on momentum from the UN 2023 Water Conference, the week will unite business leaders, public servants, change makers, and civil society representatives from all over the world.
Upcoming Events
September 19, 2023 | Columbia University Water Conference, “Rethinking Water 2023
Hosted by Columbia Water Center and Sciens Water, Pacific Institute Senior Fellow and Co-Founder Peter Gleick is featured at the Rethinking Water Conference 2023 as the keynote speaker. This event is where finance, academia, government and industry meet to find solutions to the most pressing water challenges in the United States.
September 26, 2023 | Water Research Foundation Webinar
On September 26, the Water Research Foundation will be hosting a webinar about an upcoming report co-authored by Pacific Institute Research Associate, Jessica Dery. Presenters will share key findings and resources from the project guidebook, including a summary of thirteen illustrative profiles of the projects and programs advancing agricultural water reuse in the United States. This webcast will equip stakeholders with additional resources on strategies for evaluating, incentivizing, and overcoming common barriers to agricultural water reuse projects across diverse geographic and agricultural contexts.
September 28, 2023 | 2023 Colorado Planning Conference
On September 28, Pacific Institute Senior Researcher of Public Policy & Practice Uptake, Shannon Spurlock, will be presenting “Using a Multi-Benefit Approach in Land Use Planning” at the 2023 Colorado Planning Conference. More details to come.
September 28, 2023 | Science and the Salton Sea Webinar
The State of California is working to improve conditions around the Salton Sea, with the goal of constructing 30,000 acres of projects to suppress dust from exposed lakebed and create habitat for fish and birds and developing a long-term plan for the Sea. This webinar will explore the role of science in the state’s Salton Sea restoration planning and management efforts, answering questions of how science informs the Salton Sea Management Program and how science is applied to build and manage restoration projects while meeting regulatory milestones. The webinar will include a presentation from Utah on how science is informing wildlife management efforts at the Great Salt Lake and what California might learn from their experience.
On Thursday, September 28th at 12 PM PT, please join a distinguished panel of experts for a robust 90-minute conversation about the role of science in Salton Sea planning. Dr. Emma Aronson of UC Riverside will moderate a panel including Tonya Marshall of the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and Vivien Maisonneuve of the state’s Dept. of Water Resources and Kyle Stone of Utah’s Dept. of Natural Resources. The webinar will provide an opportunity for discussion among agency staff, researchers, stakeholders, and the public.
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El Estado de California está trabajando para mejorar las condiciones alrededor del Salton Sea, con el objetivo de construir 30,000 acres de proyectos para suprimir el polvo del lecho expuesto del lago y crear un hábitat para peces y aves y desarrollar un plan a largo plazo para el lago. Este seminario web explorará el papel de la ciencia en los esfuerzos de planificación y gestión de la restauración del Salton Sea del estado, respondiendo preguntas sobre cómo la ciencia informa el Programa de Gestión del Salton Sea y cómo se aplica la ciencia para construir y gestionar proyectos de restauración mientras se cumplen los hitos regulatorios. El seminario web incluirá una presentación de Utah sobre cómo la ciencia está informando los esfuerzos de manejo de la vida silvestre en el Great Salt Lake y lo que California podría aprender de su experiencia.
El jueves 28 de septiembre al mediodía, hora del Pacífico, únase a un distinguido panel de expertos para una sólida conversación de 90 minutos sobre el papel de la ciencia en la planificación del Salton Sea. La Dra. Emma Aronson de UC Riverside moderará un panel que incluirá a Tonya Marshall del Departamento de Pesca y Vida Silvestre y Vivien Maisonneuve del Departamento de Recursos Hídricos y Kyle Stone del Departamento de Recursos Naturales de Utah. El seminario web brindará una oportunidad para el debate entre el personal de la agencia, los investigadores, las partes interesadas y el público en general.
Register here | Registrarse aquí
October 2, 2023 | Co-Funding Water Stewardship Projects in the Colorado River Basin
Join us for an insightful webinar on corporate water stewardship and innovative co-funding strategies in the Colorado River Basin. This webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of a recent report highlighting the role corporations can play, through co-funding, in addressing the acute water supply limitations in the basin and this crisis. Engage with a distinguished panel of experts from corporations, NGOs, and project implementers as they discuss the opportunities and challenges around corporate investment in impactful water projects. Gain valuable insights and discover practical ways to increase the effectiveness and scalability of corporate water stewardship efforts. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore collaborative solutions for sustainable water management in one of the most critical river basins.
