Imagine Water Works

What if we had the space to imagine

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Resource Guide Call-A-Thon

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Join us on Thursday, April 18th to update the New Orleans Resource Guide for Resistance and Renewal! Registration required.

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The Imagination Farm

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The Imagination Farm is a space where those most impacted by climate change can gather, rest, explore, imagine, and share solutions for our future.

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The Storm Zine Project: Queer/Trans Guide to Storms

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In preparation for hurricane season, we wrote (and drew, painted, recorded, cooked, photographed) “love notes” to this place and to our LGBTQ community. “A Queer/Trans Guide to Storms” is a new take on disaster preparedness for those who are often left behind.

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FINAL REPORT: July Supply 2023

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FINAL REPORT: In partnership with Culture Aid NOLA, we organized 4 events that served 5,248 individuals and 1,422 families with 28,470 pounds of food and a variety of hurricane preparedness and relief supplies and information.

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Chenier “Klie” Kliebert of New Orleans, LA – Imagine Water Works Announced as New Obama Foundation United States Leader

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: New Orleans – Today, Imagine Water Works announced that Chenier “Klie” Kliebert is among the first cohort of 100 emerging changemakers selected to participate in the Obama Foundation’s Leaders USA program.

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Lista para la Temporada de Huracanes 2023

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Esta Lista debería ayudarle a cubrir lo más básico para la Temporada de Huracanes.

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2023 Hurricane Season Guide

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2023 EDITION: The 2023 Hurricane Season Guide contains a Quick Checklist, as well as expanded sections on packing, taking care of your home, how to make evacuation decisions, and additional resources. The guide also contains special considerations for our LGBTQ community.

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Hurricane Season Checklist

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Introducing our 2023 update of the Hurricane Season Checklist: A quick and easy way to prepare for hurricane season – both now and when there’s a storm headed your way.

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The Imagination Farm Warming & Zine Launch

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You’re invited! Join us on Friday Aug 18th for an evening filled with creativity, imagination, and short films.

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RESOURCE: Well, y’all know the drill. We hope you stayed dry today, but if you didn’t… stop on by #TheImaginationFarm (2718 Painters Street) tomorrow or Friday between 10am-4pm and pick up some DampRid to help remove excess moisture from flooded cars/rooms.

We also have copies of the New Orleans Resource Guide for Resistance and Renewal available, as well as copies of “A Queer/Trans Guide to Storms” for folks who live in the New Orleans area and identify as LGBTQ.

DM us to arrange a pickup outside of the listed hours.

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RESOURCE: Well, y’all know the drill. We hope you stayed dry today, but if you didn’t… stop on by #TheImaginationFarm (2718 Painters Street) tomorrow or Friday between 10am-4pm and pick up some DampRid to help remove excess moisture from flooded cars/rooms. We also have copies of the New Orleans Resource Guide for Resistance and Renewal available, as well as copies of “A Queer/Trans Guide to Storms” for folks who live in the New Orleans area and identify as LGBTQ. DM us to arrange a pickup outside of the listed hours.

Community farm table refresh! Today we have more satsumas, a few more filled 5-gallon water jugs, boxes of Damprid, and canned water (all free and yes it’s for you). There are lots of potholes around us — we recommend stopping by in the day time.

If you scoop the last of something, please DM to let us know!

We will also be distributing DampRid to a few Little Libraries today, those will be in our stories as the drops happen. We know DampRid is pricey and most of us are struggling — if your car flooded this weekend, please drop by #TheImaginationFarm or a Little Library to grab some for you and your neighbors.

2718 Painters Street

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Community farm table refresh! Today we have more satsumas, a few more filled 5-gallon water jugs, boxes of Damprid, and canned water (all free and yes it’s for you). There are lots of potholes around us — we recommend stopping by in the day time. If you scoop the last of something, please DM to let us know! We will also be distributing DampRid to a few Little Libraries today, those will be in our stories as the drops happen. We know DampRid is pricey and most of us are struggling — if your car flooded this weekend, please drop by #TheImaginationFarm or a Little Library to grab some for you and your neighbors. 2718 Painters Street

PODCAST: If you’ve been to New Orleans, you’ve no doubt been asked “How ya doin’” by nearly everyone in the neighborhood. Part culture, part survival tactic — we know we’re stronger together, especially when a storm comes.

