(Image Credit: Courtesy Lynn French, National Snow & Ice Data Center)

Pat Mulroy, who is considered one of the foremost experts on water issues in the nation, will weigh in on climate change, melting ice in the arctic and water scarcity during a panel discussion Nov. 7 at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

“Facing the Unthinkable: Water Management Strategies” will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 7 in the auditorium at the J.C. Penney Building/Conference Center at UMSL. She will give the keynote presentation.

Mulroy, the general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Las Vegas Valley Water District, is described by the Las Vegas Sun News as “one of the most powerful executives in the state,” and a person who has “worked aggressively to ensure that Las Vegas doesn’t go dry.”

Pat Mulroy oversees the operations of the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Las Vegas Valley Water District.

The Water Authority is responsible for acquiring, treating and delivering water to local agencies that collectively serve 2 million residents and nearly 40 million annual visitors. Mulroy was a principal architect of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, which has served as a model for other Western water agencies since its creation in 1991.

As general manager of one of the country’s most progressive water agencies, Mulroy is exceptionally active in regional and national water issues. She is president of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, for which she is the first woman and Nevadan to lead the association. Mulroy also currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Water Resources Association and on the Board of Trustees of the Water Research Foundation.

Patti Wright, associate professor of anthropology at UMSL, will moderate a panel discussion after Mulroy’s speech.

Panelists will include:

• David A. Wilson, senior manager, environment and community planning at East-West Gateway Council of Government
• Russell Errett, water manager of U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, St. Louis District
• Tim Ganz, environmental manager, Missouri American Water Company

A reception will begin at 6 p.m. The discussion is part of the Hellen and Will Carpenter Series on Contemporary Issues in American Society and is sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences at UMSL. It is free and open to the public.

Media Coverage:
St. Louis Beacon