Inaugural Indiana Water Summit Proposes Solutions for Water Quality Issues Facing Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS – The White River Alliance, the premier organization for regional water resource protection in Indiana, is bringing together dynamic speakers, national experts, and interactive elements for the first Indiana Water Summit, a forum series slated to occur every year that examines the complex issues facing our state’s diverse water resources. This year’s event will be held on Aug. 12-13 in Indianapolis, and the topics selected are meant to inform water policy discussions in Indiana.

“The Indiana Water Summit provides an opportunity to increase our collective understanding of statewide water resources and to learn from other communities,” said Jill Hoffmann, executive director of the White River Alliance. “Our goal here is to inform public officials, policy makers, industry leaders, and individual citizens about the ways we can improve and protect our waters and be prepared to respond to future needs.”

Hoffmann says some of the key topics to be discussed at the Summit include:

• Regional water planning and coordination
• The state of our waters today
• The connection between ground and surface water supplies
• The cost and risks to water infrastructure
• The anticipated impacts of shifting climate on our water cycle and planning for future resiliency
• The competing needs and challenges of various industry, agriculture, and quality of life essentials

The topics will build upon the progress recent legislative actions have made around water issues the past few years. The forum aims to lay the foundation for the long-term planning of Indiana’s water management needs while insuring that all interests have a voice in directing our water future.

Keynote Speaker Information
Charles Fishman will be featured as the Summit’s keynote speaker. Fishman is the author of “The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water,” the best-selling water book in a generation. His message to the audience will demonstrate key Water Summit concepts, exploring our changing relationship with water and creating a sense of urgency around our need to care for it.

Contribute to the future of the Indiana Water Summit
With support from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, the Summit will feature two inaugural events, outlined below. These events are inclusive and do not boast typical industry or commercial sponsorships. Instead, to help drive widespread commitment to our water future, the events’ long-term impact will be dependent upon the support of many individuals and organizations. To get involved with the Summit, you can become a part of the White River Alliance’s Water Investors group, established specifically to support future Water Summit events, and/or register for Summit events by visiting http://indianawatersummit.org/.

2018 Indiana Water Summit Event Information

Kick-off Event
Sunday, August 12 from 5-8 p.m.
Indiana State Museum
650 W. Washington St.

This inspirational event is open to the public and will help kick-off the Water Summit. The event will feature keynote speakers discussing relevant water issues, specific challenges facing Indiana’s water resources, and what individual citizens can do to engage in water planning and protection efforts. Guests will receive exclusive after-hours access to the Museum’s natural history exhibits and enjoy a book signing with keynote speaker Charles Fishman, author of “The Big Thirst.” Light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Content is best for ages 14 and above. Space at this event is limited, registration is required.

Action Forum
Monday, August 13 from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
JW Marriott
10 S. West St.

This day-long, action-driven forum is aimed at building widespread understanding about competing water needs, the status of Indiana’s water resources, and the best-practice planning strategies needed to guide Indiana’s water future. Interactive sessions, speakers and panels will feature national, state and regional experts across the full spectrum of water users, researchers and policy makers. Leaders from all industry and agricultural sectors, utility managers, public officials, agency staff, water professionals, researchers, and grassroots community leaders are encouraged to participate. Space at this event is limited, registration is required.

About the White River Alliance
The White River Alliance exists to improve and protect water quality on a watershed basis in the White River region in central Indiana. The Alliance supports local governments and other key stakeholders by helping them improve water quality protection, as they can often be faced with limited financial resources, changing regulatory expectations, and arduous cross-boundary cooperation. The collective assets of the Alliance lead to an innovative regional approach to understanding and addressing water quality and land use changes. In addition to the Water Summit, the Alliance’s programs include the national Clear Choices Clean Water program, which encourages residents to take individual action to improve water quality and increase water conservation, as well as several other local and regional public engagement and professional training programs. For more information, visit www.thewhiteriveralliance.org.