Water Values Podcast: Recent Episodes
Dave McGimpsey
The Water Values Podcast series is presented in collaboration with Bluefield Research. This podcast series explores water issues from a variety of perspectives with the goal of uncovering the true value of water. Each episode will delve into one aspect of water, such as water utilities, water treatment, water resources, water reuse, and more.
Biosolids are an unavoidable byproduct of wastewater treatment, and U.S. utilities are facing increasing challenges managing them amid tightening landfill capacity, rising hauling costs, and growing concerns about contaminants like PFAS. With 6.3 million dry metric tons produced every year, biosolids are becoming one of the fastest-growing operating expenses for wastewater utilities. In this episode… Continue reading From Landfill Capacity to PFAS: The Pressures Reshaping Biosolids Management
In this episode, host Reese Tisdale is joined by Bluefield analyst Megan Bondar to unpack the pressures and opportunities shaping water reuse—a cornerstone of resilient water supply planning that’s gaining momentum across the U.S. Bluefield’s latest analysis projects US$47.1 billion in CAPEX for municipal reuse infrastructure through 2035, highlighting a shift in how utilities and… Continue reading Is Water Reuse Going Mainstream?
Hiep Le, CEO of The Turing AI Corporation, addresses digital solutions for water utilities and industrial facilities. Plus, Reese Tisdale gives us the lowdown on the biggest water news of October: the American Water–Essential Utilities merger. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You!… Continue reading Advancing Digital Solutions with Turing CEO Hiep Le
Water systems—once considered too small or obscure to be hacked—are now squarely in the crosshairs of cyber actors. In recent months, Bluefield Research has tracked a surge of cyber activity targeting water and wastewater utilities around the world, from the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) release of 32 new control system advisories to… Continue reading What’s at Stake When Cyber Threats Target Water Infrastructure?
Joe Whitworth, The Freshwater Trust’s President and CEO, provides a phenomenal interview on the power of automation and data to achieve better environmental outcomes. Through quantified conservation, The Freshwater Trust delivers better, faster, and cheaper environmental outcomes. Plus, Reese Tisdale recaps UN Climate Week and Sciens Water’s Rethinking Water 2025 event. In this session, you’ll… Continue reading How Quantified Conservation Works with The Freshwater Trust’s Joe Whitworth
Today’s episode dives into one of the most critical—yet often overlooked—pieces of the U.S. energy and water puzzle: midstream water in oil and gas. Host Reese Tisdale is joined by Sophie Washington, Senior Analyst at Bluefield Research, who recently authored Bluefield’s new Insight Report: U.S. Midstream Water for Hydraulic Fracturing: Market Trends, Opportunities, and Forecasts,… Continue reading How Did Midstream Water Become a US$26 Billion-a-Year Business?
Abu Dhabi’s TAQA is acquiring Spain-based GS Inima for US$1.2 billion, creating one of the most interesting moves in the global water sector this year. TAQA has long been known as a power and desalination leader in the Gulf, while GS Inima brings decades of experience managing water projects across Europe and Latin America. Together,… Continue reading TAQA’s US$1.2 Billion Move: What Does GS Inima Bring to the Global Water Market?
Bluefield Senior Analyst Charlie Suse joins host Reese Tisdale to unpack Bluefield’s latest analysis of municipal utility capital improvement plans (CIPs) across the U.S. and Canada. Covering 777 utilities across all 50 U.S. states and 8 Canadian provinces, the study captures over US$400 billion in planned investment through 2034. With five years of data (2021–2025)… Continue reading What Do 2025 Capital Improvement Plans Reveal About Water Utility Spending?
Alon Tavor, CEO of IDE Technologies Group, provides a deep dive into desalination and provides valuable insights on water use. In this episode, Reese Tisdale also returns with a Bluefield on Tap segment, breaking down Bluefield’s latest analysis of capital improvement plans and CAPEX spending trends across water and wastewater utilities. In this session, you’ll… Continue reading Sustainable Desalination with IDE Technologies CEO Alon Tavor
This week, podcast host Reese Tisdale takes the mic solo to ask a question that’s been bothering him: Why does no one care about water? Reese steps away from the usual market forecasts and company strategies to dig into the bigger picture—the hidden value of water, the cracks showing in our systems, and why the… Continue reading Why Don’t We Care About Water?
Patrick Williamson, a Principal Hydrogeochemist with INTERA, provides a phenomenal discussion on the interrelationship between water and mining. Patrick deftly addresses a range of water issues present in mining. Plus, Reese Tisdale addresses the Rethinking Water conference and the role of private capital in the water sector in this month’s Bluefield on Tap segment. In… Continue reading Water Use in Mining with INTERA’s Patrick Williamson
In this episode, Reese Tisdale is joined by Bluefield’s Senior Research Director Eric Bindler to break down the essential role of Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) in guiding water utility infrastructure investments. As part of an annual Bluefield tradition, our analysis of nearly 800 CIPs across the U.S. and Canada reveals insights into how water utilities… Continue reading Show Me the Money: Where Are Utilities Investing in Water?
Brian King, the Executive Vice President of Marketing, Product Management and Sustainability for Advanced Drainage Systems provides a tour de force interview explaining stormwater in a way you’ve probably never heard before. Plus, Reese Tisdale returns for a Bluefield on Tap segment discussing how the outcome of the 2024 Presidential Election might impact the water… Continue reading Why Stormwater Deserves More Attention with ADS’s Brian King
The U.K.’s water sector is facing a critical juncture in preparation for the upcoming AMP8 investment cycle. This cycle sets the financial agenda for the world’s most privatized water market, with a proposed £104.6 billion investment. Episode 101 features host Reese Tisdale with Bluefield Senior Research Director Chloé Meyer. In this episode, they discuss the… Continue reading Uncharted Waters: Are U.K. Utilities Ready for the AMP8 Investment Cycle?
David Mussington, Executive Assistant Director for Infrastructure Security at the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), gives a phenomenal interview covering cybersecurity issues relevant to water and wastewater utilities (and other critical infrastructure sectors, too!), including identifying resources, aid, and funding opportunities for water and wastewater utilities. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if…
Doug Hatler comes on for his second appearance on The Water Values Podcast. Doug provides an impassioned interview on PFAS and the need to eradicate it, along with identifying levers to achieve eradication. Plus, Reese Tisdale discusses the California water conservation mandate on our Bluefield on Tap segment. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources… Continue reading PFAS Eradication with Doug Hatler
Four years after the launch of The Future of Water podcast, milestone episode #100 has arrived! In this episode, podcast host Reese Tisdale is joined by VP & Managing Director Keith Hays as they reflect on the evolution of the water sector and look ahead to its future. Reese and Keith begin by reflecting on… Continue reading From Milestones to Predictions: What’s Next for the Future of Water?
With the 2024 U.S. presidential election on the horizon and U.S. President Joe Biden announcing his exit from the race, the political landscape is heating up. In this episode of The Future of Water, Podcast Host Reese Tisdale speaks with Senior Research Director Greg Goodwin, diving into Bluefield’s new white paper, “2024 U.S. Elections: Implications… Continue reading How Will the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election Shape the Future of Water Management?
Bluefield water experts recently presented a private water client webcast in collaboration with the National Association of Water Companies, From PFAS to Consolidation: Key Water Market Developments Impacting Utility Strategies. In this special mailbag episode, podcast host Reese Tisdale and Senior Analyst Charlie Suse answer industry questions received from this webcast, providing in-depth insights into… Continue reading Answering Ten Burning Questions about the Private Water Industry
Interest in the stormwater management market is on the rise, driven by urgent environmental challenges and infrastructure needs. Reese Tisdale is joined by Senior Research Director Eric Bindler to unpack Bluefield’s latest stormwater infrastructure report. In this discussion, they dive into the nuances of stormwater management, exploring its impact across municipal water systems, transportation networks,… Continue reading What’s Driving Rapid Growth in U.S. Stormwater Management?
Jonathan Haswell, Chief Business Officer at OceanWell, delivers a fascinating discussion on OceanWell’s first of a kind approach to desalination. Jonathan discusses the advantages of the “water farms” OceanWell seeks to deploy, including the significant environmental and energy benefits in this can’t miss interview. Plus, Reese Tisdale returns before our summer hiatus for a Bluefield on Tap segment, covering the recent announcement of DuPont splitting into three companies. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The…
INTERA’s Western Water Resources Lead David Jordan provides a terrific look at the nuts and bolts of long-range water planning, including a discussion about how it has evolved over time, the impact of technology on planning, a success story, and much more. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant… Continue reading Long-Range Water Planning with INTERA’s David Jordan
Snehal Desai, Xylem’s Senior Vice President and Chief Growth and Innovation Officer, joins us for a phenomenal discussion about PFAS. Snehal addresses the EPA’s recently promulgated PFAS rule and dives into present treatment options, including several PFAS treatment success stories, and where PFAS treatment technology is headed. Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to… Continue reading The PFAS Rule and Solving the PFAS Challenge with Xylem’s Snehal Desai
Water rock star Alaina Harkness, Executive Director of Current and CEO/Principal Investigator of Great Lakes ReNew, provides a phenomenal look at water’s place in economic development, building regional partnerships, and so much more. Plus, Reese Tisdale discusses hydrogen in this month’s Bluefield on Tap segment. Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget…
Bluefield’s latest remediation forecast for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) has surged to US$13.5 billion by 2030 in the wake of anticipated maximum contamination limits (MCLs) for drinking water and a significant legal settlement involving 3M in South Carolina. Now, with the EPA confirming these unprecedented contaminant limits, a fresh wave of discussions emerge, touching… Continue reading Regulating PFAS in Drinking Water: Who Will Bear the Burden?
Growing up, I always sensed that my father was deeply involved in a significant legal case, although my understanding of it was limited as I was less than 5 years old at the time. It wasn’t until much later in life, when I attended an American Bar Association Water Law Conference, that I truly grasped the importance of the Boldt Decision. Now, as this pivotal ruling marks its 50th anniversary, I felt compelled to capture my father’s thoughts on the case. Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You! Thanks to each of you for…
WWF’s Allen Townsend provides an illuminating discussion on Science Based Targets and corporate water stewardship. Allen explains current guidance status, the entities involved, and where science based targets for nature and corporate water stewardship are headed. Plus, Reese Tisdale updates us on IIJA funding status during this month’s Bluefield on Tap segment. Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you…
Ten years ago, Matthew Klein was the first ever guest of The Water Values Podcast. Matt, now CEO and Chief Futurist at Aqualaurus Group, returns to discuss the discipline of strategic foresight and how it can benefit the water industry. Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about…
Today’s podcast episode features Greg Pierce, Professor of Urban Planning at UCLA, Research and Co-Executive Director at UCLA’s Luskin Center for Innovation, Director of UCLA’s Water Resource Lab, and Director of UCLA’s Human Right Water Lab. During this conversation, Greg addresses water equity issues affecting mobile home parks, emphasizing the importance for anyone concerned about small systems to also prioritize the issues faced by these communities, i.e., mobile home park water systems. Plus, Reese Tisdale makes an appearance to discuss Eversource’s decision to divest Aquarion on this month’s Bluefield on Tap segment. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and…
Dave’s law partner at Dentons, Kyle Miller, is a cybersecurity and data privacy lawyer who provides a tremendous discussion on a wide range of cybersecurity issues for water utilities. Water utilities (and all critical infrastructure providers) will find Kyle’s in-depth knowledge and experience on cybersecurity and data privacy issues well worth the time investment. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water…
Eastern Municipal Water District (Eastern) General Manager, Joe Mouawad, provides a fantastic discussion of Eastern’s Purified Groundwater Replenishment Program and its attendant benefits, as well as a discussion about water usage and water efficiency in Eastern’s service area. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to…
Art Umble, Director of the Stantec Institute for Applied Science, Technology & Policy, provides a fascinating discussion identifying the key megatrends impacting water and exploring the issues driving those megatrends. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate, review and subscribe to The Water Values Podcast on Apple Podcasts if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and…
Seth Johnstone, the Client Engagement Leader for Water Utility Digital Solutions at 1898 & Co., provides a fresh perspective on digital transformation at water utilities. Seth crushes this interview, and no matter how much you think you know about digital transformation, you will learn from taking a listen to Seth. Plus, Reese Tisdale kicks off another year of Bluefield on Tap with a Top 5 issues list. See if your issues list matches Reese’s list. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You! Thanks to each of you for…
An all-star panel of water leaders participate in a roundtable discussion about what happened in the year that was 2023, and provide insights on what 2024 might hold for the water sector. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast…
Host of the PBS series Wild Rivers with Tillie, Tillie Walton, relates her love for water, time “on the river” and water’s restorative powers. So sit back, relax, and learn about the role water can play, making your life and world better. Plus, Reese Tisdale joins us for another Bluefield on Tap segment. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values…
Tacoma Zach, Co-founder and CEO of MentorAPM, delves into the problem of prioritization for utilities. Tacoma provides an insightful look at ways utilities can efficiently prioritize their asset management programs and their business organizations. Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You!Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t…
David Lynch, CEO & Co-founder of Klir, provides an absolutely fabulous interview discussing how utilities manage data and AI applications, as well as delivering some key insights for holistically handling data, AI and the myriad changes that utilities face every day. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You!Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t…
Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) Global Lead for Water Sustainability, Will Hewes, provides an insightful look at AWS’s approach to water and discusses AWS’s Water Positive program that strives to return more water than it uses to the communities in which it does business, by 2030. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You!Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done…
Tom Ricciardi, Vice President of Business Operations at Capture6, discusses its fascinating technology that removes and sequesters carbon while simultaneously producing fresh water. Tom provides details on the process, carbon credits, and much more in this wide ranging interview. Plus, Reese Tisdale joins us for another Bluefield on Tap segment. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You!Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and…
Sai Allavarpu, Xylem’s Chief Digital Officer, shares his vast knowledge of how other industries have made the digital transformation and how the water sector can learn from that prior experience. Sai also elaborates on how digital solutions can solve utility challenges that analog attempts simply cannot solve and much, much more. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on…
Energy Recovery, Inc.’s Senior Vice President of Water, Rodney Clemente shares how using energy recovery technologies, the water sector saves energy, becomes more sustainable and delivers water at a more affordable price. Plus, Reese Tisdale joins us for another Bluefield on Tap segment discussing the recent New York Times feature on groundwater depletion in the… Continue reading Energy Recovery’s Water Story with Rodney Clemente
Retired Denver Water CEO Jim Lochhead reflects back on his career(s) in water. In this wide-ranging interview, Jim discusses the challenges on the Colorado River, good leadership and its attributes, how a water leader’s role has changed over the years, and much more. Don’t miss out on Jim’s fantastic insights! In this session, you’ll learn… Continue reading An Exit Interview with Retired Denver Water CEO Jim Lochhead
RCAP CEO Olga Morales-Pate discusses RCAP’s mission serving rural communities, highlights the needs and challenges of small rural communities and utility systems, and provides insightful commentary on how projects in small, rural communities achieve success and sustainability. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank… Continue reading Fulfilling RCAP’s Mission with CEO Olga Morales Pate
Ajay Kasarabada, Associate Vice President and Director of Environmental Solutions for Black & Veatch, provides a brilliant discussion on the issue of water’s role in decarbonization and net zero. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening… Continue reading Water’s Role in Decarbonization with Ajay Kasarabada
Shannon Quinn, Global Water Stewardship Leader, and Elizabeth Kinney, Senior Communications and Sustainability Director, of Procter & Gamble provide an in-depth discussion P&G’s vision for a water positive future. They also discuss how companies can enhance their impact on water citing examples of P&G’s own water programs and partnerships. Plus, Reese Tisdale gives us a… Continue reading P&G’s Water Positive Future with Shannon Quinn and Elizabeth Kinney
Nick Dyner, CEO of Moleaer, takes us on an amazing journey into nanobubble technology – what it is, what it does and how it improves water efficiency, water quality, water processes and much more. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You!Thanks to each…
Will Pickering, the CEO of the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority, provides a master class in utility leadership covering a wide range of issues from capital programs to the art of building trust with your customers. Plus, Reese Tisdale joins us for a Bluefield on Tap segment discussing some interesting economic information in the water…
Dr. Spencer Taintor, Head of School for St. Mark’s Episcopal School and Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, fills us in on Sea Lab and the awesome programming it provides, as well as an inspirational message of hope about water quality. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this…
Financial journalist and The Water Values Podcast veteran guest, Antony Currie, returns to discuss the water issue in the context of green hydrogen. Antony delivers a fantastic interview and highlights that green hydrogen developers need to pay more attention to water. Plus, Reese Tisdale joins our Bluefield on Tap segment to discuss a significant development…
In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t…
