US Water Alliance Hosts Summit To Tackle National Water Challenges, Awards 2025 US Water Prize Winners

Attendees aligned on strategies to advance inclusive, innovative solutions to address the future of water across the country.

Pittsburgh, PA — This week, the US Water Alliance convened climate experts, policymakers, and community leaders at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh for its One Water Summit aimed at addressing the most pressing challenges in water management practices, policies, and programs. 

Over four days through today, participants engaged in dynamic plenaries, interactive workshops, learning labs, and site visits throughout Pittsburgh, a city recognized for its leadership in collaborative water management and infrastructure innovation. Attendees shared best practices and aligned on actionable strategies to drive innovation, equity, and sustainability in water management nationwide. Highlights included the Community-Centered Watershed Restoration tour in local Pittsburgh parks, the Transformation and Preservation: Strengthening Water Infrastructure in a Shared Space workshop, sessions on Transitioning to an AI Economy, Navigating Uncertainty in Finance and Governance and Collaborative Climate Planning, and a special performance by Britton and the Sting, sponsored by Liquid I.V. 

“At One Water Summit, we see the power of collaboration and shared vision in action. We were inspired to see the nation’s sharpest minds on water, climate, policy, and more coming together to break down barriers, ignite new ideas, and advance solutions to pave the way toward a sustainable water future for all,” said Mami Hara, CEO of the US Water Alliance. 

At the Summit, the Alliance presented its 2025 US Water Prize winners, honoring individuals and organizations driving innovation and advancing a more equitable, sustainable, and integrated water future. 

This year’s honorees are:

• Outstanding Public Sector Organization: Washington State Department of Ecology for their Floodplains by Design program. By uniting communities, tribes, farmers, conservationists, and state agencies, the program delivers integrated solutions that reduce flood risk, restore critical salmon habitat, support agriculture, improve water quality, and strengthen local economies. 
• Outstanding Private Sector Organization: Seven Seas Water Group for their Brackish Water P3 with the City of Alice, Texas. This public-private partnership delivered Texas’ first brackish water desalination plant using the drought-resistant Jasper Aquifer, to reduce dependence on surface water and improve long-term resilience.  
• Outstanding Nonprofit Organization: The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, which encourages knowledge-sharing, problem-solving, and breaking down traditional silos to allow water to be treated as a shared resource that connects environment, health, and economic vitality.
• Outstanding One Water Communication: The Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Department for their Water is Life Campaign, which uses storytelling and partnerships with local schools, sports teams, artists, and community organizations to make water education personal and accessible, fostering a culture of stewardship and resilience.
• Outstanding Rising One Water Leader: Ryan Barton, hydrologist for the Navajo Nation’s Department of Water Resources. Ryan combines scientific expertise with project management and community-building skills to bring water to remote Navajo communities, embodying stewardship and collaboration.
• Outstanding Rising One Water Leader: Jocelyn Lu Morinishi, P.E. Senior Associate Engineer at Brown and Caldwell. Jocelyn advances innovation and leads cutting-edge water reuse projects, bringing together leaders from the state’s largest water utilities to align messaging and strategy around One Water, affordability, workforce development, and advocacy. 
• Outstanding Artist: Bobby Zokaites. Bobby is a public artist whose work transforms urban landscapes into thought-provoking installations that highlight the connection between water, land use, and cultural evolution. “A Time Machine Called Tinaja,” one of Bobby’s public art installations, serves as a striking visual representation of Phoenix’s evolving relationship with water and land use. 
• Outstanding Public Official: Honorary Kate Gallego, Chair of the Climate Mayors, has led efforts to address water shortages in the Colorado River Basin and secured major investments to protect Phoenix’s water future.
• Outstanding Water Workforce Member: Jeremi Watkins, Drainage and Wastewater Crew Chief for Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). With eight years at SPU and prior military service, Jeremi is a dedicated leader, mentor, and culture-builder, serving both his team and community.
• People’s Choice Award for Social and Innovative Media: Walnut Valley Water District (California) for their award-winning reel that positively reflects the values and spirit of the One Water Movement. Through eye-catching reels, interactive campaigns, and fun, approachable content, they are reimagining how communities connect with water.

The US Water Alliance gratefully acknowledges the generous support of all 2025 One Water Summit and US Water Prize sponsors — ALCOSAN, Black and Veatch, Brown and Caldwell, Jacobs, Stantec, Xylem, Pittsburgh Water, Austin Water, Brita, CDM Smith, The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, HDR, The Kresge Foundation, Liquid I.V., LiUNA, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, OnCourse Home Solutions, Spring Point Partners LLC, Vessel, and The Walton Family Foundation — whose partnership makes this event and recognition possible.