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Radhika Fox: “Water issues transcend national borders”

Radhika Fox, Principal, North Star Strategy & Former EPA Assistant Administrator.
Radhika Fox, Principal, North Star Strategy & Former EPA Assistant Administrator.

For Radhika Fox, water isn’t just a resource — it’s a lifeline that sustains communities, drives economic opportunity, and enables a resilient future. Growing up with a deep understanding of water's role from her family’s roots in rural India, Fox has dedicated her career to advancing water management and equity. Now advising organizations beyond her groundbreaking tenure at the EPA, she reflects on pivotal policy advancements in U.S. water security, the importance of public-private partnerships, and the future of global water collaboration. Through her insights, Fox emphasizes a unifying call for action: safeguarding water resources requires a shared commitment to sustainable, forward-thinking solutions.

What initially sparked your interest in water issues, and how did that interest develop into a career focused on advancing water management and policy?

Water is at the centre of humanity’s ability to survive and thrive. It’s our silent partner in all activities.

And when we get water management right, we create the conditions for both people and the planet to flourish. The way I see it, nothing is more critical to the success of society than its ability to supply water where it is needed, when it is needed – and, on the flip side, to keep floodwaters at bay. 

I know this not only from my work, but from my family’s history. I’m a first-generation American. My father and mother grew up in rural India, and my grandparents provided for their families as small farmers growing coconuts, rice, and mangos. My parents grew up without electricity; they relied on wells for drinking water, and pit latrines for wastewater management.

The EPA’s WaterTA is investing $500 million to help underserved communities across America secure federal infrastructure funding

When they came to the United States, they propelled me and my brother into an opportunity we could never have imagined. So, the question was, how could I make an impact? With so much given to me – by my parents, and by the infrastructure that made my life in the United States possible – my purpose has been about unleashing that human potential. I believe water is at the centre of that potential.

Reflecting on your time as Assistant Administrator for Water at the EPA, what do you believe were the most critical policy changes or initiatives during your tenure that made a lasting impact on water security and infrastructure?

I am incredibly proud of the work we were able to do at the EPA. We launched WaterTA, which is investing $500 million to help underserved communities across America secure federal infrastructure funding. Through this work, by the end of 2024, the EPA will support 1,500 communities through new initiatives that remove lead pipes, help neighbourhoods access wastewater facilities, build technical assistance, and so much more.

We also restored and advanced essential public health protections, including the first-ever national standard for PFAS in drinking water. I was proud to serve as co-chair of the PFAS Executive Council and to lead the development of the Agency’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap, which laid out a whole-of-agency approach to addressing PFAS so we could protect public health, safeguard our environment and hold polluters accountable.

And we took critical actions to restore oceans and coastal ecosystems, like our work to protect Bristol Bay. That area is home to 25 Alaska Native villages and the most productive wild salmon ecosystem in the world – which makes it important not only to local communities, but also to countless people who rely on it to feed their families.

These are big-ticket items – but what makes them special is their impact on real people, real families and real communities. Because of these actions, people across the United States will have cleaner, safer water; better economic opportunities; and healthier lives.

In your current role, how do you continue to influence and contribute to the national and global dialogue on sustainable water management and policy?

Effective water management will take all of us, from the federal government to the private sector to NGOs and philanthropies. That’s why I’m advising a range of purpose-driven organizations as they work to make a difference in water management and policy.

I was proud to serve as co-chair of the PFAS Executive Council and to lead the development of the Agency’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap

At North Star Strategy, I’m helping CEOs and executive leadership teams at private, nonprofit, and philanthropic organizations interact with the federal government. As a senior advisor at Xylem, I’m helping apply smart technology to tough challenges. And as an advisor to philanthropies like Robert Wood Johnson and the Walton Family Foundation, I’m helping to make sure that philanthropic giving in these areas is effective in sparking the kind of results we need to achieve.

It was a privilege to do this work in the federal government, but water management is a comprehensive project – and I’m excited about the kind of progress we can make together.

Water access and quality are still pressing issues in the U.S. How do you see the future of federal and local collaborations in solving these challenges?

