The US Water Alliance, a grantee partner of Kresge’s Environment Program, has announced the 2022 winners of its annual US Water Prize. This coveted award recognizes eight individuals and organizations across the country that are driving innovation in the water sector and imagining new possibilities in water equity.

The US Water Prize ceremony was held during Kresge’s Climate Resilient and Equitable Water Systems (CREWS)convening in Milwaukee Sept. 11-13, which brought together dozens of organizations working at the intersection of climate change, urban water management and equity. The convening was hosted in partnership with the US Water Alliance and Milwaukee Water Commons.

Challenges in the water sector – and across the nation – are increasingly exacerbated by climate change. Water is often one of the first places climate impacts are felt by the public, particularly for low-income and communities of color. The Alliance estimates that 2,000,000 individuals across all 50 states experience a lack of access to clean drinking water and sanitation.

“With increasing water pressures on communities, the time is now for One Water leaders to be recognized for their inspiring, innovative, and scalable work on One Water solutions,” said Mami Hara, US Water Alliance CEO. “This year’s winners were selected from a very impressive slate of nominees. It’s incredible to see how One Water is being expressed across sectors to ensure a sustainable water future for all.”