The 2025 WateReuse Award for Excellence in the Outreach and Education category has been bestowed upon the Be Water Positive sailing campaign, a global initiative led by Canada Ocean Racing in partnership with H2O Innovation and the International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA). This accolade is not just a pat on the back but a powerful catalyst that could reshape how the water, sanitation, and drainage sector approaches public engagement and education.
The Be Water Positive campaign is a masterclass in innovative outreach. By leveraging the thrill of ocean racing, the team has managed to bring water-related conversations to audiences across continents. They’ve turned their IMOCA vessel into a floating platform for sustainable technologies, sharing live updates and eco-friendly practices from the high seas. This approach doesn’t just preach to the choir; it actively engages new audiences, making water conservation and sustainability exciting and accessible.
Take, for instance, the Liberty Race in Manhattan Bay, New York. The team didn’t just race; they turned the event into an interactive educational experience. They served Revival Beer, brewed from 100% purified recycled water, sparking conversations about water reuse and sustainability. This isn’t just about raising awareness; it’s about creating tangible examples of how advanced water recycling technology can contribute to sustainability.
“The concept of becoming Water Positive means proactively replenishing and restoring our water resources beyond what we consume,” said Shannon McCarthy, Secretary General of IDRA. “Our Be Water Positive campaign… demonstrates the power of creative, human-centered engagement in promoting water reuse and desalination solutions globally.”
This award and the campaign’s approach could spark a shift in the sector. Traditionally, water management has been a behind-the-scenes affair. But the Be Water Positive campaign shows that by making it engaging, exciting, and accessible, we can inspire action and drive real change. It’s not just about fixing leaks or building new infrastructure; it’s about changing mindsets and behaviors.
Moreover, the campaign’s global reach could help bridge gaps in water management practices across different regions. By highlighting shared challenges and solutions, it fosters a global community of practice, encouraging knowledge sharing and collaboration.
H2O Innovation’s involvement is also noteworthy. As a company focused on providing best-in-class technologies and services, their support for the campaign aligns with their mission to promote water reuse, desalination, and ocean protection. It’s a testament to how businesses in the sector can drive change, not just through their products and services, but also through innovative partnerships and initiatives.
“The sailing campaign acts as a vehicle for change through which we aspire to shift the population’s mentality about protection, consumption, and water recycling,” said Frederic Dugré, President and CEO of H2O Innovation. This shift in mentality is crucial. It’s not just about fixing problems; it’s about preventing them in the first place.
The Be Water Positive campaign is more than just a sailing race; it’s a call to action. It’s a challenge to the sector to think bigger, to engage more, and to inspire change. It’s a reminder that water management is not just a technical challenge; it’s a human one. And it’s a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and creativity in driving change. The sector would do well to take note and follow suit.
