Where corporations and academics come together to find solutions for today’s most pressing water challenges
As a member of the Corporate Roundtable, you will join a cohort of corporate water sector organizations where members engage, share perspectives, initiate policy discussion, and bring forward opportunities to help solve some of today’s most critical water challenges. In 2023, we’ve taken the opportunity to listen and engage with each of you to better understand how the Corporate Roundtable can be a true “value add” to your organization. We're happy to share that we have also worked to clarify the Roundtable’s vision moving forward and its annual membership fee.
First, the Corporate Roundtables three main focus areas and how your organization benefits from being a member are set out below:
1. White Papers - Each academic semester, the Water Center will work collaboratively with corporate water sector organizations and colleagues across the University of Pennsylvania to produce objective, short research reports driven by the topics that you identify through your membership. Pulling from discussions during our spring and fall 2023 Roundtable meetings, we’ve identified three white papers to be completed from now through 2025 in the topic areas of PFAS, Water Utility Privatization and Regionalization, and Water Reuse. Additional research topics will be identified as more resources become available. Each report will include a collaboration team of corporate entities along with academic partners.
2. Student Engagement through Capstone Projects - Engaging with University of Pennsylvania's students and guiding them in their journey to become the next generation of leaders in the environmental sector (we hope they choose a path in water!) through a year-long capstone project is a value add for both our students and your organizations. Potential capstone projects will be identified by your organization and proposed to students to deliver a final product. Short-term and long-term research projects are encouraged. Visit this link to view the Master of Environmental Studies student capstone repository to generate ideas for future projects.
3. Webinars, Forums, and Events - The Water Center hosts a variety of webinars, forums, and events throughout the year. In addition to our regularly scheduled programming, we’d welcome ideas from your organization to collaborate on a specific event that is tailored to your organization's interests in the water sector. Two of our biggest opportunities to engage with a broad audience in the water sector, including students, faculty, and alumni include our Careers in the Water Industry event held each Fall and our Water Policy Forum held each Spring.
Corporate Roundtable Platinum Members
Established in 1981, Aquatech is a global leader in water purification technology for industrial and infrastructure markets with a focus on desalination, water recycle and reuse, and zero liquid discharge (ZLD).
Headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, Aquatech has offices throughout North America, and has a significant presence worldwide through subsidiaries in Europe, the Middle East, India and China. Through its network and world-wide operations, Aquatech has successfully executed more than 1,000 water management projects in over 60 countries around the globe.
Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets. We are more than 36,000 people, in over 70 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life.
For over 39 years, Bentley has served the engineers and other professionals responsible for designing, constructing, and operating sustainable infrastructure, essential to the quality of life for everyone, everywhere. Bentley is more than a software company, they are partners dedicated to advancing the world’s infrastructure. Bentley provides infrastructure professionals with the software and support they need to make this world a better place. They know that better infrastructure means a better economy, a better environment, and a better quality of life for all.
Solenis solves tough water treatment and process improvement challenges for customers in the consumer, industrial and pool water markets through people, experience and technology. These core elements of their business help them build the strong bonds needed to achieve greater value while reaching sustainability goals.
Corporate Roundtable Gold Members
Be confident in your water analysis. Hach® provides expert answers, outstanding support and reliable solutions to empower water quality professionals around the world.
Veolia North America works with organizations across the US and Canada to address their environmental and sustainability challenges in water, waste and energy.
Orbia’s Building and Infrastructure business Wavin is an innovative solutions provider for the global building and infrastructure industry.
Backed by more than 60 years of product development experience, the business is tackling some of the world’s toughest challenges through pioneering in water and sanitation management, indoor climate control technologies and durable, adaptable and efficient rural and urban infrastructure solutions.
Wavin focuses on creating positive change by building healthy, sustainable environments for global citizens and collaborating with municipal leaders, engineers, contractors and installers to help future-proof communities, buildings and homes.
Corporate Roundtable Silver Members
Aqua Pennsylvania is committed to providing safe and reliable water and wastewater services to 32 counties across the Keystone State.
Non-Corporate Partners
The International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) serves as the global nexus for the desalination and water reuse community. As a non-profit and non-political organization, the IDRA reaches members in over 60 countries, in addition to 15 affiliate member and partner organizations, encompassing both regional and national entities.
Over 50 years strong, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies is the nation’s recognized leader in legislative, regulatory and legal clean water advocacy—helping to build a resilient and sustainable clean water future.
NACWA is the only national association that solely represents the interests of public clean water utilities nationwide and serves as the advocacy voice on behalf of the clean water sector. Our unique network fosters unity among clean water leaders, promotes a proactive peer-to-peer exchange of best practices and helps to shape the future of clean water.
Opened in June 2022, the Reservoir Center for Water Solutions (Reservoir Center) is a consortium of water sector non-profits committed to collaborate as thought leaders to solve global water issues. Our aim is to develop breakthrough ideas and solutions, eliminate barriers, and advance the water sector’s work to overcome critical water and sustainability challenges. The Reservoir Center is located along the banks of the Anacostia River in Washington, DC’s Navy Yard, and provides event, work and meeting space.
Sustainable Brands®, a female-founded Public Benefit Corporation, is the premier global community of brand innovators who are reshaping the future of commerce worldwide. Since 2006, our mission has been to inspire, engage and equip today’s business and brand leaders to prosper for the near and long term by leading the way to the future we want for all people for all time.
The WateReuse Association is the nation’s only trade association solely dedicated to advancing laws, policy, funding, and public acceptance of recycled water. WateReuse represents a coalition of utilities that recycle water, businesses that support the development of recycled water projects, and consumers of recycled water.
The fundamental principle of water reuse is using the right water for the right purpose, everywhere and all the time. That means aiding and accelerating the natural process of cleaning the water to make it suitable for its intended purpose, from irrigation to industrial uses to drinking.
waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet practicing solutions journalism - exploring the progress and successes in tackling water challenges in the United States. waterloop podcasts, videos, and social media content feature the people and projects advancing sustainability and equity in water.
WaterNow works to advance transformation in the urban water sector to accelerate the widespread adoption of equitable, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable water management strategies. We do this as a national network for local water leaders and decision makers, empowering them with the technical assistance, resources, and tools they need to implement innovative One Water drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater solutions in their communities.
WaterNow is a catalyst for change, and an architect for solutions. We identify and overcome financial and legal barriers to innovation. We provide a forum for collaborative action, and a network for local leaders to learn from each other. We provide capacity to communities to bring sustainable water management approaches to scale.
Financial support is important to help drive the opportunities listed above. The Water Center is a “soft-funded” organization that depends on grants and philanthropic gifts to keep important applied research in the water sector moving forward. We depend on your thought leadership and your annual financial support as a Corporate Roundtable member.