Water Equity, Access, and Affordability in the US
Abstract: Access to safe, clean, affordable water and wastewater services is essential to public health, wellbeing, and prosperity—a reality that the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored. At the same time, many communities face challenges like aging infrastructure, unaffordable rates, water quality issues, or lack of access to infrastructure. These challenges disproportionately impact low-income people and communities of color. This presentation will provide an overview of water access and affordability challenges in the US and opportunities for advancing more equitable practices.
Biography: Zoë Roller is a water equity fellow at the US Water Alliance, a national nonprofit organization advancing policies and programs that build a sustainable water future for all. Their work with the Alliance’s An Equitable Water Future initiative focuses on access to safe and affordable water and sanitation infrastructure. Zoë has a background in city planning and spent three years managing community development projects in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas. These projects addressed issues including food security, environmental justice, violence reduction, public health, and education. Zoë has also worked with the San Francisco Planning Department on sea-level rise adaptation, and with the Centre for Urban and Regional Excellence in Delhi on sustainable water management in informal settlements. In a volunteer capacity, they are involved in advocating for housing rights and prison abolition. Outside of the water infrastructure world, Zoë enjoys boxing and reading science fiction.
