A single acre of restored oxbow can hold up to a million gallons of water, providing critical flood protection for communities like Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which has faced severe flooding in recent decades. These natural features do more than manage water—they also filter out 62% of nitrates, improving water quality…
Since 2002, U.S. Fish and Wildlife has led the charge on oxbow restoration in Iowa, completing around 200 projects over two decades. But recent years have seen a surge, with over 50 oxbows restored in just the past year or two—proof of their growing success in improving water quality, reducing…
💧 H2O Minute News ⏱️ John Jackson of Stroud Water Research Center: As part of Winter Salt Week 2025, a multistate effort to raise awareness about the harms of road salt, Stroud Water Research Center helped dozens of organizations in the mid-Atlantic region sample streams and tell the story of…
What was once stagnant, weed-choked land on farms has become a vital resource, thanks to oxbow restoration. These revived river bends transform unproductive ground into thriving pastures, providing clean water and cool relief for livestock—turning non-profitable land into an asset. For Iowa farmer John Marshall, it’s not just an environmental…
💧 H2O INTRO 💧 Meet Andre Miller of TriRiver Water In North Carolina, over 45% of the population relies on contaminated wells—a growing concern as the state’s population is expected to rise by 10% in the next decade. Andre Miller, Director of Engineering for TriRiver Water, is at the forefront…
Beneath Iowa’s fields, tile drainage systems carry water—and nitrates—straight to creeks and rivers. But oxbow restorations are changing that. By intercepting tile drainage and redirecting it into restored oxbows, this simple solution slows water flow, reduces sediment, and filters out nitrates before they reach the Mississippi River and ultimately the…
Agriculture in Iowa is vital to feeding the world, but it poses challenges for water quality and flood management due to nutrient runoff and extreme weather. One innovative solution is the restoration of oxbow lakes—former river bends that have become disconnected from streams. These revitalized oxbows filter out nutrients like…
Community engagement and transparency are key to tackling lead service line replacement, emphasizes Dante Sawyer, Village Manager of Hazel Crest. Success starts with gaining the backing of local elected leaders and collaborating with engineering firms, county, and state agencies. Just as important is earning the trust of residents, whose homes…
Cook County’s innovative approach to lead service line replacement has achieved remarkable results, leveraging $27 in funding for every $1 invested. By offering wraparound support to municipalities navigating State Revolving Fund (SRF) applications under the bipartisan infrastructure law, the county ensures even resource-strapped communities can access transformative funding. Drew Williams-Clark…
With funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, Cook County made a bold decision to invest in community-focused programs, including tackling the lead service line crisis. Recognizing the scope of the challenge, the county not only began replacing lines but also launched efforts to provide technical assistance to municipalities, guiding…
💧 H2O INTRO 💧 Meet Jennifer Lee of San Francisco Public Utilities Commission What if Bay Area residents had to reduce water use by 25%? Jennifer Lee, Utility Specialist at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, is tackling this critical challenge head-on. With new regulations diverting water for vulnerable fish…
Cook County is tackling a major public health concern with Lead Care Cook County, a program providing free lead service line replacement for childcare providers in suburban areas. Beyond replacing lines, the program restores properties to their original condition and conducts follow-up water testing to ensure lead levels are reduced…
The presence of 200,000 lead service lines in Cook County, Illinois poses a serious public health threat, especially to young children who are highly vulnerable to the effects of lead exposure. Addressing this issue requires collaboration across more than 130 municipalities and overcoming the complexities of replacing outdated infrastructure. One…
The Clean Water Partnership in Prince George's County transformed the stormwater field by creating a mentor-protégé program and fostering economic development. This innovative approach expanded contractor capacity and prioritized community engagement, ensuring that local voices were heard and businesses were empowered. Jim Lyons of Prince George's County highlights how outreach,…
Prince George’s County is transforming environmental education with the Treat and Teach program, part of the Clean Water Partnership. Roland Jones of CIS shares how 58 schools now feature outdoor classrooms that engage over 40,000 students in lessons on resilience, stormwater management, and sustainability. This innovative approach empowers students to…
Empowering minority entrepreneurs is at the heart of the mentor protege program of the Clean Water Partnership in Prince George’s County. Now in its seventh cohort, the program has helped participants earn nearly $50 million while expanding into both horizontal and vertical construction. Roland Jones of CIS highlights how the…
💧 H2O Minute News ⏱️ Royal Gardner of Stetson University College of Law: His new book is Waters Of The Unites States: POTUS, SCOTUS, WOTUS, and the Politics of a National Resource and is published by Island Press. The book traces the history of the debate over Waters of the…
💧 H2O INTRO - Meet Esther Baptiste, MPA The water sector is navigating a "silver tsunami," with approximately 30% of its workforce set to retire in the next decade. To address this impending challenge, the Great Lakes Water Authority launched an innovative regional effort: Water Career Exploration Day. Esther Baptiste,…
How can public and private sectors team up to tackle complex water challenges? The Clean Water Partnership in Prince George’s County offers an inspiring answer. Roland Jones of CIS explains how this public-private partnership mitigates financial risks for the government while leveraging private sector expertise for efficient execution. By combining…
With aging infrastructure and intensifying climate challenges, scaling sustainable solutions is more critical than ever. CIS, under CEO Sanjiv Sinha, is leading the charge with a transformative approach to stormwater management and green infrastructure. In Prince George’s County, CIS has completed over 425 projects worth $310 million in the past…
CIS is transforming communities by keeping investments local. In Prince George’s County, 79% of the $310 million in water projects over the past decade have been carried out by small, minority-, and women-owned businesses. This approach has generated more than $600 million in economic impact, fostering a thriving ecosystem of…
Misconceptions about municipal water systems and their role in the Los Angeles wildfires are widespread. These systems, including fire hydrants, are designed to handle localized urban fires, not the massive, wind-driven wildfires that swept through the region. High winds, not water availability from a reservoir, were a critical factor preventing…
Tribal communities often face unique challenges in securing safe drinking water. Through the SAFER program, California's State Water Resources Control Board partnered with the Gwaitu Paiute Tribe to provide interim filtration systems and fund an operator's salary, ensuring access to clean water while a long-term well repair project was underway.…
The next phase of the SAFER program is taking on some of California’s most challenging water access issues, focusing on areas with dispersed rural communities and limited water resources. By prioritizing regional coordination, transparency, and robust community engagement, the program is addressing long-standing gaps in water equity. Adriana Renteria explains…