I see a really important chance to improve water access and quality in the United States, especially in underserved communities.

We’ve seen how generations of neglect and inequity can lead to a water crisis. Just a few years ago, for example, a deep freeze left nearly 150,000 residents of Jackson, Mississippi, without safe drinking water. The city is majority-Black, and as a result, it has historically received fewer resources and less attention than its majority-white counterparts in the state. This crisis shined a light on the kinds of enduring water disparities that are still impacting our communities to this day.

Effective water management will take all of us, from the federal government to the private sector to NGOs and philanthropies

Now, Jackson’s story isn’t unique. Every single state has communities that have experienced a lack of infrastructure investment, and as extreme climate events become more frequent, we’re going to see more crises in communities like Jackson. We have to commit to bringing those communities to the table and giving them their fair share of funding. That’s going to require collaborations between the federal government and local communities, helping them unlock federal dollars and making sure they’re empowered to shape the policies and systems that affect their lives.

Given your experience, what do you believe are the most effective strategies for modernizing the ageing water infrastructure in the U.S.? How should funding and implementation be approached moving forward?

I think we have an opportunity not only to build back our water infrastructure, but to build back better. Over time, we’ve learned so much about ways to make water sources and water regulations more efficient, more effective, and more sustainable. And at this moment, when so much of our ageing water infrastructure needs to be repaired and replaced, we have a chance to leverage that knowledge and create systems that support real people in their everyday lives – while also being mindful of where we’re headed in the future.

That means leaning into the digital transformation of the water sector. It means employing advanced solutions that make our water facilities and water use more efficient. It means building water systems that are more durable in the face of climate change – better able to handle ebbs and flows, and less likely to contribute to the problems we’re already facing.

Those are the kinds of priorities I pushed for when I was leading the implementation of the Biden Administration’s $50 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure law – and that’s what we should continue to do today.

Climate change continues to exacerbate both drought and flooding in many regions. What lessons have you learned about addressing these dual threats, and how should future policies evolve to tackle them?

Climate change is one of the most urgent and universal challenges facing U.S. communities and the environment. So many of us experience climate change through water – whether it’s flooding in coastal and inland communities, drought across the South and the West, or the unpredictability that impacts everyone from water utilities to farmers to ecosystems.

Because it’s such a broad challenge, we need to approach it in a few different ways. First, we need to make America’s water infrastructure more resilient. That means investing in ways to prevent it from being overwhelmed by floods or incapacitated by droughts.

Second, we need to protect America’s waters from the impacts of a changing climate. From biodiversity to natural features like flood plains that support our communities, we have to take action now in order to prevent losses that could be catastrophic later. 

Third, we need to share information and adaptive technology with the communities and decision-makers who are impacted at the state and local level. The federal government is capable of doing a lot of good when it comes to tackling climate change, but as you get closer and closer to the community level, local partnerships are more and more important.

The effects of climate change on water impact all of us, and that’s why the entire water community needs to be involved in solutions. Public water systems, local governments, community organizations, water-reliant businesses, the engineering and construction sector, the scientific community – all of these groups, and many more, can help make a difference. It’s really only by working together that we can build a resilient water future.

Equity in water access is a key topic. How do you think we can better address disparities in water affordability and quality for vulnerable communities in the years ahead?

Affordability is a big issue. One in three people say they struggle to pay their water bills. Yet, we still do not have a federal program to support low-income families having to choose between paying their water bills and other critical items.

I see a really important chance to improve water access and quality in the United States, especially in underserved communities

The temporary, and now expired, Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) was a critical step. But, the Water Equity & Climate Resilience (WECR) Caucus – a national network of water and climate justice leaders across the country anchored by PolicyLink – has been advocating to pass and fully fund a much-needed permanent program at the federal level. We all need to join in this effort.

But assistance is just one step on the path to water equity. We need to move our policy approach from water assistance to true water affordability. A comprehensive approach to water affordability requires: 1) funding for infrastructure and operations; community-driven solutions for chronically failing systems, and 3) maintaining household water access and keeping bills affordable.

How important is the role of the private sector in tackling water challenges, and what kinds of public-private partnerships do you think are most effective in driving innovation and improving water sustainability?

