Clean Water Current

(July 3, 2019) – NACWA member utility the Louisville/Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) released the first ever water equity roadmap for the metropolitan Louisville area on June 27. 

The report, entitled An Equitable Water Future: Louisville, was collaboratively developed by leaders from the Louisville Urban League, Louisville MSD, Louisville Water Company, Transit Authority of River City (TARC), Louisville Metro Government, Where Opportunity Knox, and NACWA Member Affiliate Jacobs Engineering, with critical support from the US Water Alliance. 

It was unveiled as part of a water equity and workforce summit convened by Louisville MSD on June 27 that NACWA was honored to attend.  The event was moderated and facilitated by Tony Parrott, Louisville MSD Executive Director and a member of the NACWA Board of Directors. 

The report discusses local factors that influence water equity. While the primary focus is on local water equity considerations and utility workforce challenges, the report also explores local issues around water affordability, aging infrastructure, flooding and climate impacts, and funding constraints. For each of these areas, the report outlines recommendations that agencies and organizations in Louisville can take to advance equitable water management.

The report is part of the Water Equity Taskforce, a network of cities convened by the US Water Alliance that work together to develop more equitable water policies and practices. The Taskforce comprises cross-sector teams in the cities of Atlanta, Buffalo, Camden, Cleveland, Louisville, Milwaukee, and Pittsburgh.