Water Policy for a Resilient Future
About Me
Welcome! I am a water policy specialist, who works to understand the implications of federal, state, and local water policies on residents and communities, and figure out ways to improve them. I focus on domestic U.S. water policy debates and topics — ranging from federal funding/ financing to lead pipe replacement, septic systems to climate change impacts, water quality communications to green infrastructure — but I keep my ears open for international water issues, especially ones affecting South Asia.
I’ve spent the last decade working in academia, government, and non-profits on water policy issues. I currently work at Corvias Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. as Senior Director, Water Equity and Climate Resilience. I am based in the Washington, DC region.
Personal Philosophy
Globally, the water crisis we hear about and experience is not one of quantity, but that of quality and distribution. There is enough water on our planet to go around, but it is not in the right places and often not acceptable for human consumption.
I grew up in urban India, where uninterrupted water access was (and still is) a challenge. While that is not the case broadly in the U.S., we still have a large number of people suffering from lead contamination, unable to afford their bills, backed up sewer systems, general mistrust, and even no running water or toilets.
The water challenges of the 20th century were solved with chemicals, science, and engineering. While these tools will continue to play a role, the challenges of today and the future need solutions that are social, economic, and political in nature. I advocate for policies that will result in safe, reliable, and affordable access to water services.
Communicate
A water utility manager told me a few years ago that one of the first things he was told by his supervisor on the new job was: make sure we stay out of the papers. This approach of “no news is good news” has guided the water sector for decades. But in today’s world, not only is it inadequate, it is a downright malfeasance to not communicate proactively with your customers. As a water policy specialist, I try to do the same: communicate with my peers and with the wider public and make sure everyone understands the value of water. It is after all, the lifeblood of our communities.
“The sign of a healthy economy should be a drinkable river. It would mean that the whole ecosystem is healthy and in balance”
Contact
Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Email
sri.vedachalam@gmail.com
Phone
(614) 364-3414