October 7, 2023 | Politifest
On October 7, Pacific Institute Director of Research Heather Cooley will be participating in a panel at Politifiest focused on California’s water supply. This event will bring together prominent political leaders, policy experts and thought leaders to explore this year’s dual themes: the social, political and economic implications of the growing housing emergency and the potential water crisis facing our region.
Past Events
September 19, 2023 | Columbia University Water Conference, “Rethinking Water 2023
Hosted by Columbia Water Center and Sciens Water, Pacific Institute Senior Fellow and Co-Founder Peter Gleick is featured at the Rethinking Water Conference 2023 as the keynote speaker. This event is where finance, academia, government and industry meet to find solutions to the most pressing water challenges in the United States.
September 13-14, 2023 | WaterPalooza!
On September 13-14, Pacific Institute Senior Fellow and Co-Founder Peter Gleick and Senior Researchers Cora Snyder and Michael Cohen will be featured at this year’s WaterPalooza!
September 13, 2023 | California Stormwater Quality Association Annual Conference (CASQA)
On September 13, Pacific Institute Senior Researcher of Public Policy and Practice Uptake will be presenting at the CASQA Annual Conference. This event offers a unique opportunity to interact with leading members of the stormwater community including local, state, and federal decision makers, stormwater program coordinators, contractors, consultants, engineers, lawyers, scientists, and planners. Her session, “Lessons and Insights from a National Assessment of Stormwater Capture Potential – Barriers, Drivers, and Regional Partnerships” will address a wide range of challenges and opportunities facing stormwater professionals in California and beyond.
August 31, 2023 | California Water Efficiency Partnership Fall Plenary
On August 31, Pacific Institute Director of Research Heather Cooley will be presenting at the 2023 Fall Plenary for California Water Efficiency Partnership. Cooley’s session, “Water Efficiency’s Role in Meeting CA’s Climate Goals” will discuss water efficiency efforts and more in CA and beyond.
September 7, 2023 | Salton Sea Webinar
The opportunity to extract large quantities of lithium from brines deep beneath California’s Salton Sea has attracted considerable attention, especially for its potential to help meet California’s renewable energy targets and support economic development in the region, but also because of concerns about potential public health and environmental impacts.
Thursday, September 7th at 12 PM PT, please join a distinguished panel of experts for a robust 90-minute conversation about lithium extraction in the Salton Sea region hosted by Pacific Institute Senior Researcher Michael Cohen. Silvia Paz, Executive Director of Alianza Coachella Valley, will moderate a panel including Imperial County Supervisor Ryan Kelley, Christina Fleming, Vice President of Mineral Development at BHE Renewables, and Eric Reyes, Executive Director of Los Amigos de la Comunidad.
The goal of the webinar is to improve understanding of lithium extraction in the Salton Sea region, including the status of current and planned pilot projects, the importance of lithium in battery production and for meeting California’s climate goals, economic potential for the region and for the Salton Sea in particular, and the concerns of local residents about the proposed development, including water demands and waste disposal.
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La oportunidad de extraer grandes cantidades de litio de salmueras en las profundidades del Salton Sea de California ha atraído considerable atención, especialmente por su potencial para ayudar a cumplir los objetivos de energía renovable de California y apoyar el desarrollo económico en la región, pero también debido a las preocupaciones sobre la salud pública y el medio ambiente.
El jueves 7 de septiembre al mediodía, hora del Pacífico, únase a un distinguido panel de expertos para una sólida conversación de 90 minutos sobre la extracción de litio en la región del Salton Sea. Silvia Paz, Directora Ejecutiva de Alianza Coachella Valley, moderará un panel que incluirá al Supervisor del Condado de Imperial, Ryan Kelley, Christina Fleming, Vicepresidenta de Desarrollo Mineral de BHE Renewables, y Eric Reyes, Director Ejecutivo de Los Amigos de la Comunidad.
El objetivo del seminario web es mejorar la comprensión de la extracción de litio en la región del Salton Sea, incluido el estado de los proyectos piloto actuales y planificados, la importancia del litio en la producción de baterías y para cumplir los objetivos climáticos de California, el potencial económico para la región y para el Salton Sea en particular, y las preocupaciones de los residentes locales sobre el desarrollo propuesto, incluidas las demandas de agua y la eliminación de desechos.
