Ohio's Own Emerging Water Tech
📍 Cleveland Water Alliance (Online)
📅 Tuesday, February 17, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
The Ohio's Own: Emerging Water Tech event, hosted by the Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA), showcases the state's leadership in freshwater innovation. The session features a panel of founders and leaders from promising water technology companies who have utilized CWA’s world-class testbed network to transition solutions from the laboratory to real-world applications. Key focus areas include addressing urgent environmental challenges such as microplastics, PFAS (forever chemicals), and agricultural runoff, highlighting how these home-grown technologies are actively shaping the future of global water management.
Securing the Region's Water Future
The long-term economic and environmental health of the region is inextricably linked to the proactive management of our water resources. As climate variability and industrial demands intensify, focusing on the "water future" means moving beyond simple compliance to a model of radical innovation. By fostering a localized ecosystem of water-tech startups, the region ensures that it remains resilient against emerging contaminants while establishing itself as a global hub for the "Blue Economy." Investing in this infrastructure now is essential to safeguard public health and maintain the region's competitive advantage in water-intensive industries.
Synergy Between Land Industries and Water Companies
A critical component of this success is the extensive collaboration between land-based industries—such as agriculture, manufacturing, and urban development—and water utility companies. These sectors are increasingly working in tandem to meet and exceed environmental expectations through:
Integrated Runoff Management: Land industries are adopting advanced monitoring tech to reduce nutrient loading before it reaches water systems.
Operational Excellence: Water companies are partnering with industrial leaders to implement real-time data solutions that optimize water usage and waste treatment.
Shared Compliance Goals: Rather than operating in silos, these entities are co-developing technologies that ensure both industrial output and water quality standards surpass regulatory requirements, fostering a culture of mutual accountability and environmental stewardship.