The Water Committee is the guiding body shaping Expo 2031’s global leadership position on freshwater innovation, climate resilience, watershed health, and water-smart agriculture and horticulture. As part of the Global Horticulture Council, this committee unites hydrologists, water technology innovators, watershed managers, engineers, utility partners, growers, academic experts, and sustainability leaders to design the Expo’s water story across the entire 240-acre site.

Their work spans irrigation, stormwater, water reuse, lake and wetland design, water-energy-food nexus solutions, and the integration of emerging water technologies into both the Expo buildout and the permanent Future Living District.

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Committee Expertise

The Water Committee is composed of experts across the full water innovation and management spectrum, including:

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Hydrology & Watershed Science

• Watershed health and regional hydrology

• Nutrient loading, sediment control, and water quality modeling

• Lake and wetland ecosystem design

• Climate-resilient water system planning

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Irrigation, Smart Water Systems & Agricultural Water Management

• Drip, precision, and sensor-driven irrigation systems

• Controlled-environment water-use optimization

• Water-efficient greenhouse and production systems

• AI-driven irrigation controls and water forecasting tools

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Water Technology & Innovation

• Filtration, purification, and water treatment systems

• Wastewater reuse and greywater integration

• Leak detection, IoT water sensors, and digital water mapping

• Autonomous water robots and drone-based water monitoring

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Stormwater Engineering & Resilient Infrastructure

• Green infrastructure and natural water retention

• Stormwater basins, bioretention, and infiltration design

• Low-impact development strategies

• Flood mitigation and climate-adaptive engineering

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Water Policy, Governance & Global Standards

• U.S. and international water frameworks

• Regulations, permitting, and compliance pathways

• Water rights, conservation policies, and cross-boundary management

• Partnerships with utilities, watershed districts, and NGOs

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Lakes, Rivers & Living Water Environments

• Design and stewardship of the pollinator-shaped lakes

• Wetland preservation and enhancement

• Aquatic plantings and shoreline ecology

• Water–nature interface design for climate zones and pavilions

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Programming Focus

The Water Committee defines the water-driven experiences, educational content, and operational systems that make water a central theme of Expo 2031:

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Water Experiences Within the Five Climate Zones

Each Biodome Climate Zone showcases water’s role in its ecosystem:

• Desert water scarcity and innovation (Arid)

• Rainforest and atmospheric water cycles (Tropical)

• Riverine and temperate water systems (Temperate)

• Boreal wetlands and freshwater ecology (Continental)

• Minnesota headwaters and North Star freshwater leadership (North Star)

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Signature Features on the Expo Site

• Pollinator-shaped lake system with floating USA Pavilion access

• Interactive water gardens and fountains

• Water harvesting and fog capture installations

• Living-stream exhibits demonstrating watershed dynamics

Agriculture–Food–Water–Energy Pavilion Programming

• Water-food-energy nexus demonstrations

• Water-efficient crop production and greenhouse technologies

• Water reuse systems for agriculture and horticulture

• Climate-resilient water management strategies

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Water Technology & Innovation Platforms

• IoT water sensor networks

• Digital twin water-flow models

• Robotics and drones for water testing and monitoring

• Advanced purification and treatment showcases

• Start-up and global water-tech partner demonstrations

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Daily Water Education & Public Programming

• Expert-led talks and water innovation masterclasses

• Watershed health workshops for families and youth

• Hands-on water cycle and lake ecology demonstrations

• Global water scarcity and sustainability exhibits

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Climate Resilience & Sustainability Storytelling

• Stormwater reuse narratives integrated into the site

• Lake and wetland ecology interpretation

• Carbon-neutral and water-neutral site operations

• Global water stewardship and diplomacy storytelling

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Integration with the Legacy District

• Smart, connected water systems that remain post-Expo

• Water reuse infrastructure for future mixed-use development

• Restoration of natural systems as permanent green and blue assets

• Utility partnerships shaping long-term water resilience

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Role in Expo 2031 Governance

The Water Committee ensures that water is both a functional system and a global narrative centerpiece of Expo 2031. Committee members shape:

• Water conservation and reuse strategies

• Freshwater innovation showcases

• Cross-sector water–agriculture–energy integrations

• Stormwater, lake, and ecological systems for the Expo site

• Long-term water infrastructure for the Future Living District

 

Their work reinforces Minnesota’s global reputation as a freshwater leader—positioning water innovation at the heart of America’s next great World’s Fair.