By Deborah Tuff
BUFORD, Ga. | County leaders rolled up their sleeves to cut the ribbon for and celebrate the completion of The Water Tower – an innovative center in Gwinnett, bringing education, co-working and research together under one roof. It is the first facility of its kind in the world as it conducts research on the water and wastewater industry, and also helps train water technologists of the future.
“The Water Tower has already become a beacon of innovation for our community and the region,” said Gwinnett Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson. “In addition to enhancing our existing water systems, it will also contribute to the technological and educational advancements within the water industry as a whole.”
Located in Buford, The Water Tower was launched in 2019 and includes two nonprofit organizations, The Water Tower at Gwinnett and The Water Tower Institute. The $33.7-million facility provides a thriving ecosystem for water innovation. It is fueled by research and powered by pioneers in the study of water and its uses.
The main facility consists of a 57,000-square-foot building that features three classrooms, four conference rooms, multiple laboratories, co-working spaces, single-tenant office rentals, a field training center and a water treatment demonstration area. Its founding partners include Gwinnett Water Resources and these companies: Gresham Smith, JEA, Mueller, and Siemens. Its sustaining partners include Carollo, Garver, Kamstrup and Wade Trim.
Other collaborating partners include Aqaix, Georgia Association of Water Professionals, Georgia Center for Opportunity, Georgia Gwinnett College, Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, Global Water Works, Go:hub, Gwinnett County Public Schools, Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute, ResilientH20 Partners and Science for Georgia.
Its leadership team includes Melissa Meeker, chief executive officer; Kristan VandenHeuvel, director of applied research; Chis Impellitteri, director of research and development; Chad Wilbanks, director of training and technology; and Peggy Alexander, office manager.
The Water Tower at Gwinnett, a 501(c)4, is responsible for the development and operations of the campus. Another nonprofit, The Water Tower Institute, a 501c3, is responsible for solutions, instruction, and engagement programming.
Together, these entities are committed to creating a thriving ecosystem of water innovation fueled by imagination, informed by research and powered by pioneers. This is being accomplished by bringing together the public and private sectors of the water industry, side by side with academia and nonprofits, to tackle the industry’s greatest challenges.
“It feels great seeing The Water Tower come to fruition, from site design to the ribbon cutting,” said District 4 Commissioner Marlene Fosque. “The Water Tower is a physical representation of our commitment to meeting the pressing needs of residents and businesses while also being responsible stewards of the environment and our natural resources.”
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