On February 7, the UCLA Water Resources Group hosted Dr. Khalid Osman on the “System Consolidations and the Operationalization of Equity in the Drinking Water Sector.” Dr. Khalid Osman is an assistant professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University.
This talk, co-hosted with the Luskin Center for Innovation, underscored the critical importance of water justice and equity. The session focused on Dr. Osman’s recent work on water system consolidation, broader equity metrics analysis in the U.S., and the operationalization of equity in water sector infrastructure. The session explored various definitions of water equity and stressed the significance of creating a unified understanding to guide targeted investments. Case studies, including the consolidation of water systems in California, shed light on the complexities and challenges involved in achieving equitable access to clean and affordable water.
The 30 minute talk drew a diverse audience of more than 30 individuals who actively engaged in the following 30 minute Q&A session. Key concerns highlighted during the session included the persistent lack of access to water, particularly affecting tribal communities, as well as the potential substantial costs associated with obtaining accessible water.
