New Resource: Envision for the Water Sector – Sustainable Water Infrastructure Guide (SWIG)

19-August-2026

Water infrastructure systems are facing increasing pressure from aging assets, climate variability, regulatory complexity, growing demand, and evolving community expectations. To help water sector professionals navigate these challenges while advancing sustainability and resilience, the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) is pleased to release the Envision for the Water Sector – Sustainable Water Infrastructure Guide (SWIG). 

This new resource is designed specifically for water utilities, municipalities, agencies, consultants, contractors, and project teams working on drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and integrated water infrastructure projects. The guide provides practical strategies for applying the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework to water-related infrastructure and demonstrates how sustainability and resilience considerations can be integrated throughout planning, design, construction, and operations. 

 The guide explores topics such as: 

  • Why Envision is uniquely suited to water infrastructure projects 
  • The water-energy nexus and opportunities to improve resource efficiency 
  • Aligning Envision with regulatory, planning, and capital improvement processes 
  • Connections between Envision and frameworks such as One Water and Effective Utility Management 
  • Strategies for Envision project verification and documentation 

A key feature of the guide is its emphasis on practical application. In addition to explaining Envision concepts, it includes case studies from recently verified water projects, covering topics such as water treatment, wastewater management, resilient water conveyance, and nature-based solutions. These examples illustrate how project teams are using Envision to improve public health outcomes, strengthen resilience, enhance environmental performance, and deliver greater value to communities. 

The guide also highlights the growing adoption of Envision within the water sector. Since the launch of Envision in 2012, water-related projects have represented a significant portion of project registrations and verifications, demonstrating the framework’s ability to address some of the sector’s most pressing challenges, including infrastructure resilience, climate adaptation, water quality, resource management, and community engagement.

Whether your organization is pursuing project verification, developing a capital improvement program, establishing sustainability policies, or looking to strengthen long-term resilience, the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Guide provides actionable insights and resources to support your efforts. 

Download the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Guide (SWIG) to learn how Envision can help advance sustainable, resilient, and high-performing water infrastructure.