Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs building water resilience with SOURCE Hydropanels

Here, in the land of the Warm Springs, Wasco and Paiute Tribes, Chuush iwa Wagishwit means “water is life.” But the region’s aging infrastructure and, in some areas, contaminated water resources mean many people must travel miles to find water, carry it home, and boil it before it is safe to drink.

To solve the problem, and in keeping with its deep commitment to sustainability, Tribal leaders have turned to innovation, and to SOURCE. Today, a one-acre water farm of SOURCE® Hydropanels is bringing clean, safe and sustainably produced drinking water to the entire community. To date, 14 local people have been hired to service and build out the water farm — with more job opportunities to come — and the Tribe sees the project as the beginning of its work to create long-term water resilience and protect its most valuable resource.

“This is the future. This is how you take sunlight and turn it into energy – and create water. This is what’s going to define sustainability going forward. And to be at the forefront of it and working on this with our community, it’s exciting.​”

Jim Souers, CEO Warm Springs Economic Development Corp.