The Cleveland Water Alliance is actively engaged in: CONVENING thought leaders to spur new regional initiatives around

water quality and access SUPPORTING water technology research programs ADVOCATING for the wise stewardship of Lake Erie and its watershed BUILDING awareness for the water products and services developed and manufactured in Northeast Ohio EDUCATING those who are teaching the next generation about waters importance, threats and conservation

In This Issue: NORTHEAST OHIO WATER INNOVATIONS | THE PORT OF CLEVELAND RIVER REVITALIZATION | WORLD WATER DAY EVENTS

For economy, for ecology, for generations

Clean and accessible water matters for so many reasons. It sustains life. It is a conduit for commerce. It denes places of beauty and recreation. It is an essential raw material in the things we grow and make. Water in all of these purposes is threatened today. The need for clean water and access to it has never been greater across our planet. Finding solutions to the threats will not only improve our quality of life and mitigate environmental and ecosystem damage, but will stimulate economic activity and regional growth as well. Its an emerging blue economy. We are the Cleveland Water Alliance - a network of leading corporations, academic institutions and public agencies that came together in 2012 from across our region to build the countrys preeminent water technology cluster here. Uniting and leveraging the work of individuals, companies and organizations based in Northeast Ohio means we can nd solutions to todays water quality and access concerns. And, the water technologies developed here in our region can be exported to solve global water issues and build our economy in the process. Our work together is sparking new ideas, forming productive relationships and driving regional initiatives, market opportunities and economic prosperity. We welcome you to get involved in the Cleveland Water Alliance.

Be a Part of World Water Day Here in Northeast Ohio

Saturday, March 22, 2014 is the 21st World Water Day since its founding in 1993 by the United Nations General Assembly. This annual day unites people and organizations around the world, focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and educating on how we can sustainably manage the worlds water resources.

ATTEND A PUBLIC EVENT

Cleveland Metroparks World Water Day at Watershed Stewardship Center at West Creek Reservation Saturday, March 22nd, 12:004:30p.m. For more information: clevelandmetroparks.com/Main/EventsProgramsCalendar Cleveland Museum of Natural History Events Saturday March 22nd, 10:00 a.m.4:00p.m. World Water Day events include hands-on experiments, rain barrel demonstrations and information tables from local water organizations. For more information: cmnh.org/site/CalendarofEvents Greater Cleveland Aquarium World Water Day Weekend March 22nd & 23rd Focusing on water and energy, activities include water experiments, a chance to peek behind the scenes at the Aquariums operations and information on ways you can get involved with water. For more information: greaterclevelandaquarium.com

Jeanette Grasselli Brown Chairperson, Board of Directors

5 EASY WAYS YOU CAN HELP LAKE ERIE!

Reduce your use of chemicals. Limit pesticides on your lawn.

Collaboration, Communication, Inspiration, Action

We invite you to get involved.

Look at the labels on personal care and cleaning products to see what you are putting down the drain.

Use low-ow water xtures. Low-ow sinks, showerheads and

toilets reduce the amount of water you use on a daily basis.

Dispose of medicines properly. Contact your local waste district

to nd out about special collections rather than throwing or ushing them away at home. stormwater on your property instead of its run-off into Lake Erie.

Collect rain water. Install a rain barrel or rain garden to keep the Pickup trash. Throw things away before litter ends up in Lake Erie.
For a fun afternoon, plan a beach cleanup with friends and family.

The Port of Cleveland is Revitalizing the Cuyahoga River

Moving cargo in and out of Lake Erie is its primary mission, but the ClevelandCuyahoga Port Authority (now known as the Port of Cleveland), an Alliance Partner, also recognizes its responsibility and commitment as an environmental steward of Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River. Its been 45 years since the burning river was etched in the minds of Americans and made Cleveland synonymous with aming, toxic water. And, what a long way the river, community and country have come since then. The United States Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1970 was spurred in large part by the Cuyahoga Rivers ames, and for the rst time after years of talk and foot-dragging, US legislators created a law that made water quality and environmental protection a priority for the nation. More recently in 2011, under the direction of then newly-hired Will Friedman, a 25-year veteran port chief of Seattle and Indiana, the Port of Cleveland boldly stepped up its effort and made the restoration of the Cuyahoga River a part of its strategic mission. Our board recognized that the Port, due to its broad authority and its ability to act swiftly, needed to take the lead role in the rivers restoration, said Friedman, president and CEO of the Port of Cleveland, which oversees nearly 18,000 jobs and close to $1 billion in annual economic activity.

River restoration projects currently underway include:

BULKHEAD RESTORATION
The retaining wall that runs along each side of the channel way is in need of critical repairs to help ensure the safety of the ships and boats passing through. The bulkhead repair will help maintain commerce and reduce pollution-run into the river.

