Water for Texas 2021 conference challenges and inspires water industry
For immediate release. Contact: Media Relations at 512-463-5129
AUSTIN – (September 30, 2021) – More than 550 attendees, speakers, and sponsors attended the Water for Texas 2021 conference, “Clear Vision for the Future,” hosted by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) from September 27 to 29 in Austin, Texas.
“Togetherness often spurs conversations that lead to innovation, collaboration, and outside-the-box thinking,” said TWDB Chairwoman Brooke Paup. “Our Water for Texas 2021 conference encouraged that and so much more thanks to water industry experts from around the state and country who participated. It was truly a remarkable event that addressed many timely water issues facing our state.”
The conference featured breakout panels covering four tracks—flood, science and technology, the business of water, and water communications—alternating with general sessions, including a one-on-one discussion between Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan and the Texas Tribune’s Evan Smith, who discussed flood and other recent catastrophic weather events in the state.
Author Warren Berger delivered keynote remarks about the importance of asking the right questions. During a captivating and candid conversation, Texas Water Foundation CEO Sarah Schlessinger led a panel about visionary leadership, diversity, and inclusion in the water industry. TWDB Board Member Kathleen Jackson welcomed regional flood planning group members from across the state to discuss their progress in developing unique regional flood plans and the challenges they face.
“This conference covered it all, from major topics like flood and drought to communicating with stakeholders during unexpected crises, groundwater management, innovative data modeling, state-of-the-art technology, and more,” said Kathleen Jackson. “The industry came together to discuss how we can learn from our past experiences and draw on new connections to help plan for the future, and that’s what makes Water for Texas such a special event.
Between sessions, attendees were encouraged to visit exhibit booths and the TWDB Interactive Room hosted by the TWDB’s Texas Natural Resources Information System. Networking events provided another opportunity to connect and converse.
The TWDB’s next Water for Texas conference will be held January 23–25, 2023, in Austin.
The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional water and flood planning, and preparing the state water and flood plans. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial assistance programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation projects.