NACWA is pleased to announce the incorporation of the Clean Water America Alliance (Alliance) as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity.  The Clean Water America Alliance (CWAA) was formed at the direction of NACWA’s Board of Directors to explore the complex issue of water sustainability and plan for future developments by improving public awareness that advances holistic, watershed-based approaches to water quality and quantity challenges.  The important work of the Alliance will be undertaken in a manner that is both consistent with, and supportive of, the Association’s strategic objectives.

Background

Late in calendar year 2006, NACWA’s leadership began an important dialogue focused on the future.  The future, as the Association’s leaders envisioned it, included the erosion of the silo thinking that had kept clean water, drinking water, and stormwater interests segregated – and a movement toward meeting future challenges on a watershed basis, with a focus on sustainability and green cities.  As the dialogue proceeded it became increasingly clear that this envisioned future may best be realized with the engagement of a broad cross-section of interests in a new organization – the Clean Water America Alliance.

The recommendation to proceed with the formation of the Alliance received preliminary consideration by NACWA’s Board of Directors in July 2007, at which time a detailed analysis of the proposal to create the organization was requested.  On August 31, 2007, the NACWA Board received the proposal, which provided a comprehensive overview of the value of the Alliance to NACWA as an organization – and to the water sector as a whole; its ability to support and further the goals and strategic objectives of the Association’s Strategic Plan; applicable legal requirements and operational restrictions; potential management structures; and options for funding and future staffing.  To further vet this recommendation – and provide the full Board with sufficient input and discussion – the proposal received the consideration of NACWA’s Executive Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, and the Association’s assembled leadership in the context of the Fall Strategic Leadership Retreat.  On February 6, 2008, during NACWA’s winter meeting in Phoenix, the Board unanimously approved the proposal to establish the Alliance as a 501(c)(3) organization.

With the NACWA Board’s approval, the Clean Water America Alliance was among the benefactors of funds generated through the September 18, 2007 Clean Water America Gala – and was provided with the seed money necessary to create the new organization.  Future funding for the Alliance is being pursued via foundation support, special events (e.g. future galas), public and private sector contributions and grassroots fundraising.

Clean Water America Alliance Board of Directors

The NACWA Board of Directors identified former NACWA President and current Board Member, Dick Champion; former NACWA President and consultant, Michele Pla; and Director of the City of Philadelphia Water Department’s Office of Watersheds, Howard Neukrug, as the initial members of the Alliance’s Board in February 2008.  Since then the Alliance’s Board of Directors, chaired by Dick Champion, has been expanded to include many of the most experienced and forward-looking thinkers and advocates in the water sector (a complete listing of CWAA Board Members is included with this Member Update).  The Alliance’s full Board of Directors met face-to-face for the first time on May 1-2, 2008 in Washington DC.

Clean Water America Alliance – Central Purpose & Key Initiative Areas
The Clean Water America Alliance will work to improve public awareness through information and education that advances holistic, watershed-based approaches to water quality and quantity challenges.  Initial discussions have focused on the areas of infrastructure sustainability, climate change, watershed planning & management and green cities.

Acknowledging that the significant challenges impacting water quality and quantity are calling out for solutions, the Alliance is committed to developing credible information and educational programs through three specific initiatives.

• The Clean Water America Exploration and Analysis Initiative: to identify, explore and analyze issues of critical importance to the nation’s ability to provide clean and safe waters to future generations including watershed planning and management; the challenges presented by climate change and infrastructure sustainability; and, the promise presented by green cities;
  
• The Clean Water America Education Initiative: to educate citizens and policy-makers regarding issues of critical importance to the nation’s ability to provide clean and safe waters to future generations and provide training, workshops and seminars, create publications, initiate demonstration projects, convene policy briefings and develop educational materials; and,
  
• The Clean Water America Recognition Initiative: to recognize organizations and individuals for outstanding achievements in water quality and quantity improvement (scientific, economic, technical, environmental, social, institutional, cultural or political).

Opportunities for Engagement/Next Steps

The Alliance is now turning its attention toward identifying and implementing specific strategic programs and initiatives that support the broad objectives of the organization, as well as raising funds to support its efforts.  A Founders Campaign is underway through which corporations and public and non-profit organizations can access a one-time-only opportunity to become a founder of the Alliance.  This opportunity is available to all of NACWA’s Members and Affiliates.

The Alliance Board of Directors will next meet on September 24, 2008.  Following the Board Meeting the Alliance will host a press event to publicly launch the Alliance and the important work it will be undertaking.  At this time the Alliance’s website – cleanwateramericaalliance.org – will also go ‘live’.

We look forward to providing additional information on the Alliance with you in the coming weeks and months and hope you share our excitement and enthusiasm in the promise of this new organization and what it can achieve in support of our common objectives.

Attachment:

• CWAA Board Members (PDF)