IWW’s Co-Founder and Executive Director Chenier “Klie” Kliebert joined Climate One Podcast with Tanya Gulliver Garcia (@funds4disaster), Amee Raval (@apen4ej), Justin Hollander (@tuftsuniversity), and Reverend Vernon K. Walker (@cleanh2oaction) to discuss the value of knowing your neighbors during a crisis.

The episode is now available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and will be broadcast on NPR stations across the country.

Episode Summary:
Disasters caused by burning fossil fuels are becoming more frequent, and in the aftermath of hurricanes, floods and wildfires, federal and state responses are often slow or insufficient. There is a growing body of research showing that neighborhood ties can be the difference between life and death: Socially connected neighbors are less likely to die from excessive heat or other extreme weather events. Community-based action, like mutual aid, can bring resources to people overlooked by overburdened governments. What tools can a community use to prepare for fossil fueled disasters?

Link in bio: https://www.climateone.org/audio/community-resilience-knowing-your-neighbor-could-save-your-life

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PODCAST: If you’ve been to New Orleans, you’ve no doubt been asked “How ya doin’” by nearly everyone in the neighborhood. Part culture, part survival tactic — we know we’re stronger together, especially when a storm comes. IWW’s Co-Founder and Executive Director Chenier “Klie” Kliebert joined Climate One Podcast with Tanya Gulliver Garcia (@funds4disaster), Amee Raval (@apen4ej), Justin Hollander (@tuftsuniversity), and Reverend Vernon K. Walker (@cleanh2oaction) to discuss the value of knowing your neighbors during a crisis. The episode is now available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and will be broadcast on NPR stations across the country. Episode Summary: Disasters caused by burning fossil fuels are becoming more frequent, and in the aftermath of hurricanes, floods and wildfires, federal and state responses are often slow or insufficient. There is a growing body of research showing that neighborhood ties can be the difference between life and death: Socially connected neighbors are less likely to die from excessive heat or other extreme weather events. Community-based action, like mutual aid, can bring resources to people overlooked by overburdened governments. What tools can a community use to prepare for fossil fueled disasters? Link in bio: https://www.climateone.org/audio/community-resilience-knowing-your-neighbor-could-save-your-life

SALTWATER WEDGE OF UNCERTAINTY INFO: Hello again! This week`s update has brought more good news. Here is what we know... The saltwater wedge has actually retreated by about 5 miles. You may see folks talking about a "toe" now, too, so we want to explain what that is.

First, the reason the saltwater wedge is called a "wedge" is because salt is heavy and sinks to the bottom of the river – this creates a wedge shape that looks kind of like a door stopper that you`d use to, well, keep a regular door open. The "toe" is the part at the very bottom – the pointy part of the door stopper. On these predictions, the dates listed are the timelines for the *toe* to reach a location... but the intakes for our water supply are actually closer to the top of the water, nowhere near the toe. So the water supply isn`t necessarily impacted when the toe gets there – the salt still has to travel several more miles for the top of that wedge/door stopper of salt to hit the higher-up intakes for our water supply.

The timeline is extended for several reasons. One, river science. There is a large depression in the river that has been filling up with salt (remember it sinks!), keeping it from moving forward. This was not accounted for in the original projections. Two, the sill you`ve heard folks talking about has also slowed it down. And three, weather! Meaning, the river is higher/flowing more than meteorologists predicted a month ago. It is very normal for weather forecasts to update over time, especially when they are trying to predict a month in advance.

At this time, we are recommending folks to consider some of the fears that you have had for Orleans Parish (who will see no or very low impacts) and redirect those as support for our neighbors down in Plaquemines.

As Imagine Water Works, we are continuing to strategize with others who are offering support downriver.