The one and only Pat Mulroy provides a stark reality check and status update on the state of the Colorado River negotiations. And Reese Tisdale from Bluefield Research provides his observations on several recent P3 announcements in the water space. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this…
Wayne Griffith, now the Acting Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of DC Water, Ben Grumbles, the Executive Director of Environmental Council of the States, Christine Boyle, Vice President of Business Incubation for Xylem, and Dave McGimpsey, water, energy and utility Partner at Dentons engage in a panel discussion surrounding water technology and its…
After a 5 year hiatus, Patricia Sinicropi, Executive Director of the Water Reuse Association, relates the exciting and substantial changes seen in the water reuse sector over the last 5 years. Plus, Reese Tisdale breaks down the Xylem agreement to acquire Evoqua in our Bluefield on Tap segment. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources…
John Richard Saylor, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University, provides a fascinating look at lakes and things you didn’t know about them. He provides examples of unique lakes around the world and offers a warning about natural resources and the human tendency to deplete them. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links…
Water rock star Adel Hagekhalil imparts a powerful vision for leadership in the water sector through the lens of his work at Metropolitan. Plus, Reese Tisdale kicks off our Bluefield on Tap segment by providing his top 5 water issues to be on the lookout for in 2023. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources…
An all-star panel of water leaders, including Alyson Watson, Tony Parrott, and Robert Puente, discuss the year that was in water and share insights and perspectives on the water sector. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
Evan Thomas, an environmental engineering professor at the University of Colorado – Boulder, details the fascinating story of Virridy and how Virridy promotes water security through remote sensing. Plus, Reese Tisdale joins us for the final Bluefield on Tap of 2022. In this session, you’ll learn about: How a bioastronautics Ph.D. became an environmental engineering…
Manny Teodoro returns to discuss his new co-authored book, The Profits of Distrust. Manny lends his keen insights and explains the tenets of the book in a clear and concise manner. His findings, all backed by substantial evidence, will definitely surprise you and should cause utility leaders to sit up and take notice. In this session,… Continue reading Inside the Profits of Distrust with Manny Teodoro
Austin Alexander, Vice President of Sustainability and Social Impact at Xylem, lays out key features of Xylem’s new report, Net Zero: The Race We All Win. Austin delves into simple ways to start on the path to net zero and enhancers to achieve net zero in the water industry. Plus, Reese Tisdale joins us for another… Continue reading Net Zero: The Race We All Win with Xylem’s Austin Alexander
MentorAPM Co-founder & CEO, Tacoma Zach, takes us on a fantastic ride covering asset management and how it helps utilities manage their most important assets. In this session, you’ll learn about: Tacoma’s work history domestically and internationally, including interesting perspectives on the impact of different governments and financial systems on project success What asset management… Continue reading Next Level Asset Management with MentorAPM Co-founder & CEO Tacoma Zach
Melissa Kelly, Staff Director and Attorney for the Center for Land, Environment, and Natural Resources at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, and Caroline Koch, Water Policy Director for WaterNow Alliance, provide an enlightening discussion on localized water infrastructure. Plus, Reese Tisdale joins us for another Bluefield on Tap segment. In this session,… Continue reading Localized Water Infrastructure with Melissa Kelly and Caroline Koch
374Water’s Marc Deshusses provides unique insights on supercritical water oxidation and its ability to destroy PFAS. Marc also discusses his early efforts to harness the power of supercritical water oxidation, overcoming technological obstacles, and the path towards commercialization. In this session, you’ll learn about: What supercritical water oxidation is What supercritical water oxidation does (hint:… Continue reading Supercritical Water Oxidation – A PFAS Solution with 374Water’s Marc Deshusses
The AWWA’s Barb Martin (Director of Engineering and Technical Services) discusses the fantastic opportunity to participate in the inaugural Transformative Water Leadership Academy. Reese Tisdale also appears for a Bluefield on Tap segment discussing the Jackson, MS, crisis and the SouthWest Water-Corix tie up. In this session, you’ll learn about: What the Transformative Water Leadership… Continue reading Calling All Future Water Leaders! with AWWA’s Barb Martin
Mae Stevens, Chair of the Water Practice at Banner Public Affairs, delivers a terrific interview discussing some of the ins and outs of Capitol Hill, unpacking the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and providing tips to ensure the water sector gets its due from Congress. In this session, you’ll learn about: Mae’s background on The…
Alexander Loucopoulos, a partner with Sciens Water, provides an overview of Sciens Water’s well-thought out market and investment strategy. Alexander also makes the case that water is a great investment and that we need more people investing in water. In this session, you’ll learn about: The story of how Alexander and Sciens Water landed in…
Dr. Stephanie Smith, Product Segment Manager for Xylem’s Laboratory Solutions for North America, presents a great opportunity for water in solving the climate crisis. Stephanie explores practical methods for the water sector to address its climate impacts and also provides her position to get water higher on the policy agenda. In this session, you’ll learn…
Emily Simonson, the Director of Strategic Partnerships of the US Water Alliance, shares findings, insights and strategies distilled from the US Water Alliance’s recent report entitled Catalyzing Community-Driven Utility Consolidations and Partnerships. Plus, Reese Tisdale joins us for another Bluefield on Tap segment discussing The Digital Water Revolution. In this session, you’ll learn about: Emily’s…
Aaron Tartakovsky, CEO & Co-founder of Epic Cleantec, provides an outstanding overview of water reuse systems, their benefits and how centralized and decentralized components of a water system support and strengthen each other. In this session, you’ll learn about: Epic Cleantech’s origin story in the onsite water reuse space The policy background driving onsite reuse…
Alan Tucker, Information Technology Program Manager with Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, provides a compelling case for collaboration in the utility technology space. In this session, you’ll learn about: Alan’s background and how he came to the water sector Alan’s thoughts on state of innovation and data usage in the water utility industry Alan’s work…
Mike Sumner, the Director of Information Technology for the Consolidated Utility District of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, provides cybersecurity basics and tips. Mike entertains with his description of the Oldsmar, Florida, water utility cyberattack and its context occurring during Super Bowl week. In this session, you’ll learn about: Mike’s background in cybersecurity in the auto and utility…
Kendall Dix, National Policy Director for the Gulf Coast Center for Law & Policy, comes on to discuss his recent article for the People’s Policy Center advocating for elimination of water rates. In this session, you’ll learn about: Kendall’s background Why Kendall wrote his article advocating for elimination of residential water rates Why residential water…
Katrina Donaghy, founder of Civic Ledger and Water Ledger and blockchain leader, comes on to discuss blockchain and how it can benefit the water sector. In this session, you’ll learn about: Katrina’s background in Australian disaster response and how it transitioned her into the utility space Katrina’s work in the “utility of the future” space…
Bryan Stubbs, the President and Executive Director of the Cleveland Water Alliance, provides a compelling case for the water tech model that embraces economic development while nestled along the shores of the Great Lakes where 21% of the world’s fresh surface water resided. In this session, you’ll learn about: Bryan’s entrepreneurial background in sustainable economic…
Iris Gonzales, Philippine Star reporter and columnist, provides an eye-opening discussion on water in the Philippines and the Manila water concessions. Iris also explains the impact of the recently enacted legislative franchises granted by the Filipino government. In this session, you’ll learn about: Iris’ coverage of water in the Philippines How the Philippines set up water utilities…
Robin Craig, the Robert C. Packard Trustee Chair in Law at USC Gould School of Law and long-time water law professor, joins us to discuss the background, arguments and holding in Mississippi v. Tennessee, and provides some insights on what the case might mean for State water policy moving forward.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- Robin’s extensive background in water law
- The factual background of Mississippi v. Tennessee
- The procedural history of Mississippi v. Tennessee
- Why Mississippi sued Tennessee and not the actual entity pumping the water
- What Mississippi’s claim was
- What the briefings revealed about the parties’ positions
- The issues the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) probed during oral arguments
- What the SCOTUS held in Mississippi v. Tennessee
- What equitable apportionment is
- How equitable apportionment interfaces and impacts compacts between the States
- How the SCOTUS’ holding might impact State compact negotiations over water rights (and potentially other natural resources)
- How the holding of Mississippi v. Tennessee might impact other conflicts among the States over groundwater
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Robin’s LinkedIn Page
- Robin’s bio on the USC Gould School of Law Faculty Page
- The Supreme Court of the United States Opinion in Mississippi v. Tennessee
- Robin’s blog post on SCOTUSblog about the case
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Christina Lundbäck provides a fascinating discussion of SurfCleaner and its applications to remove contaminants from water at wastewater treatment plants, industrial facilities, ports, harbors, and spills.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- What SurfCleaner is
- How the technology behind SurfCleaner was developed
- How SurfCleaner was developed based on the human heart
- How SurfCleaner works
- How SurfCleaner helps separate and capture floating solids
- How SurfCleaner helps remove oil and fuel from water
- How reduced emissions is a byproduct of SurfCleaner
- Why industrial applications are ideal for SurfCleaner
- Why pretreatment applications are ideal for SurfCleaner
- Why “upstream” applications are ideal for SurfCleaner
- The difficulties of using SurfCleaner in the open sea and ocean
- How SurfCleaner differs from traditional skimmers
- Christina’s SurfCleaner leave-behind message
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Christina’s LinkedIn Page
- SurfCleaner’s website
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Water industry veteran and Association of State Drinking Administrators (ASDWA) Executive Director Alan Roberson discusses the big issues facing the water sector from a state regulatory perspective. Plus, Reese Tisdale joins us for a Bluefield on Tap segment.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- What ASDWA is
- ASDWA’s membership
- The priorities in 2022 for state drinking water regulators
- Why the Lead and Copper Rule is the most complex regulation to administer
- How the Lead and Copper Rule interplays with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the service line inventory periods
- How state drinking water administrators view compliance and enforcement
- ASDWA’s perspective on PFAS
- How PFAS regulation might unfold
- How ASDWA interfaces with the U.S. EPA
- How ASDWA looks at cybersecurity for drinking water systems
- How ASDWA views the upcoming funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Alan’s LinkedIn Page
- ASDWA’s website
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
An all-star panel of water leaders participate in a roundtable discussion about what happened in the year that was 2021 and provide insights on what 2022 might hold for the water sector.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- Each panelist’s takeaways from 2021
- Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding issues
- Why the IIJA needs to be a “down payment” on our infrastructure rather than a one-time investment
- Why our panelists are worried about small and medium sized utilities
- How larger utilities can help small and medium sized utilities
- Why access to infrastructure funds need to be simplified
- How we can help our communities understand water’s role in building our communities
- How historic underinvestment in infrastructure has and is manifesting itself
- How affordability took on an even bigger role in 2021
- Innovation and the role of technology for utilities moving forward
- Our panelists’ favorite holiday traditions
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Cathy’s LinkedIn Page
- OJ’s LinkedIn Page
- Cindy’s LinkedIn Page
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Christoph Gorder, Chief Global Water Officer, blows us away with a deep dive on charity: water and its work.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- How Christoph transitioned from disaster relief to charity: water
- charity: water’s mission
- How charity: water’s unique structure helps it achieve success
- How charity: water overcame one of the unique fundraising challenges
- Why clean water helps reduce infant mortality rates, increase literacy rates and increase income
- How much it costs charity: water to implement a water project
- How charity: water uses technology
- What technology solutions charity: water deploys
- How the technology solutions benefit rural communities
- How climate change impacts the populations served by charity: water
- The steps charity: water takes to ensure its projects are resilient to climate change
- How charity: water interacts with governments where its projects are located
- How to get involved with charity: water
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Christoph’s LinkedIn Page
- charity: water’s website
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Alyson Watson, CEO of Woodard & Curran, delivers a tour de force performance explaining why the water industry needs a fresh approach to delivering services and advocating for an outcome based contracting approach focused on trust and empathy.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- Alyson’s background as a “water brat”
- Alyson’s perspective on the prevailing mode of project delivery
- Why shifting to an outcome based approach makes more sense
- How risk can be shifted to the private sector to facilitate an outcome based approach
- What needs to happen to shift to an outcome based approach
- Why trust is key to this outcome based approach
- How empathy factors into the trust equation
- How water leaders can foster outcome based contracting in their organizations
- Several case studies that demonstrate the benefits of outcome based contracting
- How outcome based approaches might have ancillary benefits, such as employee retention
- Alyson’s ideas to foster collaboration in the water industry
- How outcome based approaches and collaboration can help combat climate change
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Alyson’s LinkedIn Page
- Woodard & Curran’s website
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Cameron was a civilian employee working on a U.S. Army base before moving to a military contractor. Cameron gives a terrific interview shining a light on water issues on military installations in this U.S. Army approved interview.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- Cameron’s background
- Why water is important to the armed forces
- Water needs and use on military bases
- Cameron’s role as a civilian working on water issues for the U.S. Army
- The collaboration on water issues between the military and civilians on military installations
- Water and the impact of COVID-19 on military installations
- How the military used wastewater epidemiology to build a predictive analytics model to monitor the spread of COVID-19 on military bases
- The collaboration among the local university, the civilian water team, and the military on developing the wastewater epidemiology model
- Why wastewater epidemiology models are system specific
- Water and sustainability on military bases
- Clean water issues for field based military units
- Cameron’s thoughts on military sustainability and resilience
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Cameron’s LinkedIn Page
- Concurrent Technology Corporation’s website
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
James Eklund returns to The Water Values Podcast for a third time to provide an argument for why demand management is critical to the future of the Colorado River.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- What James has been up to since his last podcast appearance
- A brief history of the Colorado River Compact
- How the Upper Basin and Lower Basin came to be
- How climate change has impacted the Colorado River Compact
- What demand management is
- How demand management and water banking worked in the Lower Basin
- The creation of the water banking account in the Upper Basin
- Why demand management represents a viable solution for Upper Basin States
- How demand management can stem the proliferation of “buy and dry”
- Why demand management hasn’t taken off in the Upper Basin
- Why only sovereigns can “bank” water & the lawsuit behind it
- James’ thoughts on where we go from here on the Colorado River
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- James’ LinkedIn Page
- Eklund Hanlon’s website
- Saving the Colorado River: How Demand Management Can Save the Colorado River, article by James Eklund
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Alison Adams, now Chief Technology Officer at INTERA, drove innovation at Tampa Bay Water when she helped pioneered Tampa Bay Water’s digital transformation. Alison provides firsthand knowledge about how to design a program for digital transformation, how to get employee buy in, and the benefits your utility will achieve along the way. Plus Reese Tisdale joins us for another Bluefield on Tap segment.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- How Alison’s upbringing on a farm helped form her appreciation of the importance water
- How an environmental issue led to Tampa Bay Water’s need to make the digital transformation
- Why Tampa Bay Water needed to address groundwater pumping
- The Floridian aquifer system and its relation to surface water
- Tampa Bay Water’s early adoption of the digital transformation over two decades ago
- The four defined steps needed to be undertaken in a utility’s digital transformation
- How breaking down internal silos helped the digital transformation process
- How Tampa Bay Water built a decision support system
- What some of the bumps in the road were
- How to message that the technology will not replace workers and jobs but will help them do their jobs better–how to create quick wins
- How Tampa Bay Water’s digital transformation achieved its original goal–environmental recovery–and found new benefits along the way
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Press Release when Alison joined INTERA
- Press Release on Alison’s recent promotion to Chief Technical Officer at INTERA
- Tampa Bay Water’s website
- INTERA’s website
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Claudia Toussaint, General Counsel of Xylem, provides a terrific discussion of ESG issues from the perspective of a publicly traded corporation’s general counsel. In a nutshell, Claudia describes how little acorns of ESG can grow into mighty oaks when corporate boards use ESG to guide their business strategies.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- Claudia’s unique background
- What ESG is from a publicly traded company’s perspective
- Why the water sector is so central to ESG issues
- How sustainability has morphed from primarily being an environmental concept to a business and social concept
- Why an entity’s business strategy needs to align with its sustainability strategy
- The ESG issues involved in the Exxon Mobil proxy fight
- Why ESG needs to be front and center for publicly traded companies (guess what – the logic applies to all businesses!)
