Catawba Wateree Water Management Group 2015 Annual Report

Water for All Summit 2024 Water First

The Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group (CWWMG) invites you to attend our seventh annual Water for All Summit: Water First.

In a time where water availability and quality issues are increasingly pressing, the 2024 Water for All Summit brings a vital conversation to the table — how we prioritize, manage, and advocate for water resources not just as an environmental issue, but as a fundamental component of our daily lives, public health, and the economy. We hope you will join us for this special event!

  • March 28, 2024
  • 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
  • Tega Cay, SC 29708

Summit Schedule

Time Topic Speaker
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast, registration, and networking

9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

Welcome Remarks

Jimmy Bagley, CWWMG Board Chair

Charlie Funderburk, City Manager, City of Tega Cay

9:15 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.

CWWMG Year-in-Review
Citizens' Water Academy Recognition
State of the Basin

Jimmy Bagley, CWWMG Board

Jeff Lineberger, CWWMG Board

9:50 a.m. - 10:05 a.m.

Break & Networking

10:05 a.m. - 11:05 a.m.

Panel Discussion

Dialogue with Decision Makers: Policy Perspectives on Water Quality

In prioritizing water, it's crucial to understand the policies and rules shaping our water's future. This session brings attendees face-to-face with policymakers to discuss the rationale behind water quality regulations, how they are formed, and the impact they have on our everyday lives. It's about ensuring that the very essence of our well-being – water – is protected and prioritized at the highest levels.

Panelists:

Katie Butler, Director of Water Division, United States Environmental Protection Agency's Southeast Region

Rob Devlin, Assistant Chief of Bureau of Water, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

Julie Grzyb, Deputy Director of Water Resources, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality

11:05 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Presentation

Challenges and Solutions for Aging Water Infrastructure

Aging water infrastructure is a ticking clock against water quality. This segment focuses on the challenges and innovative solutions being employed to ensure that infrastructure keeps up with the "Water First" ethos, delivering clean water through resilient systems.

Clint Shealy, Assistant City Manager, Columbia Water

12:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Break / Lunch Setup

12:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Lunch/Keynote

Water 2050

This keynote will provide an overview of the AWWA's Water 2050 initiative and its alignment with local efforts in line with the summit's "Water First" theme. The discussion will focus on the initiative's timeline from 2022 through 2023, highlighting key aspects such as engaging thought leaders, fostering intergenerational responsibility, and capturing collective knowledge. The session aims to explore the synergies between global vision and local action in the water sector, emphasizing collaboration and sustainability.

Joe Jacangelo, PhD, Vice President & Director of Research, Stantec | Adjunct Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health | Immediate Past-President, American Water Works Association

1:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Networking / Fresh Air Break

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Presentation

Crystal Clear Conversations: Engaging with the Community

This segment demonstrates how clear, transparent communication can engage communities, foster understanding, create trust, and build support for water quality initiatives.

Kelley Dearing Smith, VP Communications and Marketing, Louisville Water

2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Break & Networking

2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

Panel Discussion

Integrated Development Strategies: Balancing Water, Environment, and Economic Growth

In this comprehensive session, we aim to explore how various elements including water management, environmental sustainability, and economic development are interlinked and essential for holistic planning and growth. The panel, featuring experts from diverse fields, will discuss the necessity of harmonizing these aspects to foster sustainable and economically viable communities.

Kathy Cornett, Community Planning Program Manager, Charlotte Planning, Design & Development

David Swenson, Director, York County Economic Development

Jimmy Summers, Vice President of Environment, Health, Safety, and Sustainability, Elevate Textiles

3;45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Closing Remarks

Jimmy Bagley, CWWMG Board