2019 Washtenaw County Consensus Conference

Abstract

The 2019 Washtenaw County Consensus Conference will be centered on water security, or the reliable access to clean water for health, livelihood, and production with low levels of waterborne risks. A variety of issues, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), nutrient runoff, aging infrastructure, and ineffective allocation of existing water resources threaten the area’s continued access to clean water. This consensus conference will gather a representative sample of community members from around Washtenaw County, give them information on the issues, let them directly talk with relevant experts, and then allow them to give their recommendations to policy makers. This process is unique in that it creates a structured, interactive dialogue between experts and the community empowering citizens to make informed statements on the issues directly affecting their community.