Register here | Registrarse aquí
August 20-24 | Stockholm World Water Week
Join us at Stockholm World Water Week 2023, the central annual event for urgent dialogues on global water issues. The Pacific Institute, drawing upon 35 years of thought leadership, will play a key role in various events throughout the week from August 20 – 24, aimed at addressing complex water challenges and fostering innovation.
This year’s theme is ‘Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-Wise World.’ Building on the momentum from the UN 2023 Water Conference, our sessions will explore a range of topics including water innovations financing, water stewardship, urban climate resilience, and more.
August 10 | Public Health in the Salton Sea Region
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California’s Salton Sea – the state’s largest lake – is shrinking as a result of declining inflows. The exposed lakebed emits dust, impairing the health of people who live in the area and exacerbating the existing public health challenges of these at-risk communities.
On Thursday, August 10th at noon Pacific time, please join a distinguished panel of experts for a robust 90-minute conversation about public health in the Salton Sea region. Dr. Ryan Sinclair of Loma Linda University will moderate an expert panel including Dr. Ann Cheney of UC Riverside, Alejandro Espinoza of the Desert Healthcare District, Dr. Shohreh Farzan of USC, and Sandra Ramirez of Coachella Valley Parents.
The goal of the webinar is to improve understanding of public health in the Salton Sea region – and particularly the impacts of a declining Salton Sea on the health of nearby residents – and provide an opportunity for discussion among agency staff, stakeholders, and the public generally.
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El Salton Sea de California, el lago más grande del estado, se está reduciendo como resultado de la disminución de las entradas. El lecho del lago expuesto emite polvo, lo que perjudica la salud de las personas que viven en el área y exacerba los desafíos de salud pública existentes de estas comunidades en riesgo.
El jueves 10 de agosto al mediodía, hora del Pacífico, únase a un distinguido panel de expertos para una sólida conversación de 90 minutos sobre la salud pública en la región del Mar de Salton. El Dr. Ryan Sinclair de la Universidad de Loma Linda moderará un panel de expertos que incluye la Dra. Ann Cheney de UC Riverside, Alejandro Espinoza del Desert Healthcare District, la Dra. Shohreh Farzan de USC y Sandra Ramirez de Coachella Valley Parents.
El objetivo del seminario web es mejorar la comprensión de la salud pública en la región de Salton Sea, y en particular los impactos de un Salton Sea en declive en la salud de los residentes cercanos, y brindar una oportunidad para el debate entre el personal de la agencia, las partes interesadas y el público en general.
Register here | Registrarse aquí
August 1-3 | Water Efficiency and Conservation Symposium
On August 3 in Chicago, IL, Pacific Institute Research Associate Dr. Christine Curtis will be a panelist at the Water Efficiency and Conservation Symposium hosted by Alliance for Water Efficiency. Her session, Water Efficiency: Exploring Equitable & Effective Solutions To Address Affordability will explore how utility-led water programs are addressing affordability challenges. It will also demonstrate water efficiency and conservation as an important strategy to mitigate affordability challenges in both the short and long term.
July 17-19 | AWRA 2023 Summer Conference
Pacific Institute Senior Researcher Shannon Spurlock will present and moderate this week at the American Water Resources Association 2023 Summer Conference.
Her sessions, Maximizing Water Resources through Integrating a Multi-benefit Approach into Land Use Planning and Diversifying Colorado’s Water Portfolio: The Potential for Stormwater Capture and Use to Contribute to a Water Resilient Future will feature multi-disciplinary discussions on water resilience with industry experts.
July 13 | A Nature-Positive Future
On July 13, Pacific Institute Senior Researcher Dr. Gregg Brill presented at “A Nature-Positive Future” hosted by ARUP and WRC, hosted virtually and in London, UK.
June 15 | 20th Annual Water Conservation Showcase
On June 15, Pacific Institute Senior Researcher Sonali Abraham presented “Finding Leaks in the Haystack” at the 20th Annual Water Conservation Showcase in San Ramon, CA.
This panel will discuss a Pacific Institute-led project to install toilet leak detection technology in affordable housing properties across California. The project is paid for by a combination of corporate donations and water utility rebates.
June 13 | Salton Sea Dust Emissions Webinar | Seminario web sobre emisiones de polvo del Salton Sea
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California’s Salton Sea – the state’s largest lake – is shrinking as a result of declining inflows. The shrinking lake is already 45 square miles smaller than it was just twenty years ago and will likely shrink by more than that amount in the next twenty years. Some – but not all – of that exposed lakebed emits dust, impairing the health of people who live in the area.
