The Philadelphia Global Water Initiative (PGWI) is a group of interested organizations and individuals committed to helping to meet the UN Millennium Development Goals for water/sanitation throughout the world. It includes among its members the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Water Department, Water for People, Aqua America, Pennoni Associates, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Uhl, Baron, Rana and Associates, the United Nations Association – Greater Philadelphia Chapter, Meta Quality of Life Improvement Foundation, Traveling Mercies, Keiyo Soy Ministries, the Delaware River Basin Commission, and Rotary District 7450. PGWI is always interested in welcoming more members.
Click here for a list of PGWI collaborators.
Mission and Vision
The members of the Philadelphia Global Water Initiative envision a world where all people have access to safe water and sanitation; a world where suffering from water-related and sanitation-related diseases are eliminated. By utilizing the resources and expertise of the Philadelphia Region, we work to increase global access to safe water, sanitation, and hygience services.
PGWI News
- PGWI is now a 501(c)3 organization.
- World Water Forum 5 (WWF5) in Istanbul, Turkey: PGWI board members, Stan Laskowski, Christiaan Morssink, and 14 University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) students attended the WWF5 on March 16 - 22, 2009. This is the largest meeting of its kind in the world, and 20,000 people all around the globe participated. Students of University of Pennsylvania made presentations, faciliated panel discussions, and gave lessons to children on water issues and sanitation. Read more on students' work at the WWF5.
- PGWI held its 3rd Annual Conference on April 14, 2009 with Dr.Shiriki Kumanyika, its keynote speaker. Leaders from the United Nations, USAID, Johns Hopkins University, and other organizations also provided insights on global water sanitation. Highlights of the conference.
- PGWI has faciliated a partnership between the University of Pennsylvania on the Bengal Engineering and Science University in India. UPenn students have begun to address the severe arsenic problem in India.
- PGWI members continue to work on projects in Cameroon, Kenya, India, and Afghanistan. New projects are being explored in Sri Lanka, Mexico, and other developing countries. See our projects.