We’ve all heard the phrase, “there’s strength in numbers.” This is true under many circumstances, but particularly when people and organizations join forces to change how we use, value, and manage one of the Earth’s most valuable resources – water. It’s one of the reasons we collaborate with an array of suppliers to enable innovation, reduce costs and promote sustainability to accomplish extraordinary things.
Businesses that help create and sustain cleaner water can attract talent that shares these principles and help communities thrive. That’s why we embrace innovations to help us achieve our goals, and using our unique model for collaboration it is easier for us to work with companies developing their own innovative technologies.
I’ve recently been reading and hearing about numbers of well-known corporations making concerted efforts to support and fundamentally change how water is used by their companies. Though water makes up 71% of the world’s surface, less 1% of that water is both fresh and accessible for drinking, irrigation, power generation, and environmental benefits.
Being part of the involvement and commitment within the water industry is rewarding; 
American Water is a member of numerous organizations at the local, state, and national level, and we often partner with other organizations on innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect the watersheds, surface water and groundwater supplies. We also have developed formal plans for engagement and communication with customers, regulators, NGOs, state environmental commissions, and other external groups about issues affecting water. However, seeing the efforts of other corporations and the public is truly a testament to the broader recognition of collective water needs.
Reducing the human footprint on water is not a “one-size-fits-all” project. Companies can diversify methods to suit their own goals, while still advancing the community at large. Success will take new strategies, new projects, and new partnerships- but, when everyone takes an interest in building long-term water security, we all benefit.