I will never forget when I was first in DC working for @awwa & had convened a group of water experts to discuss challenges & opportunities with the drinking water SRF, I opened the morning conversation with the statement “water systems are pillars of our communities.” (1)

One of the attendees later came up to me asking if I really believed that, to which I replied that of course I did, and they were shocked. To them, water systems were necessary infrastructure to provide water but a pillar of society? No way! (2)

I remember being alarmed that someone WOULDN’T see a water system as an integral part of a community, with a voice and a responsibility not just to provide water but to work for the betterment of the community they serve in every way. (3)

This was in 2016. In the last 5 years I’ve seen the idea that water is a silent service that should be delivered but never heard from challenged again & again & again. I think (hope?) we as a sector have finally realized the collaborative nature of water and the role... (4)

a water system can play in advancing equity & resilience in their community. While the funding need for water infrastructure is great & we have many challenges to work through, I am feeling super inspired & positive about the future during this #Waterweek2021!!!