October 12, 2017 / Washington, DC
The ubiquitous growth of big data has revealed significant implications for better informed water resources decision-making. Constantly improving analytics can provide operational managers and policy-makers with better informed choices. Real time monitoring, early impairment detection, tracking water contaminants and identifying sources, and the impact of drought in arid regions have game-changing value in improving negotiations across state and international borders. But, how can the over-abundance of data be managed effectively to guide decisions by science and fact, rather than conjecture and politics?
The Horinko Group and the Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities addressed this question at its 2017 Summit hosted in Washington, DC on October 12. An impressive collaboration of presenters discussed implications of big data management from the conflict-torn Jordan River in the Middle East, to the complicated water rights of the Western United States, to the Mississippi River’s cyclic drought and abundance. The invitation-only gathering convened key capacity and community-builders on a national and international scale, well positioned to make immediate and measurable impacts.
Thank you to our Summit partners, The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies and The National Great Rivers Research & Education Center, and to our Summit supporters, Booz Allen Hamilton, HSW Engineering, Crowell & Moring, and Water Resource Action Project.
On behalf of the Water Research Foundation, THG in collaboration with PLDO conducted an assessment of public-private partnership (P3) opportunities for water and water resource recovery utility (W&WRRU) energy projects. The final report, Public-Private Partnership Opportunities for Water and Water Resource Recovery Utility Energy Projects, will assist W&WRRUs identify opportunities and undertake energy projects through P3s. The Water Environment & Reuse Foundation was a partner on this project.
On September 28, WRF hosted a webcast where co-authors Sean McGinnis, Director of The Horinko Group; Emily Hammond, Senior Advisor of The Horinko Group; and Bruce Tobey, Of Counsel with PLDO, provided real-world insights on legal, financing, contracting, and risk management practices by reflecting on their water-energy marketplace research and various case studies. They also highlighted the characteristics, challenges, barriers, risks, incentives, and benefits associated with P3 energy initiatives at W&WRRUs. Their goal is to better position utilities to consider the use of P3s to achieve their infrastructure needs in the most financially and environmentally effective manner possible.
To view the webinar, click here.
To download the report, click here.
On behalf of the Water Research Foundation, THG in collaboration with PLDO (formerly PLDW) have undertaken an assessment of public-private partnership (P3) opportunities for water and wastewater utility (WWU) energy projects. A Best Practices Guide to be released later this year will assist WWUs identify opportunities and undertake energy projects through P3s.
On February 9, 2017 at the AWWA/WEF Utility Management Conference, THG Director Sean McGinnis along with PLDO Partner Bruce Tobey presented their preliminary findings on the panel Implementing Solutions Through P3s. A copy of the presentation slides is available for download here.
To review the P3 presentation slides visit, http://bit.ly/2mhiSeN.
To review the AWWA/WEF conference program visit, http://bit.ly/2lCpLdl.