- Why it is critical for corporate boards to have an ESG strategy
- How ESG supports a corporation’s access to capital and lowers the cost of capital
- How ESG supports a corporation’s workforce and the corporation’s strategic direction
- How businesses measure ESG
- Why Claudia thinks the water sector can lead on ESG
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Claudia’s LinkedIn Page
- Xylem’s website
- Smart sewer technology satisfies EPA consent decree, saves city $400 million
Tom Ferguson of Imagine H2O fame and now captaining Burnt Island Ventures joins The Water Values Podcast for an engaging discussion on early stage and venture capital investing in the water sector and a big picture discussion about what the water sector needs to achieve greatness.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- Tom’s unique story for how he landed in the water sector
- Why Tom believes that deserving companies in water typically get funded, although their paths may be disparate
- Burnt Island Venture’s “broad at seed” strategy
- The due diligence Burnt Island Ventures undertakes looking for investment opportunities
- Finding the pain point to accelerate the investment horizon
- The investment lifecycle
- Why investment diversification is important
- Burnt Island Ventures’ current “Island” (you’ll need to listen to learn what this is)
- What Tom likes about water sector investing. And what he doesn’t
- Tom’s big picture thoughts on the water sector
- Why the water industry needs to start shouting from the rooftops
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Tom’s LinkedIn Page
- Burnt Island Venture’s website
- TWV #176: The Evolution of a Water Start-Up with Dana Haasz
- TWV #165: Private Equity in the Water Sector with Cimbria Capital’s Brian Iversen
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Brent Fewell of the Water Finance Exchange shares the story of why the Water Finance Exchange was established and how it aims to serve the significant need for water infrastructure funding in the market.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- What the Water Finance Exchange is
- Why the Water Finance Exchange was founded
- How the Water Finance Exchange is funded
- Brent’s view on why communities have not been proactive in seeking water infrastructure funding
- Brent’s thoughts on how the Water Finance Exchange might fit into the infrastructure bill
- Criteria for Water Finance Exchange funding
- How Water Finance Exchange aims to help build utilities of the future
- Brent’s observations on “water cooperatives”
- Why communities need to be open to change from a water funding perspective
- Brent’s thoughts on regionalization
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Brent’s LinkedIn Page
- Water Finance Exchange’s website
Jeffrey Kightlinger provides an excellent interview offering profound thoughts on the water industry that was recorded during the waning days of his 15-year tenure as the General Manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Plus, Reese Tisdale of Bluefield Research comes on for Bluefield on Tap to discuss how population shifts might impact the water sector.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- Why Jeff decided to retire from Metropolitan at this juncture
- Jeff’s perspective on what makes a good water leader
- Where the gaps in water leadership are and whether they’re being filled
- The advice Jeff received when he began his tenure at Metropolitan
- Whether Jeff heeded that advice
- How has the GM position changed during his tenure
- Jeff’s biggest surprises in dealing with water issues
- Jeff’s proudest accomplishments during his years at Metropolitan
- What Jeff wishes had worked out differently
- Jeff’s public words of advice for his successor, Adel Hagekhalil
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Jeff’s LinkedIn Page
- Jeff’s Twitter handle: @8thGenCA
- Other exit interviews: Verde Exchange (Part 1 and Part 2) and org
- TWV #133: Resiliency and Regionalism in Southern California with Metropolitan’s Jeffrey Kightlinger
- TWV #142: Los Angeles’ Approach to Infrastructure with Adel Hagekhalil
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Locus Technologies founder and CEO Neno Duplan provides a wealth of experience on water quality in the cloud. Neno began cloud-based data work before any of us knew what the cloud even was. He does a great job explaining the steps needed to undertake and the significant benefits of a cloud-based digital transformation, and much more!
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- Neno’s background and start in the nuclear sector consulting on cooling water
- Neno’s perspective on water quality data and the cloud
- The digital transformation from spreadsheets to local data bases to the cloud
- The one advantage that utilities still keeping data on spreadsheets have
- Neno’s advice on getting started with data collection and validation
- The cross-functional benefits of using cloud-based data
- The benefits of cloud-based data in regulatory reporting and strategic decision making
- What utilities can be doing now from a data collection standpoint to prepare for future regulation
- Why cloud-based and validated data aids utilities in regulatory reporting
- Where Neno thinks the future of water lies
- How blockchain fits into the water quality regulation
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Neno’s LinkedIn Page
- Locus Technologies’ website
- News Release: US EPA Establishes New Council on PFAS
- TWV #170: Digitally Enabled Utility Resilience with Xylem’s Albert Cho
- TWV #50: Advancements in Water Testing with OndaVia CEO Mark Peterman
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
James Perry of Utilis joins us to discuss Synthetic Aperture Radar and its many and varied applications in the water sector. James provides a wealth of information about how the technology developed to its cost-effective use and application in the water sector. Plus, Reese Tisdale of Bluefield Research provides more water industry insights on the California drought and how utilities are bringing climate adaptation experience learned in California to other regions of the United States.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- Jim’s background in big public companies and start-ups
- What synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is
- How SAR works
- How SAR can find the “underground signature” of water
- How SAR mapping can help identify where leaks occur in a water system
- The types of leaks SAR mapping can identify, from slow drips to large main breaks
- How SAR mapping allows system surveys to allow utilities to target problem leak areas
- Utilis’ experience as to where the infrastructure is leaking (mains, service lines, meters, hydrants, valves, etc. – the answer might surprise you)
- Additional uses for SAR like alternative supply locations, soil moisture monitoring, earthen dam monitoring, wastewater leakage, and much more
- How utilities using SAR experience a 6 month ROI
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- James’ LinkedIn Page
- Utilis’ website
- TWV #175: Climate Change Planning and Adaptation with Jim Schlaman
- TWV #139: Groundwater Depletion and Water Conflict with Jay Famiglietti
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Plutoshift CEO Prateek Joshi comes on to talk about digital transformation in the water sector. Prateek hits on a number of important and practical points in a wide-ranging discussion on data, AI, and machine learning in the water sector.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- Prateek’s background & how it influenced his arc into the water sector
- Water-intensive industries and using water data in those industries
- Prateek’s view on digital transformation
- How COVID influenced the digital transformation
- The limitations of human-based decision-making
- Common challenges for data-centric organizations
- How to drive organizational behavior change with respect to data usage
- The difference between AI and machine learning
- Data quality and verification issues
- The factors companies look for when selecting an AI system
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Prateek’s LinkedIn Page
- Plutoshift’s website
- Prateek’s website
- TWV #179: Data Enhanced Wastewater Treatment with Kando CEO Ari Goldfarb
- TWV #170: Digitally Enabled Utility Resilience with Xylem’s Albert Cho
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Water entrepreneur (and new mom) Meena Sankaran discusses data collection and usage in the water sector. She provides fascinating perspectives on everything from driving the digital transformation to common data gaps to cybersecurity. Get ready for a terrific interview from Meena!
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- Meena’s upbringing in India and its impact on her work in water today
- Meena’s view on the use of data in the water sector
- Why upcoming workforce retirements should drive the digital transformation
- Meena’s insights into managing data
- How to figure out what data is important
- Common data gaps
- The difference between qualitative and quantitative data gaps
- Getting employees to buy into the digital transformation
- Data collection and management inside the fence versus outside the fence
- Meena’s thoughts on cybersecurity in the water sector
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Meena’s LinkedIn Page
- Ketos’ website
- TWV #179: Data Enhanced Wastewater Treatment with Kando CEO Ari Goldfarb
- TWV #147: The Power of Digital Water with Cindy Wallis-Lage
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Long-time water lawyer Scott Slater discusses the Cadiz water project and touches on everything from environmental issues to water equity to efficient use of infrastructure. Take a listen to gain a unique perspective on the development of a water project and how it impacts society in general.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- Scott’s long tenure as a California water lawyer
- The background of the Cadiz water project
- What a dry lake is
- How the Cadiz project intercepts groundwater before it evaporates in dry lakes
- The history of environmental review of the Cadiz project
- How the Cadiz project achieved a zero environmental impact designation
- The current state of the opposition to the Cadiz water project
- How water development relates to economic development activities and housing
- How the Cadiz project takes advantage of existing infrastructure and land rights
- How data has played a role in developing the Cadiz project
- The impact of the Cadiz water project on the equitable distribution of water
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Scott’s LinkedIn Page
- The Cadiz Water Project’s website
- LA Times article on the Cadiz Water Project
- TWV #133: Resiliency and Regionalism in Southern California with Metropolitan’s Jeffrey Kightlinger
- TWV #073: The Coachella Valley’s Water Story with CVWD’s Board President John Powell, Jr.
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Christine Boyle returns after 5 years and discusses her journey from 2015 start-up to 2018 sale. She provides hints and valuable insights for start-ups to make it through the “valley of death” and much more. Plus, Bluefield Research’s President, Reese Tisdale, joins us for another Bluefield on Tap segment talking about President Biden’s infrastructure bill.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- Christine’s journey from start-up to sale to life inside a publicly traded company
- Why Christine made the decision to sell Valor Water to Xylem
- Practical advice for start-ups on how to build trust with clients
- Christine’s take on how digital water has changed over the last 5 years
- Where Christine thinks digital water is going
- How small- and medium-size utilities can take advantage of digital water
- Christine’s role in the technology incubator within Xylem
- Innovations Christine saw take off during the pandemic
- Christine’s view of digital water and cybersecurity
- How innovation ecosystems in start-ups and big companies compare and contrast
- The issues on Christine’s priority list for innovation going forward
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Christine’s LinkedIn Page
- Xylem’s website
- Xylem’s One Minute in Water with Christine Boyle YouTube Video
- TWV #084: Using Big Data to Improve Water Utility Revenues with Valor Water President Christine Boyle
- TWV #170: Digitally Enabled Utility Resilience with Xylem’s Albert Cho
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Patrick Regan provides a broad and deep discussion of water’s place in the power industry. This interview was recorded prior to the Texas disaster, but Patrick’s insights provide a glimpse into the role water played in Texas’ recent power issues. Take this opportunity to listen in on this important but oftentimes hidden aspect of water in our lives.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- Patrick’s 20 years of experience in the water industry and power sectors
- Patrick’s broad perspective on water’s role in the power sector
- Patrick’s thoughts on where the power sector is going
- The impact of the power sector’s direction on water
- How the power sector cleans up its process water
- Hydrogen power and its ties to and impact on water
- How the drinking water industry can benefit from the technology used in the power sector
- The importance of cross-sector collaboration in the water industry
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Patrick’s LinkedIn Page
- Evoqua Water Technologies’ website
- TWV #117: Spurring Innovation in the Water-Energy Nexus with Michael Murphy
- TWV #097: The Impact of Energy Development on Water Use with Jason Oyler
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Welcome Ramboll’s Bryan Arndt who discusses innovation in the wastewater space and details the importance of microscopy in wastewater treatment plant operations. Bryan also explains his innovation, Opseyes, that reduces microscopy reads from a 3 day turnaround time to less than 10 minutes. Plus, Reese Tisdale from Bluefield Research joins us for another Bluefield on Tap segment talking about the disaster in Texas and the three big water deals announced this week.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- Bryan’s 20 years of experience in wastewater treatment
- Why wastewater is behind the curve on innovation
- How the wastewater sector takes innovation in other sectors and applies it to wastewater
- How a medical doctor inspired Bryan’s recent innovation, Opseyes
- What microscopy is
- How microscopy assists treatment plant operators
- How Opseyes can deliver results in less than 10 minutes compared to traditional microscopy that can take up to 3 days
- Why thinking outside the box is not the best advice
- Importance of failure in developing the product
- What are the barriers to innovation in the wastewater space
- Where you can try Opseyes for free
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Bryan’s LinkedIn Page
- The Opseyes website
- Article on the Importance of Microscopes in Wastewater Treatment
- TWV #166: Challenges with and Innovations in Small Systems with Austin Thompson
- TWV #031: Accelerating Innovation in the Water Space with Chris Peacock
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Jennifer Walker, the Deputy Director for the National Wildlife Federation’s Texas Coast and Water Program, provides a terrific discussion about urban water planning through a One Water lens and focuses on the connection between One Water and healthy waterways. It’s a great listen for those interested in their community’s water resources!
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- Why urban water planning is important to protecting fish and wildlife habitat
- How a drought caused Jennifer to turn to urban water planning and One Water
- What healthy waterways are
- Why healthy waterways are important
- The four steps of a healthy waterways plan
- Samples of Healthy Waterways / One Water plans from around the country
- Jennifer’s thoughts on ensuring plans move from paper to implementation
- Why water planning is so important for communities and fish & wildlife habitat
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Jennifer’s LinkedIn Page
- National Wildlife Federation’s website
- Article on the Ensuring One Water Delivers for Healthy Waterways report
- The Ensuring One Water Delivers for Healthy Waterways report
- TWV #152: Urban Water Systems and Sustainable Water Management with Newsha Ajami
- TWV #142: Los Angeles’ Approach to Infrastructure with Adel Hagekhalil
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Clara Nagy McBane provides a top shelf interview discussing SOURCE’s distributed water solution. Clara does a terrific job describing SOURCE’s technology in an accessible way for the non-technical among us. Plus, Reese Tisdale provides an update on the Biden administration’s action on the lead and copper rule on our Bluefield on Tap segment. Take a listen!
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- The genesis of SOURCE
- The distributed water solution offered by SOURCE
- How SOURCE panels produce water out of thin air + sunlight
- How SOURCE panels produce clean, potable water
- Why SOURCE’s distributed water solution makes sense
- The geographic regions where SOURCE panels are being deployed
- Whether air quality affects the water quality produced by SOURCE panels
- Clara’s thoughts on innovation in the water space
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Clara’s LinkedIn Page
- SOURCE’s website
- TWV #178: “Excelerating” Innovation with Kim Baker
- TWV #082: A Distributed Water Solution with Ambient Water CEO Keith White
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
LatAm water veteran Shimon Constante provides great insights into the LatAm water markets, their history, and how they developed. Shimon also focuses on and explains the recent Brazilian water legislation and the opportunities it presents for investors. Tune in to hear a fascinating discussion of LatAm water!
