Building An Innovation Program for Water in our Nation’s Capital with DC Water's Robert Bornhofen (WaterPitch! DC 2025 Host!)

In this Interview, we meet Robert Bornhofen who is the Director of Innovation for DC Water, a Water Utility based in Washington, DC. Robert’s role covers the entire enterprise of water collection, wastewater treatment, and everything in between.

ONE-LINER:

"We have to do something with water... We don't have a choice anymore. We really have to marshal our resources here and make sure that we can be sustainable over time for not only this generation, but generations to follow."

Pitch/Reverse Pitch:

Don’t miss Robert's Reverse Pitch for DC Water, which you can find on the video from [16:02] to [16:31].

Discussion:

After the Reverse Pitch, we discuss:

• The shift in the water utility sector towards innovation due to climate change and other stresses.
• The internal and external challenges faced by water utilities in adopting innovative practices.
• The importance of collaboration and partnerships in addressing water sector challenges.

Insights:

At [21:45], Robert talks about his experiences with WaterPitch! The Water Startup Matching Extravaganza, sharing advice on how startups should align their solutions with regulatory trends and the strategic priorities of utilities.

Advice:

At [25:28], Robert shares his perspectives on how utilities can set up a dedicated innovation office, emphasizing the importance of building relationships through conferences and tailored communications to ensure alignment with the utility's specific needs.