Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging

Track: Water Use Efficiency Practices

 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. | Tuesday, June 10 | Mile High Ballroom 1ab

Water conservation programs are unique within a utility because they frequently serve as the public face to the community. This session will provide examples of how three utilities engaged with their communities to raise awareness and advance sustainable solutions that benefit customers and the community at large.

Track: Water Utility Management

 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Tuesday, June 10 | Mile High Ballroom 2ab

Successful and innovative strategies for developing and communicating rate structures, affordability programs, and the value of water. The presenters will focus on different tactics, data analysis, and engagement approaches that have or can be used to achieve equitable and sustainable rate structures and funding for key programs in the face of affordability constraints or other real or perceived barriers.

Track: Water Utility Management

 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Tuesday, June 10 | Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3

Explore the many facets of how Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) show up in the water industry. Hear the perspectives of employees, leadership, and the public on their perceptions of DEI initiatives, including the successes and obstacles faced in fostering an inclusive work environment.

Track: Water Education and Workforce

 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. | Tuesday, June 10 | Room 504

How technical training turns young professionals into active members in the water workforce and how that model can be implemented throughout the water sector.

Track: Water Utility Management

 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. | Tuesday, June 10 | Mile High Ballroom 4cd

Effective communication is the foundation of trust and success in addressing critical water management issues, from lead service line replacements to water reuse projects and major capital investments. This presentation explores strategies to foster a culture of communication within your organization, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and employee engagement. Learn how defining roles and responsibilities can enhance internal collaboration and ensure consistent messaging to stakeholders.

Track: Water Education and Workforce

 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. | Tuesday, June 10 | Room 503

Water industry leaders in HR, Operations, and Administration will learn how military veteran education & experience prepares them for roles in the water industry. Military Veterans will learn more about the broad & diverse career opportunities throughout the water industry. Operations, Administration, Cyber Security, Information Technology, Construction, Drone Operations, Geospatial Image Analysis, and so much more!!

Track: The Future of Water | Roundtable Sessions

 3:00 PM – 4:30 p.m. | Tuesday, June 10 | Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3

Water 2050 is a collaborative initiative that envisions the future of water and charts a course for success and sustainability. We aim to deepen our understanding of communities’ water needs, build public trust in water service providers through education, and engage communities in water policy. Our goal is to foster a culture where everyone has a personal connection to – and shared responsibility for – our water future. This session will feature a conversation with members of Water 2050’s Equity, Access, and Community Engagement Strategic Implementation Team. We’ll discuss their intentions, the current state of consumer water knowledge, and the resources being developed. Following a brief fireside chat, participants can join roundtable discussions to provide feedback that will shape these efforts. The discussions will focus on best practices and practical approaches to engaging with communities and connecting with people. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of Water 2050 and the tools and resources being developed to support water utilities on the journey to 2050.

Track: Water Education and Workforce

 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. | Tuesday, June 10 | Room 504

This session will include reflective and potentially challenging conversations about the prevalence of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workforce that lead to conversations about the ways in which it could be enhanced. The presenters will identify and engage in discussions about strategies that can elevate certain voices in the Water Resources industry that historically have not been well represented.

Track: Water Utility Management

 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Wednesday, June 11 | Mile High Ballroom 3ab

The business case for diversity in executive teams continues to grow. In the 2023 study by McKinsey and Company, “Diversity matters even more: The case for holistic impact”, “Companies with representation of women (at the executive level) exceeding 30 percent (and thus in the top quartile) are significantly more likely to financially outperform those with 30 percent or fewer. Similarly, companies in our top quartile for ethnic diversity (at the executive level) show an average 27 percent financial advantage over others.” In this track, we will explore first the business case for leadership diversity at senior and executive levels then delve into case studies exploring both the challenges and impacts of several water industry organizations of different types who have successfully built diverse senior and executive leadership teams.

Track: Water Education and Workforce

 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. | Wednesday, June 11 | Room 605

Education is a foundation on which public and community understanding can be built. These presenters will highlight the techniques they have taken to enhance the understanding within their communities and customers about various aspects of water utilities and services, including their economic impacts and environmental benefits.

Track: Water Education and Workforce

 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. | Wednesday, June 11 | Room 605

Given the understanding of continued and continued labor shortages, this session will focus on strategies to address workforce needs from a geographic and innovation perspective. Moreover, this session will identify some thinking relative to knowledge transfer approaches that can help utilities keep continuity of operations and efficiency/effectiveness as many more experienced staff exit the workforce.