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- Broad overview of the LatAm water markets
- The unique characteristics of the public versus private debate in LatAm
- Why infrastructure coverage in LatAm is relatively low
- Shimon’s perspective on how the legacy of Simon Bolivar impacts the LatAm water sector
- Shimon’s insights into the Brazilian water market
- The recent Brazilian water legislation and the opportunity it presents
- How the Brazilian water legislation allows aggregation (and what Shimon expects aggregation means) for privatization opportunities
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Shimon’s LinkedIn Page
- Shimon Constante’s website
- TWV #085: Water Conflict in Mexico with Raul Pacheco-Vega
- TWV #108: Paleohydrology and What It Can Teach Us with Ken Wright, P.E.
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Sam Schatz of AeroFarms pulls back the curtain on water use in vertical farming. Sam discusses water quality issues, filtration, conservation, and crop water intensity, among other issues. Sam also delves into other considerations in vertical farming, including energy and other factors.
Plus, Reese Tisdale from Bluefield Research provides his look back at water in 2020 and a peek ahead at the water sector in 2021 in our Bluefield on Tap segment.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- What vertical farming is
- Water use in vertical farming
- Water quality issues and filtration in vertical farming
- Water intensity of certain crops
- The crops that vertical farming can grow
- Why vertical farming saves water by not requiring triple washing
- How energy and water intertwine in vertical farming
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- Sam’s LinkedIn Page
- AeroFarms’ website
- TWV #123: Plunging into Virtual Water with Jenny Kehl
- TWV #109: A Different Approach to Ag Water and Soil Health
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
An all-star panel of water experts discusses what happened with water in 2020 and provides a glimpse into what they expect 2021 will look like. Cathy Bailey, Executive Director of the Greater Cincinnati Department of Waterworks, Al Cho, Vice President and General Manager at Xylem, and Debra Coy, Executive in Residence at XPV Water Partners, collaborate to provide you with their insights into the water industry.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- The panel’s insights into how COVID really impacted the water sector
- How lessons from the last recession played into how utilities dealt with COVID and the financial dip early on in 2020
- How the pandemic affected water equity
- Thoughts on regionalism, collaboration, and consolidation
- A look at what the water landscape might look like under the Biden Administration, including regulations and potential for water investments
- And of course, in keeping with tradition, find out what movies our panelists are going to watch this holiday season!
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
- TWV #160: The Year in Water 2019 with Jeff Kightlinger, Sielen Namdar and Reese Tisdale
- TWV #170: Digitally Enabled Utility Resilience with Xylem’s Albert Cho
- TWV #019: What Are the Important Issues in Water Finance? With Debra Coy
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Alan Heymann returns as a guest in a different role. Alan launched Peaceful Direction where he provides executive coaching services. During this interview, Alan makes the case that coaching can benefit water leaders, especially with all the uncertainty in the world today.
In this session, you’ll learn about: * Why Alan left the water sector to become a coach * What coaching is * How coaching works in a virtual world * Why coaching can benefit the water sector * How leaders “make the weather” * Why leaders need someone to speak with and how coaches are the perfect fit * How to justify coaching with a tight budget * The different styles of coaching * How to find a coach for you
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: * Alan’s LinkedIn page * Peaceful Direction’s website * TWV #091: What’s the Blue Mind? With Wallace J. Nichols * TWV #122: Creating New Revenue Streams with Alan Heymann
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Kristina Ribellia is a water entrepreneur who identified a need and created the solution. Take a listen to her interview explaining how she came to the water sector, recognized a need, and built the solution.
In this session, you’ll learn about: * Kristina’s background * How Kristina’s time in the water sector allowed her to recognize the need for a more efficient system of water rights transfers in Washington state * How the idea for Western Water Market got off the ground * What Western Water Market does * How Western Water Market connects buyers and sellers of water rights * Why the transparency allowed by Western Water Market will help allocate water rights more efficiently * What are some of the policy tools to make water markets more efficient * How Western Water Market works for leases of water rights * How Western Water Market is growing and serving the needs of water rights market participants
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: * Kristina’s LinkedIn page * Western Water Market’s website * TWV #135: Water Resiliency for the Ag Economy with AQUAOSO’s Chris Peacock * TWV #106: Alternative Transfer Methods with James Eklund
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Ari Goldfarb, the CEO of Kando, discusses the use of data in wastewater treatment. By harvesting data on wastewater quality, wastewater treatment systems can be operated and managed more efficiently.
In this session, you’ll learn about: * The background on Kando * How data on wastewater quality improves the treatment process * How measuring data helps change behavior of customers * How the Kando system is deployed within the wastewater collection system * Why data from sensors needs to be supplemented with robust analysis * The wastewater data parameters Kando uses in its analysis * How data analysis allows predictive treatment and I&I detection * How data analysis supports asset management systems * The water innovation ecosystem in Israel
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: * Ari’s LinkedIn page * Kando’s website * TWV #119: Ensuring Technology Access and Resilience in the Field with David Dolphin * TWV #079: Water Use in Industrial Processes with Grant Newhouse
Thnk You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Kim Baker, Director of Innovation, Water, at Elemental Excelerator, pulls back the curtain on fostering innovation in the water and other climate verticals at Elemental Excelerator. Kim nimbly moves from topic to topic and illustrates how water innovators can be even more powerful when partnering with other climate innovators.
In this session, you’ll learn about: * The background and mission of Elemental Excelerator * How Elemental Excelerator fosters innovation across multiple climate verticals, including water * The targeted investments Elemental Excelerator makes in companies * What Elemental Excelerator looks for when selecting companies * How selected companies benefit from their peers in the Elemental Excelerator program * The power of storytelling in the water sector * The trends Kim is seeing in new water technologies
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: * Kim’s LinkedIn page * Elemental Excelerator’s website * TWV #166: Challenges with and Innovations in Small Utility Systems with Austin Thompson * TWV #050: Advancements in Water Testing with OndaVia CEO Mark Peterman
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Chris Moody, a lead on the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) PFAS team, provides a wide-ranging interview on PFAS. Chris succinctly describes the background on PFAS all the way through its existing regulatory status and what comes next.
In this session, you’ll learn about: * The background on PFAS * Common uses for PFAS * The regulatory framework for drinking water standards * State regulation of PFAS * The status of EPA regulation of PFAS * The EPA’s regulatory determination & its meaning for a rulemaking on PFAS * Chris’ thoughts on how PFAS regulation interplays with the stresses under which utilities operate, including aging infrastructure and affordability * How the AWWA approaches adoption of a regulatory standard * The AWWA’s position on PFAS regulation
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: * Chris’ LinkedIn page * AWWA’s website * AWWA’s PFAS website * TWV #115: Restoring Lakes to Swimmable Quality with Jay Madigan * TWV #099: Fertilizer and Water Quality with Mark Slavens
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
WaterSmart Software’s Dana Haasz provides a riveting discussion of how WaterSmart Software has evolved over the last six years. Dana has held a wide variety of roles in the water sector, and that experience shines through in this terrific interview.
In this session, you’ll learn about: * How utilities shifted their conservation efforts from a customer service focus to a water resources planning focus * How WaterSmart Software has evolved by responding to customer needs * How data use and collection have improved in water utilities * Where we are on using AMI data in rate design * The importance of customer engagement on rate issues * WaterSmart Software’s entrepreneurial journey to the point of its recent acquisition * The pain points that led WaterSmart Software to the acquisition decision * Dana’s thoughts on convergence in the utility sector * How WaterSmart Software navigated the “valley of death” for a water tech start-up
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: * Dana’s LinkedIn page * WaterSmart Software’s website * Press Release on VertexOne’s Acquisition of WaterSmart Software * TWV #068: Speeding Technology Adoption Among Utilities with FATHOM CEO Trevor Hill * TWV #034: A Smarter Way to Deliver Water with Peter Yolles
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Jim Schlaman, Black & Veatch’s Director of Planning and Water Resources, provides a fascinating peek behind the curtain on the latest thinking on climate change planning and adaptation.
In this session, you’ll learn about: * The current state of climate change adaption and resilience planning * Why climate change planning is not a theoretical conversation anymore * Why coastal utilities are on the front lines of climate change * How a utility can get started with climate change planning * Why a vulnerability assessment is the building block for utility planning * Why digitalization is important not just for technical planning but also for justification to the community * A trove of information Black & Veatch gleaned from its Strategic Direction report and underlying survey of utilities * Why Jim is optimistic about water utilities rising to the climate change plan
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
Jim’s LinkedIn page Black & Veatch’s Water website Black & Veatch’s 2020 Strategic Directions: 2020 Water Report download webpage TWV #133: Resiliency and Regionalism with Southern California with Jeffrey Kightlinger TWV #090: Planning for Water Resources in the Face of Climate Change
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Rich Razgaitis, founder of FloWater, details his mission to eliminate single-use plastics and drive consumers back to the tap for their drinking water.
In this session, you’ll learn about: * How Rich’s background in pharmaceuticals influenced his career arc from delivering treatment to proactively engaging in prevention in the health and wellness space * Rich’s mission and vision to put an end to single use plastics and drive consumers back to the tap * How FloWater hopes to “own” the last 6’ of pipe * How Rich sees FloWater as fostering the democratization of water * How FloWater can help build trust in tap water and promote tap water systems * Rich’s thoughts on driving consumers back to the tap * Why legislating behavior is not the answer to eliminating single-use plastic bottles
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: * Rich’s LinkedIn page * FloWater’s website * TWV #099: Fertilizer and Water Quality with Mark Slavens * TWV #095: Plumbing, Pipes, and Plastics: Working Towards Safer Drinking Water with Andrew J. Whelton, Ph.D.
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Kathryn Sorensen, Director of Phoenix Water, provides a riveting discussion of water equity in Phoenix, including rate design and customer base considerations, and she also describes an innovative water storage and sharing arrangement between Phoenix and Tuscon.
Plus, Reese Tisdale of Bluefield Research comes on for another Bluefield on Tap segment to discuss the latest developments in the market.
In this session, you’ll learn about: * Kathryn’s background as Director of Phoenix Water * How Phoenix Water approaches water equity * How Phoenix Water’s rate design promotes water equity * Phoenix Water’s water recycling and reuse efforts * How water reuse ties into water equity * The innovative Phoenix-Tucson water storage and sharing agreement * Kathryn’s insights on how to deal with the politics that affect water systems
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: * Kathryn’s Twitter Handle: @PHXWaterDir * Phoenix Water’s website * “Landmark Water Agreement Between Tuscson and Phoenix” (Article dated 2014.12.05) * TWV #133: Resiliency and Regionalism in Southern California with Jeffrey Kightlinger * TWV #112: Customer Assistance Programs and Their Expanding Importance with Stacey Isaac Berahzer
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Cynthia Koehler, Executive Director of WaterNow Alliance, provides a great and energetic interview discussing WaterNow Alliance and its new program Tap Into Resilience. Cynthia’s reservoir of knowledge shines in this great interview that has something for everyone. Plus, Eric Bindler of Bluefield Research comes on for another Bluefield on Tap segment before our summer hiatus. Next episode drops the first Tuesday in August.
In this session, you’ll learn about: * Cynthia’s background as a water utility board member and as a lawyer * What WaterNow Alliance is and does * The Tap Into Resilience program offered by WaterNow Alliance * Why WaterNow Alliance was formed * Why our utilities need to think differently about resilience and programs that foster resiliency * Why and how decentralized water projects can benefit the local economyCynthia’s insights on how resilience and water equity work together
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: * Cynthia’s LinkedIn page * WaterNow Alliance’s website * The Tap Into Resilience website * TWV #020: What Path Will Water 4.0 Follow? With Professor David Sedla * TWV #155: Water Equity in Louisville with Tony Parrott and Sharise Horne
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
David Duncan of Smart Earth Technologies provides a fascinating discussion of pre-paid water and the multitude of benefits it can offer utilities. You’ll never think about pre-paid water the same after hearing this riveting interview.
In this session, you’ll learn about: * Dave’s background in technology and utility deployment of technology * How pre-paid water works * Why pre-paid water provides utilities with financial resiliency * Why pre-paid water dovetails with conservation efforts * The technical requirements to implement a pre-paid water solution * How rate structures might differ using pre-paid rates * How digital technologies impact utility financial resilience
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: * David’s LinkedIn page * Smart Earth Technologies’ website * TWV #147: The Power of Digital Water with Cindy Wallis-Lage
Albert Cho, Vice President and General Manager at Xylem, provides an insightful look at how digital technologies enhance the operational and financial resilience of utilities. Al discusses the benefits digitally enabled utilities have realized during the pandemic, provides examples of how utilities have gained financial efficiencies in the pre-pandemic deployment of capital and how those examples demonstrate that digital technologies play a significant role in helping utilities navigate the financial challenges ahead.
In this session, you’ll learn about: * How digital technologies are performing during the COVID-19 pandemic * How digital enhanced operational resilience in the early stage of response * How utilities using digital technologies fared versus utilities using analog technologies * How digital technologies impact utility financial resilience * Why Al thinks the utility operational response in the first wave of the pandemic was miraculous (no massive failures, etc.) * Why the biggest risk to utilities lies ahead in the form of financial impacts * Why digital technologies can play a significant role in mitigating the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic * How Al distinguishes between “old smart water” and “new smart water” * The tie between digital technologies and improved cash flow * The significant savings realized by the City of South Bend, Indiana, by using digital technologies to optimize existing system assets
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: * Albert’s LinkedIn page * Xylem’s website * Xylem’s LinkedIn Page * TWV #084: Using Big Data to Improve Water Utility Revenues with Valor Water President Christine Boyle
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Waterworks Fund CEO Lon Johnson relates his vision of creating a network of water investors and crowdfunding for water projects. Lon describes crowdfunding eligibility for project types, investment types and limitations, and much more in this great interview!
Plus, Reese Tisdale joins us for another Bluefield on Tap segment where he identifies a unique and growing aspect of the water sector.
In this session, you’ll learn about: * Why Lon started Waterworks Fund * What Lon hopes to accomplish with Waterworks Fund * An overview of the financial regulations that authorized crowdfunding in the water space * How Waterworks Fund fills a need in the water space * How projects and companies can seek to use the Waterworks Fund platform * The different types of structures available under the Waterworks Fund platform * The financial limits on crowdfunding for both accredited and non-accredited investors * How water investors can find out about water projects
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: * Lon’s LinkedIn page * Waterworks Fund’s website * TWV #045: Water Sector Investing with Jud Hill * TWV #105: Investing in Water with Bill Brennan * TWV #165: Private Equity in the Water Sector with Cimbria Capital’s Brian IversenThank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Greg Quist, CEO of SmartCover Systems, listened to his customers 15 years ago and developed a highly successful smart sewer solution. Greg joins us do discuss how the SmartCover technology works, his thoughts on change in the utility industry, listening to customers, developing enhancements to the core produce, and much more.
In this session, you’ll learn about: * How SmartCover Systems was born * What CSOs (combined sewer overflows) and SSOs (sanitary sewer overflows) are * Difference between how SSO systems and CSO systems are designed * How regulation and regulatory policy drove the need for SmartCover’s product * Why listening to your customers is so important, especially when developing new solutions * How smart sewers save money in both capital costs and O&M expenses * How SmartCover has continued to adapt and what the next generation of sensors will be monitoring for * Why incrementalism is the key to achieving successful change
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: * Greg’s LinkedIn page * SmartCover Systems’ LinkedIn page * SmartCover Systems’ website * TWV #130: A Contractor’s Practical Thoughts on Sewer OverflowsThank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Jim Williams, the sitting AWWA President, provides an illuminating interview on the utility response to COVID-19 and what the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will be. Jim addresses the basics for how utilities have responded to the pandemic, and also dives into federal legislative efforts, financial fallout and much more in a great interview.