On Tuesday, June 13th at noon Pacific time, please join a distinguished panel of experts for a robust 90-minute conversation about Salton Sea dust emissions. Dr. Alexander Frie of the University of Minnesota will moderate an expert panel including Dr. Amato Evan of UC San Diego, Brian Schmid of Formation Environmental, and Steven Garcia of the California Department of Water Resources.
The goal of the webinar is to improve understanding of air quality, dust composition, the emissivity of different soils, and predictive modeling of future emissions from Salton Sea lakebed and provide an opportunity for discussion among agency staff, stakeholders, and the public.
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El Salton Sea de California, el lago más grande del estado, se está reduciendo como resultado de la disminución de las entradas. El lago que se está reduciendo ya es 45 millas cuadradas más pequeño de lo que era hace solo veinte años y probablemente se reducirá en más de esa cantidad en los próximos veinte años. Parte, pero no todo, de ese lecho del lago expuesto emite polvo, lo que perjudica la salud de las personas que viven en el área.
El martes 13 de junio al mediodía, hora del Pacífico, únase a un distinguido panel de expertos para una sólida conversación de 90 minutos sobre las emisiones de polvo del Salton Sea. El Dr. Alexander Frie de la Universidad de Minnesota moderará un panel de expertos que incluye al Dr. Amato Evan de UC San Diego, Brian Schmid de Formation Environmental y Steven García del Departamento de Recursos Hídricos (DWR) de California.
El objetivo del seminario web es mejorar la comprensión de la calidad del aire, la composición del polvo, la emisividad de diferentes suelos y el modelado predictivo de emisiones futuras del lecho del Salton Sea y brindar una oportunidad para el debate entre el personal de la agencia, las partes interesadas y el público.
May 16 | California State Water Board Annual Salton Sea Workshop
On May 16, Pacific Institute Senior Researcher Michael Cohen will moderate the “Hydrology and Colorado River Drought” panel at the California State Water Board’s annual Salton Sea workshop. The event will be held at Imperial Valley College and broadcast in both Spanish and English. There are virtual attendance options and it is open to the public.
May 17 | LABBC May Webinar: Water Efficiency in Multifamily Housing
On May 17 at 12 PM PT, Pacific Institute Senior Researcher Cora Snyder will speak on the LABBC May Webinar: Water Efficiency in Multifamily Housing. Leak detection in multifamily properties can be the largest and quickest opportunity for utility savings.
Simple and discrete leak detection technologies can effectively lower overall water use and substantially improve a building’s performance. Snyder and colleagues will discuss California’s current water supply, pending state legislation, new leak detection technologies, and available water incentives. This webinar is free and open to the public.
March 23-25 | UN 2023 Water Conference
The UN 2023 Water Conference—the first since 1977—presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to advance water on the global sustainable development agenda. The Conference will take place at UN Headquarters in New York, 22-24 March 2023. Formally known as the 2023 Conference for the Midterm Comprehensive Review of Implementation of the UN Decade for Action on Water and Sanitation (2018-2028), the conference will be co-hosted by Tajikistan and the Netherlands.
The conference will include an opening and closing session, six plenary sessions, and five interactive dialogues, as well as side events. It will result in a summary of proceedings from the UNGA President that will feed into the 2023 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).
For more information about the Pacific Institute’s involvement in the conference, click here.
March 7-14 | Creating Resilient Water Utilities Webinar Series
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Creating Resilient Water Utilities (CRWU) initiative in collaboration with the Indian Health Service, Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, and Pacific Institute invites you to participate in a series of complimentary webinars focused on increasing tribes’ resilience against the impacts of climate change.
The Pacific Institute is proud to be involved through the leadership of Dr. Shannon McNeeley, Senior Researcher and Water and Climate Equity Lead, who is on the planning team for this series. The sessions will cover climate impacts, adaptation strategies, and financing for tribal water utilities.
Learn more here.
March 5-8 | WateReuse Symposium 2023
The Annual WateReuse Symposium is the premier conference on water recycling — attracting water professionals and water reuse practitioners globally for knowledge-sharing, networking, and collaboration! The event is planned in collaboration with The Water Research Foundation and will include engaging sessions on the latest reuse-related research projects.
