Black, Blue, and Green: The Color of Water

Tuesday, May 21
11:30–12:30
Augustus I & II

The United States has a unique opportunity to reposition itself as the leader in manufacturing that supports electrification and clean energy. Many water systems across the country have more treatment capacity than what is required to meet average daily demands. However, as we look at the places manufacturers supporting electrification are choosing to locate, access to treated water should be at the top of the siting checklist but is often an afterthought. For example, Michigan and, more specifically, Detroit appear in the top ten places to live in the Midwest due to climate change. In Southeast Michigan we have drinking water infrastructure that can support more than double the population currently served, but Intel is locating its semi-conductor manufacturing facility in Columbus, Ohio which requires construction of a new drinking water treatment plant.

In this country, we continue to let our past define too much of our future. The U.S. economy can grow its strongest when we move past the race, geographic, and economic boundaries that hold us in a vise grip. We must be thoughtful in our approach because water will define our future. Drinking water, wastewater, stormwater management, and land use all play an integral role in preparing the United States to be more resilient, adaptable, and sustainable in the face of climate change. This discussion will focus on how we leverage our current resources to plan and ensure our most vulnerable citizens can benefit from the onslaught of electrification powered by the blue economy, better known as water.

Speaker Bio

Palencia Mobley is the founder and CEO of Mode Collective. An authority on water infrastructure and environmental engineering, Mobley has more than 20 years of experience in planning, design, construction, administration, and management services for water and wastewater utilities across the United States. Previously, she was the deputy director and chief engineer at Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. Under her leadership, DWSD increased investment in green stormwater infrastructure by $19 million in 10 years. She also increased the renewal of water and sewer infrastructure from 10 miles per year to greater than 50 miles per year. During her tenure, the City of Detroit passed the first post-construction stormwater ordinance, and DWSD implemented a full lead service line replacement program in 2018. That same year, she was appointed to the Michigan Infrastructure Council. Mobley is the current chair of the Michigan Infrastructure Council, which will release a 30-year integrated infrastructure strategy for the state in Spring 2024. A dedicated change agent, Mobley is committed to ensuring that infrastructure renewal creates economic opportunity in underserved communities.