Water: Shared Waters, Shared Future Workshop Series

Supporting a sustainable shared water supply in northeastern Illinois

Northeastern Illinois depends on shared water resources that cross community and county boundaries. To secure a reliable and sustainable water future for our region, communities, utilities, and organizations must plan ahead, coordinate across boundaries, and adopt conservation strategies.

Shared Waters, Shared Future is a five-part virtual workshop series designed to bring people together to address the region’s pressing water supply issues.

Water challenges require proactive, collaborative solutions. Through interactive sessions, expert presentations, and collaborative exercises, this workshop series will help participants gain actionable strategies and planning tools to improve water management and efficiency.

Join us to ensure that our shared waters lead to a shared, sustainable future.

The series is hosted by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant with support from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Water Resources.

Upcoming workshops

Creating a water sustainability plan (April 23)

Learn how communities can move from understanding water supply challenges to developing practical sustainability plans. This workshop will introduce water sustainability planning, highlight peer examples, and explore how water supply considerations can be integrated into planning.

What we’ll cover:

• What is water supply sustainability planning?
• Water sustainability planning in practice
• Groundwater data, tools, and planning applications
• Integrating groundwater resource awareness into planning

Guest speakers include:

• Wei Han, PhD, water supply program manager, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
• Claudia Hochstein, water supply plans and conservation consultant, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
• Tom Dumm, senior technical manager, Ramboll
• Kathleen Smith, senior associate, Hazen and Sawyer
• Dan Hadley, associate research scientist, University of Illinois State Water Survey
• Dave Hart, PhD, hydrologist/geologist, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey
• Dan Whalen, geological engineer, Williams & Works

Register

Addressing utility climate and drought preparedness (June 3)

Discover tools and strategies to prepare utilities for climate impacts and drought conditions.

Register

Modernizing Illinois’ well impact review process (September 10)

Examine lessons from other states and discover pathways to strengthen groundwater governance and well permitting in Illinois.

Register

Understanding water governance and management in Illinois (November 12)

Understand agency roles, governance gaps, and opportunities for stronger statewide coordination.

Register

Who should attend

• Local government staff and elected officials
• Water utility managers and technical staff
• Regional planners and policy professionals
• Community-based organizations and educators
• Residents and advocates interested in protecting local water resources

What to expect

Each workshop will focus on a critical water supply issue, with expert presentations, peer case studies, and interactive discussions that highlight real-world solutions. Participants will:

• Plan and prepare: Explore strategies for long-term water supply planning, governance, and financing.
• Save and share: Learn practical conservation and efficiency measures to protect resources for current and future generations.
• Connect and coordinate: Build partnerships across agencies, utilities, and communities to foster regional collaboration and problem-solving.

Workshop recordings and materials

Find recordings and materials from past workshops.