WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Brown and Caldwell, a full-service environmental engineering and construction firm, and the Water Research Foundation have developed and released this week Blueprint for One Water, a practical guide for agencies seeking to manage water resources holistically and sustainably. One Water is an integrated planning and implementation approach to managing finite water resources for long-term resilience and reliability, meeting both community and ecosystem needs.
“The One Water approach is gaining prominence for its ability to move communities toward reliable and resilient water systems, but many utilities have expressed the need for tactical steps or guidance to develop a One Water framework,” said Rob Renner, chief executive officer of the Water Research Foundation. “Our goal with this blueprint is to give agencies the tools they need to get started, which we hope will lead to more widespread adoption and implementation.”
The blueprint features lessons learned from early One Water adopters, plus spotlights on how visionary leaders are successfully applying the concept, along with recommendations for integrating a multi-stakeholder process.
The blueprint includes:
- Critical steps and important actions toward the development of a One Water framework
- Methods for overcoming potential barriers and obstacles
- Key outcomes and milestones for each critical step
- Over a dozen case studies of One Water early adopters
Brown and Caldwell developed the blueprint, which was sponsored by Water Research Foundation (WRF) project #4660, with input from over 800 water professionals who participated in an international survey, more than 10 one-on-one interviews, and a two-day international workshop with 35 water professionals.
“With increasing uncertainties and challenges influencing the quantity and quality of this critical resource, utilities must commit to new ways of thinking to maintain reliable and resilient water systems,” said Wendy Broley, Brown and Caldwell water reuse leader and a co-principal investigator on the blueprint. “Many utilities implement One Water projects by starting small and building on successes, having discovered that as they innovate, others follow their lead. The Blueprint for One Water guidance document is a valuable starting point for this work to begin.”
The Blueprint For One Water can be accessed digitally here: http://www.waterrf.org/Pages/Projects.aspx?PID=4660
About the Water Research Foundation
The Water Research Foundation is the leading not-for-profit research cooperative that advances the science of water to protect public health and the environment. Governed by utilities, WRF plans, manages, and delivers scientifically sound research solutions on the most critical challenges facing the water community in the areas of drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and reuse. Over the last 50 years, WRF has sponsored nearly 1,500 research projects valued at $500 million, and serves more than 1,000 subscribing organizations. For more information, go to www.WaterRF.org.
About Brown and Caldwell
Headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, Brown and Caldwell is a full-service environmental engineering and construction firm with 45 offices and 1,500+ professionals across the country. For more than 60 years, our creative solutions have helped scores of municipal, federal and private agencies successfully overcome their most challenging water and environmental obstacles. As an employee-owned company, Brown and Caldwell is passionate about meeting our clients’ needs and making a difference for our environment and communities. For more information, visit www.brownandcaldwell.com.