US Water Alliance's Water Equity Taskforce was "the first-ever cross-sector, multi-city endeavor to intentionally make water management outcomes and processes equitable." Cross-sector Learning Teams from Atlanta, Buffalo, Camden, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Louisville, and Pittsburgh made up the Taskforce where they worked to increase understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and promising interventions to promote equitable water management. The Taskforce helped accelerate the development and adoption of equitable water policies, and practices by utilities, community-based organizations and other stakeholders. For example, as part of the Water Equity Taskforce, Cleveland created a local Learning Team composed of utility managers, community representatives, and local foundations working to ensure that all residents have access to thriving local economies, community vitality, and healthy ecosystems through equitable water management. The Cleveland Learning Team developed the report, An Equitable WaterFuture: Cleveland, detailing recommended activities focused on “public engagement, affordability, climate resilience, and workforce development,” including the Water Champions program, a grassroots program to connect at-risk populations to water and sewer bill assistance. WaterNow and CHN will partner to implement the Water Champions program, working together to establish a baseline, research existing programs and conduct informational interviews, and provide support for stakeholder engagement and reporting.

Click the link below to learn more about US Water Alliance's Water Equity Taskforce.