Reese Tisdale also comes on for another Bluefield on Tap to discuss the latest market developments in the water sector.
In this session, you’ll learn about: * The role of the President of AWWA and AWWA governance * How the COVID-19 has impacted utilities in the short term * How a pandemic utility response differs from a natural disaster response * Strategies employed by utilities to maintain a safe and healthy workforce and protect the public health * Utilities, vendors to utilities, and “essential services” under government stay at home orders * Delays in utility capital programs and projects * Federal legislation and money for utility infrastructure and loan programs * Long-term repercussions of COVID-19, including financial repercussions, full cost of service rate recovery, and rate affordability * Jim’s thoughts on how the COVID-19 pandemic will change and shape the water sector
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: * Jim’s LinkedIn page * AWWA website * AWWA’s Coronavirus Webpage * TWV #146: The AWWA: Past, Present and Future with David LaFrance
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Austin Thompson of the University of North Carolina’s Environmental Finance Center joins us to discuss challenges with and innovations in small utility systems. Austin tackles the primary issues and challenges faced by smaller systems and informs us of some innovations taking place in smaller systems that are making a positive impact.
In this session, you’ll learn about: * The primary challenges smaller systems face * How small systems deal with big capital needs and a small customer base * How small systems deal with water quality challenges * How topography presents challenges for smaller systems * How populations density impacts smaller systems * Some of the strategies to address these challenges * How water kiosks help small systems * How topography challenges created an innovative energy production opportunity for a small system * The role training plays in providing innovations to smaller systems
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: * Austin’s bio page on the UNC EFC website * UNC EFC’s website * Appalachian Regional Commission website * TWV #047: The Ups and Downs of Environmental Finance with Jeff Hughes
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Brian Iversen, founder and managing partner of Cimbria Capital, pulls back the curtain on private equity in the water sector in this fascinating episode. Plus, Reese Tisdale joins us for another Bluefield on Tap session talking pipe materials and plastics. Settle in for a great episode!
In this session, you’ll learn about: * Why Brian believes the water sector is ripe for investment * The role of growth capital/private equity capital in fostering water-related businesses * Brian’s take on the current state of the water sector * How the water sector is a commodity driven market with upstream, downstream and midstream components * The difference between private equity and venture capital & why venture capital doesn’t work as well as private equity in the water sector * Why Brian believes investors are still trying to figure the water sector out * Why Brian believes management teams and business models are key elements of water sector investing * Brian’s thoughts on impact investing, ESG & resiliency investing
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: * Brian’s LinkedIn page * Cimbria Capital’s website * Brian’s bio on the Cimbria Capital website * Florida Drilling website * AMI Global website * TWV #105: Investing in Water with Bill Brennan * TWV #045: Water Sector Investing with Jud Hill
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Khris Dodson of Syracuse University’s Environmental Finance Center discusses a wide range of workforce development issues for water utilities. Khris identifies the problems with utility workforce development and also delves into potential solutions. It’s a great and important episode.
In this session, you’ll learn about: * What the biggest job needs are for water utilities * Strategies to develop the skilled trades * Why our culture doesn’t value the skilled trades highly enough * How to align skill sets and geographical barriers with workforce needs * Why more attention needs to be paid to retention strategies * Compensation issues * How utility rates impact the workforce * Keys to succession planning for the utility workforce * What the anticipated impact of artificial intelligence, machine learning and the internet of things might be
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: * Khris’ LinkedIn page * EFC Network website * Syracuse EFC website * TWV #039: Serving Water For People and Utility Employment Opportunities with Connecticut Water CEO Eric Thornburg * TWV #036: Water Utility Acquisition Issues and Utility Industry Gender Issues with Utilities Inc. President Lisa Sparrow
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Chairman Peter Lake joins us to discuss water infrastructure financing in Texas and more. Chairman Lake provides a wide-ranging interview showcasing his knowledge on water infrastructure finance, risk and creditworthiness assessment, opportunities for private capital, water markets, and much, much more.
In this session, you’ll learn about: * Pete’s background and how a finance expert wound up on the TWDB * TWDB’s SWIFT Program (State Water Implementation Fund for Texas) * The TWDB’s regional planning process for water supply * Issues in marketing TWDB’s $1 billion bond portfolio to investors * Water & its relationship with economic development and the business community * Why institutional investors look for positive stories, needed services and creditworthiness when assessing an investment * TWDB’s programs assessing borrower creditworthiness and implementing post-loan compliance * The increasing role of climate risk and the importance of local participation in climate planning * P3s & investment portfolios and the relationship with regulatory risk and technology risk * Two examples of opportunities where private capital might be leveraged to create value in water supply by lowering technology and regulatory risk
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: * Pete’s LinkedIn page * Pete’s Twitter handle: @twdb_peter * Texas Water Development Board website * TWDB’s SWIFT homepage * Slaking Texas’ Thirst with Carlos Rubinstein
Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
New York Timesbest-selling author Seth Siegel joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss his most recent book, Troubled Water: What’s Wrong with What We Drink.
In this session, you’ll learn about: * Seth’s background and awakening to the water sector * Why Seth chose to write a book on our water systems * Seth’s conceptualization of the water governance problem * Why Seth believes government does a poor job of regulating government * Seth’s multi-faceted solution to the water governance problem * Seth’s history of how municipal ownership became the dominant water utility model * How consolidation will help address the problems with our utilities * How to convert safe drinking water from an environmental issue into a public health issues
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: * Seth’s bio on his website * Seth’s homepage on his website * Seth’s Twitter Handle: @SethMSiegel * Troubled Wateron amazon.com * TWV 006: Why Do We Drink Bottled Water? With Prof. Jim Salzman
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
After 100 episodes since his last appearance, George Hawkins joins The Water Values Podcast and discusses his work with Moonshot Missions. After filling us in on the 2 years since his departure from DC Water, George details specific examples of how utilities with challenging circumstances can optimize different aspects of their systems by adopting the modules prepared by Moonshot Missions. George asserts that the trillions of estimated utility capex spend is overinflated and identifies ways utilities can achieve more with less. As with every interview George does, this is a can’t miss episode.
In this session, you’ll learn about: * George’s voluntary departure from DC Water * Why George started Moonshot Missions * The for profit and the not-for-profit arms of Moonshot Missions * How the not-for-profit Moonshot Missions helps struggling utilities * The utilities eligible for help from the not-for-profit Moonshot Missions arm * Why George thinks the estimated trillions of utility capex spend is overinflated * The low-hanging fruit for utilities to improve operational, financial and environmental performance * The role of non-revenue water in improving utility performance
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: * George Hawkins’ email: George at MoonshotMissions dot org * George Hawkins’ LinkedIn profile * Moonshot Missions’ website * George Hawkins’ Twitter Handle * TWV #060: Change Leadership with DC Water CEO George Hawkins
Thank You!
Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!
An all-star panel of water experts discusses what happened with water in 2019 and provides a glimpse into what they expect 2020 will look like. Jeff Kightlinger, GM of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; Sielen Namdar, a Smart Water executive with Cisco’s Cities and Communities team, and Reese Tisdale, President of Bluefield Research, collaborate to provide you with their insights into the water industry.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
-The key takeaways from the water sector in 2019 -The role data & IOT plays in utilities -How infrastructure continues to be a challenge for utilities -How utilities are leveraging partnerships for better outcomes -Convergence in the water sector and the broader utilities sector -What issues the panelists are watching out for in 2020
It’s the holidays and that means it’s time for an interview from a philanthropic viewpoint. Walt Walker, a professional engineer with Greeley and Hansen, discusses his work with Engineers Without Borders. Our industry has lots of good people, and Walt represents a shining example of leadership in the water sector. Take a listen and hear how Engineers Without Borders improves lives around the globe and more.
JP Joly of Waterworth discusses water utility financial issues and offers great insights on water utility finances. JP delves into a wide array of financial issues affecting utilities, including modeling, cash reserves, intergenerational equity, and infrastructure cost issues. JP provides a great and unique perspective on water utility financial issues.
Aquacycl Founder and CEO, Orianna Bretschger, discusses the BioElectrochemical Treatment Technology (BETT) that allows for distributed wastewater treatment or pretreatment. It’s a great look inside this fascinating treatment technology that Aquacycl has brought to the market.
Reese Tisdale and our Bluefield on Tap segment address the California wildfires and their effects on water utilities.
Marty Wessler sits on Indiana’s legislatively created Water Infrastructure Task Force, several of whose recommendations were enacted into law in 2019. Marty relates the work of the task force, why certain recommendations were made, and how those recommendations became law.
Tony Parrott & Sharise Horne of the Louisville MSD tackle the important issue of water equity in Louisville, KY. Tony & Sharise describe how Louisville MSD’s workforce development, procurement programs, rate design & more in pursuing water equity.
Entrepreneur Rocky Holliday joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss the story of Watership Blue and ship-to-shore mobile desalination. Rocky discusses where the idea for Watership Blue originated, how the entrepreneurial process began, the hurdles overcome and how Watership Blue sees the market and analyzes and mitigates risks. It’s a fascinating discussion.
Glenn Barnes of Water Finance Assistance provides a terrific overview of water finance issues. Glenn shares his knowledge and experience after working for over a decade in water finance and UNC’s Environmental Finance Center.
Also in our Bluefield on Tap segment, Erin Bonney Casey returns to discuss Bluefield Research’s latest research concerning water rates.
Newsha Ajami, Director of Urban Water Policy at Stanford and a Research Engineer for Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, engages in a wide-ranging discussion about her interdisciplinary approach to urban water systems and sustainable water management. Newsha meshes water, legislative, energy, and urban perspectives into her approach to sustainable urban water management.
Arron Hieatt joins us to discuss Australia’s water utility governance regime and infrastructure issues. Arron clearly describes Australia’s water utility governance model and the infrastructure issues encountered Down Under. He also enlightens us on innovative solutions deployed by Australian utilities to address governance and infrastructure issues.
Also, Reese Tisdale returns for Bluefield on Tap to discuss algae blooms in the news again and what the impact on utilities & local governments has been
Manny Teodoro, Associate Professor at Texas A&M, delivers an insightful and fun interview. Manny discusses the public vs. private ownership models, the benefits and dangers of each (yes, publicly owned systems are not inherently beneficial), and other water governance issues. Manny also describes decoupling and how it factors into water governance models. Manny lives up to his billing as a great and thoughtful guest.
Emagin’s Chief Strategy Officer, Jonathan Grant, explains how Emagin is helping to mainstream AI and machine learning. Jonathan identifies and answers the most common AI questions and dispels AI misconceptions. He also provides discrete examples of AI and machine learning implementation, including what Emagin experiences as common ROI for implementation.
Also, Eric Bindler provides his takeaways on the recently concluded SWAN Conference & explains what the “digital twin” is in our Bluefield on Tap segment.
US Water Alliance CEO Radhika Fox targets infrastructure issues affecting the United States. Radhika explains who the US Water Alliance is, its mission, and the programs it undertakes to promote that mission. She does a wonderful job highlighting water infrastructure issues at play in the US and programs that can help with water infrastructure funding and education.
Cindy Wallis-Lage, the President of Black & Veatch’s Global Water Business, provides a great discussion of digital water. Cindy delves into the deep and broad capabilities digital water provides utilities and other participants in the water sector. She also offers ideas and examples for implementation of digital water solutions, including resulting savings.
Erin Bonney Casey provides insights into the U.S. government’s $25 billion spend in support of water infrastructure on our Bluefield on Tap segmen
American Water Works Association (AWWA) CEO David LaFrance joins The Water Values Podcast for a wide-ranging look at the AWWA. David recounts some history of the AWWA, discusses AWWA’s strategic initiatives (including a recap of how AWWA’s expansion to India is going) and important current issues, and identifies some key trends where he sees water issues heading in the future. David gives a great interview that’s chock full of interesting information.
Reese Tisdale returns for a third time to discuss digital water. As always, Reese does a terrific job identifying trends, explaining drivers for water industry trends, and providing specific examples of areas where digital water is being used. It’s great to catch up with Reese again in a full interview – can’t believe how long it had been since we had him on as the featured guest!
Todd Danielson, Chief Utilities Executive at Avon Lake Regional Water, relates a number of issues pertaining to utilities in the Midwest. Water quality (including a very interesting preliminary look at what a water quality trading market might look like), water rates, “idle infrastructure” and more issues are addressed. Todd also speaks to Avon Lake Regional Water’s in-process strategic plan and what that document is shaping up to be. A great interview by Todd just a couple days before World Water Day
Antony Currie, a financial reporter who writes about financial risk from water, joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss the risks to the economy from water. Antony details a plethora of issues facing businesses dealing with a wide range of water risks from flooding to scarcity.
Also, Reese Tisdale provides the latest on water systems in water-scarce areas turning to water reuse, including an extended discussion on Los Angeles’ recent announcement to pursue 100% reuse.
Adel Hagekhalil, General Manager & Executive Director of City of Los Angeles’ Bureau of Street Services and former Assistant Director with Los Angeles’ Bureau of Sanitation, shares his approach to infrastructure assessment, team and culture building, and a holistic approach to infrastructure. Adel also discusses the interrelationship of street and road infrastructure with water infrastructure, which have all been leveraged to improve Los Angeles’ infrastructure story.
Bill Brennan sheds significant light on building a portfolio of sustainable & ESG investments in the water sector. Bill discusses characteristics of companies he looks for, distinguishing those companies, and digging into the data to determine how those companies are impacting water in a positive way.
Also, Reese Tisdale joins the podcast for a market update on the water sector, including a deep dive on GE Digital and more insights on GE’s divestiture of GE Water to Suez, in our Bluefield on Tap segment.
BGD LegCon previews the 2019 Indiana legislative session. While the subject matter may be Indiana-specific, it provides insight into how legislators think about water issues. The panel also takes water out of its silo and places it in context of other competing infrastructure issues, such as energy infrastructure and broadband. So please don’t discount this just because you don’t live or do business in Indiana – the insights about how legislators perceive and address issues transcends political boundari
To kick off 2019, long-requested guest, Jay Famiglietti, joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss groundwater depletion and water conflict.. Jay formerly worked as the Senior Water Scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA, and now holds the position of Director of the Global Institute for Water Security at the University of Saskatchewan. Diving deep into the issue groundwater depletion, Jay identifies the water conflict issues that water scarcity brings about.
A blue ribbon panel of water experts discusses what happened with water in 2018 and provides a glimpse into what they expect 2019 will look like. Todd Danielson, Chief Utilities Executive for Avon Lake Regional Water in Ohio, Paula Kehoe, Director of Water Resources for San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and Reese Tisdale, President of Bluefield Research, collaborate to provide you with their insights into the water industry.
WASH consultant Ed Bourque joins The Water Values Podcast and lends a fresh perspective on WASH issues. Ed discusses the relationships of WASH with integrated water resource management and water governance. His hands on experience living abroad and working in the WASH sector gives a great perspective on how WASH is implemented on the ground. Ed identifies what some of the obstacles to WASH projects are and how to overcome those obstacles to achieve a successful WASH project.
Water Reuse Association (WRA) Executive Director Patricia Sinicropi joins The Water Values Podcast for a deep dive into the current state of water reuse. Pat identifies current geographic hotbeds in the U.S. for water reuse, discusses the impact of recently passed legislation, and provides her forecast for water reuse in the future.
