Thu, 03/24/2016 - 00:00

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (March 24, 2016) – The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is encouraging stormwater professionals and interested stakeholders from across North America to register for the next installment of its Great Water Cities (GWC) dialogue series: Great Water Cities 2016: Rainfall to Results in Action. Building on the successful format of bringing together diverse groups of water leaders and stakeholders to share perspectives and strategies for progressive, adaptable water management, this special two-day event will be held May 10-11 at the Mid-America Club in Chicago, Ill. Stormwater is the only growing source of water pollution in many watersheds throughout North America. As urban areas grow and more severe weather occurs, the issue of stormwater management will only increase in importance. Utilizing its strength as a water quality organization that fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange, WEF launched the WEF Stormwater Institute in July 2015, followed by the September release of the Institute’s landmark report, Rainfall to Results: The Future of Stormwater. Great Water Cities 2016: Rainfall to Results in Action will use the report findings as a catalyst for continued advancement in several key areas of stormwater management, including recognizing its inherent value as a reusable resource. Both new and familiar themes from past GWC events will be addressed—such as looking for smarter and more progressive water management approaches to increase resiliency, enhance livability and conserve resources—but will be presented through the unique lens of the stormwater sector. Sponsored by Greeley and Hansen, the summit will bring together thought leaders from various sectors to exchange information and experiences in the following areas: closing the funding gap; managing assets and resources; working at the watershed scale; and supporting innovation and best practices. In addition to plenary discussions, the summit will also challenge participants to engage in small groups to spark new ideas and actionable solutions for smart stormwater management at the local level.