NACWA participated in EPA’s Urban Waters Federal Partnership (Partnership) virtual 10-year Anniversary Celebration Event on Nov. 9 to highlight the milestone of the Partnership and recommit to a Framework for the Future. NACWA has recommitted to the Urban Waters Partnership as part of the new Collaborative of NGOs and Academic Partners.

The Urban Waters Federal Partnership was established to reconnect urban communities with their waterways by improving coordination among federal agencies and collaborating with community-led revitalization efforts. In particular, the Partnership has identified 20 designated urban waters locations and will seek to increase the number of participating communities and locations going forward.

During the event, EPA staff – including Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water, Radhika Fox – led a discussion with local and national leaders representing government and nongovernmental organizations about the successes of the Partnership and detailed efforts to further grow its impact into the future.

The conversation highlighted a broad range of issues that impact the Partnership and designated communities – with an emphasis on environmental justice issues. This expanded focus on environmental justices aligns with NACWA’s Environmental Justice in the Water Sector: NACWA Statement of Principles and Recommended Actions on Environmental Justice, which was developed and approved by NACWA’s Board of Directors earlier this year.

The event highlighted the agreement to support the Framework for the Future – which seeks to strengthen and formalize the existing program, increase the number of underserved communities benefitting from the Partnership, and leverage the Partnership to address EPA and community priorities.

NACWA members with questions about the Association’s EJ efforts can contact Nathan Gardner-Andrews.