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Imagine H2O (IH2O), the San Francisco-based innovation accelerator, has opened applications for their second annual California Water Policy Challenge. The challenge aims to strengthen the quality of water management by accelerating the development of water data innovations and technologies. It is a policy brief competition designed to identify policy ideas to accelerate the development of data solutions to pressing water challenges.
IH2O looks to data to aid a supportive policy environment. The organizations web site states that, “Data is essential to help California’s farmers, businesses and communities monitor and manage water resources more effectively. Promising data solutions exist—but policy barriers prevent their adoption in municipal, agricultural and industrial markets. A supportive policy environment is vital to foster a market for water innovation.”
The competition seeks entries that can lead to the development of water data innovation and submissions from academia, NGOs, the private sector and government entities are encouraged. The deadline for the first round of the competition is Nov. 7, 2016. The results will be announced at a leadership event in Sacramento in April 2017. Additional information on the competition and application forms can be found at: http://www.imagineh2o.org/policy.
The winner of the California Water Policy Challenge will receive $30,000; two finalists will receive $5,000. The two finalists and the winner will also receive introductions to funders, advocacy organizations and other stakeholders, visibility to elected officials and industry leaders through media coverage and participation in a policy showcase event, and, feedback from leading water practitioners.
California Water Policy Challenge program partners include the Milken Institute, the Pacific Institute and the Water Foundation. The 2017 Policy Challenge Judging Panel includes: A.G. Kawamura, Solutions from the Land; Andrew Fahlund, The Water Foundation; Buzz Thompson, Stanford University; Caitrin Chappelle, Public Policy Institute of California; Frank Loge, UC Davis; Hank Giclas, Western Growers; Heather Cooley, Pacific Institute; Jennifer Persike, ACWA; Kevin Klowden, Milken Institute; Mary Ann Dickinson, Alliance for Water Efficiency; Martha Davis, Inland Empire Utilities; Ron Gastelum, Water Conservation Partners; and, Peter Yolles, WaterSmart Software.
