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The Water Tower: Georgia’s Nonprofit Hub for Water Innovation, Workforce Development, and Infrastructure Resilience
February 4, 2026
Wastewater Visibility News
The Water Tower is a Georgia-based nonprofit water innovation hub located in Gwinnett County. It supports applied research, workforce development, and industry collaboration for water, wastewater, and stormwater systems serving communities across Georgia and the southeastern United States.
In this Article:
A Georgia Water Innovation Nonprofit with Statewide and National Impact
Located in Buford, Georgia, The Water Tower was established to address real-world challenges facing the water sector. It brings together public utilities, consulting engineers, private technology providers, academic institutions, and nonprofit partners within a single collaborative environment. The organization’s focus is practical and outcomes-driven: improving the planning, operation, and resilience of water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure through technology evaluation, applied research, and workforce development.
Organizational Structure and Governance
The Water Tower, officially launched in 2019, includes two complementary nonprofit organizations that together support Georgia’s water innovation ecosystem.
The Water Tower at Gwinnett, a 501(c)(4), is responsible for the development, ownership, and operation of the campus and its physical infrastructure. The Water Tower Institute, a 501(c)(3), leads the development of solutions, instruction, research collaboration, and engagement programming focused on water, wastewater, and stormwater challenges.
This dual-entity structure allows The Water Tower to support both the campus’s operational needs and its mission-driven work in advancing applied research, workforce development, and industry engagement. For Georgia utilities, engineers, and policymakers, this structure provides a practical framework that aligns infrastructure investment with education, innovation, and workforce readiness initiatives.
Mission and Vision Supporting Georgia’s Water Infrastructure
The Water Tower’s mission is to foster a strong innovation ecosystem that advances water solutions through collaboration, testing, and education. The organization’s vision emphasizes solutions driven by real-world utility challenges, informed by research, and implemented by a skilled workforce. For engineers and policymakers, this approach supports informed decision-making by reducing uncertainty around emerging technologies and accelerating their responsible adoption within Georgia’s regulatory and operational frameworks.
A Brief History of Growth Since 2019
Founded in 2019, The Water Tower has grown rapidly into a recognized water innovation and workforce hub for Georgia and the broader Southeast. From its inception, the organization has focused on breaking down silos between disciplines. By creating a neutral space for utility operators, engineers, manufacturers, and researchers, The Water Tower enables collaboration on complex infrastructure issues that span planning, design, construction, and long-term operations.
What Sets It Apart for Engineers and Policymakers
Unlike innovation centers that remain largely conceptual, The Water Tower is closely aligned with the day-to-day realities Georgia utilities face. These include workforce shortages, aging infrastructure, regulatory compliance, funding constraints, and system resilience. The Water Tower’s workforce development initiatives support recruitment, training, placement, and upskilling, helping utilities maintain reliable service while preparing future water professionals to meet Georgia’s infrastructure needs.
Timely 2026 Programs Relevant to Georgia’s Water Sector
The Water Tower’s 2026 programs reflect current priorities in the water industry and offer value for engineers, utility leaders, and policymakers:
- Demo Day 2026 (April 23, 2026): A hands-on forum showcasing emerging water technologies with participation from Georgia utilities, engineering firms, and industry partners.
- Student Water Innovation and Leadership Programs: Georgia-focused initiatives designed to strengthen the long-term water workforce pipeline by introducing students to technical and operational careers in the water sector.
Takeaways: The Water Tower is a practical, industry-aligned Georgia water nonprofit that supports innovation, workforce readiness, and infrastructure resilience to help Georgia communities address today’s water challenges and plan for the future.
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