Sessions hosted by Pacific Institute Researchers include:
Advances in Interagency Collaboration
When: March 5, 1-3 PM ET
Presenters: Shannon Spurlock (Pacific Institute) and Eric Rosenblum (Water Resource Consultant)
Expanding Water Reuse to Small and Underserved Communities: Lessons Learned (CA, ID, KS)
When: March 6, 11 AM – 12 PM ET
Presenters: Shannon Spurlock (Pacific Institute), Mike McCullough (Monterey One Water), Tressa Nicholas (Idaho Dept of Environmental Quality), and Rogelio Rodriguez (Water Finance Exchange)
Developing Onsite Water Systems to Support Regional Water Resilience
When: March 6, 3:45-4:15 PM ET
Presenter: Cora Snyder (Pacific Institute)
Protecting the Chesapeake Through Reuse: A Regional Collaboration
When: March 6, 4:15-4:45 PM ET
Presenters: Shannon Spurlock (Pacific Institute), Jay Bernas (Hampton Roads Sanitation District), Ryder Bunce (Virginia Dept. of Health), Scott Kudlas (Virgina Dept. of Environmental Quality), Doug Powell (James City Service Authority), and Eric Rosenblum (Water Resource Consultant)
Expanding Water Resiliency in Colorado Through Urban Stormwater Capture and Use
When: March 7, 10:30 AM – 11 AM ET
Presenter: Shannon Spurlock (Pacific Institute)
Learn more here.
February 23 | Salton Sea Salinity
California’s Salton Sea – the state’s largest lake – contains more than 470 million metric tons of dissolved salts. It’s more than twice as salty as the ocean and getting saltier. An unknown amount of additional salt – likely measuring in the hundreds of millions of tons – lies on the lake bottom and along the shore. Some three million tons of salts – enough to cover a square mile of land three feet deep – flow into the Sea every year.
On Thursday, February 23rd at noon PST, please join a distinguished panel of experts for a robust 90-minute conversation about Salton Sea salinity. Michael Cohen of the Pacific Institute will moderate the conversation, joined by Ali Montazar of University of California Cooperative Extension, Chris Holdren, formerly with the Bureau of Reclamation, Elliot Jagniecki of the Utah Geological Survey, and Tom Sephton of EcoMedia Compass.
The objective of the webinar is to improve understanding of the amount and chemistry and fate of the salts entering the Salton Sea and provide an opportunity for discussion among agency staff, stakeholders, and the public generally.
Topics will include:
- Colorado River salts & leaching in Imperial Valley
- Amount and chemistry and fate of salts entering the Salton Sea
- Great Salt Lake salt chemistry & salinity gradients
- Salt chemistry at high concentrations & desalination
February 15 | California Water Commission
Heather Cooley, Director of Research at Pacific Institute, will be presenting at the California Water Commission meeting on February 15th on “Long-term Drought: Expert Panel on Drought Preparedness and Response Strategies.” The panel will present policy perspectives and hands-on practitioner perspectives on implementation of drought preparedness and response strategies.
Join the meeting through the Zoom link.
For those who prefer to watch or listen, the meeting will also be webcast live at: https://www.water-ca.com/.
February 10 | Water Equity, Affordability, and Change
Pacific Institute Director of Research, Heather Cooley, will be presenting at SPUR’s Water Equity, Affordability, and Climate Change presentation. The discussion will talk about ways to curb water rate increases and mitigate the disproportionate impact on low income customers.
January 20 | Sustainable Water Markets (SWM) Program Annual Symposium
Pacific Institute Director of Research, Heather Cooley, will be a panelist for the session “Water Resilience and Intersections with Urban Efficiency” at the Sustainable Water Markets (SWM) Program Annual Symposium hosted by the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management.
The theme of the symposium is “Building Resilience and Equity in Water Market Strategies.”
January 15-19 | 13th IWA International Conference on Water Reclamation and Reuse
Pacific Institute Senior Researcher Shannon Spurlock presented at the 13th IWA International Conference on Water Reclamation and Reuse to be held from January 15-19 in Chennai, India.
The central theme of the conference was “Water Reuse: Overcoming the Challenges of Growth and Climate Change”. In her two presentations, Shannon will highlight the multi-benefits that can be realized when collaborating to drive and scale water reuse.
