Together, for a Cleaner Ocean: Welcoming 8 New Partners

November 19, 2024
Conservation
Larissa Balzer, Sr. Network Coordinator

OSA welcomes eight new partners in 2024, each bringing innovative expertise to address ocean sewage and wastewater challenges. From sustainable sanitation and climate resilience to phosphorus pollution reduction and corporate responsibility, these organizations enhance OSA’s mission to protect marine ecosystems and improve public health. This collaboration showcases the power of intersectional solutions to create a healthier, more sustainable future for our ocean and the communities that depend on them.

Estimated read time: 3.5 minutes

The Ocean Sewage Alliance (OSA) is thrilled to announce eight incredible new partners that joined us in 2024, each bringing unique expertise and innovative approaches to tackle the global challenge of ocean sewage and wastewater pollution. From developing sustainable sanitation solutions to fostering cross-sector collaboration, these organizations are advancing our mission to eliminate sewage pollution, protect marine ecosystems and improve public health.

“We are so lucky and excited to bring on these incredible partners,” said Jasmine Fournier, executive director. “I've been fortunate enough to meet a few in real life! Their insight and experience makes OSA even stronger.”

  

Fresh Life by Sanergy  

Focus: Inclusive, sustainable sanitation solutions in Kenya  

Fresh Life is transforming sanitation in Kenya’s rapidly growing cities, including Nairobi, Kisumu, and Eldoret. They create citywide systems tailored for densely populated urban areas by collaborating with municipalities and residents. Fresh Life’s innovative approach integrates safe waste collection, resource recovery, and financial sustainability, offering a model for scaling sanitation solutions in low-income communities. Their work directly addresses urban sewage challenges, preventing harmful waste from entering waterways and protecting human and environmental health. 

Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC)

Focus: Modernizing conservation policies for cleaner water  

EPIC is reimagining conservation in the U.S. by driving innovation and efficiency in environmental policies. They aim to accelerate clean water and habitat restoration progress by blending creative problem-solving with data-driven strategies. EPIC empowers policymakers, conservationists, and communities to implement practical, scalable solutions by fostering bold experimentation and adaptive learning. Their commitment to systemic change aligns with OSA’s vision of creating a cleaner, healthier planet. 

Zambia Compound, Kafue District © Courtesy of Fresh Life

International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification (OA Alliance)  

Focus: Climate-ocean action and resilience  

The OA Alliance unites governments, Indigenous communities, and organizations from over 22 countries to combat ocean acidification and other climate-driven ocean changes. Representing 300 million people and over 360,000 kilometers of coastline, they aim to safeguard coastal communities and ecosystems through climate action and resilience planning. Since its founding in 2016, the OA Alliance has been at the forefront of global efforts to protect marine life from the devastating impacts of acidification, making it a crucial partner in addressing interconnected environmental challenges. 

 

Intertidal Agency  

Focus: Unlocking data for ocean sustainability  

Intertidal Agency bridges gaps in ocean data sharing by collaborating with governments, scientists, Indigenous groups, and nonprofits. They focus on fostering trust, improving technical skills, and creating open frameworks to make ocean data accessible and actionable. By prioritizing equitable and community-driven approaches, Intertidal ensures that decision-makers can leverage data to advance sustainability goals. Their data governance and collaborative solutions expertise supports OSA’s mission to build informed, impactful partnerships.  

World Ocean Council (WOC)  

Focus: Corporate leadership in ocean sustainability  

The WOC convenes the global Ocean Business Community to champion sustainable development and “Corporate Ocean Responsibility.” Through events, working groups, and cross-sector collaborations, WOC empowers private sector leaders to address challenges such as marine pollution, habitat protection, and sustainable resource use. By fostering partnerships between businesses and other stakeholders, WOC helps scale innovative solutions that ensure a healthy and productive ocean for future generations.  

World Ocean Council hosts Blue Week in Barcelona © Courtesy of World Ocean Council

Okhtapus  

Focus: Scaling blue climate solutions globally  

Okhtapus connects innovators, funders, and enablers to replicate and scale ocean and coastal solutions worldwide. Their Global Replication Platform™ accelerates projects that range from cutting-edge technologies to nature-based solutions. With a focus on community-driven approaches and the interconnectedness of land and sea, Okhtapus is driving equitable and regenerative outcomes. Their groundbreaking initiatives, such as the Blue Transition Tool™, align with OSA’s emphasis on holistic and sustainable wastewater management.  

Long Beach Utilities  

Focus: Reliable water and sewer services in California  

With over 100 years of experience, Long Beach Utilities provides high-quality drinking water, natural gas, and sewer services to nearly 500,000 residents in California. Following a 2022 consolidation of city utility operations, they have enhanced service delivery, reduced infrastructure inefficiencies, and prioritized customer safety. Long Beach Utilities’ expertise in sewer maintenance and wastewater treatment contributes directly to OSA’s efforts to protect marine environments and improve urban sanitation.  

Long Beach Utilities celebrates the Cambodian solar new year at a community event. Long Beach is home to the largest population of Cambodians outside of southeast Asia. © Courtesy of Long Beach Utilities

 Water Warriors

Focus: Capturing phosphorus to protect water quality and human health

Water Warriors is dedicated to safeguarding the world’s most valuable resource—water—by tackling phosphorus pollution. Their innovative Poseidon Pellets, developed in partnership with the U.S. EPA, capture phosphorus and ammonia on contact without chemicals, preventing nutrient runoff that can harm marine ecosystems. Once saturated, the pellets can be reused as eco-friendly soil amendments, returning nutrients to the land. Water Warriors’ commitment to preventing harmful algal blooms and improving water quality perfectly aligns with OSA’s mission to protect marine ecosystems and public health.

A Shared Commitment to Clean Oceans  

Together, these eight partners exemplify the collaborative spirit and innovative thinking needed to address the ocean sewage crisis. Each organization brings a unique perspective, whether it’s through technological advancements, policy reform, community engagement, or corporate responsibility.  

At OSA, we believe that solving the ocean sewage challenge requires intersectional solutions that span sectors, geographies, and disciplines. Fresh Life’s urban sanitation models, EPIC’s policy modernization, the OA Alliance’s climate resilience strategies, Intertidal Agency’s data-sharing frameworks, WOC’s corporate partnerships, Okhtapus’ global replication platform, Long Beach Utilities’ infrastructure expertise, and Water Warriors’ phosphorus pollution reduction collectively strengthen our ability to drive transformative change.

The Road Ahead  

As we welcome these new partners, we’re inspired by their dedication to creating a healthier, more sustainable future for our oceans and the communities that depend on them. OSA is committed to amplifying its efforts, fostering connections between partners, and continuing to advocate for eliminating ocean sewage and wastewater pollution.  

We invite you to join us on this journey. Whether through partnership, advocacy, or grassroots action, we can turn the tide on ocean sewage together and build a thriving blue planet for generations to come.