- link Copy Url - [ Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Black & Veatch: Climate Change, COVID-19 Pandemic Underscore Water Sector's Need for Broader View of Resilience, Data Use https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/341341?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/341341?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/341341?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Black & Veatch: Climate Change, COVID-19 Pandemic Underscore Water Sector's Need for Broader View of Resilience, Data Use&body=ESG News from Black & Veatch https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/341341?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Innovation & Technology](/CSR-News/innovation-technology-0) # Black & Veatch: Climate Change, COVID-19 Pandemic Underscore Water Sector's Need for Broader View of Resilience, Data Use ##### 2021 Strategic Directions Report highlights role of digital water solutions as pandemic, climate change stress systems Aug 10, 2021 11:00 AM ET **OVERLAND PARK, Kan.,** August 10, 2021 /3BL Media/ – The U.S. water industry is embracing innovation, sustainability and technology, including data, analytics and other “digital water” tools along with resource recovery processes. Combined, this continued progress helps to meet a host of challenges headlined by aging infrastructure, climate-related impacts and uncertainties from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a newly released report from Black & Veatch. The company’s *[Strategic Directions: 2021 Water Report](https://bv.com/resources/2021-strategic-directions-water-report?utm_medium=pr&utm_source=3bl&utm_campaign=2021-water-sdr&utm_content=2021-water-sdr-press-release)* features expert analysis of survey responses from more than 200 U.S. water industry stakeholders. It shows a sector discovering new ways of doing business by embracing digital water and leveraging integrated approaches to both planning and delivering strategic, financial and operational resilience. “The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the industry’s remarkable agility and adaptability in delivering its essential services,” said Cindy Wallis-Lage, president of Black & Veatch’s water business. “Given all of the challenges, including COVID-19, the water sector is transforming. This evolution features continued progress for wider use of data technology, advancements in innovative solutions that drive resilience, and is stimulating meaningful, long-term investment. More than ever, these times validate a holistic, collaborative approach to addressing the industry’s complexities and ensuring a lasting, dependable water ecosystem.” While it continues to evolve, many issues facing the industry are familiar. A total of 75 percent of survey respondents listed aging infrastructure as their foremost challenge. Other issues include making the case for capital improvement programs (34 percent), system resilience (30 percent) and managing capital costs (26 percent). Utility managers understand that data-related technologies can optimize their systems for greater sustainability and resilience, as roughly two-thirds categorize their data management practice as robust and strengthening though not fully integrated. This represents a slight uptick from Black & Veatch’s 2020 report. Other key findings include: - More than two-thirds of respondents credited COVID-19 for their organization’s increased consideration of digital technology, pointing to the pandemic-forced remote working practices of their employees. - Projects meant to ensure or enhance water quality – the chief driver of water providers – held the most sway among survey respondents, with roughly four in 10 casting that as the greatest emphasis. - Financial drivers (56 percent) and strong consumer demand (42 percent) outrank political pressure (36 percent) when driving the water industry to set sustainability goals. - When asked which components they plan to include in their sustainability strategies, respondents pointed to renewable energy, water loss mitigation and new/alternative water supplies as their top three focus areas. - A combined 89 percent of respondents reported they are at least somewhat confident in the quality of their data. This suggests a strong foundation for leveraging data to inform future decision making. **About the Strategic Directions Reports** Black & Veatch’s high-impact *Strategic Directions Report* series provides industry insights and analyses based on market-leading research. Encompassing several annual reports, including smart utilities, water and electric, the series serves to inform and educate industry players on key issues, challenges and opportunities. Visit to learn more. **About Black & Veatch** Black & Veatch is an employee-owned global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company with a more than 100-year track record of innovation in sustainable infrastructure. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people around the world by addressing the resilience and reliability of our most important infrastructure assets. Our revenues in 2020 exceeded US$3.0 billion. Follow us on [www.bv.com](http://www.bv.com/) and on social media. **Media Contact Information:** JIM SUHR | +1 913-458-6995 P | +1 314-422-6927 M | 24-HOUR MEDIA HOTLINE | +1 866-496-9149 [![Black & Veatch](/sites/default/files/Clients/17_BV_HORIZONTAL_RGB_Digital.jpg)](/profiles/black-veatch) ### More from Black & Veatch ###### [Black & Veatch Leaning Into the Storm Power Utility Readiness Response a Growing Imperative](/news/black-veatch-leaning-storm-power-utility-readiness-response-growing-imperative) Aug 12, 2025 9:30 AM ET ###### [Black & Veatch Promotes Sustainable Water Management Practices at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2024](/news/black-veatch-promotes-sustainable-water-management-practices-international-mining-and) Oct 29, 2024 9:45 AM ET ###### [Black & Veatch Selected As Owner’s Engineer for Combined Cycle Power Plant in East Malaysia](/news/black-veatch-selected-owners-engineer-combined-cycle-power-plant-east-malaysia) Oct 23, 2024 9:50 AM ET ###### [Cybersecurity: Not Just an IT Problem](/news/cybersecurity-not-just-it-problem) Oct 17, 2024 9:45 AM ET ###### [Climate Concerns Intensify Nationally, But Recovery and Resiliency Vary by Region](/news/climate-concerns-intensify-nationally-recovery-and-resiliency-vary-region) Oct 9, 2024 10:00 AM ET ###### [Black & Veatch Addresses Southeast Asia’s Growing Energy Transition Complexities at Enlit Asia 2024](/news/black-veatch-addresses-southeast-asias-growing-energy-transition-complexities-enlit-asia-2024) Oct 7, 2024 10:15 AM ET ###### [Grid Modernization Focuses on Renewables, Battle for Expansion Funds](/news/grid-modernization-focuses-renewables-battle-expansion-funds) Oct 2, 2024 10:00 AM ET ###### [Black & Veatch’s 2024 Sustainability Report Outlines Global Infrastructure Leader’s Significant Progress on Environmental, Workplace Goals](/news/black-veatchs-2024-sustainability-report-outlines-global-infrastructure-leaders-significant) Oct 1, 2024 9:00 AM ET