Posted by Anne Cosgrove
“To address the many challenges related to water, we must work in a spirit of urgent cooperation, open to new ideas and innovation, and prepared to share the solutions that we all need for a sustainable future.” — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, from message for World Water Day 2015
March 22, 2015 is World Water Day, an annual event that since 1993 has been dedicated to highlight an issue or aspect related to freshwater. An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating March 22, 1993 as the first World Water Day. The event is is coordinated by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.
On April 9-10, 2015, another event—the 3rd Annual Smart Water Leadership Summit—will take place in Las Vegas, NV. Hosted by Phigenics, a water management firm based in Naperville, IL, the Summit is a free event that will be based at the MGM Grand this year. Interested facility executives who cannot attend in person have the option to attend via live streaming video.
The Summit generates value for its participants by bringing together top leaders to present and discuss best practices, regulatory requirements, and leadership regarding building water safety and sustainability. Speakers and attendees are a diverse mix of professionals in facility management, EH&S, engineering, sustainability, compliance, infection prevention, research, government policy and regulation, academia, and related disciplines. Industry sectors that will be represented include healthcare, hospitality, higher education, retail, commercial, government, and manufacturing organizations.
I will be attending the Summit this year, and also moderating the Leadership In Facility Water Management Panel (April 9, from 1pm to 2:15pmPST). Other topic areas to be covered are: Water Supplied to Facilities from Utilities; Public Relations and Communications; and International Perspectives.
In the September 2014 issue of Facility Executive, Phigenics’ Chief Technology Officer, William McCoy, Ph.D. and Chief Marketing Officer, John H. Tillotson, M.Sc. Eng., addressed water safety plans for facility management professionals. The story can be found at this link.