Take care everyone ❤️💧

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SALTWATER WEDGE OF UNCERTAINTY INFO: Hello again! This week's update has brought more good news. Here is what we know... The saltwater wedge has actually retreated by about 5 miles. You may see folks talking about a "toe" now, too, so we want to explain what that is. First, the reason the saltwater wedge is called a "wedge" is because salt is heavy and sinks to the bottom of the river – this creates a wedge shape that looks kind of like a door stopper that you'd use to, well, keep a regular door open. The "toe" is the part at the very bottom – the pointy part of the door stopper. On these predictions, the dates listed are the timelines for the *toe* to reach a location... but the intakes for our water supply are actually closer to the top of the water, nowhere near the toe. So the water supply isn't necessarily impacted when the toe gets there – the salt still has to travel several more miles for the top of that wedge/door stopper of salt to hit the higher-up intakes for our water supply. The timeline is extended for several reasons. One, river science. There is a large depression in the river that has been filling up with salt (remember it sinks!), keeping it from moving forward. This was not accounted for in the original projections. Two, the sill you've heard folks talking about has also slowed it down. And three, weather! Meaning, the river is higher/flowing more than meteorologists predicted a month ago. It is very normal for weather forecasts to update over time, especially when they are trying to predict a month in advance. At this time, we are recommending folks to consider some of the fears that you have had for Orleans Parish (who will see no or very low impacts) and redirect those as support for our neighbors down in Plaquemines. As Imagine Water Works, we are continuing to strategize with others who are offering support downriver. Take care everyone ❤️💧

Thank you WDSU! We received our first batch of 5-gallon jugs today and will be distributing them beginning next week to organizations and individuals who have partnered with us to lead their own distributions, as well as to those who will be most impacted by the saltwater wedge.

*Please note updated predictions with the East Bank of New Orleans being considerably less likely to face impacts, while the West Bank may need support, as well as Plaquemines needing ongoing support. We are coordinating with folks from all of these areas.

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Thank you WDSU! We received our first batch of 5-gallon jugs today and will be distributing them beginning next week to organizations and individuals who have partnered with us to lead their own distributions, as well as to those who will be most impacted by the saltwater wedge. *Please note updated predictions with the East Bank of New Orleans being considerably less likely to face impacts, while the West Bank may need support, as well as Plaquemines needing ongoing support. We are coordinating with folks from all of these areas.

INFO, MUTUAL AID, AND CALL FOR SPONSORS: Hi friends, we have been keeping an eye on the saltwater wedge. And as always, we promise to share resources and reliable, relevant information as we receive it. As you all know, currently not much of it is reliable. We will remain honest about what we do know and what we don’t know.

We don’t know how long the wedge will last. We don’t know how much trust can be placed in some of the preventative measures being proposed. We don’t know what resources will exist until we are able to see them for ourselves.

We do know that it can be scary to not know what exactly is happening! We do know that we have built communities of support over years and generations. We are New Orleanians. We`ll respond. We`ll get creative. We`ll help each other. Mutual aid never ends.

We know some other things, too. The water is as fine as it ever is for us in Orleans Parish right now. This is not a nationwide shortage like COVID toilet paper – it’s local. Stores have been informed and are increasing their water stock. In the meantime, please consider not panic buying bottled water, which creates a shortage for those who actually need it. We’ll be sharing more info in the days to come.

To SUPPORT our neighbors right now, we’re ordering 5-gallon reusable jugs for people to fill ahead of the wedge and again later as needed. They come with a spigot, are cubes so they`re stackable, and are BPA free and food grade. We hope folks use them to help get through the wedge and reduce plastic, but also keep them for hurricane prep in the future.

Our REQUEST is for sponsors and partners. If your organization or business would like to sponsor however many jugs you can and send us your logo, we will put your logo on them and handle distribution.

Our OFFER is if you`re affiliated with a group or organization that would like to join our bulk order to cut costs and save time, and then reimburse us and distribute or use the jugs on your own autonomously, let us know! We are not interested in "owning" the effort. We want as many people to get support as possible.

To sponsor, ask questions, or get more details, email klie@imaginewaterworks.org.

