Upstream Strategies
Future Water Research & Innovation Solutions
Four hours, 123 participants, and 3,108 ideas generated—WRF's Upstream Strategies project sought to identify the future significant disruptors that will challenge the water sector over the next 10–20 years. The participants also brainstormed potential research activities to help the sector turn these disruptors into opportunities to support their communities. Disruptors and research opportunities are organized below according to five Challenge Areas: Environmental Systems, Infrastructure, Utility Operations and Management, Economic, and Community Engagement.
Environmental Systems
Watershed Health
Climate Change Adaptation
Constituents of Emerging Concern
Infrastructure
Distribution System Management
Resilient Infrastructure
Treatment
Utility Operations and Management
Asset Management
Emergence of New Technology
Leadership and Workforce
Economics
Financial Sustainability
Utility Revenue
Affordability
Community Engagement
Equity and Environmental Justice
Expanded Expectations of Utilities
Public Trust
Upstream Strategies Co-Chairs
WRF would like to thank the following water professionals who gave their time and expertise to this effort:
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Environmental Systems
- Art Umble, PhD, PE, BCEE, Wastewater Practice Leader, Stantec
- Paul Kadota, Program Manager, Metro Vancouver
- Melita Stevens, PhD, Principal Scientist, Melbourne Water
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Infrastructure
- Gary Burlingame, BCES, Director of Bureau of Laboratory Services, Philadelphia Water Department
- Charles Stevens, Utility Operations Officer, KC Water
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Utility Operations & Management
- Ryan Locicero, PhD, PE, Business Practice Leader, Clean Water Services
- Terry Daniel, Water Operations Director, Great Lakes Water Authority
- Shaun Pietig, PE, Manager of Distribution Engineering, WaterOne
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Economic
- Kathryn Sorensen, Director of Research, ASU Kyl Center for Water Policy, Morrison Institute
- Andrea Remias, Planning Manager, Engineering and Construction, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
- Robin Rupe, Project Manager, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
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Community Engagement
- Zonetta English, Strategic Initiatives & Project Delivery Director, Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District
- Alan Roberson, Executive Director, Association of State Drinking Water Agencies