White River Alliance Announces Fifth Annual Indiana Water Summit, Launch Of Podcast Season Two

The White River Alliance (WRA), the premier organization for regional water resource protection in Indiana, is returning in a hybrid manner for the fifth annual Indiana Water Summit Sept. 7-8 as it also prepares to launch season two of the organization’s new podcast series, “The Collective Tap.” The podcast, developed to examine the complex interests and issues that face the state’s diverse water supply, reflects and extends the goals of the Water Summit to build awareness and strengthen shared knowledge around this critical asset.

“Water knows no political boundaries and serves no one use or need above another; rather, it simply flows across a shared landscape and through systems of users that rarely communicate or coordinate its use and quality,” said Jill Hoffmann, Executive Director of the White River Alliance. “This must change if we are to ensure a safe, equitable and prosperous future.”

For those attending in person, the Summit will take place at the historic Athenaeum in downtown Indianapolis. All topics will continue to build upon last year’s discussions and are intended to help lay the framework for state and regional-level water planning. Some major topics to be discussed include funding for critical water and wastewater infrastructure, legislative proposals surrounding watershed commissions, development and restoration of rivers to revitalize communities and water quality improvements associated with agriculture. The Summit will open with a look at where Indiana’s waters stand 50 years after the passage of the Clean Water Act. Registration is open now.

Complementing Water Summit conversations, Season two of “The Collective Tap,” titled “Well to Table,” will also go deep into agriculture, climate change, and the ways farming depends on and impacts water resources. Additionally, the season will look at the many ways water is interwoven with the production of food and beverages in Indiana. At the commercial level, this includes corporations such as Coca-Cola and Ingredion. At the local level, hosts will speak with the individuals producing some of the community’s favorite beer, ciders and spirits.

“We are proud supporters and participants in both the Water Summit and The Collective Tap,” said Brandon Alexander, local Plant Manager for Coca-Cola Consolidated. “We need to be having conversations and taking action across all water sectors to help protect and manage our water supplies.”

2022 Indiana Water Summit Event Information

Regional Planning Forum

Wednesday, Sept. 7 from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Virtual and In-Person Attendance Options

The Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN 46204

Wednesday’s topics will focus on funding state water and wastewater improvements, examine whether or not the state has enough water through a regional water study on Central Indiana, and how to organize regional cooperation.

Main Summit Event

Thursday, Sept. 8 from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Virtual and In-Person Attendance Options

The Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN 46204

In-person, networking and celebration happy hour event – at the conclusion of programming. The Rathskeller Biergarten, 401 E. Michigan St.

This event will cover a variety of integrated water topics. It will also include a water task force roundtable to discuss insights and actions of five key legislative water-related task forces.

Get Involved in the future of the Indiana Water Summit

The Summit recently launched a new Working Group to advance Summit discussions into year-round action. This multi-stakeholder group is lining up strategies that will strengthen cooperation between agencies, the legislature, and businesses to implement priorities within the Indiana Water Roadmap such as drinking water protection, wetland and floodplain management, stormwater infiltration and soil health practices. Participation in this group is welcome, as is financial support for the Water Summit via participation in the Water Investors group, established specifically to support future Water Summit events. Learn more and register of Summit events by visiting www.indianawatersummit.org.

​​About The White River Alliance

The White River Alliance exists to improve and protect water quality on a watershed basis in the White River region in central Indiana. The Alliance supports local governments and other key stakeholders by helping them improve water quality protection, leverage financial resources, educate large numbers of people and cooperate across political or social boundaries. The collective assets of the Alliance lead to an innovative regional approach to understanding and addressing water quality and land use changes. In addition to the The Collective Tap and White River Art Canoes, the Alliance’s programs include the national Clear Choices Clean Water program, which encourages residents to take individual action to improve water quality and increase water conservation, as well as several other local and regional public engagement and professional training programs including the statewide Indiana Water Summit. For more information, visit www.thewhiteriveralliance.org.