Water for All Summit 2023

The Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group successfully held the 2023 Annual Water for All Summit on March 29, 2023, at the Hickory Metro Convention Center in Hickory, North Carolina. Using a theme of “Balancing the Basin,” the summit provided a platform for meaningful discussions and insights on various crucial topics related to water management.

The event encompassed a range of subjects, including water quality, source water protection, community engagement built on trust, regional economic impacts, and perspectives on water management from both cities and counties. By addressing these topics, the summit aimed to foster a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities surrounding water resources in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin.

The gathering brought together stakeholders, experts, and policymakers from diverse backgrounds, encouraging the exchange of ideas and experiences. Participants actively engaged in panel discussions, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, fostering collaboration and partnerships to drive effective water management practices.

The 2023 Annual Water for All Summit served as a catalyst for promoting sustainable approaches to water resource management in the region. The insights gained from the summit will undoubtedly inform future initiatives undertaken by the Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group, furthering their mission to ensure equitable access to clean water for all residents in the basin.

Water Quality: Who Bears the Burden?

Paul Calamita [A] and Tom Gallo [B] presented on water quality, emphasizing the direct link between the health of the River Basin and the well-being of residents, the economy, and overall quality of life. The presentation shed light on impaired waterbodies, the major contributors to waterbody impairments, strategies to remove them from the 303(d) list, the potential consequences of inaction, and the groups that bear the greatest burden of water quality issues.