IRISH TOWN BEND

The hillside that sits just below Ohio City near West 25th, known as Irish Town Bend, is slowly sliding toward the river. The Port is nancing a study that will help safeguard the river and identify new opportunities for public access, including a walking path from which residents can get a striking glimpse of Clevelands skyline.

DEBRIS REMOVAL FROM LAKE AND RIVER

Commissioned by the Port in 2013, Flotsam and Jetsam are two specialized vessel systems that will remove oating debris in the Cleveland Harbor.

DREDGING SEDIMENT

We are not only reinvesting in the river to help stimulate the economy, but our responsibility also lies in protecting and enhancing the delicate ecosystem that lives below and above the water.
According to Friedman, the Port is committed to growing the economy responsibly, while restoring and protecting the water integrity and water quality in the Cuyahoga watershed. A variety of river restoration projects are underway and these initiatives along with previous clean-up efforts are producing results. Today, more than 40 species of sh have returned to the Cuyahoga River - an exciting and hopeful sign that will showcase Cleveland as a symbol of transformation and renewal.

The Ports innovative approach to dredging means sediment will no longer be treated as a waste product. Instead, the sediment can now be used as resource for restoring shorelines and used for brownelds. In fact, Cuyahogas sediment is so clean, it can be used on lakefront beaches.

INNOVATIONS
WASHDROPS
Cequent Consumer Products, in Solon, has launched a new rinse-less car wash solution, Washdrops, that is formulated to conserve water while providing fast, quality cleaning that is biodegradable and free of chemicals harmful to the watershed. www.washdrops.com

NORTHEAST OHIO

ALGAL BLOOM INNOVATION

Partners Key to Alliance Success

Currently, 13 Partners have committed to the Cleveland Water Alliance. Each Partner brings a unique set of resources, talents and expertise, and the Alliance is leveraging these resources in four areas: economic growth, research and development, education and outreach, and public policy. Here are some recent examples of the work of the Partners.

Kent State University and collaborating organizations are developing technology to rapidly identify phytoplankton in lakes using remote sensing from satellites and handheld technologies. This detection method can help public officials and scientists respond more quickly and accurately to dangerous algal blooms. http://bit.ly/1nqfxSs

ECONOMIC GROWTH

COMBATING CONTAMINANTS

MAR Systems, in Solon, has developed Sorbster, a technology that removes harmful contaminants from water and industrial uid streams and creates a nonhazardous disposal option complying with the strictest of EPA standards in as little as six months. www.marsystemsinc.com

The Cleveland Water Alliance Partners

(as of January 2014):

NorTech assessed Northeast Ohios water companies and technologies through their innovative roadmapping process and determined that the region has a competitive advantage in three sectors with the potential to create nearly 3,510 jobs by 2019. Fairmount Water Solutions, a business unit of Fairmount Minerals, is developing ltration services for surface water, ground water, and municipal and industrial waste. MAR Systems created a process to remove mercury, selenium, arsenic and other metal contaminants from water. The Cleveland Foundation has long supported efforts to revitalize the Cuyahoga River, the most recent example its funding for Rivergate Park. In addition, the Foundations Evergreen Cooperatives companies are not only creating jobs and economic opportunity in the City of Cleveland but also are positively impacting the environment. Their commercial greenhouse uses an innovative water system to capture rainwater for its hydroponic growing system and their co-op laundry uses technology that re-heats and conserves water. These organizations understand that participating in a collective alliance means they can learn of new market challenges and work with local researchers to the success of their companies and the regional economy.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Case Western Reserve University Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority Cleveland Metroparks Cleveland Museum of Natural History Cleveland State University Fairmount Minerals Great Lakes Science Center Hiram College Kent State University MAR Systems NorTech Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District The Cleveland Foundation
Lead funding provided by the Partners and the Generation Foundation, the George Gund Foundation, the Lennon Foundation and the Burning River Foundation.

Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, Hiram College, and Kent State University are discussing ways to coordinate their research projects, pursue joint funding opportunities and support the workforce development of the water sector. Research institutions are an important link in creating new market solutions to global water issues and to furthering the economic growth of the region.

EDUCATION & OUTREACH

The Great Lakes Science Center is introducing sixth grade students to water issues and the assets of the Great Lakes through their Great Science Academy, a yearlong, in-depth program designed to enhance students critical-thinking skills and help students see themselves as citizens of science. The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is presenting lectures and programs on water issues to create an informed citizenry and an understanding of the incredible freshwater assets in Northeast Ohio.

PUBLIC POLICY

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, the Cleveland Metroparks, and The Port of Cleveland are each playing an important role in educating the public on water issues and are working to use public policy as a tool to protect waterways now and in the future.
Visit www.ClevelandWaterAlliance.org for information on the events of the Alliance and its Partners and for the news of our Working Groups, which are open to all interested citizens of Northeast Ohio.

www.ClevelandWaterAlliance.org

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THE CLEVELAND WATER ALLIANCE 601 ERIESIDE AVENUE CLEVELAND, OH 44114 USA