THE WATER TOWER

Gwinnett County has a long history of excellence and innovation in the water industry, and county leaders continue to lead by example with the opening of the global water innovation hub, The Water Tower (TWT).

The Water Tower officially launched in 2019 and comprises two nonprofit organizations: The Water Tower at Gwinnett, which manages on-campus development and operations, and The Water Tower Institute, which develops solutions, instruction and engagement programming. Together, these entities foster positive impacts for the water industry in Gwinnett County, the region, the Southeast and beyond.

The Water Tower’s mission centers around four core pillars: applied research, workforce development, technology innovation and community engagement. It ensures safe, affordable and resilient water services for all Gwinnett County residents.

Applied research starts at TWT and brings in research partners to lead water improvement projects like the Lake Lanier Watershed FiveYear Research Plan. Workforce development is ongoing at TWT, with approximately 1,200 water-related positions with all training, certifications and support necessary to pursue a career in water research expected to open in North Georgia in the next five years.

Meanwhile, technology innovation at TWT aims to lead the industry in the development and demonstration of on-the-ground and digital technologies. Innovation also happens during technology validation, in which TWT provides an independent, third-party review of water technologies against their advertised metrics.

The final and most influential piece of the mission, community engagement, tackles the challenge of informing stakeholders and the general public of TWT’s efforts and encouraging discussions to spark change when needed in the water industry. Industry professionals can attend networking events like W3 (women, water and wine) and Demo Day, which offers a peek at the industry’s latest technologies.

But engagement extends beyond the water industry. To get plugged in and support the mission of TWT, Gwinnett County residents can attend community events like The Watering Hole Golf Tournament to benefit TWT programming and the Water Innovation & Leadership Summit for high school students, or residents can visit the Tour F. Wayne Hill Water Resources Center for interactive tours of the facility.

The Water Tower is committed to creating a thriving ecosystem of water innovation fueled by imagination, informed by research and powered by pioneers. This mission is accomplished by bringing the water community together, including utilities, academia, nonprofits and water-related businesses, on campus and hosting national events to tackle the industry’s most significant challenges.

To learn more about The Water Tower or to schedule a tour, please visit TheH2OTower.org.

The 5.5-square-mile City of Dacula was founded in 1905, earning its place at the center of Georgia’s Innovation Crescent. Over time, the unique, small-town experience Dacula residents have grown to love has shaped a sense of community found nowhere else. Though the City is adamant about maintaining its hometown feel and sense of southern hospitality, development opportunities continuously present themselves thanks to its prime location. Now, with the eyes of the world on modern science and technology, Dacula is pursuing a future of development and innovation.

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