American Water Resources Association (AWRA) 2022 Spring Conference

Water Risk Under a Rapidly Changing World – Evaluation & Adaptation

Join us for the AWRA 2022 Spring Specialty Conference co-hosted by the AWRA Future Risk Committee and the Alabama Water Institute. With a theme of “Water Risk Under a Rapidly Changing World: Evaluation and Adaptation”, this conference seeks to bring together a diverse multi-disciplinary group of water professionals – both thought leaders and on-the-ground implementers to disseminate, share and learn about cutting-edge solutions aimed at evaluating future water risks and improving human adaptation to those risks.

Attendees may book a room at the official conference hotel, Hotel Capstone.

Water risk is an on-going concern due to rapid population growth, urbanization, increased frequency of extreme climate events, long-term trends on sea level rise and melting glaciers, degraded landscape, aging infrastructure, and inequitable access to clean drinking water. Here, the term risk is used in its broadest sense to reflect its multidimensional nature and includes both risks from natural disasters such as flooding and drought, and the consequent landslide, water scarcity, and further infrastructure failure and public health issues. The COVID-19 pandemic raises public awareness of the importance of universal and equitable access to water, sanitation, and hygiene as a critical public health issue. Wildfires in the western coast and the dams’ failure in central Michigan in 2020 are other examples of the emergency to better evaluate and adapt to climate and water risks. It is imperative that water professionals from various sections collaborate and share cutting-edge solutions to future risks.

Meet the Speakers – Mayor Maddox to offer welcome on April 25.

Why Attend?

The conference seeks to bring together a diverse multi-disciplinary group of water professionals – both thought leaders and on-the-ground implementers to disseminate, share and learn about cutting-edge solutions aimed at evaluating future water risks and improving human adaptation to those risks. Topics will range from actionable science, to evaluation and planning methods, to design and implementation of specific infrastructure projects, and design and implementation of programs and policies. As with other AWRA conferences, the conference seeks to present excellent networking opportunities and build an exciting conversation around future water risks. Other proposed highlights include – multidisciplinary workshops focused on understanding future risks and proactive adaptation, field trips touring the National Water Center (NWC) and local water bodies, as well as opportunities for students to present their research and network with water professionals in the field.