DC Water Stakeholder Alliance welcomes new members to collaborate on key issues
The DC Water Stakeholder Alliance, a community advisory group, is coming together for a new term, with a new sense of urgency and a new slate of members to help address major issues impacting the Authority and our community. The panel includes individual District residents, elected officials, community organizations and business leaders with an array of expertise and interests.
The Alliance will work side-by-side with DC Water to provide input on a new set of challenges facing the water industry from federal mandates to replace lead service lines to aging infrastructure and holding polluters accountable for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), long lasting chemicals harmful to the environment and health.
“Every single one of these challenges has the potential to impact rates in the years and decades ahead,” said DC Water Chief Executive Officer and General Manager David Gadis. “The good news is we have the best team in the business, bar none, and our engaged stakeholders in the Alliance working together to confront these issues in the best interest of our customers and the Authority.”
Gadis formed the Stakeholder Alliance in 2018, modeled after a similar initiative he developed in Indianapolis.
Since then, the group has successfully worked with DC Water to influence changes that benefit ratepayers, prioritize infrastructure and investments, and refine Customer Assistance Programs. In addition, the Alliance’s assistance has been instrumental in the full vetting of the Lead Free DC program, legislative advocacy, public outreach, getting community input and feedback on initiatives, and establishing our annual ‘Voice of the Customer’ Survey.
The Stakeholder Alliance for the new term includes 19 members, three returning and 16 new members:
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Valerie Baron - Returning Alliance member and Ward 1 resident Andrew Huff – Golden Triangle BID and DC resident Faith Gibson Hubbard - CEO of FGH Strategies and Ward 5 resident Larry Martin PhD – Chair, Water and Natural Places Committee, DC Chapter of Sierra Club and Ward 3 resident Chris Montgomery - Arts and Culture Advocate and Ward 4 resident Jean Thomas - Community Advocate and Ward 6 resident Rev. Wanda Thompson - Returning Alliance member and Ward 8 resident Candace Rhett - Labor Union Advocate and Ward 7 resident Ruth LaToison Ifill-CEO of Aridai, CBE and DC resident Shirley Rivens-Smith - President N. Woodridge Civic Association & Senior Advocate and Ward 5 resident |
Kelly Mikel Williams - Ward 8 ANC Commissioner and Small Business Owner Trey Sherard - Former Alliance member and Anacostia Riverkeeper Anesa Saunders - Skyland Workforce Center and DC resident Shawn Townsend - CEO of Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington and DC resident Dr. Elizabeth "Beth" Boyd - Seabury Resources for Aging Erika Wadlington - District of Columbia Building Industry Association (DCBIA) and DC resident Ra Amin - Ward 5 ANC Commissioner and Environmental and Cycling Advocate Maureen Hirsch – Ward 2 resident Lydia Oliver – Volunteer and Ward 2 resident |
The Alliance will be focused on a number of timely and important issues. Meetings will be held quarterly at DC Water Headquarters facilitated by Monte Monash of Monash Advisory Group.
