My few days in Chicago for the Alliance for Water Efficiency’s Water Efficiency & Conservation Symposium were jam packed. From sharing ballpark hot dogs to learning about Australia’s strategy to inform the public about water conservation, I was energized by the discussions, reinvigorated by the connections, and grateful for the opportunity to be part of this community.
Reconnecting with familiar faces, finally meeting online connections in person, and getting to know new ones brought a real sense of energy and community into the room. It’s always so refreshing to skip past, “what do you for work?” and hear about the full lives with families we all live, and maybe even the awesome rock bands we’re in (shoutout to the Stone Cold Killers featuring Ron Burke!).
We all found ourselves in this community in a myriad of ways but are devoted to the same goal: advancing water efficiency in our communities. Has North Carolina ever experienced a drought before? How do you communicate to customers in Texas to save water when they’re motivated by carrots not sticks? What role does AI play in the water conservation space and how do you balance the importance of conserving water while also conserving staff capacity and funding? How do you get 26 different agencies to come together and agree on a water shortage plan? These were some of the interesting perspectives we got to dissect and map out together (there may have been a few pieces of artwork that came out of it too). The emphasis on participation made the experience especially engaging. We weren’t just there as spectators; we were expected to jump in, share our own perspectives, and work through ideas together.
Commissioner Randy Conner of the Chicago Department of Water Management shared at the beginning of the event, “Remember the three Ls: Listen, Learn, and then go back home and Labor." I left feeling truly inspired and incredibly grateful for this work I get to do every day. It is a rare moment to connect with so many others doing valuable work from all over the country. These special moments and connections help create positive change, like a ripple effect for the future of water conservation in the nation and beyond.
Thank you to all the AWE staff, Board of Directors, and members for all their hard work and dedication organizing such a fantastic event!
Julia Mes
Program Coordinator, CalWEP