Water AI Nexus Adds Leaders and Seven Work Groups
Water-AI Nexus has added new Advisory Council leaders, seven work groups and a Nexus Network for water sector participation.
Lauren Barbir of HDR will serve as Co-Chair and Susi Ricker of WWEMA as Vice Chair, working with Advisory Council Chair Steve Dye of the Water Environment Federation. Ricker will become Co-Chair in January 2028, when a new Vice Co-Chair will be appointed. The Center of Excellence is organizing water sector participation around responsible AI adoption and sustainable water management.
Advisory Council Leadership
The leadership model is intended to balance representation from utilities, associations, technology providers, researchers and industry partners.
Ralph Exton, Executive Director of the Water Environment Federation, said:
“One year after launching the Water-AI Nexus, we’re seeing tremendous momentum from organizations eager to work together at the intersection of water and AI. Lauren and Susi represent the collaborative spirit that has made this initiative successful, and their leadership will help guide the next phase of growth,” said Ralph Exton, Executive Director of the Water Environment Federation. “Through our work groups and the new Nexus Network, we’re expanding opportunities for engagement and building the partnerships needed to develop practical solutions that support both responsible AI innovation and long-term water resilience.”
Seven Work Groups
The work groups cover AI for water systems; water management for AI infrastructure; data, security and responsible AI; policy and strategy; workforce and organizational transformation; financing water infrastructure; and marketing and communication.
Topics include utility performance, water quality monitoring, water stewardship, reuse, cooling approaches, cybersecurity, governance, public trust, workforce preparation and investment in water infrastructure.
Nexus Network Opens Participation
The Nexus Network creates a participation tier beyond the Steering Committee and Advisory Council for utilities, technology providers, researchers, nonprofits, startups and other organizations. Participants can contribute expertise and resources, join work groups, identify subject matter experts, and provide case studies and research.
Organizations and individuals must complete an interest form before submitting the application provided.
Upcoming Water AI Programs
The Water-AI Nexus will hold the Water Data Forum: Durable Skills for the Water Workforce in the Age of AI on November 4, 2026, from 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET. A second webcast, Building a Secure Foundation: Cybersecurity and Responsible AI for Water Utilities, is scheduled for December 17, 2026, from 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET.
The webcast brings together federal agencies, water sector security experts and utility practitioners to examine the cybersecurity landscape utilities are navigating as their systems become more digital and AI-enabled.
