We Serve Water and Water Is All We Have.

Water Bar began by engaging public participants directly with water issues through the everyday activity of drinking tap water. Initially, the bar was staffed by scientific researchers, public utility workers, and other water resource professionals, who shared their knowledge about water and answered questions.

Over time, we've come to see Water Bar as a listening platform. It is a way for those behind the bar to hear from people in a community, to learn from their stories, and to ask better questions. Since we publicly launched our pop-up Water Bar project, a broad range of people have reached out with an interest in working as Water Tenders. Their goals are often to learn about water in their own communities, or to share their passion for water and environment, and to meet other people.

Conversations that happen through Water Bar increase awareness of water issues from source to tap, forge new connections and deeper relationships, and are a catalyst for creative collaboration and innovation that begins with and in place.

Water Bar has already engaged a network of over 100 volunteer Water Tenders, who serve water, and facilitate these reciprocal conversations. Their backgrounds range from community organizing and environmental advocacy, to public policy, urban design, and ecological research. Water Tenders are invited to tend Water Bar at our storefront, or to join us at conferences and other events through our pop-up.

In 2017 we will be working with our partners at Freshwater Society to develop a more focused Water Tender program and network that cross-pollinates the Water Bar with Freshwater's successful Master Water Stewards program.  

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