Community Collaboration Lab: Safe Water, Strong Communities

The Wedge + SIUE

Community Collaboration Lab: Safe Water, Strong Communities

Data and Dialogue

About:

This month's session will explore the data behind drinking water quality in Illinois—and add your voice. A Collaboration Lab hosted by The Wedge in partnership with SIUE and the SIU System Office of Community Engagement.

Safe Water, Strong Communities—Data and Voices in Dialogue, featuring Dr. Carrie Butts-Wilmsmeyer, Director of the SIUE Center for Predictive Analytics (CPAN).

Dr. Butts-Wilmsmeyer will share findings from collaborative research on drinking-water contaminants across Illinois, highlighting environmental and infrastructure factors that increase risk, and discuss strategies that help communities secure safe, reliable access to clean water.

This Lab is also about you. Facilitators will lead a practical conversation where residents, civic leaders, educators, and subject-matter experts can put data and lived experience side-by-side, surfacing questions, clarifying priorities, and identifying next steps that strengthen and stabilize local resilience.

Details:

📅 Date & Time: October 14th at 3:00pm

📍 Location: The Wedge Innovation Center, 620 E Broadway, Alton, IL 62002 (Cougar Classroom Suite 301)

👥 Open to all Metro East residents

What you’ll experience

• A clear, accessible walkthrough of recent data on drinking water in Illinois
• Community dialogue to elevate local concerns, questions, and ideas
• Practical strategies and resources for safer, more reliable water access
• Networking with neighbors, practitioners, and university partners

Who should attend

Residents, neighborhood advocates, city and utility partners, educators, health and social-service providers, nonprofit leaders, students, and anyone curious about water quality, infrastructure, and community resilience.

Access & Logistics

Check-in: Enter at 620 E Broadway (across from Germania Brew Haus) and take the elevator to the 2nd Floor Reception Desk

Parking: Free street and nearby lot parking available in Downtown Alton

Accessibility: The venue is elevator-accessible. If you have specific needs, please let us know during registration.

Light refreshments provided.

Tickets

This is a free, public event. RSVP is required so we can plan seating and refreshments. If you’re unable to attend, please cancel your ticket to open a spot for someone else.

Questions?

Email: [email protected]

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FREE to attend – RSVP today!

Host or Publisher The Wedge