As the world's clean freshwater resources become more scarce, business organizations must prepare for the risks posed by growing competition for clean water, the threat of water contamination, and rising water-related costs.  The Institute for Water Business at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is the first of its kind in the United States, created for the purpose of developing water business acumen and capacity through education, research, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.   

A place for transdisciplinary action learning, research, and outreach, the Institute for Water Business seeks to engage, educate, and empower stakeholders to identify and successfully respond to regional, national, and international water business issues, challenges, and opportunities.
The Institute aims to:

• Educate individuals and organizations about emerging water business issues through symposia, conferences, courses, and academic programs
• Develop and support strong alliances between students, faculty, businesses, governments, and civil society groups, offering mutually beneficial opportunities for scholarly and applied research, internships, and post-graduation employment
• Provide real and virtual spaces in which individuals and organizations can exchange information, engage in dialogue, meet and collaborate to address freshwater challenges and opportunities  

*Above: Students interact with a water industry professional from Veolia Water.