Warming Watersheds Training Prepares River Conservationists for the "Next Big Issue"

This past December, dozens of watershed leaders from across the country descended into Nashville, TN for a 3 day conference titled Warming Watersheds: Training for Sustainable Water Supplies. The event was sponsored by River Network, the Alliance for Water Efficiency, American Rivers and the National Wildlife Federation.

Most participants came to the conference hoping to increase their knowledge of climate change and learn about successful water efficiency programs. Thanks to a diverse group of presenters—including water utility representatives, scientists, energy consultants and other water and climate change experts—participants received valuable information and refreshing perspectives on the watershed level impacts of climate change, how to secure in-stream flows for rivers, the potential for water efficiency to be utilized as a “new” water source and the water-energy connection. To view the documents presented at this conference, click here.

Some highlights from the training include:

• Al Dietemann from Seattle Public Utilities explaining how even in rainy Seattle conservation and efficiency programs were able to reduce water use by 26% since 1990 even while the population increased by 16%.
• Doug Leeper and Gerrit Jobsis describing the various ways that states have designed policies to protect in-stream flows and ensure that water saved through efficiency stays in our rivers.
• Gary Klein and Bevan Griffiths-Sattenspiel exploring the water-energy nexus and explaining why every kilowatt hour of electricity we use consumes 2 gallons of water on average; conversely, at least 360 billion kWh of energy—or about 9% of U.S. total electricity generation—is used to pump, treat and heat water each year in the United States.
• Jenny Hoffner from American Rivers explaining how water efficiency can meet our water supply needs and should be seen as a hidden reservoir that is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than developing new traditional water sources.
• The Cumberland River Compact taking participants on tours of two local “green” buildings that are striving for sustainability through innovative strategies that optimize water and energy savings.

All and all the conference was a huge success with many of the participants feeling educated, energized and ready to fight climate change and implement water efficiency programs in their watersheds. As one Winter Training participant put it: “I really understand now how important this work is for river groups to be doing, that it is more than possible and it makes so much sense to use water efficiently. The case studies let me know it is possible!”

The Winter Training was loaded with loaded with valuable information. To access the documents presented during Warming Watersheds: Training for Sustainable Water Supplies, click here.