Chris Peacock, founder and CEO of AQUAOSO Technologies, discusses building a water resilient future for the ag economy. Chris addresses water risk assessment in the ag sector from banks to investors to growers and from crop diversity and water intensity perspectives. Chris brings clarity to the fragmented ag water marketplace.
Reese Tisdale also returns for Bluefield on Tap and discusses M&A activity in the irrigation market & the impacts on the ag and commercial and industrial property management sectors.
Peggy Gallos, Executive Director of the Association of Environmental Authorities of New Jersey, discusses challenges faced by water and sewer utilities. Peggy’s position and diverse background, coming from public policy and journalism, provides her with a unique view on how water and sewer utilities find solutions to various challenges. Peggy also explains and describes a unique “liberal arts” program that provides great experience and grooms the next generation of water utility leadership in New Jersey.
Jeffrey Kightlinger, GM of The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, discusses hardening Metropolitan’s infrastructure and diversifying its water supply, along with sharing some thoughts on promoting regionalism. Jeffrey makes astute insights about Southern California’s water supply and infrastructure challenges, as well as the benefits of regionalism.
Reese Tisdale’s Bluefield on Tap segment details several major water conferences and identifies some trends in topics and speakers.
In this episode, we look at things from a different perspective. Sci-Fi author Claudiu Murgan discusses his new book, Water Entanglement, and explains how he made water a central theme and character in the book. Hear Claudiu discuss his book and then go out and read Water Entanglement.
Frank Burns explains how his time designing wastewater treatment plants led to the founding of a technology company that identifies water waste in the built environment. Frank gives a wide-ranging look at how water waste can be effectively managed (like inventory) with technology. Sharing his ultimate vision for the technology, Frank describes how water can become a central component of the smart cities movement and find significant sources of conserved supply within the existing water distribution system.
This episode also features a Bluefield on Tap segment with Keith Hays, co-founder and Vice President of Bluefield Research. Keith discusses the digital water/smart water movement in the water sector and identifies drivers of the trend.
David Putnam conveys some of the wisdom he’s learned during his 40 years as contractor in the water and sewer industry. David talks prevention of SSOs, including his patented invention, the Sewer Sentry. David also talks pipe-breaking and gives us a glimpse of the more practical side of the water and sewer industry. If you aren’t out in the field every day working with the physical plant, this episode will open your eyes to some of the issues going on outside the fence.
Doug Hatler of Fracta, Inc., discusses artificial intelligence and machine learning for water utilities. Doug identifies how the AI and ML capabilities work, where we are on the adoption scale, and many more fascinating issues in how water utilities embrace technology and where we’ll be in a few years. Doug also addresses how AI and ML contribute to dynamic, rather than static, system planning.
Reese Tisdale discusses market dynamics for public private partnerships and more on our Bluefield on Tap segmen
Geoff Engelstein of Mars International brings his tech experience to a discussion on how the internet of things (IOT) affects the water sector and where he thinks the IOT will affect the water sector. Many of us have heard of the IOT but not many have a great handle on its significance. Geoff explains what IOT is, how it is used in the water sector, and what applications make sense for its future use in the water sector.
Byron Druss of InVizion LLC discusses maximizing capital plan efficiency. Byron identifies inefficiencies in traditional capital planning methodologies and explains how those inefficiencies can by cured through software as a service applications. He notes challenges and roadblocks that keep utilities from attaining efficient deployment of capital for the infrastructure needs.
Reese Tisdale returns with a great Bluefield on Tap segment where he provides his takeaways from AWWA ACE.
Gary VerDouw, a former American Water employee and now an independent rate and regulatory consultant, discusses the often misunderstood process of setting rates for investor-owned water utilities. Gary has tremendous experience having worked on investor-owned water utilities in multiple jurisdictions and having testified on rate cases before no less than seven public utility commissions. Gary does a tremendous job filling you in on the how, what, why and where of investor-owned water utility rates.
Jon Freedman, the Global Government Affairs Leader with SUEZ Water Technologies, returns as a podcast guest and delivers a great overview of US water infrastructure policy. Jon delves into legislative and administrative policies that impact the water sector and offers his thoughts on water policy ideas.
Reese Tisdale provides an update on some M&A activity in the water sector, including discussing the San Jose Water-Connecticut Water deal potential and the CalWater-San Jose Water hostile takeover intrigue.
Burke Griggs provides a riveting discussion on the state of water law, including some history and procedure involving interstate water disputes and a rundown on current Supreme Court of the United States water conflict litigation. Sprinkling in some of his personal experiences in significant interstate water disputes, Burke gives you a front line look at how these disputes shape up and some of the nuances involved.
Jenny Kehl, Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Water Policy at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , discusses virtual water and all it entails. Jenny describes what virtual water is and why it’s important. She also offers some thoughts on how the concept of virtual water will impact issues from water rates to water conflict in the future.
Reese Tisdale discusses Bluefield’s latest research into CapEx budgets for large municipal U.S. water utilities in our Bluefield on Tap segment .
Alan Heymann, President of Blue Drop, LLC (a DC Water affiliate), joins us to discuss Blue Drop and how DC Water leverages its expertise to create new revenue streams to mitigate rate increases. Alan digs into the risk analysis and decision-making process DC Water engaged in when determining to launch Blue Drop, the products and services offered by Blue Drop. and the advice he gives to other utilities thinking about dipping their toes into alternative revenue streams.
Scott Miller of Umbaugh (nka Baker Tilly) discusses municipal water rates. Scott delves into what elements of cost make up municipal rates and addresses some common issues encountered during the municipal rate-setting process. This isn’t legal advice, so consult your attorney for guidance before initiating the rate-setting process.
Reese Tisdale discusses the issue of mine tailing dams and the potential impact of tariffs on the water industry on our Bluefield on Tap segment .
The Water Values Podcast veteran Jud Hill returns to discuss wetlands mitigation banking. Jud, an experienced water investor, now turns his attention to bringing scale, expertise and capital to the wetlands mitigation space. Jud gives a soup to nuts discussion of how wetlands mitigation banking works, what the drivers are, how he marshals expertise, capital and the need for mitigation to deliver efficient wetlands mitigation banking projects.
David Dolphin, of utility technology provider Ayyeka, discusses a wide range of issues related to end-to-end remote monitoring system deployment. David covers signal strength, data encryption, battery life and other issues that utilities need to consider when evaluating a remote monitoring technology solution.
Reese Tisdale discusses big picture issues in the water sector, including the slow-moving train wreck that resulted in Cape Town’s water emergency in our Bluefield on Tap segment.
Saltworks Technologies CEO Ben Sparrow joins us to explore wastewater treatment processes and specifically zero liquid discharge systems. Ben does a great job walking us through the steps of the industrial wastewater treatment process and identifying instances that are ripe for zero liquid discharge applications.
Michael Murphy, the Director of Water Innovation for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, works on fostering water innovation within the clean energy sector. Michael provides great insights into the interplay among water, energy and technology, so settle in during this cold snap and take a listen to Michael and his years of knowledge and experience in the water sector.
Reese Tisdale recounts top stories from 2017 and identifies trends and issues to keep an eye on in 2018 in our Bluefield on Tap segment .
A little something different for this year’s wrap-up. Rather than a monologue by me, I decided to pull in some water leaders and have a virtual panel about a remarkable year in water. Charles Fishman, Cindy Wallis-Lage and Jeffrey Kightlinger join the virtual panel to discuss a wide range of water issues from 2017 and offer their prognosis on water in 2018. Take a listen!
My friend Jay Madigan joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss his charitable work for the Lake Cane Restoration Society. Jay tells a wonderful story of how a dedicated and passionate group of citizens, and one determined champion, brought Lake Cane back to swimmable quality. It’s a story that can be duplicated elsewhere if people learn the lessons from the Lake Cane Restoration Society’s blueprint for successful remediation efforts.
Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) CEO Todd Reeve provides a fascinating look into BEF’s work. Todd discusses BEF’s creation of water restoration certificates, relates his insights into key drivers for businesses when making water investments and much more in this episode of The Water Values Podcast.
Reese Tisdale returns for an in-depth discussion of the business of water and specifically, the flurry of M&A activity the water industry has seen over the last few years. As president of Bluefield Research, Reese and his team track deals, identify trends and explain why events unfold the way they do. Reese brings that knowledge to the table for you in this episode of The Water Values Podcast.
Stacey Isaac Berahzer with The Environmental Finance Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (EFC) discusses customer assistance programs (CAPs), how to fund them, legal hurdles and their expanding importance. With the crushing need for infrastructure investment and the attendant upward pressure on utility rates, CAPs are taking on an evermore important role in the rate design and rate setting process. Stacey’s insights provide a great resource into this important aspect of utility rates
Cristina Ahmadpour, the president of Isle Utilities US division joins The Water Values Podcast and shares her insights on technology adoption by utilities. She explains Isle Utilities’ market position that vets technologies and allows utilities to avoid the cost and expense of reviewing unproven technologies. This is a must listen for those interested in pursuing technology adoption within the utility sector.
Peter Nelson returns and joins Walter Block to provide a follow-up discussion on their book Water Capitalism. Walter and Peter discuss a wide range of libertarian issues ranging from specific water-related examples of libertarian water thought to the framework in which their libertarian water construct would exist. It’s a long but interesting interview that will be sure to make you think twice about water.
Jimmy Emmons, a 3rd generation Oklahoma farmer, describes the benefits of no-till farming combined with a soil health program. Jimmy explains how no-till farming uses less water, fits within the natural water cycle and reduces nutrient run-off and soil loss. You will be amazed as Jimmy explains the results of his conversion of his farmland to the no-till method with soil healthy practices.
Water legend Ken Wright enlightens us on paleohydrology. Ken’s studies of how ancient cultures used water over the last quarter century have shed tremendous light on how those cultures engineered their water infrastructure and planned for their water resources. This is a fascinating episode for anyone who is interested in history and how ancient cultures like the Inka (read Charles C. Mann’s 1491 re not spelling it “Inca”), Anasazi, Roman, ancient Thai, and Middle Eastern cultures, interfaced with w
The one and only Pat Mulroy joins The Water Values Podcast for a discussion about water leadership and training the next generation of water leaders. Pat also discusses utilities facing problems, solving those problems, and preparing and planning for the future. This is a can’t miss episode of The Water Values Podcast.
James Eklund returns as a guest to The Water Values Podcast and discusses alternative transfer methods (ATMs) in this episode, which is a topic requested by a DU law student (sorry it took me so long to get to this topic). James does a great job of explaining ATMs, their uses, variants and issues surrounding them. Take a listen for a great primer and deep dive on ATMs!
Water investor Bill Brennan joins the podcast and discusses a wide range of water investments, including some historical analysis of the water investment cycle, how he views water investing changing over time, and more. It’s a terrific inside look at an investor who’s been around the water industry and how he views the water market.
Reese Tisdale discusses decentralized water systems and the recent influx of investment those systems have seen in our Bluefield on Tap segment.
Hydrogeologist Steve Baker joins us in this episode to discuss educating water well users about their groundwater so they can make decisions and change behaviors based on that knowledge. Steve’s Know Your Water Program creates a profile of water wells and allows well users to proactively manage their water use rather than wait until the well goes dry to realize a problem exists. It’s a great episode, and Steve is really an engaging guest, so take a listen!
Peter L. Nelson, P.E., brings a novel approach to water and water rights. Peter teamed up with Professor Walter Block to write Water Capitalism: The Case for Privatizing Oceans, Rivers, Lakes, and Aquifers. Peter and I spent nearly 40 minutes discussing privatization, and we barely scratched the surface of the subject!
Reese Tisdale discusses the implications on industrial water users and water utilities of the announced withdrawal of the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord in our Bluefield on Tap segment.
TWV #001 guest Matt Klein returns to turn the tables on Dave. Matt and Dave discuss a wide range of issues affecting the water industry, and Matt does a terrific job leading the discussion. Take a listen to Dave on the hot seat!
Splashlink co-founder Jason Wuliger joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss how SplashLink, an online marketplace for the water sector, creates connectivity among sector participants. Jason walks us through how utilities and market participants can use SplashLink to identify problems or issues and then to find the right product or service to remedy the problem.
Will Maize talks smart water and the technologies that he sees gaining traction in the market in our Bluefield on Tap segment.
Episode TWV #100!!! Three prize winning water innovators and an intro from Ku McMahan (TWV #059) from around the globe come on The Water Values Podcast to describe their innovations, the problem they sought to solve and how their innovations solve those problems. These innovators are based in Europe, Nepal and Uganda, so we really spanned the globe for you on this episode. It’s a great study in innovation and problem solving by first examining the problem and they crafting solutions to remedy the problem.
Mark Slavens of Scotts Miracle-Gro discusses how fertilizer affects water quality. Mark shares a tremendous amount of knowledge on fertilizers and tips to ensure that you aren’t contributing to water quality problems when fertilizing your lawn, as well as some practical advice on watering your lawn (hint: you probably don’t need to water your lawn as much as you do).
Reese Tisdale discusses a number of recently closed M&A water deals in our Bluefield on Tap segment.
John Fleck, Director of the University of New Mexico’s Water Resources Program, author and retired water journalist, joins The Water Values Podcast for a discussion of water journalism and why it (and other areas of journalism) are so important to a citizenry understanding their government. He also delves into his journey where he flipped from seeing a water apocalypse to seeing a world where adaptation and collaboration have produced tremendous water success stories.
Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) General Counsel Jason Oyler provides a fascinating look at how the SRBC sprung into action when unconventional gas drilling (i.e., fracking) started in the Susquehanna River Basin. Jason covers how the SRBC promulgated rules quickly, addressed the quantity and location of water used, implemented a system of low flow pass-bys, and monitored water quality.
Reese Tisdale discusses current water market conditions in the energy sector in our Bluefield on Tap segment.
Mark Ryan, a former top US EPA attorney now in private practice, provides an insider’s view on the Clean Water Act and several important developments affecting the Clean Water Act. Apart from his outstanding analysis of three pending cases (Waters of the U.S. Rule, Water Transfer Rule, and Des Moines), Mark also fills us in on some general administrative law issues (the Regulatory Accountability Act of 2017) and his thoughts on how the Trump administration might handle these issues.
Dr. Andy Whelton joins The Water Values Podcast and discusses how utilities use plastics for pipe repair, rehabilitation and replacement. Andy also dives into some new research with funding from a coalition of the US EPA, schools, utilities and others. Take a listen to understand how plastics are helping deliver drinking water to your home.
John Williams, Chairman and CEO of Impact Infrastructure, Inc., joins The Water Values Podcast and discusses economic assessment of infrastructure projects. John’s insight into how utility (and other public and private) decision-makers can implement infrastructure projects in a manner that optimizes financial, social and environmental returns on investment is invaluable.
This episode gives you a front row seat at the opening plenary session of the American Water Resources Association’s 2016 Annual Conference (panelists include: Lester Sola and Hardeep Anand, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department, Cindy Wallis-Lage, Black & Veatch’s Water Business, and Shawn Grindstaff, Senior Resolution Counsel at the US EPA. This week’s podcast is the Q&A session from that conference – a big thanks to the AWRA and to each panelist for allowing the session to be recorded & released
What a terrific year 2016 has been – thank you for making it so! Without you, the listeners and readers, I wouldn’t have been able to pull of a third year of The Water Values, so a heartfelt thank you to each of you.
Marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols joins The Water Values Podcast and discusses his observations on how water makes us feel and the therapeutic nature of water. His book, Blue Mind, is an international best seller, and he does a phenomenal job laying the foundation for how water helps to de-stress our lives. Take a listen, preferably around, in, near, or on some water …
Erin Wilson of Wilson Water Group joins The Water Values podcast in a (long awaited) episode TWV #090. Erin does a fantastic job of walking us through aspects of the water engineering profession, explaining the importance of data, and discussing how various sectors of the economy address water resources planning and how they factor climate change into the planning process. I learned a lot, and you definitely will, too!
Robert “Bo” Abrams is a professor of law at Florida A&M University’s College of Law, & he explains in clear detail how water law in the Eastern US has developed over time from the English common law to riparianism in its several forms. It’s a fascinating look at how economics, climate, municipal growth and other factors shape the development of the law. Bo posits that Western US & Eastern US water law are converging on each other and identifies the issues ahead as Eastern and Western US water law co
Knowledge is power, and this week, Reese Tisdale brings some serious knowledge about water infrastructure needs culled from the work of his firm, Bluefield Research. Reese takes us on a journey from Bluefield’s origins to how it researches and develops water market intelligence. He further provides tremendous insight into how various factors affect the water industry. You’ll truly enjoy Reese’s thoughts and opinions on the water market.
Steeped in entrepreneurialism, Megan Glover helped launch 120WaterAudit as her first foray into water entrepreneurship. She discusses how she got involved with 120WaterAudit, its lab quality testing services for water supplies, launch issues, and more. Megan layers in her observations about water entrepreneurship and how it differs from tech entrepreneurship. The end result? A great product that proves we need more people with Megan’s entrepreneurial spirit engaged in the water sector.
Noted Texas water figure Carlos Rubinstein discusses a wide range of Texas water issues that you will easily recognize as applying to other areas of the country and world. Carlos explains the Texas water governance structure and water planning horizon. He explains the nuts and bolts of Texas’ innovative program for funding infrastructure and how projects involving public-private partnerships are eligible for incentives typically reserved for strictly municipal and other quasi-governmental entity projects.
Raul Pacheco-Vega joins The Water Values Podcast Raul Pacheco-Vega joins The Water Values Podcast and discusses a wide range of issues affecting water. Our first topic was water conflict in Mexico, then we discussed the politics of global sanitation, and finally, we addressed privatization and public-private partnerships. Raul gave a great interview, and you’ll surely find his thoughts on these issues interesting and thought-provoking.
Christine Boyle, President of Valor Water, joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss how big data can make big improvements to utilities’ bottom lines and customer perceptions.
Get a front row seat at the American Bar Association’s 34th annual Water Law Conference panel featuring Pat Mulroy, Brookings Institution, et al; Robert Puente, the President and CEO of the San Antonio Water System; and Vail Thorne, Senior Environmental Health & Safety Counsel with Coca-Cola. This week’s podcast is the Q&A session from that conference – a big thanks to the ABA and to each panelist for allowing the session to be recorded and released as a podcast.
Ambient Water CEO, Keith White, discusses Ambient Water’s unique distributed water solution. Keith developed the distributed water technology and is now commercializing it with products that can help water poor areas with not only the provision of safe drinking water but also food supply and climate controlled shelter. You’ll be amazed with the distributed water solution that Ambient Water can provide and all the indirect benefits that result from the Ambient Water source of safe drinking water.
The one and only Charles Fishman joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss a momentous development in water: the presence of a $267 million federal budget request from President Obama targeted to water initiatives. Charles brings his unique insight and gift for storytelling to this major development.
GE Water’s Jon Freedman joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss water reuse and other challenges in the water industry. Jon walks us through issues surrounding water reuse and recycling and gives us a peek behind the curtain about several water-related technologies and where he and GE Water see the next frontier of water technology.
Ever wonder how water is used in manufacturing processes? Grant Newhouse of Sustainable Water Solutions, LLC, provides a fantastic overview and explains the complex chemistry involved using easy-to-understand analogies. The world of water use in manufacturing processes is fascinating, and you’ll learn a tremendous amount about how manufacturers are employing technologies and processes to become more water efficient. Grant is a great teacher, so listen up!
Rob Renner, the Executive Director of the Water Research Foundation (WRF), joins us for a discussion about the work of the WRF. The WRF is a research cooperative, as described by Rob, and pools the resources of 1,000 utilities to focus on researching issues of common concern. Rob provides great perspective on how utilities are dealing with issues like climate change, source of supply challenges, and declining water use.
Spencer Williams of Ponderosa Advisors provides his insight into how different prior appropriation regimes are administered in several prior appropriation states. His insights into how water rights embody property rights and the difficulty in gaining precision as to the boundaries of water rights are fascinating. Spencer also discusses the Water Sage™ tool offered by Ponderosa Advisors and how it assists those seeking to gain a better understanding of a number of issues concerning water rights.
Irrigated agriculture expert Daniele Zaccaria joins The Water Values Podcast for an in-depth look at the state of irrigated agriculture. Daniele has been around irrigated agriculture his entire life and has a lot of knowledge to share about how irrigated agriculture works and where it’s headed. Tune in for an informative and fun talk with Daniele.
What a terrific year 2015 has been – thank you for making it so! Without you, the listeners and readers, I wouldn’t have been able to pull of a second year of The Water Values, so a heartfelt thank you to each of you.
Eleanor Allen joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss the history and mission of the great organization she leads, Water For People. Eleanor provides fantastic examples of how Water For People’s mission has changed over time to gain greater focus and target its assets to provide the greatest benefits. She describes how Water For People chooses its projects and how it delivers those projects working through local communities. Take a listen and then help out Water For People this holiday season!
John Powell, the Coachella Valley Water District’s (CVWD) Board President joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss water in California’s Coachella Valley. As we all know, California is in the midst of a tremendous drought, but thanks to good planning the Coachella Valley’s water story showcases good water management from rate design to water use restrictions to farming to aquifer recharge. It’s a great look at how one utility is thriving amidst the drought.
CH2M’s Scott Haskins, a Senior Vice President and Director of Strategic Consulting, joins The Water Values Podcast to discusses asset management programs. Scott guides us through asset management issues, including what asset management is, what are the different components of an asset management program and how to get started with an asset management plan. He also discusses risk issues and how utilities deploying asset management programs have saved millions of dollars and improved their service levels.
Claus Helix-Nielsen, the Vice President of Public-Private Partnerships for Aquaporin A/S, joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss the state of membrane technology and the Aquaporin A/S forward osmosis membrane. Claus’ depth and breadth of experience will impress you as he provides the history of how these membranes are deployed to provide commercial benefits. Claus also provides unique insight into the research and development process and how funding is such a critical element of technology development.
Retired Colorado Supreme Court Justice, Greg Hobbs, shares his knowledge of western water law, specifically the doctrine of prior appropriation and its impact on how the West developed. Justice Hobbs uses his deep and broad knowledge of water law to explain how the doctrine of prior appropriation developed. He provides an eye-opening analysis of water law and contrasts differing versions of prior appropriation (Colorado with California; court adjudicated rights versus administratively granted rights).
Drew Bender of VS Engineering provides a wide-ranging discussion about green infrastructure, and in particular, constructed wetlands. Drew also poses a fundamental question that should be asked about every infrastructure project so that the project is built as efficiently, from a sustainability standpoint and from an economic standpoint, as possible. Drew also has ideas about whether green infrastructure should be mandated by local governments – he approaches this issue with a heavy dose of common sense.
Trevor Hill discusses an array of technology issues affecting water utilities. Trevor describes the utility market in which technology providers participate and identifies the challenges of speeding technology adoption. Using his experience at FATHOM, Trevor explains how FATHOM rose out of the consolidation of a number of utilities that needed technology integration but could not individually justify the expenditures to create the FATHOM platform. It’s an interesting peek inside the water technology world
Two water lawyers, Nathan Bracken of Smith Hartvigsen and Jan Neuman of Tonkon Torp, discuss the state of our federal water policy. Both Nathan and Jan are well-versed in water law and policy issues, and they have a number of recommendations for updating federal water policy. They also have interesting and provocative thoughts on what needs to happen in order to get the federal government, the states and the tribes in a position where updates to federal water policy might have a chance at success.
Frank Holleman, a lawyer with the Southern Environmental Law Center, addresses the contaminants contained in coal ash, the historical manner of its disposal and storage, the evolution of utilities in dealing with coal ash storage issues, and much more. While cleaning up coal ash storage sites and protecting water quality is a work in progress, utilities have evolved from coal ash lagoon storage to the more preferable solution of dry, lined storage, or even re-use of coal ash in products like cement.
Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) Asst. Prof. Shahzeen (“Shaz”) Attari, discusses the state of research into human behavior and resource use, specifically in this episode, water use. She walks us through the existing research, identifies new areas of research and helps us understand why we think the way we do about water. She relates some fascinating research results, especially in the area of curtailment versus efficiency actions and our own choices with respect to each.
Parjana CEO Greg McPartlin explains the patented technology that helps replenish groundwater and mitigate surface water problems. Through Parjana’s invention of an “artificial tree root”, surface water is more easily dispersed in the ground and thus achieves groundwater balance. New applications for the Parjana technology occur on a frequent basis, and you’ll be interested to hear how the technology has been applied to date and how it works in this great episode of The Water Values Podcast.
ValveTek’s Jeff Favina discusses main flushing and ValveTek’s use of the patented NO-DES flushing solution. Starting with the basics of main flushing, Jeff explains why main flushing is important from a water quality standpoint and outlines the conventional methods of main flushing. He then expands into the NO-DES flushing solution and demonstrates how it works and how it does not waste water. Avoiding water waste with the NO-DES system demonstrates how utilities can walk the conservation walk.
Paul Kramer of Gresham, Oregon, joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss a subject too infrequently discussed: Fats, Oils and Grease, or FOG. Paul walks us through what FOG is and how it gets into the sewer system and disrupts the system’s operation. He then discusses elements of a FOG program, including the extensive internal and external communication necessary, and what a FOG program launch entails. If you’d never heard about FOG before, or even if you had, this episode will be a real eye-opener.
Steve Cavanaugh, President and CEO of Cavanaugh and Associates, joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss an important yet misperceived area of water utilities: non-revenue water. Steve describes what non-revenue water is, how it can be optimized and the simple steps utilities need to do to get started with a non-revenue water program. With a little bit of work, your utility can optimize non-revenue water, while increasing its return on investment.
George Hawkins, CEO and General Manager of DC Water, joins The Water Values Podcast and discusses his brand of change leadership. George details specific examples of his leadership style and how he approached his position when first joining DC Water. George also relates stories on how water utilities can interact with their customers and their governing boards. Finally, George offers his thoughts on the 3 biggest issues facing water utilities and their leaders today. This is a can’t miss episode.
Ku McMahan of the Securing Water for Food Program joins us to discuss the program, its origins, mission and impact on developing countries. Ku discusses how the program fosters innovation in the water-agriculture nexus and how the program currently is undergoing a third call for innovations that can help those in developing countries use water more efficiently for agriculture, implement water capture and storage solutions, and deal with increased soil salinity issues.
Denise Nelson, Vice President of Public Education for the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, discusses the EnvisionTM Ratings System. Denise describes the origins of the system through a collaboration of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Council of Engineering Companies, and the American Public Works Association. Denise also explains why it was needed and how the ratings system works, giving plenty of examples.
Meghna Tare, the Executive Director of the Institute for Sustainability and Global Impact at the University of Texas at Arlington joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss how the Institute approaches water sustainability and to describe some of the projects and research undertaken by the Institute. Meghna emigrated from India approximately 15 years ago, so she has experienced water shortages firsthand and understands the need to practice sustainability when it comes to our water resources.
Tom Gwynn, President of Krausz USA, joins us on this week’s episode of The Water Values Podcast to discuss the current state of water infrastructure in the United States, collection and distribution system pipe repairs, and how Krausz USA is working to safely and quickly repair those pipes. Tom tells us in detail about the various products Krausz USA has to offer and informs us on their uses to help with efficiencies and fast repairs.
James Eklund, the Director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, discusses Colorado’s Water Plan. James looks at why Colorado needed a water plan, how the State went about developing the water plan, and where the State is in the process of finalizing the water plan. James also engages in a discussion of how water and funding water projects fit in with the rest of the State’s fiscal requirements. Finally, he touches on the notion of integrating Colorado’s water plan with other state water plans.
Terrence McDonough, an economics professor at the National University of Ireland in Galway, discusses one of the most controversial issues surrounding water in the current world: the implementation of water charges in Ireland. Terry fills us in on how water historically has been paid for by the Irish people, why the model has changed, and what is behind all of the unrest over these charges in Ireland. As Terry explains, it’s a very complicated issue. One far more complex than it appears at first blush.
Incredible efficiencies have been gained in the municipal water use sector over the last 30 years. As part of its Drought Forum webinar series, the Western Governors’ Association put together an expert panel that digs into the issues surrounding municipal outreach and consumer technology in the municipal water sector. Tune in for a fascinating discussion with Robb Barnitt of Dropcountr, Nicole Seltzer of the Colorado Foundation for Water Education, and Jeff Tejral, the Conservation Manager for Denver Wate
Susan Latvala discusses the discord in the Tampa Bay area amongst the various counties and municipal governments over water supply. After legislative intervention, the affected governments negotiated an intergovernmental agreement that formed Tampa Bay Water. Susan describes how the board of Tampa Bay Water worked through their differences and gradually calmed the turbulent Tampa Bay water scene. Susan stresses the importance of relationship-building between the utility board and the utility staff.
Sharlene Leurig, Water Program Director at Ceres, discusses the impact of climate change on water. Sharlene takes us on economy-wide tour of water’s impact on climate. Sharlene addresses how cities are using innovative green infrastructure programs & provides examples from San Francisco and Philadelphia. She also identifies some of the challenges of funding the investments needed to cope with our infrastructure needs, from rating agencies issues to government-imposed limits in debt instruments, like bonds
Mark Peterman, CEO of OndaVia, discusses water testing and technological advancements occurring in the water industry. Mark shares how OndaVia technology provides rapid testing results, which provides a better alternative to off-site laboratory testing that can take weeks. Mark cites examples such as perchlorate in groundwater and water at oil refineries and how on-site testing at the micro level can better optimize industrial processes, along with a host of other technological advancements.
Phil Rolchigo, Vice President of Technology at Pentair, joins The Water Values Podcast this week to discuss new products and technologies his company is developing to feed the world through innovations in sustainable aquaponics systems and the recovering of resources from water. He also talks about some of the challenges and processes that Pentair is using to drive productivity and growth in the marketplace with new business models, and how these applications create value for the customer.
Ann Tartre explains the efforts businesses in the Colorado River Basin undertake to educate themselves, their customers and others on sustainably using the Colorado River with Protect the Flows. Ann takes us through the powerful findings of an Arizona State University study commissioned by Protect the Flows quantifying the economic impact of the Colorado River on the Southwest (& by extension the United States). Hint – the economic impact of the Colorado River is roughly equivalent to the GNP of Australia
Jeff Hughes of the Environmental Finance Center at the University of North Carolina joins The Water Values Podcast for an in-depth discussion about environmental finance. Environmental finance concerns how to pay for programs that provide environmental services. Jeff guides us from traditional rate-making to several more creative approaches to implementing water rates and explores some of the obstacles to getting these more creative rate design mechanism adopted and implemented.
