Water Experts: Collaboration is Key

In Alabama and the Southeast, we are facing many water use and water quality issues. The Water Resources Conference video addressed these issues in an open collaborative forum.

Water consumption has been outpacing population growth around the world for the past two decades. If the current trend persists, the demand for fresh water will rise by 56 percent by 2025, and as much as two-thirds of the world’s population will be coping with serious water shortages.

As a result, concerns over shortages of potable water could supersede those for oil in the coming decade—and, unlike oil, there are no alternatives for water. Consequently, water scarcity issues, which are closely tied to water quality and human health, are becoming a much higher priority for all of society.

Water Resources Conference Kicks off

AUBURN – Scientists, industry leaders and government officials are gathering at Auburn University June 14 -15 to seek solutions to growing problems with the availability, quality, protection and utilization of the nation’s water supply. They will be discussing also the current drought and what methods, such as irrigation, can help combat the problem.

“There are no alternatives for a safe, adequate water supply,” said AU President Ed Richardson. “Auburn experts are providing the leadership and research needed to turn water quality and quantity challenges into economic, environmental and health benefits for the people of Alabama and the Southeast.”

The conference, “Bridging the Gap Between Science, People and Policies,” at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center is being hosted by the AU Water Resources Center, part of AU’s Natural Resources Management & Development Institute.

Speakers include Sandra Postel, director of the Global Water Policy Project; Peter Jutro, deputy director for science and policy at the National Homeland Security Research Center, Environmental Protection Agency; Joel Hansel, regional human health criteria expert and water quality standards coordinator at the Environmental Protection Agency; and Doug Wilson, executive director of the Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center.