January 10 | Salton Sea Hydrology Webinar
On Tuesday, January 10 at noon PST, please join a distinguished panel of experts and practitioners for a robust 90-minute conversation about Salton Sea hydrology. Michael Cohen of the Pacific Institute will moderate the conversation, joined by Sujoy Roy, consultant to the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP), Juan Acero Triana of UC Riverside, Taylor Adams of Hydros Consulting, and Mike Tietze of Formation Environmental. This webinar will be available in English and in Spanish. Topics will include:
– Salton Sea inflows and SSMP project water demands,
– hydrologic drivers in the Salton Sea basin, and
– inflows and project water demands for the Bombay Beach Wetlands project.
Register here for the webinar.
The objective of the webinar is to improve understanding of current and possible future Salton Sea inflows and the water demands of various Salton Sea projects and provide an opportunity for discussion among modelers, agency staff, stakeholders, and the public generally.
The webinar will follow the format of the previous Salton Sea webinars posted on https://pacinst.org/videos/, with simultaneous interpretation in Spanish and will be recorded and posted in both English and Spanish.
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El martes 10 de enero al mediodía PST, únase a un distinguido panel de expertos y profesionales para una sólida conversación de 90 minutos sobre la hidrología del Salton Sea. Michael Cohen del Pacific Institute moderará la conversación, junto con Sujoy Roy, consultora del Programa de Gestión del Salton Sea (SSMP), Juan Acero Triana de UC Riverside, Taylor Adams de Hydros Consulting, y Mike Tietze de Formation Environmental. Este seminario web estará disponible en inglés y en español. Los temas incluirán:
– Entradas de Salton Sea y demandas de agua del proyecto SSMP,
– impulsores hidrológicos en la cuenca del Salton Sea, y
– entradas y demandas de agua del proyecto para el proyecto Bombay Beach Wetlands.
Regístrese aquí para el seminario web.
El objetivo del seminario web es mejorar la comprensión de los flujos de entrada actuales y futuros de Salton Sea y las demandas de agua de varios proyectos de Salton Sea y brindar una oportunidad para el debate entre los modeladores, el personal de la agencia, las partes interesadas y el público en general.
El seminario web seguirá el formato de los seminarios web anteriores de Salton Sea publicados en https://pacinst.org/videos/, con interpretación simultánea en español y será grabado y publicado tanto en inglés como en español.
January 15-19 | 13th IWA International Conference on Water Reclamation and Reuse
Pacific Institute Senior Researcher Shannon Spurlock will present at the 13th IWA International Conference on Water Reclamation and Reuse to be held from January 15-19 in Chennai, India.
The central theme of the conference is “Water Reuse: Overcoming the Challenges of Growth and Climate Change”. In her two presentations, Shannon will highlight the multi-benefits that can be realized when collaborating to drive and scale water reuse.
November 7-10 | Localizing California Waters Conference
Pacific Institute Senior Researcher Cora Kammeyer will present at the Localizing California Waters Conference in Yosemite on November 7-10.
Cora will be talking about the California Water Action Collaborative and the Water Action Hub.
October 20 | Advancing climate resilience in our Valley and beyond
Pacific Institute Senior Fellow and Co-Founder Dr. Peter Gleick is a guest speaker at the Napa Valley Community Foundation Town Hall on October 20.
Peter will discuss how climate change affects water supply and wildfire risk, and what actions can be taken to preserve the Valley.
October 24 | Bren Seminar: Sonali Abraham on water conservation
Pacific Institute Research Associate Dr. Sonali Abraham will present at UC Santa Barbara Bren School of Environmental Science and Management on October 24.
October 25 | 5th National Adaptation Forum
Pacific Institute Senior Researchers Dr. Gregg Brill and Dr. Shannon McNeeley will be participating in the 5th National Adaptation Forum on October 25.
Gregg will host a Climate Adaptation Knowledge Exchange (CAKE) Tools Workshop and Shannon is on the Steering Committee and the Equity & Climate Justice Working Group.
Gregg’s session “Building the Business Case For Nature-Based Solutions: Introducing the NBS Benefits Explorer Tool” will focus on the implementation of and investment in nature-based solutions (NBS) by the corporate sector. Work like this allows organizations to make informed decisions regarding water security, climate mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and socio-economic enhancements.
October 12-13 | Natural Infrastructure for Water Solutions Forum on Performance and Metrics
Pacific Institute Senior Researcher Dr. Gregg Brill will present at the Natural Infrastructure for Water Solutions Forum on Performance and Metrics hosted by the International Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD) in Winnipeg October 12-13.
