One Water is an approach to water management holding that all water has value and is best managed as part of an integrated system to meet community and ecosystem needs. It represents a paradigm shift from siloed systems for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater that characterize how water is managed in many, if not most, US communities.
We have enormous, untapped opportunities to expand nature-based and distributed One Water strategies that provide the same functions as conventional systems – clean, safe and reliable water supply, treating wastewater, capturing stormwater – but with less cost, enhanced climate resilience, and multiple community benefits.
