WaterStart, a nonprofit organization focused on connecting innovative technology companies with global water agencies and major water consumers, has announced the release of its report titled “Building a Waterwise Economy.” This initiative was made possible through grant funding from the American Rescue Plan, facilitated by the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED).
In collaboration with the nonprofit research institute SRI, WaterStart aimed to develop an economic framework that aligns water resource incentives with economic development. The objective is to influence future policy recommendations for Nevada. To achieve this, WaterStart and SRI organized focus groups and held discussions with leaders in Nevada. These engagements involved over 100 stakeholders and highlighted key challenges and opportunities in economic development and water resource management. Issues identified included knowledge gaps, procedural barriers, operational hurdles, as well as technology needs.
To address these challenges, WaterStart and SRI formulated a series of strategies and recommendations designed to assist GOED and its partners in implementing each strategy effectively. The joint statement from SRI Project Leader Jacob Gottlieb and WaterStart interim Executive Director Rebecca Shanahan emphasized the importance of these efforts: “Over the past couple of decades, companies and leaders in Nevada worked diligently to secure the state’s water resources,” they stated. “The Waterwise economic framework is critical to sustaining water security and growing Nevada’s global reputation as a water resource management leader.”
The recommendations outlined in the report are intended to support Assembly Bill No. 261, which revises provisions related to water resources. They also align with Nevada’s goals for water conservation and sustainable economic growth.
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