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Launching the One Water Community Cohort

By
Bayou City Waterkeeper
Category
, ,
Date
December 16, 2024

“The One Water Houston master plan is a comprehensive approach to integrate the management of the city’s resources across different sectors and enhance the city’s water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities. The plan will align with our community and stakeholder goals, bringing the city’s water management framework toward a more sustainable, equitable, and environmentally resilient future. The One Water Houston Plan creates a strong framework and direction. Created by community stakeholders, advocacy groups and public input, the Plan will be incorporated with the City’s planning efforts, a roadmap for Houston’s future.”
— One Water Houston website https://onewaterhouston.org/about

The One Water Community Cohort

The One Water Community Cohort is an independent cohort of water leaders working in conservation and environmental justice. It has been formed to engage in Houston’s One Water planning process by ensuring community leaders are equipped in the process and that the needs and priorities of Houston residents are reflected in the development of the plan. With diverse voices and perspectives at the table, we can develop community-led strategies and insights for our city’s water systems and leverage community knowledge to shape One Water planning that serves Houston equitably.

Formed in 2023 in anticipation of the City of Houston embarking on a One Water Plan, the community developed a vision and guiding principles for the One Water Houston approach. As a cohort, we developed these vision and guiding principles by engaging in shared learnings about One Water principles and practices generally, and by applying the lived experience knowledge of our community. 

Our goal is to foster community engagement, advocate for policies that prioritize public ownership and environmental stewardship, and help the City of Houston develop a One Water plan that integrates equity, justice, nature, transparency, creativity, and meaningful public engagement.

We envision…

A Houston where all residents have access to clean, affordable water, and where water is equitably shared and sustainably managed for the benefit of all people and ecosystems. We are inspired by water as a vital part of the city’s identity, thus ensuring a just future for all. 

Our Guiding Principles

The One Water Community Cohort is guided by the following principles: 

  • Equity & Justice: We believe that access to clean, affordable water is a fundamental human right. We strive to ensure that all communities, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic location, have equitable access to water resources.
  • Nature-led: We recognize the importance of nature-based solutions in water resource management. We prioritize ecosystem health, biodiversity, and the use and preservation of natural processes to address water challenges.
  • Transparency & Accountability:  We believe in open and transparent decision-making processes. We are committed to engaging with the public, advocating for access to information on the city’s plan, and holding the city accountable to the implementation of the plan.
  • Public Ownership: We believe that water is a public resource and should remain in public ownership of municipalities. We oppose the privatization of water infrastructure, systems, and services.
  • Community Education & Empowerment: We believe that informed and empowered communities are essential for effective water management. We seek to educate the public about water-related issues and empower residents to participate in decision-making processes.
  • Innovation & Creativity: We embrace innovation and creativity in our approach to water management. We explore new technologies, approaches, and partnerships to improve water efficiency, resilience, and sustainability.

Members of the One Water Community Cohort: 

For questions about our work, please contact Guadalupe Fernandez at guadalupe@bayoucitywaterkeeper.org.