Western Municipal Water District’s Post

We're so excited to see multiple PEN members and our colleague Elena Hoffnagle featured in this week’s Bloomberg News article on the intersection of sustainability and procurement! Local governments across the country have significant sustainability goals and enormous buying power, but as Bloomberg News reports, “even states and cities that do have guidance to consider green products often struggle to do so, illustrating the gulf between aspirational policies that exist on paper and the challenges of executing in the real world.” One promising example featured in the article is the City of Tempe, AZ, whose new sustainable procurement policy explicitly encourages staff to consider green products even if it costs more, which has resulted in 70% of the city’s custodial products being more sustainable. Other promising practices include the use of vendor pitches and short-term contracts for pilots in City of New York, City of Los Angeles, City of Long Beach, and City of Philadelphia, which allow testing out new green products at minimal risk to governments. Be on the lookout for additional resources via PEN to support your own green purchasing practices! Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/esZN7cr5

How can governments leverage their huge buying power to help advance climate goals? Check this out:

Do you have products that you want to see #waterEfficiency labels on? If so, nominate them for the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme. Your suggestions could help Australians save even more water! Let's lead the way in water conservation together! 💧 👉 Nominate a product at https://brnw.ch/21wHsv7 Nominations close 15 March, 2024. #Sustainability #Innovation

California's Groundbreaking "Toilet-to-Tap" Initiative: A Sustainable Water Solution 🌊 California is poised to take a significant leap in sustainable water management with its landmark proposal on "direct potable reuse" (DPR). This initiative, pending approval by the California State Water Resources Control Board, promises to revolutionize how we think about wastewater. 💡 Unlike "indirect potable reuse," which has been practiced for years in areas like Orange County, DPR involves purifying wastewater and directly integrating it into public water systems without environmental buffers like aquifers. This method offers a more immediate and efficient approach to recycling water. 🌿 This move aligns closely with our earlier discussions on water reuse in Arizona and New Mexico, highlighting the growing trend of innovative water management solutions across the West. As we've explored before, these strategies not only address the pressing challenge of water scarcity but also contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing the need for long-distance water transport. 🚰 Though DPR facilities won't appear overnight, the proposal sets the stage for a future where every drop of water is valued and reused. With rigorous safety regulations and triple redundancy measures in place, this initiative is a testament to California's commitment to both public health and environmental stewardship. 🔍 The proposed DPR system in California could serve as a model for other regions grappling with similar water challenges. It's a forward-thinking approach that balances technological innovation with ecological responsibility. 👥 Engaging the public in understanding and supporting these initiatives is crucial. As seen in San Diego's experience, overcoming misconceptions and building trust are key elements in the successful implementation of such advanced water recycling programs. 🌐 At Water Insecurity Solutions, we continue to monitor and support advancements in water reuse technologies. We believe that initiatives like California's DPR proposal are not just solutions for today but investments in a more sustainable and resilient future. #WaterSustainability #InnovationInWater #CaliforniaWaterStrategy #WaterReuse #EnvironmentalSustainability #WaterInsecurity #watersecurity https://lnkd.in/d3JiPm4Q 

Last week we were delighted to support Save Water Save Money in organising a dynamic workshop focused on water efficiency. The event brought together wholesalers, retailers, and water audit experts, including Jacob Tompkins from The Water Retail Company (TWRC) and Marcus Rose from Ecoprod Technique. Our discussions centred on collaborative strategies to enhance water efficiency. 🤝💧 Key topics included raising public awareness about the importance of saving water, the connection between water conservation and reduced carbon production, and existing tools to prevent predicted water scarcity by 2030 while also saving money. Waterwise introduced their Checkmark for Offices water audit services, designed to enhance the ESG credentials of UK office-based businesses. Ecoprod shared their inspiring journey, which began during the 2006 springtime drought. The event, also supported by Southern Water, was a fantastic opportunity to connect with industry colleagues, find common ground, and define effective future collaborations. Protecting our precious water resources is a responsibility we all share. 🌊 #WaterEfficiency #SaveWaterSaveMoney #CastleWater #Sustainability #WaterConservation #ESG

Learned about a great program for Cook County manufacturers that I just had to share: the BRITE Program (Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment). For certain industries, like food & bev, manufacturers and other businesses can get free assessments and advice on how to update their facilities to meet sustainability goals. BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE! Businesses that go through the assessment can also qualify for up to $300,000 in grants to cover the costs of new equipment and upgrades. If you're a business in Cook County thinking of making some upgrades around your facility, definitely check the BRITE Program out. https://lnkd.in/gHXrfuWX #cookcounty #chicago #foodandbeverage #manufacturing #automation #environment

In Water Management, Operational excellence drives innovation, which is a crucial component in shaping a sustainable green economy.  This roundtable session brings together leading experts to discuss how innovations can overcome challenges faced in the Water sector. Dr. Nader bin Taher, our Chief Operating Officer, brings his expertise to the table by sharing key insights  about unlocking the potential of water through innovation.

Check out our article on Kevin Hardy of the National Water Research Institute: helping to shape the future of U.S. water recycling policy from our February issue. Water recycling and potable reuse are a key part of our water future, even in states where water supply hasn’t traditionally been an issue. But designing systems and regulations to govern them is not a simple task. The National Water Research Institute (NWRI) of Orange County, California, draws on California’s three decades of experience with water recycling to help guide technological innovation and policies to shape the future of recycled water use nationwide. In this interview, we talk with Executive Director Kevin Hardy about the institute’s independent advisory panels, which provide science-based recommendations to utilities and regulators on how they can address their recycling-related problems, from water quality issues to designing and implementing state regulations. https://bit.ly/3T1Wffi #NWRIWaterRecycling #KevinHardyInterview #WaterRecyclingFuture #CaliforniaWaterExperience #RecycledWaterInnovation #IndependentAdvisoryPanels #PolicyDesignInWater

Certainly! "The paradigm shift towards sustainable development in construction is indeed yielding positive results. By prioritizing eco-friendly practices, we not only mitigate environmental impact but also capitalize on long-term gains. Integrating sustainable approaches in construction aligns seamlessly with agriculture management, fostering landscapes that thrive through mindful water recycling. Embracing this synergy creates a resilient foundation for holistic and responsible development. #SustainableConstruction #AgricultureManagement #EnvironmentalResponsibility"

Today is World Water Day, a day to recognise the importance of water in our lives and the need to preserve our most important natural resource. At Glanua every day is World Water Day! We are committed to ensuring access to clean water and sustainable wastewater treatment for communities across Ireland and the UK, 365 days a year. We produce an impressive 130 million litres of clean water per day in the 50+ live Water Treatment Plants we operate, while the Wastewater Treatment Plants we operate meet the needs of over 60,000 people. Glanua is always looking for innovative and sustainable ways to improve our day-to-day operations, lessen our environmental footprint, and maximise the advantages for the communities we serve. A recent example of this commitment is the design and development of the Boherbue Wastewater Treatment Plant in Co Cork, delivered under the collaborative Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) framework with Uisce Éireann Irish Water and Cork County Council. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eubdxFkM To increase #sustainability and lower #carbon #emissions, the project used a variety of techniques, such as #solar technology, #natural sludge drying reed beds, and reused existing #wetlands to preserve natural habitats for animals and plants. 🌿 Learn more about how this project improves wastewater treatment methods while reducing carbon emissions. https://lnkd.in/eubdxFkM #WorldWaterDay #Innovation #Sustainability #Solar #SludgeDryingReedBeds #ConstructedWetlands