Adam Bluestein

The November issue of Inc. magazine contains a long piece I wrote on U.S. entrepreneurs who are using innovative technologies to change the way we get, treat, use, and reuse fresh water. When things start to settle down after the election and we start muddling our way through — and eventually out of — this recession, water will be one of the issues we can’t afford to ignore . The facts regarding worldwide water scarcity are sobering. And the challenges to our water supply here in the U.S. — including major regional scarcity (hello, California!), emerging pollutants in the water supply, and a corroding and inadequate infrastructure — are significant. But the good news is that people are working on it — and passionately. While most entrepreneurs tend to be passionate about their businesses — especially when talking with a reporter — the sense of mission and enthusiasm among this group was inspiring. I appreciate their patience and generosity in helping me understand their work, as well as the time and resources that Inc. gave me to really report this piece in depth. What more could a writer ask for?

For a good overview on the importance of water in U.S. policy, I would also recommend Wired’s recent interview with Peter Gleick, a water visionary and head of the nonprofit Pacific Institute — part of their feature “15 People the Next President Should Listen To.”