One day at a time!

Open
INFO, MUTUAL AID, AND CALL FOR SPONSORS: Hi friends, we have been keeping an eye on the saltwater wedge. And as always, we promise to share resources and reliable, relevant information as we receive it. As you all know, currently not much of it is reliable. We will remain honest about what we do know and what we don’t know. We don’t know how long the wedge will last. We don’t know how much trust can be placed in some of the preventative measures being proposed. We don’t know what resources will exist until we are able to see them for ourselves. We do know that it can be scary to not know what exactly is happening! We do know that we have built communities of support over years and generations. We are New Orleanians. We'll respond. We'll get creative. We'll help each other. Mutual aid never ends. We know some other things, too. The water is as fine as it ever is for us in Orleans Parish right now. This is not a nationwide shortage like COVID toilet paper – it’s local. Stores have been informed and are increasing their water stock. In the meantime, please consider not panic buying bottled water, which creates a shortage for those who actually need it. We’ll be sharing more info in the days to come. To SUPPORT our neighbors right now, we’re ordering 5-gallon reusable jugs for people to fill ahead of the wedge and again later as needed. They come with a spigot, are cubes so they're stackable, and are BPA free and food grade. We hope folks use them to help get through the wedge and reduce plastic, but also keep them for hurricane prep in the future. Our REQUEST is for sponsors and partners. If your organization or business would like to sponsor however many jugs you can and send us your logo, we will put your logo on them and handle distribution. Our OFFER is if you're affiliated with a group or organization that would like to join our bulk order to cut costs and save time, and then reimburse us and distribute or use the jugs on your own autonomously, let us know! We are not interested in "owning" the effort. We want as many people to get support as possible. To sponsor, ask questions, or get more details, email klie@imaginewaterworks.org. One day at a time!

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS (8/12): We`re excited to be partnering with @operationrestorationtheor this Saturday on a Storm Prep event in Vacherie (St. James Parish). We`ll be distributing tarps, battery packs, DampRid, preparedness information, and more. These are substantial Hurricane Prep Kits, intentionally built for a household. Folks in and around Vacherie can RSVP to reserve a kit at bit.ly/prepvacherie.

We also need volunteers!
Please DM us if you can sign up for a shift or two:
🔸Volunteer Shift 1 – At the IWW Farm (New Orleans) from 11:30-2pm: We need several people who can lift things and help load the truck.
🔸Volunteer Shift 2 – At the church (Vacherie) from 3:30 to 5:30pm: We need folks who can lift things to unload the Uhaul and assemble kits.
🔸Volunteer Shift 3 – At the church (Vacherie) from 5:30 to 8:00pm: Volunteers needed to welcome folks at the door, sign them in, pass out kits, and generally bring good vibes.

For folks in New Orleans, this is a unique opportunity to help our neighbors in the River Parishes *before* a storm hits. And if you volunteer for Shift 1, you also get to come see #TheImaginationFarm in action!

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CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS (8/12): We're excited to be partnering with @operationrestorationtheor this Saturday on a Storm Prep event in Vacherie (St. James Parish). We'll be distributing tarps, battery packs, DampRid, preparedness information, and more. These are substantial Hurricane Prep Kits, intentionally built for a household. Folks in and around Vacherie can RSVP to reserve a kit at bit.ly/prepvacherie. We also need volunteers! Please DM us if you can sign up for a shift or two: 🔸Volunteer Shift 1 – At the IWW Farm (New Orleans) from 11:30-2pm: We need several people who can lift things and help load the truck. 🔸Volunteer Shift 2 – At the church (Vacherie) from 3:30 to 5:30pm: We need folks who can lift things to unload the Uhaul and assemble kits. 🔸Volunteer Shift 3 – At the church (Vacherie) from 5:30 to 8:00pm: Volunteers needed to welcome folks at the door, sign them in, pass out kits, and generally bring good vibes. For folks in New Orleans, this is a unique opportunity to help our neighbors in the River Parishes *before* a storm hits. And if you volunteer for Shift 1, you also get to come see #TheImaginationFarm in action!