More than 60 water experts will gather July 27-28 at Morrill Hall to discuss breakthrough water management approaches. 

Organized by Partnering for Impact (PFI), an organization committed to building stronger utility/university/industry collaborations in the water sector, the event is hosted by the College of Engineering’s Nevada Water Innovation Institute (NWII). The meeting will focus on how to accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies and other approaches to address water supply and management. Discussions will consider complex problems ranging from climate change impacts to population growth to the presence of emerging classes of enduring and apparently ubiquitous man-made chemicals, all happening in the context of a substantial workforce transition.

“As a leader in research on water resilience and sustainability, NWII is honored to host this important convening,” Professor Krishna Pagilla, NWII director and PFI co-founder, said. “This event will advance understanding of how leading agencies and organizations, including those right here in Nevada, are able to put truly innovative water technologies and approaches into practice.”

While the event will engage all participants in the development of recommended approaches, speakers and panelists — ranging from fresh voices to nationally-known leaders — will provide context and diverse perspectives to seed deliberations. Panelists include:

• Heather Dyer, CEO, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, San Bernardino, Calif.
• Diane Taniguchi-Dennis, CEO Clean Water Services, Hillsboro, Ore.
• Doa Ross, deputy general manager, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Las Vegas
• Kara Steeland, senior hydrologist and watershed coordinator, Truckee Meadows Water Authority, Reno
• Lydia Teel, Emerging Resources program administrator at Truckee Meadows Water Authority, Reno
• Arvind Akela, director of Engineering and Environmental Services, Silicon Valley Clean Water (SVCW), Calif.

“Through this convening, PFI will identify and share how the use of innovative water practices and solutions can be accelerated,” Rick Warner, PRI founder said. Warner is a strategic water market growth leader with Jacobs, an advisory firm in the infrastructure space and other business sectors.

“While there many challenges facing water, the ways in which we manage and use this essential resource also offer solutions to some of the complex challenges society is facing,” Warner continued. “New approaches can and are decreasing climate change impacts, improving human health and well-being, preserving the natural environment and growing local economies.”