The CEO of San Antonio Water System (SAWS), Robert Puente, joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss the numerous successes of its water system through water supply limitations and droughts. He also discusses how SAWS works to conserve water through these drought periods, different infrastructure projects, resources, and the creative opportunities SAWS pursues to help its stay ahead of the game in the water industry. Tune in for this innovative and inspiring session with Robert!
Head of investment banking firm Blue Star Capital, Jud Hill has spent his career exploring the smartest and most innovative ways to invest in the water sector – and why water is such a unique commodity. Jud discusses the growing trend in water equities and what opportunities are on the horizon for investors.
Ed Pawlowski, mayor of Allentown, PA, discusses how a public–private partnership (or P3) helped to save the city from financial ruin and revitalize the city, turning a multi-million dollar deficit into a multi-million dollar surplus. The Mayor discusses the nuts and bolts of the P3 arrangement from the RFP process and building political support for the P3 to the details of the P3 such as how rate increases, capital expenditures and environmental risks are handled.
It’s been a fantastic year since we launched The Water Values Podcast in late March 2014. You’ve been absolutely terrific. I know I don’t say that enough, but your emails, your comments and your listenership each are greatly appreciated. And I just hope you keep up the engagement as we head into 2015. We’ve got some great guests scheduled for you in 2015, so keep on listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast.
John Oldfield, CEO of WASH Advocates, discusses advocacy for WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene). John tells us that implementing WASH in communities leads to other important development goals in the developing world. John discusses the history and current political climate surrounding this important humanitarian issue. John explains that with cooperation from governments, private philanthropists, corporations, NGOs, & academics all across the globe, there are opportunities to solve this problem.
Brad Lancaster discusses permaculture and rainwater harvesting. Brad describes how to harvest rainwater and greywater. Brad also explains how the soil helps filter out toxins from greywater to keep us safe and healthy, but also transforms those toxins in the greywater into a valuable fertilizing resource for the plants. Brad talks about how other communities across the country are adopting the use of greywater and rainwater harvesting and how he’s working with them to create a more sustainable future.
Mark LeChevallier, Director of Innovation and Environmental Stewardship at American Water, discusses technology in the water sector. Mark tells us what the water industry is doing to assist areas that are going through a drought, and what alternatives and methods they are using to reuse water. He also discusses the technology that’s being developed for the desalination of sea water to provide more water for those living in coastal cities and options for bringing desalination technology into the mainland.
Eric Thornburg, President and CEO of Connecticut Water Company, relates his experiences from a Water for People trip to Rwanda, Africa. Eric explains how Water for People is helping countries in need and how they are making a difference and transforming those communities to provide a significant service of healthy and safe drinking water. He also discusses water sustainability initiatives and infrastructure in the Northeast and various career opportunities in the water utility industry.
Ken Kirk, Executive Director of the National Association of Clean Water agencies, discusses the important role that NACWA plays in various areas of the water industry, from the federal government, other utility industries, and to small communities across the United States. Ken also talks us through the various programs that NACWA has created & implemented to be educational for other industries & everyday citizens to show the importance of how water & other utilities affect local communities and governments.
Bob Iacullo, Executive Vice President with United Water, discusses the history of the public-private partnership model in the water sector, how the model has changed and what innovations are taking place. Bob discusses a recent United Water’s P3 agreement with a New Jersey municipality that helped the city save money and earn a better credit rating. Bob also discusses the impact the IRS has on P3 agreements, concessions agreements versus O&M agreements, indices used to adjust the compensation and much mor
Lisa Sparrow, President and CEO of Utilities, Inc., a water and wastewater utility company with a national reach, joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss acquisition strategy, her approach to finding solutions to important problems, and a discussion about women as contributors in the utility industry and about attracting women to the field.
Thought leaders in the water industry join Dave McGimpsey to discuss important questions and systemic challenges facing the water utility industry. Hear how the panel and the event audience exchange ideas about the latest impact of regulations on water utility funding and operations, and how to best to educate consumers and communicate across the industry to better meet water challenges together.
Peter Yolles, CEO & Founder of WaterSmart Software, shares his perspective about how cloud-based, water efficiency technology can advance sustainable water management in water utilities – allowing utilities to connect directly with customers about usage strategies to save water & money. Peter describes the three primary benefits of WaterSmart Software: customer engagement, water efficiency & data analytics. Finally, Peter offers his thoughts on how water technology is gaining a foothold with utilities.
Dave Nettles, the Division Engineer with the Colorado Division of Water Resources’ Water Division One, provides a background on Colorado water law and why augmentation plans are needed. He outlines how an augmentation plans are created, what the issues are, models used to predict future groundwater flows, and how augmentation plans are implemented. Dave also discusses the latest developments in augmentation plans, as well as the impact these plans have had on the water industry.
Mary Ann Dickinson, the President and CEO of the Alliance for Water Efficiency, examines a range of current issues involving water efficiency and to discuss her organization’s advocacy for water efficiency. She identifies a number of issues and describes how water efficiency actually is the least cost alternative for holding down rates. Mary Ann explains how water and energy are interrelated. She also identifies the wide gulf in the public’s understanding about how much water we actually use.
Chris Peacock, water sector entrepreneur and founder of the Water Innovation Project, takes us on a journey in search of “smart water”. He shares what he has learned about the water market over the years and how new information technologies are helping us better understand how to manage our vital water resources. Chris also announces details about his book release, a compilation of 25 essays by thought leaders on water issues, which describes what people are doing to make a difference in the world of wa
Margaret Palmer, University of Maryland Professor and Director of the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center, shares with the impact that mountaintop removal coal mining is having on inland streams and rivers. She discusses the scientific evidence she brings to the courtroom to illustrate the reality of what is happening in the environment. Margaret also relates how the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center uses research from multiple disciplines to creatively solve environmental problems.
Chmn. Alaina Burtenshaw of the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (also a Co-Vice Chair of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners’ (NARUC) Committee on Water), explains how state utility commissions are helping water utilities improve operations and how the NARUC gets state water utility interests seen and heard at the national level. Chmn. Burtenshaw identifies a number of regulatory tools that utility commissions are using to improve the regulatory process for water utilities.
Beth Toot-Levy, Senior Environmental Specialist with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, discusses environmental issues faced in the wastewater treatment process by the Cleveland area sewer utility serving over a million customers. Beth addresses water quality & other issues affecting the Great Lakes. Beth shares the area’s current wastewater research & efforts to treat and eliminate sources of pollution flowing in the watershed from neighborhoods, industrial facilities, & agricultural production.
Donna Vincent Roa, a communication specialist, water sector communication expert and Managing Partner at the Vincent Roa Group, comes on The Water Values Podcast for a discussion on the importance and effectiveness of communication using storytelling, visual and symbolic elements, and language to educate and engage the public about water and water utilities. Donna uses her own storytelling in this episode and provides insight on various types of strategic communication.
Alison Kastama, a communication manager with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and Heather Pohl, a project manager at SFPUC for the Automated Water Meter Program, explain the initiatives behind the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) program, the technology and tools used to educate customers on water usage reduction and the process to roll out AMI. This episode provides valuable tips for utilities thinking about AMI deployment!
Alison Kastama, a communication manager with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and Heather Pohl, a project manager at SFPUC for the Automated Water Meter Program, discuss the deployment of SFPUC’s advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) project. Alison and Heather explain the initiatives behind the AMI program, the technology and tools used to educate customers on usage reduction and the process to roll-out AMI. This is a must-hear episode for utilities interested in AMI!
Michael Deane, the Executive Director at the National Association of Water Companies, identifies important issues for investor-owned water utilities. He describes how both the private and public sectors can work together to solve today’s water challenges. With a career dedicated to this vital resource, Michael shares his perspective about how previous generations have paved the way for our nation to enjoy the highest quality water in the world – and now he poses important questions for this generation.
Ken Mercer, the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) Senior Manager of Technical and Research Programs, comes on The Water Values Podcast to discuss the AWWA’s State of the Water Industry Survey. Ken does a deep dive into how those in the water industry perceive the industry from a variety of perspectives. Check this episode out and see how the industry thinks it’s doing! And if you’re not participating in the AWWA’s surveys, you need to start!
Ken Mercer, the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) Senior Manager of Technical and Research Programs, discusses the AWWA’s Rate Survey and it Utility Benchmarking Survey. Ken fills us in on the trends that the AWWA’s Rate Survey reveals and some interesting metrics that the Utility Benchmarking Survey tracks, as well as how benchmarking can be used by utilities. Check this episode out and then see how your utility measures up! And if you’re not participating in the AWWA’s surveys, you need
UC Berkeley professor, David Sedlak, discusses the revolutions in urban water systems and to forecast what the next generation of our urban water systems will look like, which he calls Water 4.0. Dr. Sedlak takes us through the circumstances that surrounded the development of major technological revolutions in how water was supplied, treated and disposed of, and he’s got intriguing and provocative ideas on the need for and shape of a new revolution in our urban water systems.
Forbes Guthrie, a good friend of The Water Values Podcast, discusses how to clean up water from industrial processes. We had a wide-ranging discussion that covered the basic process his company, Stewart Environmental, employs using ceramic filters, and the different types of water that need to be cleaned up, from water from industrial processes to mine water, to brackish water. We even get into technology commercialization, and he shares how Stewart Environmental goes about commercializing its technology.
Wall Street veteran Debra Coy joins us on The Water Values Podcast to talk about a number of issues concerning water finance. She brings a wealth of experience as a water analyst and as a water consultant to our discussion about financing water utilities, assessing the current state of the market, evaluating the importance of rates to utilities, surveying industry consolidation, and much more.
Phil Wilson, the General Manager and CEO of the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) in Texas, addresses the impact of the drought on the LCRA, infrastructure funding and P3 issues, the energy-water nexus and more in this interview. (Phil also is a former Texas Secretary of State and former Executive Director of the Texas Department of Transportation). Phil does a great job explaining how LCRA is coping with the massive growth in Texas, while simultaneously experiencing record drought.
Steve Berens, CEO of Clear Comfort Water, LLC, discusses water tech and his company’s innovative water treatment solution. Clear Comfort is the world-wide licensee for pools and spas of a patented technology used for water treatment. Steve discusses a broad range of issues in the water tech space, explains the benefits of using the technology over chlorinated treatment, and describes the numerous ways in which the Clear Comfort technology can be applied to make water safer for human interaction.
Professor Neil Grigg of Colorado State University and the River Master of the Pecos River joins The Water Values Podcast this week. Neil has been involved with water for over 50 years and bestows just a fraction of his knowledge and experience on us in this interview. He discusses a wide range of water conflicts from small-scale to large-scale and relates stories of water conflict from both the East and the West in the United States. Tune in to learn about water conflicts and how they can be resolved.
Marshall Davert, the President of Government & Infrastructure for the Americas and Asia/Pacific for MWH Global identifies key water infrastructure issues and provides his insights into the relative health of our water infrastructure. Marshall also compares and contrasts the models for funding infrastructure in the Americas and in the Asia/Pacific region. This is a “can’t miss” session of The Water Values Podcast if you’re interested in infrastructure and a world tour of how infrastructure gets funde
Steve Maxwell of TechKNOWLEDGEy Strategic Group joins The Water Values Podcast this week to discuss the four ways we need to think differently about water. Steve shares a wealth of knowledge and experience in the water industry, and you’ll be sure to come away from this interview with a much broader understanding of the water issues affecting all of us and how we’ll look at those issues in the future.
Tim Eder, the Executive Director of the Great Lakes Commission, joins The Water Values Podcast this week. Tim passionately describes the issues affecting the Great Lakes, including pollution, invasive species, and habitat degradation and provides a hopeful message on how we’re overcoming these challenges in the Great Lakes. Tim was a terrific guest, so get ready to learn a lot about the Great Lakes in this interview.
The Water Values Podcast welcomes Lisa Bryant and Jeremy Jarnecke from the Bureau of Land Management. Lisa is the Assistant Field Manager in BLM’s Moab Office, and Jeremy is the State Hyrdologist for Utah BLM. Lisa and Jeremy explain a lot about how the BLM approaches water, and you’ll be surprised to learn how big of a role water plays in an agency whose primary mission is land management. Lisa and Jeremy were fantastic guests, and you’ll get a lot of the interview with them.
The Water Values Podcast welcomes Nicole Seltzer for Session 11. Nicole is the Executive Director of the Colorado Foundation for Water Education (CFWE). She delves into great detail about water education issues. And she does so in an entertaining way. You’ll learn all sorts of things you never thought about concerning water education.
The Water Values Podcast turns 10 this week! At least in terms of sessions released. In this session, Deloitte Consulting’s Will Sarni joins us to talk about water as both a business risk and opportunity. Will is Deloitte’s Practice Leader for Enterprise Water Strategy, and you will find his insights into the way in which businesses are attempting to qualify and quantify how water affects their business very intriguing.
This week, The Water Values Podcast welcomes noted economist and author David Zetland. David takes us on a wide-ranging interview where he discusses the relationship between the price of water, the value of water and the cost of water. He also addresses a number of other issues, such as water rate structures from an economist’s viewpoint, water as a local issue, and water scarcity. He provides great context for these and other topics through his new book, Living with Water Scarcity.
The Water Values Podcast welcomes Marty Melchior of Inter-Fluve, Inc. to discuss restoration and reclamation of rivers and streams. Marty provides some great information about reclaiming our rivers. From beginning the process of reclamation to the post-construction monitoring that takes place, Marty leads us step-by-step through the process. He also provides several real-life examples of river and stream restorations and what those restorations accomplished.
Dr. Ellen Wohl of Colorado State University joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss rivers and streams, and headwaters streams in particular. If you’ve always thought of rivers and streams as conduits to flush away whatever we put into it, this podcast will open your eyes to how rivers and streams interconnect with their surroundings and why headwater streams are so important.
Duke University professor Jim Salzman wrote a book titled Drinking Water: A History, in which he follows the history of water from a number of differing perspectives. In our talk, Jim addresses several of those issues and focuses on the rise of bottled water and two ongoing debates – drinking water as a commodity versus drinking water as a human right, and drinking water in the developing world provided by grey infrastructure versus drinking water provided by point of use treatment.
John Entsminger, the new General Manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, shares a tremendous amount of his knowledge about the Colorado River and a lot of information about water conservation, water rate design and water infrastructure projects in Southern Nevada. He provided a fantastic interview and displayed great knowledge of water conservation and related water utility issues and Colorado River governance. His remarks on the future of water on the Colorado River are must-listen material.
In the fourth session of The Water Values Podcast, Mike McGuire joins us to talk about safe drinking water. Mike is a California-based engineer, author, blogger and water historian. He provides a terrific interview and reveals some little known history about safe drinking water. He also relates a story about drinking water from his travels to China and how Chinese culture approaches drinking water.
Jenn Vervier, the Director of Sustainability and Strategic Development for New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado, shares a tremendous amount of information about New Belgium’s conservation and sustainability efforts as they relate to direct and indirect use of water in the brewing process, to the water-energy nexus, and to society in general. She provided a fantastic interview and displayed great knowledge of New Belgium’s water processes and substantial efforts on the water sustainability front
In the second session of The Water Values Podcast, I welcome Jack Wittman, a hydrogeologist with INTERA. As described in the podcast, Jack has significant experience in all kinds of water issues and has worked all over the United States. He is a terrific resource on a host of water topics.
In the first-ever session of The Water Values Podcast, I’m happy to welcome Matt Klein. Matt’s wide-ranging experience with water issues demonstrates why he’s my first guest. Matt has been an environmental regulator, an environmental lawyer, the Executive Director of Indianapolis Water and the Executive Director of Technical Operations for the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, his present position. Today, we’re talking about water issues from the perspectives of each of these positions.