Gregg will join IISD and strategic leaders working at the interface of natural infrastructure and water issues across the prairies, including Alternative Land Use Services – ALUS Canada, the Municipal Natural Assets Initiative, the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, and many other representatives from academia and municipal, provincial, and federal governments.
October 6 | A Collaborative Approach to Colorado River Management
Pacific Institute Senior Researcher Michael Cohen will present on a panel “A Collaborative Approach to Colorado River Management” on October 6.
The Colorado River is in crisis, creating serious challenges for water managers and the communities that rely upon it. This panel of diverse stakeholders will discuss efforts to find collaborative solutions basin-wide and how this could shape the future of Western water for years to come. This is the first in what is anticipated to be a series on the Colorado River.
This session, hosted by the Southern California Water Coalition, is brought to you by San Diego County Water Authority, Imperial Irrigation District, Black & Veatch, and Brady.
October 4-6 | WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition
The Pacific Institute will be featured across three sessions at this year’s WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition from October 4-6 in Las Vegas. At the conference, technical sessions will cover everything from advancing the adoption of efficient products, to alternate water supplies, to marketing and outreach and much more.
Water utilities and systems are increasingly challenged by climate change, emerging contaminants, evolving regulations, aging infrastructure, conservation needs, and much more. New technologies are being invented, new strategies and programs are being developed, new ways to engage customers are arising, and new models for managing and governing systems for drinking water and wastewater are being explored.
Learn more about the conference and take a sneak peek at Pacific Institute sessions below:
- Harnessing the Power of Water to Meet Energy and Climate Goals: Presented by Heather Cooley, Pacific Institute Director of Research
Population growth and climate change are increasing pressure on limited water resources. As conventional water sources become constrained, communities are considering more energy-intensive options, threatening to increase water’s energy and greenhouse gas footprints. Using California as a case study, the Pacific Institute draws on new data and information to quantify the technical potential to expand water efficiency, water reuse, and stormwater capture and develop future scenarios of water supplies and demands to estimate water’s energy and greenhouse gas footprints. While focused on California, the methodology and results are relevant for communities across the western United States.
- The Untapped Potential of California’s Urban Water Supply: Water Efficiency, Water Reuse, and Stormwater Capture: Presented by Dr. Sonali Abraham, Pacific Institute Research Associate
This session will focus on a recent Pacific Institute study that quantified California’s potential for urban water efficiency, water reuse, and stormwater capture to both reduce inefficient and wasteful water uses and expand local water supplies. Previous assessments showed that these options are more cost effective than traditional and increasingly hard to implement options to expand supply. Tapping this potential would help solve California’s long-standing water problems and provide added benefits. This session will provide an overview of current imbalances in water use and supply, and the findings of the analysis.
- Advancing Water Efficiency in Low Income Housing: Southern California Case Study: Presented by Pacific Institute Senior Researcher Cora Kammeyer and Research Associate Dr. Christine DeMyers
This session will share results from a cross-sector project in which corporations, NGOs, and water utilities worked together to install and monitor remote leak detection technology in three low-income apartment buildings in Southern California. The session will cover the water, energy, and money saved from the project; stakeholder perspectives; and how the unique set of partners came together to make the project happen. Speakers will share learnings from project implementation, including the project design and how to effectively partner across sectors.
September 27 | Maximizing Water Resources through Integrating a Multi-benefit Approach into Land Use Planning
Pacific Institute Senior Researcher, Shannon Spurlock, will present ”Maximizing Water Resources through Integrating a Multi-benefit Approach into Land Use Planning” on September 27 in partnership with the American Planning Association’s Water & Planning Network.
Panelists will share how and why they prioritize water projects that incorporate a multi-benefit approach in land use planning. From state-level funding to the economics of project valuations, to working with planners to design and implement environments that are equitable and resilient, this webinar will demonstrate how to integrate and scale a multi-benefit approach for the greatest community benefits.
September 15 | The Future of Natural Infrastructure
Dr. Gregg Brill presented at a virtual event “The Future of Natural Infrastructure” hosted by the International Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD) on September 15.
IISD launched Natural Infrastructure for Water Solutions (NIWS), a 5-year initiative to scale up natural infrastructure in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba for cleaner water and resilient communities.
The event looked at how to ensure that the case for more natural infrastructure is backed by evidence, adopted, financed, and built into policy, and how local municipalities can take part in this work.
