Led by a senior team with decades of technical, scientific, and policy experience,
OUR VISION & MISSION
A Future Where Every Sector Has Reliable Water
We envision a future where water scarcity no longer limits agricultural productivity, weakens communities, or threatens economic growth and the ecosystem. This future depends on combining innovation, cooperation, and large-scale thinking—approaches that break away from traditional constraints and unlock new possibilities for water sourcing, transport, and management.
Our mission focuses on unlocking new water sources, modernizing measurement and management tools, and applying breakthrough technologies—such as in-situ desalination, AI-driven water monitoring and management, and low-friction pipeline systems—to address the West’s most urgent water challenges.
Through rigorous research, community education, stakeholder engagement, and interdisciplinary teamwork, we strive to shift public perception, expand resource capabilities, and build a path toward reliable water access for agriculture, industry, municipalities, and the environment.
Our Expanding Impact
& Future Reach
Since inception we’ve identified systems that deliver resilient water solutions to agricultural, industrial, municipal and
ecosystem sectors. We continue to define and develop technologies and solutions that will improve the energy efficiency
and cost effectiveness of these systems and define new systems that will dramatically increase water availability and
resilience in the future.
Breakthrough Solutions
for the Water Crisis
Our current and future projects will define and develop innovative augmentation systems and technologies to transform how water is sourced, treated and transported across the Western states.
In-Situ Brackish Well Desalination
AI-Based Integrated Water Resource Management
Bantam Peripheric Power Desalination
Low Friction Hyper-Aquifers™
Our Strategy: Securing the American West’s Water Future
Water for the West is a charitable 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to solving the critical water problems in the American West. We believe that while conservation is vital, it is no longer sufficient on its own, and bold water augmentation strategies are essential to ensure an ample, resilient, and affordable water supply for generations to come
Our Vision & Value Proposition
An environment where the fundamental right to ample, resilient, and affordable water, now and in the future, is guaranteed.
Our Customer Value Proposition:
Delivering solutions for ample, resilient, and affordable water through collaboration, education, and an innovative approach that integrates research, engineering, management, and cutting-edge technology.
Key Goals & Milestones
We set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals to track our progress and impact.
Short-Term Priorities (One-Year Goals)
Our immediate focus is on building the organizational foundation and initiating key studies.
- Organizational Foundation: Finalize strategic and business plans, complete the capture plan for projects and funds, and organize fundraising efforts.
- Education & Marketing: Publish the “Resilience Solution Paper” and launch social media and in person education campaigns to build buy-in for augmentation solutions.
- Research & Development: Deliver proposals for Phase 1 of the Western Water Augmentation Study and secure a funded study start in 2026.
- Partnerships: Finalize teaming with at least one new organization and add 50% more members.
Board of Directors
In the summer of 2021 Dan together with 5 executives from L3 formed a charity called Water for the West. He serves as the CEO and Chairman for that foundation whose purpose is to solve the west’s water needs. He is passionate about bringing new sources of water to the rapidly growing western United States. He has been working with and educating legislators, government water organizations along with conservancy districts on out of the box solutions to bringing large amounts of water to the Colorado river basin and 7 western states experiencing extreme drought.
Daniel G Watt also serves as the President of a Diesel Turbo Manufacture, Diesel Power Source LLC. Together with the Owner of this small business they are working to grow the business that has great potential to move into the Semi-truck market.
He also serves as the owner and president of Dan Watt and Associate since 2021. In January of 2021 after leaving L3 Harris Technologies, he formed a consulting company named Dan Watt and Associates LLC, whose purpose is to bring solutions to clients - making businesses better, one business at a time. He has worked with private equity, and several small businesses needing to grow by building a stable business foundation as well as looking at and evaluating M&A opportunities. On top of Dan’s technical/engineering and executive leadership background, he has experience in rebuilding failing businesses by quickly identifying and executing solutions for long term profitability and growth.
Dan also served for 28 years in the aerospace and defense industry, with the last 13 years in executive leadership in roles such as Senior Vice President and Chief Operation Officer for L3Harris, Broadband Communications Sector, Senior Vice President of Plant Operations, Acting President of Narda-Miteq, Vice President of Products and Programs, and Vice President of Engineering. He held P&L responsibilities multiple times in his career and has proven ability to grow the business while growing bottom line concurrently.
Dan’s early career started with Unisys as a Design Engineering and during his 28-year career at L3 he has continued to work in Design Engineering, Systems Engineer and then into Engineering Leadership and other leadership roles throughout the company. He has led numerous organizations including: Program Management, Business Area P&Ls, Engineering and Operations, Quality, Product Line Management, Sales and Operation Planning, Facilities, IT, Supply Chain, and Program Security.
He has been the go-to guy for solving tough problems including taking on the role of Acting President for Narda-MITEQ for four months to help clean up a business in the red, while the search for a permanent president. He also was the Acting President of CSW while the president was on special assignment.
He takes pride in helping his employees and customers achieve mission success. He served for several years on the L3 Corp Engineering Council and has always had a passion for product development and innovation. He holds several patents and finds great satisfaction in seeing the technology/products that were developed and deployed play a key role in giving our US Armed Forces the competitive advantage.
