US Water Alliance Announces 2016 US Water Prize Winners: DC Water, Dow, And Emory University

The US Water Alliance recently announced that three organizations have been named as winners of the 2016 US Water Prize: DC Water, for its Walter F. Bailey Bioenergy Facility; Dow, for its Minimal Liquid Discharge technology; and, Emory University, for its WaterHub campus-scale water reclamation project.

Radhika Fox, CEO of the US Water Alliance, said: "While the challenges facing the water sector are great, our capacity of innovation and positive solutions is greater. That's why the US Water Alliance created the US Water Prize--the first of its kind recognition program that celebrates outstanding achievement in driving towards a sustainable water future. We congratulate our 2016 US Water Prize Winners--DC Water, Dow, and Emory University. They are true visionaries in the one water movement."

George Hawkins, general manager and CEO of DC Water, said: "DC Water is honored to be recognized by the US Water Alliance's 2016 US Water Prize for the Walter F. Bailey Bioenergy Facility. The project is a crowning achievement for DC Water and exemplifies a shift from treating used water as waste to leveraging it as a resource. This innovative facility is one water at work--generating renewable power, producing exceptional quality biosolids, reducing our carbon footprint, increasing plant efficiency, and ultimately saving ratepayer dollars. This is an award dedicated to extraordinary people--the members of our team who transformed innovative ideas into reality, and a Board of Directors that after years of careful oversight and review, had the courage to make an extraordinary investment in the future."

Snehal Desai, global business director of Dow Water & Process Solutions, said: "Winning the US Water Prize is a true honor. Dow has a company-wide commitment to the circular economy model--one that emphasizes the need to reduce, reuse, and reclaim our limited water resources. Dow, together with our partners and collaborators, are proud to be recognized by the US Water Alliance for bringing our collaborative spirit, innovations, and practical technologies to help address the global water challenge."

Matthew Early, Emory's vice president for Campus Services, said: "We are gratified for this recognition from the US Water Alliance for the WaterHub at Emory. Through this project, we've shown how universities can play an important role in advancing sustainability nationwide. Not only has the WaterHub had tremendous impact on how we think about water and how it is utilized on campus, it has also become a national model for those seeking innovative technology to address the global need for water conservation and sustainable solutions."

Jim Clark, senior vice president at Black & Veatch and chair of the US Water Alliance's recognition committee, which selects the US Water Prize winners, said: "Congratulations to all of our winners--this is a truly remarkable group of one water leaders. DC Water is utilizing novel technologies to change biosolids into energy. Dow is creating breakthrough technology to reuse water. And Emory is showing us what is possible when major anchor institutions, like universities, invest in water reuse. Our three 2016 winners are nothing short of incredible."

The US Water Alliance thanks our esteemed Independent Review Panel for their time, expertise, and guidance through the process:

• Paul Bowen, Director of Sustainable Operations, The Coca-Cola Company;
• Robert Glennon, Regents' Professor and Morris K. Udall Professor of Law & Public Policy, University of Arizona;
• Bill Reilly, Senior Advisor to TPG Capital and former Administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency; and
• Dave White, President of Ecosystem Services Exchange and former Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service at USDA-NRCS.

The 2016 US Water Prize will be awarded to the winning organizations at the One Water Summit in Atlanta, GA, during an awards ceremony that will take place on the evening of Wednesday, June 8, 2016.

About The US Water Alliance
The US Water Alliance is dedicated to promoting policies and programs to advance a sustainable water future for all. Established in 2008, the Alliance is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that educates the nation on the true value of water, accelerates the adoption of one water policies and programs, and celebrates innovation in water management. The Alliance brings together diverse interests to identify and advance common-ground, achievable solutions for our nation's most pressing water challenges. Our membership includes water providers, public officials, business leaders, environmental organizations, community leaders, policy organizations, and more.For more information, visit uswateralliance.org.