September 11-15 | World Water Congress & Exhibition
Pacific Institute Senior Researcher Shannon Spurlock presented three sessions at the World Water Congress & Exhibition between September 11 and 15.
- The Art of Collaboration: Crossing Borders to Solve Systems-Based Problems
- Multi-agency Water Reuse Programs: Lessons for Successful Collaboration
- Water Efficiency: The Fastest, Cheapest, Largest Source of New Water
Shannon highlighted the role of a multi-benefit approach in advancing regional collaboration among water utilities. She also discussed water efficiency as it relates to a multi-benefit approach, water-energy nexus, and research from the recent Pacific Institute report, “The Untapped Potential of California’s Urban Water Supply: Water Efficiency, Water Reuse, and Stormwater Capture.”
Click here to learn more about the World Water Congress and Shannon’s presentations
September 9 | 2022 Energy & Water Nexus
Pacific Institute Director of Research Heather Cooley was a panelist at the 2022 Energy & Water Nexus Event hosted by the Bay Planning Coalition on Friday, September 9. The panel presentation “Alternative Water Sources for Drought Resilience” is more relevant than ever—with nearly 100% of California facing severe drought.
The annual Energy & Water Nexus Event brings together leading thinkers on water and energy to discuss solutions to pressing climate issues.
June 28 I Best Practices for Community Engagement webinar
28 de junio I Las mejores prácticas para la participación comunitaria
(Ver español abajo)
On Tuesday, June 28 at noon PDT, please join a distinguished panel of experts and practitioners for a robust 90-minute conversation about best practices for community engagement. Prof. Chris Benner of UC Santa Cruz will moderate the conversation, joined by Miguel Hernandez of the Salton Sea Management Program, Mariela Loera of Leadership Counsel, Silvia Paz of Alianza ECV, Christian Rodgriguez of KDI, and Frank Ruiz of Audubon. This webinar will be available in English and in Spanish. Topics will include:
- articulation of how community input is integrated into project objectives and design,
- requirements for contractors to maintain community engagement throughout project design and construction,
- differences between public relations and community engagement, and
- developing a strong framework for responding to community input in a timely and clear manner.
Register here for the webinar.
Unase a un distinguido panel de expertos y profesionales para una sólida conversación de 90 minutos sobre las mejores prácticas para la participación comunitaria. El profesor Chris Benner de UC Santa Cruz moderará la conversación, junto con Miguel Hernandez del Programa de Gestión del Salton Sea, Mariela Loera de Leadership Counsel, Silvia Paz de Alianza ECV, Christian Rodríguez de KDI, y Frank Ruiz de Audubon. Este seminario web estará disponible en inglés y en español.
Los temas incluirán:
- articulación de cómo se integran los aportes de la comunidad en los objetivos y el diseño del proyecto,
- requisitos para que los contratistas mantengan la participación de la comunidad durante el diseño y la construcción del proyecto,
- diferencias entre las relaciones públicas y la participación comunitaria, y
- desarrollar un marco sólido para responder a los aportes de la comunidad de manera oportuna y clara.
Registrarse aquí
Date/Fecha: June 28/28 de junio
Time/Hora: 12:00pm PT
Language/Idioma: English/español
Learn more and register here.
Obtenga más información y regístrese aquí
June 28-29 I GreenFin
Water: A Rising Tade on the Corporate Agenda. The global water crisis is both an economic and humanitarian crisis — an unmitigated risk to global supply chains, profits and the well-being of communities and populations around the world. Through the U.N. Global Compact, CEO Water Mandate and the Water Resilience Coalition (WRC), a growing cohort of corporations recognize that philanthropy alone won’t suffice to solve the global water crisis. They see themselves as playing an increasingly material role in the innovation, collaboration and delivery of investment capital needed to solve the escalating crisis. Leading voices tackle the increased role corporate water investments have in driving meaningful collective action toward a water-positive future.
Speakers include:
- Mai-Lan Ha, Deputy Head, CEO Water Mandate, UN Global Compact
- Emilio Tenuta, SVP & CSO, Ecolab
- Vedika Bhandarkar, COO, Water.org
- Jackie VanderBrug, Head of Sustainable & Impact Investment Strategy, Bank of America
- Una Hrnjak-Hadziahmetovic, Head of Sustainability Strategy & Programs, Starbucks
Date: June 29
Time: 9:00am ET
Language: English
Learn more and register here.
View information about more past events the Pacific Institute has participated in here.
