Thanks to the generous support of the Pisces Foundation, we are pioneering a new approach to how Atlanta and Raleigh-Durham – two growing southeastern metro areas – manage drinking water, stormwater and wastewater. Integrated water management (IWM) approaches include integration of green infrastructure at various scales, from watershed to site-specific. The goal of IWM is to ensure reliable, clean water sources; reduce flooding and pollution risks from stormwater runoff; and provide more capacity to address changes in supply and demand caused by such factors as development and climate change.

However, this is not yet the norm. Aging engineered water and sewer infrastructure; reliance solely on traditional engineering approaches to water management; “siloed” legal, government and regulatory structure; and complex political boundaries have created barriers that need to be overcome in moving toward IWM. There are real and measurable benefits for cities in adopting more integrated water management practices, and multiple environmental, economic and social benefits accrue to their communities when natural resources are protected and managed in this more sustainable approach. A clean and abundant water supply is absolutely critical for healthy, resilient communities to thrive.

Our Role

This year we are endeavoring to implement IWM strategies in Atlanta and Raleigh-Durham by working with local utilities, elected officials, communities, foundation partners and other nonprofit organizations to build strong partnerships that will ensure lasting change and improved methods of water management. We are providing real solutions in each area through conservation acquisitions that enable green infrastructure projects to be implemented at a scale that will be transformative for surrounding communities. Additionally, we are providing peer exchange opportunities with other cities to learn and share best practices. Working with key regional partners, we are leading the charge in these two urban areas to drive thinking — and practice — toward increased coordination and efficiency in water management practices. We want IWM to become the norm, not just the “new” thing.

Why This Project Matters

The Southeast is one of the fastest growing regions in the country. Atlanta remains a top transportation and business hub and has experienced rapid growth over the past two decades. Raleigh and Durham — part of the area known as the Research Triangle for its focus on technology and number of higher education institutions — rank highest across U.S. cities for safety, business opportunity and livability. Both metro areas are seeing a remarkable renewal of interest in living and working downtown which drives greater attention on improving the quality of urban amenities and related infrastructure.

With this unprecedented growth also comes an increase and strain on demands on our natural resources, particularly water. That’s why we’re working to meet the needs of this region by utilizing our expertise in natural resource planning and land and water conservation to accelerate the adoption of IWM practices.