While providing clean water and sanitation has traditionally been the public sector’s responsibility, solving the world’s most pressing water challenges requires a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach. The private sector plays a vital role in scaling investments and driving innovation, both essential to achieving global water sustainability goals.

Our priorities should be the digital transformation of the water sector and using advanced solutions for more efficient and durable water systems

Water scarcity, quality issues, and the growing impact of climate change demand solutions that go beyond the capacity of any one sector. According to the World Bank, spending on solutions that provide universal access to clean water and sanitation must nearly triple from current levels to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6) of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Agenda. Over the next five years, private-sector funding will be crucial in bridging this investment gap.

Public-private partnerships are particularly effective when they combine the strengths of both sectors – government policy and regulation with private-sector innovation and resources. Governments play a crucial role in creating a supportive environment by establishing clear regulations and long-term municipal funding models that offer support and reduce financial risks. Public bodies can give the market confidence and provide private organizations the opportunity to bring critical solutions to market at scale, helping to deliver real impact for communities.

The private sector’s ability to drive technological innovation, scale solutions, and collaborate with stakeholders makes it a powerful partner

For example, companies like Xylem are uniquely positioned to drive technological innovation addressing water scarcity, quality, and energy efficiency. Xylem’s commitment to corporate water stewardship, as outlined in its 2030 Sustainability Goals, aims to solve critical water challenges by enabling access to clean water for at least 20 million people globally and replenishing more than 6.5 billion cubic metres of water through reuse and recycling initiatives. In partnership with municipal and regional governments, companies like Xylem help scale infrastructure solutions that empower water utilities and communities to build a more water-secure world. These solutions include intelligent metering and smart water networks that reduce sewer overflows, minimize water loss, and improve efficiency.

The private sector’s ability to drive technological innovation, scale infrastructure solutions, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders makes it a powerful partner in addressing global water challenges. Investing in public-private partnerships grounded in shared goals and sustainable practices can accelerate progress toward a more water-secure future.

Now that you’re working outside the EPA, how do you see the U.S. positioning itself on the global stage in terms of water management and sharing best practices with other countries?

No administration has done more to address climate than the Biden-Harris Administration – especially in the context of water management. In fact, Vice President Harris launched the Global Water Security Action Plan to ensure that America is partnering with governments across the world to build water security.

EPA and its sister agencies are at the forefront of so many aspects of this issue – from forecasting how climate will impact water; to funding infrastructure projects that incorporate climate resilience and nature-based solutions; to thinking about how changes in water quality and quantity intersect with issues like PFAS and other contaminants.

Water issues don’t stop at national borders, and it’s critical that we approach solutions in a global way. The United States has an opportunity – and an obligation – to help lead that work.

As you look ahead, what innovations or policy shifts do you believe will be most critical in shaping the future of water management in the U.S., and how do you see your own contributions evolving in this space?

The work that we did on water management at the EPA during my time in the Biden Administration was historic, both in our future-focused investments and in our policies – but what we need now is to double down on that approach so that we can make ongoing progress.

We’re seeing a lot of exciting innovations, from smart water systems that can monitor water use, detect issues, and predict shortages to improve water efficiency, to technologies like advanced wastewater treatment and desalination. Any administration – and any outside organization – should be interested in funding and applying those innovations as widely as possible.

No administration has done more to address climate than the Biden-Harris Administration – especially in the context of water management​

When it comes to policy, we need to be really intentional about integrating water management with climate change adaptation. That will include updating our infrastructure so it can stand up against extreme weather events; promoting water conservation to protect our resources; improving water rights frameworks to make sure that our communities have the resources they need; and incentivizing sustainable agricultural practices, so our ranchers and farmers can continue to feed the country and provide for their families today without depleting the resources they’ll need tomorrow.

Ultimately, this is a big project that will require a lot of cooperation – and that’s why my focus is on building bridges and partnerships across the public, private, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. Effective water management in the midst of climate change is a challenge that will require an all-of-humanity approach – and that means we have to align people around a common vision and generate action towards sustainable, long-term solutions.