Although more commonly associated with musical artists and movies, SXSW has expanded to offer a conference that includes two sessions related to issues in the water industry among other social and societal thought leadership sessions.
South by Southwest was founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas with a dedication for helping creative people achieve their goals. More commonly known by its acronym, SXSW, the event is best known for its festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film, music, education, and culture.
The conference at the event hosts an educational track on Climate Change, in which both of the water sessions will be held.
SXSW session on PFAS in water
The first of the two sessions on water to take the stage at SWSW is titled "Eliminating ‘Forever Chemicals’ from the World’s Water." This session will feature Mohamed Ateia Ibrahim, U.S. EPA environmental engineer and group leader, as well as Leslie Hamilton, Materials Science Engineer And Science Of Extreme And Multifunctional Materials Assistant Program Manager for the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.
The session will be held from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. on March 12 at the Hilton Austin Downtown in Salon A. The session description is as follows:
PFAS are widely used, long-lasting chemicals that have caused widespread contamination in our air, water, and land. Compounds in PFAS are so strong that they don't degrade naturally and linger in the environment, earning them the label "forever chemicals." Studies have shown that PFAS exposure may be linked to harmful effects in humans and animals. In this panel, experts from government and academia will discuss how they are working together to overcome PFAS-related challenges by developing new technologies, approaches, and policies to detect, destroy, and ultimately replace these chemicals.
Visit the session page for more details here: https://schedule.sxsw.com/2024/events/PP144190
SXSW session on water equity
The second session is titled "Changing the Odds: Ensuring an Equitable Water Future," and features speakers from U.S. EPA and a local Austin, Texas non-profit. Wendi Wilkes, Director Of Infrastructure Implementation for U.S. EPA Office Of Water, is one of the panelists. Prior to her role at EPA, Wilkes was the regulatory and legislative affairs manager for the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators with previous work history including AWWA and TCEQ. Also on the panel are Emily Warren, senior advisor for U.S. EPA Office Of Water and Carmen Llanes, executive director of Go Austin/Vamos Austin.
The session will be held March 14, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Hilton Austin Downtown in Salon B. The session description is as follows.
In Lowndes County, Alabama, children and families are regularly exposed to raw sewage in their homes and yards. Across the U.S., more than 2.2 million people in small, rural, and tribal communities lack basic running water and indoor plumbing. With the help of a $50 billion investment, EPA and partners have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change the odds, revitalize communities and improve climate resilience through water infrastructure. EPA experts and community water leaders will explore these challenges and ways to improve access to essential services through thoughtful collaboration.
Visit the session page for more details here: https://schedule.sxsw.com/2024/events/PP137714
