NACWA hosted a virtual press conference October 13 as part of the Association’s celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and to highlight the instrumental role that public clean water utilities have played in the CWA’s success over the last 50 years.

The webinar featured speakers from three NACWA public utilities who have helped spearhead progress at their utilities and for the sector as a whole: Kishia Powell, NACWA’s Immediate Past President and Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at DC Water; Brian Perkovich, NACWA Board member and Executive Director of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC); and Andrew Lee, NACWA Board member and General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). 

Each speaker provided brief opening remarks discussing how their utilities have played key roles in improving the environmental, public health and economic sustainability of their communities and noting that clean water agencies nationwide all have a similar story to tell.  These stories, taken together, represent some of the most important successes of the CWA.  The speakers also discussed the challenges the sector still faces and the need for increased federal investment in clean water infrastructure if the lofty goals of the CWA are to be fully realized.

Much of what the speakers focused on is also reflected in NACWA’s own 50^th Anniversary Report, which was published in 2020.  This included specific success stories from DC Water, MWRDGC and SPU.

The speakers also engaged in a Q&A session with reporters that participated in the event, with many of the questions focusing on affordability, sustainability and infrastructure investment issues.

A recording of the press conference can be found here.  Members with questions about NACWA’s communications and public affairs advocacy can contact Nathan Gardner-Andrews, NACWA Chief Advocacy & Policy Officer.