With a continued focus on Diversity and Inclusion within his organizations, he served on the L3 Corp D&I Council for just under 3 years, as well as speaking at several D&I events. He also serves on the University of Arizona’s Executive Advisory Board.
He has a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arizona and graduated number one in his class (Cumma Sum Laude). He also successfully completed the L3 Executive Leadership Development Program from the University of Pennsylvania.
He served in the US Army’s 11th Signal Brigade (Ft. Huachuca) for three years and has lived in and around the military all of his life, thus his great passion for supporting the warfighter.
Dan is a dedicated husband and father and currently lives in Salt Lake City with his wife and four children. He is active in community service, youth programs and the Boy Scouts of America. He also enjoys most outdoor activities including hiking, biking, kayaking, camping and drone photography.
A veteran of the aerospace, defense and telecommunications industries, Elissa has more than 35 years of experience in multiple disciplines involving both domestic and international Government business. She has held Director and/or Vice President positions in Business Development and Strategy at Litton, Northrop Grumman, Smith’s Industries, ITT Industries and L3 Technologies (now L3Harris). Born and raised in New Jersey, she has been a resident of California for more than 30 years. Upon moving from the Los Angeles area to San Diego in 2007, she built and coached high-performance teams and successfully lead Business Development, Program Management and Operations organizations at L3. She ultimately became President of L3’s Linkabit Division providing advanced Satellite Communication Systems and Signal Intelligence Systems worldwide. Her most recent position was L3 Technologies, Segment Vice President of Strategy, Broadband Communications Systems Segment where she supported Merger & Acquisition (M&A) activities, strategic planning and business assessment/troubleshooting.
Elissa earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Boston University and completed an Executive Leadership Development Program at the Wharton School of Business. She has a Private Pilot’s license, is an avid sailor, skier, classical pianist and is presently rediscovering golf. Her love of the ocean, outdoor activities and life in California has brought increasing awareness and concern for the present water shortage in the western part of the United States.
She is presently Semi-retired with a vocation to give back and support worthy endeavors. She is currently on the Dean’s Leadership council of UCSD Division of Physical Sciences and recently joined Water for the West’s Advisory Board.
Doug Bowen is currently a resident of Spanish Fork, Utah. He has 42 years of work experience: 10 years military ( Capt.); 32 years as an engineering leader for Government/Industry activities. 10 years as an investor in a small business and as a volunteer for several organizations.
Doug currently serves as a Director on the Water for the West Board of Directors (Sec/Treasurer) and on the Board of Directors (Sec/Treasurer) for AIS Force Association, Chapter 236. Past Chair Blackhawk District BSA. He also was recently serving as the Chair of the Spanish Fork City Utilities Board (10 years) where he gets his background in water.
For many years Doug served as the VP of Engineering for L-3 Communications Systems West. President Interlake Investment Group (2005-20014). Chief Engineer-Z-08, a classified activity supporting: SAF/SP; ASD/C3I; CIA; DIA; Rm 4D1000 Pentagon; NSA (R,S,T,W groups). This was over a career spanning 42 years.
Doug has lived in Utah for 70 years. He has traveled extensively and knows how water can affect people’s lives. Doug feels fortunate to have great people that have worked to conserve and protect our water and water rights in the state and across the West. He believes passionately that we face unique circumstances in the West that must be dealt with. He also believes that we do not have sufficient water being generated in the Intermountain area to sustain ourselves at the current projected growth rates and climate conditions. We have about 20 years to fix this condition, which is just about enough time to build the transport infrastructure we might need.
Doug also enjoys playing the piano and organ, gardening, volunteer for his church, and he cheers and supports his grandchildren and children in their lives.
Bill Banton is Currently serving as the VP of HR and Legal Council for Water for the West, he also serves as a director on the Water for the West Board of Directors. Bill has served as a global Human Resources professional and Attorney for over 25 years. Most recently Bill served as Vice President, People Business Partner, for Mastercard, Inc., where he partnered with business leadership to lead their newly created US Open Banking segment. Prior to Mastercard, he spent time in the Fintech space with Global Payments Inc., where he served as Vice President, Human Resources. Bill has led a wide range of Human Resources initiatives and held leadership roles across various industries, working at companies such as L3Harris Technologies, Ametek, Mylan, Campbell Soup, Borgwarner and Alcoa. Along with his Human Resources roles, he has maintained a general civil litigation law practice, where he is a member of the Oregon State Bar and District of Columbia Bar. Bill holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Brigham Young University and a Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Our team
In the summer of 2021 Dan together with 5 executives from L3 formed a charity called Water for the West. He serves as the CEO and Chairman for that foundation whose purpose is to solve the west’s water needs. He is passionate about bringing new sources of water to the rapidly growing western United States. He has been working with and educating legislators, government water organizations along with conservancy districts on out of the box solutions to bringing large amounts of water to the Colorado river basin and 7 western states experiencing extreme drought.
