Indiana Water Summit

Managing regional and local water supplies and insuring a sustainable and resilient future for Indiana depend upon the cooperation of dozens of stakeholder organizations, public officials and state policy makers, as well as individual citizens.

The Indiana Water Summit is an opportunity to increase our collective understanding of statewide water resources, learn from national experts and other communities, and find the best ways to protect our water assets.

The Summit

The Indiana Water Summit is an apolitical and inclusive annual forum developed to examine the complex interests and issues that face our water supply. The Summit’s subject matter seeks to remain consistent with and build upon current legislative actions in order to provide a broad planning perspective, weaving together diverse topics that together demonstrate the interdependency of water issues and the science behind the state of the waters.

The overarching goal of the Summit is to lay the framework for state- and regional-level water planning. Topics are selected to align with relevant university research, as well as the current water needs and challenges facing all sectors of water users (agriculture, industry, utility, community quality of life, etc.). The format of the Summit includes a combination of national and international speakers; a review of best practices, case studies, and lessons learned; interactive elements; and an influential keynote address.

Invest

Schedule – August 14 & 15, 2019

Kick Off Event
Wednesday, August 14 from 6-8:30 p.m.
Conner Prairie
13400 Allisonville Rd, Fishers 46038

A kick off event featuring a hands-on workshop designed for learning ‘all things water’. Diverse professionals will provide an educational tour through water infrastructure systems, key water regulations, water quality threats, and water use trends among major user groups. Small group activities will help ‘connect the drops’ and provide a great learning forum for everyone! Join us early from 5-6:00 pm for light hors d’oeuvres, exclusive hot air balloon rides with views of the White River, and time to mingle with water experts read to answer your questions. This event is for the whole community and not geared for water professionals. Adults only, please!

Action Forum
Thursday, August 15 from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Athenaeum
401 E Michigan St., Indianapolis 46204

This day-long, action-driven forum is aimed at building widespread understanding about competing water needs, best practice water quality strategies, and regional water planning approaches needed to guide Indiana’s water future. Interactive sessions, speakers, and panels will feature national, state, and regional experts across the full spectrum of water users, researchers, and policy makers. Stay after from 5-6:00 pm for happy hour networking in the Rathskellar Biergarten.

Pre-Summit Regional Forums

Three key topical forums are being planned prior to the 2019 Water Summit. These forums will build upon the input from the first Summit and lay the ground work for regional cooperation in the White River basin. Forum outcomes will be showcased at the 2019 Summit and serve as a demonstration of early regional planning steps. Regional forums will focus on:

Opening up a conversation between several Significant Water Withdrawal Facilities (major user groups) about water use trends and sector-specific conservation practices
Identifying collaboration strategies among non-formal education partners with a focus on unifying messages and closing the gaps on missing resources
Sharing information and aligning water quality data sampling strategies across agency and municipal partners including side-by-side field demonstrations, peer learning, and engagement of citizen scientists

While these forums will target central Indiana stakeholders, the intent is to determine strategies that can be replicated and inspire similar regional cooperation across the state.

FAQs

How is Water Summit being funded and organized?

The first few years of the Indiana Water Summit have been made possible by generous support from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust as well as potential Summit sponsors known as Water Investors (see below for more information on how to get involved).

A Program Steering Committee made up of high-level state and local leadership (state legislators, local public officials, agency heads, etc.) as well as key social and technical organizations (large utilities, agriculture, industry, professional organizations, universities, philanthropic CEOs, non-profit directors, etc.) are helping to guide the vision and insure diverse and relevant topics are addressed.

A Working Committee made up of a broader group of partners (chambers of commerce, aggregate neighborhood associations, development community representatives, etc.) and technical staff from cities/towns, consulting firms, researchers, agency staff, and other related professionals, as well as the staff from the White River Alliance who provide backbone support, are working on agenda development, guest speakers, and other related tasks.

How can I support the Indiana Water Summit?

The Summit is an inclusive event that does not boast typical sponsorships. Rather, its long-term future is dependent upon the support of many individuals and organizations… much like protecting our water future is dependent on such cooperation. Everyone has a role to play. You can help us insure the Water Summit’s success and affordability by becoming part of our Water Investors group. No donation is too small or too large to be an Investor. All Water Investors will be equally recognized and appreciated. All donations are tax-deductible and will be utilized specifically for the Summit and its related efforts. Please consider giving to Indiana’s water future here.