Daniel G Watt also serves as the President of a Diesel Turbo Manufacture, Diesel Power Source LLC. Together with the Owner of this small business they are working to grow the business that has great potential to move into the Semi-truck market.
He also serves as the owner and president of Dan Watt and Associate since 2021. In January of 2021 after leaving L3 Harris Technologies, he formed a consulting company named Dan Watt and Associates LLC, whose purpose is to bring solutions to clients - making businesses better, one business at a time. He has worked with private equity, and several small businesses needing to grow by building a stable business foundation as well as looking at and evaluating M&A opportunities. On top of Dan’s technical/engineering and executive leadership background, he has experience in rebuilding failing businesses by quickly identifying and executing solutions for long term profitability and growth.
Dan also served for 28 years in the aerospace and defense industry, with the last 13 years in executive leadership in roles such as Senior Vice President and Chief Operation Officer for L3Harris, Broadband Communications Sector, Senior Vice President of Plant Operations, Acting President of Narda-Miteq, Vice President of Products and Programs, and Vice President of Engineering. He held P&L responsibilities multiple times in his career and has proven ability to grow the business while growing bottom line concurrently.
Dan’s early career started with Unisys as a Design Engineering and during his 28-year career at L3 he has continued to work in Design Engineering, Systems Engineer and then into Engineering Leadership and other leadership roles throughout the company. He has led numerous organizations including: Program Management, Business Area P&Ls, Engineering and Operations, Quality, Product Line Management, Sales and Operation Planning, Facilities, IT, Supply Chain, and Program Security.
He has been the go-to guy for solving tough problems including taking on the role of Acting President for Narda-MITEQ for four months to help clean up a business in the red, while the search for a permanent president. He also was the Acting President of CSW while the president was on special assignment.
He takes pride in helping his employees and customers achieve mission success. He served for several years on the L3 Corp Engineering Council and has always had a passion for product development and innovation. He holds several patents and finds great satisfaction in seeing the technology/products that were developed and deployed play a key role in giving our US Armed Forces the competitive advantage.
With a continued focus on Diversity and Inclusion within his organizations, he served on the L3 Corp D&I Council for just under 3 years, as well as speaking at several D&I events. He also serves on the University of Arizona’s Executive Advisory Board.
He has a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arizona and graduated number one in his class (Cumma Sum Laude). He also successfully completed the L3 Executive Leadership Development Program from the University of Pennsylvania.
He served in the US Army’s 11th Signal Brigade (Ft. Huachuca) for three years and has lived in and around the military all of his life, thus his great passion for supporting the warfighter.
Dan is a dedicated husband and father and currently lives in Salt Lake City with his wife and four children. He is active in community service, youth programs and the Boy Scouts of America. He also enjoys most outdoor activities including hiking, biking, kayaking, camping and drone photography.
Bill Banton is Currently serving as the VP of HR and Legal Council for Water for the West, he also serves as a director on the Water for the West Board of Directors. Bill has served as a global Human Resources professional and Attorney for over 25 years. Most recently Bill served as Vice President, People Business Partner, for Mastercard, Inc., where he partnered with business leadership to lead their newly created US Open Banking segment. Prior to Mastercard, he spent time in the Fintech space with Global Payments Inc., where he served as Vice President, Human Resources. Bill has led a wide range of Human Resources initiatives and held leadership roles across various industries, working at companies such as L3Harris Technologies, Ametek, Mylan, Campbell Soup, Borgwarner and Alcoa. Along with his Human Resources roles, he has maintained a general civil litigation law practice, where he is a member of the Oregon State Bar and District of Columbia Bar. Bill holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Brigham Young University and a Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
A veteran of the aerospace, defense, software and telecommunications industries, Tom has more than 42 years of combined experience in research, development, production, and sustainment operations domestically and internationally. He served in multiple disciplines and roles starting as an officer in Marine Corps aviation to engineering and program management in the Defense Research and Development commands. After retiring from the Maine Corps, he served in businesses in engineering, program management and business executive disciplines involving both domestic and international business.
Tom is an accomplished business executive, entrepreneur, and technologist. Prior to retiring as the President of OTD Solutions & Services LLC, he was the Executive GM for Engility Corporation’s Software Development and Information Technology Business Unit, the Director and GM for the L-3 Communications Services Group C4ISR Services Branch Service Oriented Architecture and Cloud Software As A Service applications development, Executive Program Director for the Vought Aircraft Advance Aerostructures Division completing startup operations for their Boeing 787 production, and numerous rolls with L-3 Communications from their beginning including Project/System Engineer, Program Manager, Director of Programs, and Executive Director of Business Excellence. He also has served as the volunteer COO and Drive Chairmen for the Columbus HOPE Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, for the past 8 years.
Tom has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics specialized in Geophysics from the Colorado School of Mines, a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, is a graduate of the Defense Systems Management College in Advance Program Management and is DAWIA Level III certified in Program Management and System Engineering. As a lifelong outdoorsman in all types of terrains and climates he is very aware of the water changes and challenges being experienced by the western US and is committed to help.
