The Water Zone: Recent Episodes
The Toro Company
The award-winning Water Zone podcast brings together various perspectives from industry experts, government leaders, authors, environmentalists and others to discuss today’s water challenges and explore opportunities for sustaining one of our most vital resources. Sponsored and supported by The Toro Company.
Ed Mathieu, president of ODI‑Solutions, discusses Aquabus, an innovative magnetic water technology delivering measurable efficiency and cost‑saving benefits. Ed explains how Aquabus significantly reduces water use by altering the molecular structure of water, allowing it to penetrate soil more quickly while minimizing runoff and waste. Backed by independent university studies, the technology helps plants maintain optimal moisture levels while improving overall plant health and productivity. The conversation explores real‑world applications across commercial, residential, and agricultural installations, highlighting Aquabus as a practical solution for smarter water management.
Podcast Recorded on April 9, 2026
Steve Moore, CEO of Moore Water Management, presents a Master Class on selecting and maximizing smart irrigation systems. Steve explains how irrigation components are chosen based on landscape design and how elements like pipe sizing, pressure, and irrigation type—drip, spray, or rotor—must work together as a complete system. He dives into advanced smart controller management, outlining the environmental data required for accurate programming, including vegetation type, climate conditions, and evaporation rates. The episode concludes with the importance of conducting a water audit to evaluate distribution uniformity and make system adjustments that drive peak performance.
Podcast Recorded on April 2, 2026
Guest Gabe Brown, principal of Understanding Ag, LLC, shares his expertise in regenerative agriculture and the work his consulting group does with farmers and ranchers around the world. Gabe defines the core principles of regenerative agriculture, emphasizing that soil‑building practices must be adapted to geography, crop type, and individual farm context. He explains how regenerative agriculture offers one of the greatest opportunities to improve human and climate health while strengthening the long‑term financial well‑being of farmers. Gabe also addresses common assumptions around conventional practices, outlining how regenerative approaches can deliver strong yields, sound economics, and improved water management without reliance on monocropping or heavy chemical inputs.
Podcast Recorded on March 26, 2026
Cydian Kauffman, founder of Pure Water–Northwest, explores his mission-driven approach to demystifying clean water. Cydian shares how his business cuts through industry confusion to deliver real, science‑backed water solutions, while also tackling fringe topics like structured and hydrogenated water to separate fact from fiction. He discusses how Pure Water–Northwest designs custom solutions for challenges such as industrial runoff, high iron levels, bacterial contamination, arsenic, PFAS, fluoride, and hidden household toxins linked to health concerns. Listeners also learn about Cydian’s educational YouTube videos and the free water‑education webinars he offers to help consumers better understand what’s really in their water.
Podcast Recorded on March 12, 2026
Chris Davey, a retired leader from The Toro Company’s Precision Irrigation Division, reflects on a career dedicated to the landscape and irrigation industry. A proud graduate of Cal Poly Pomona and the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University, Chris shares how his curiosity in irrigation hydraulics shaped a journey spanning product management and senior leadership roles. He also discusses his time as a former co‑host of the award‑winning The Water Zone radio show and his induction into the Green Industry Hall of Fame. Throughout the conversation, Chris emphasizes how meeting people, exploring emerging technologies, and engaging with water legislation and science have made his career both meaningful and humbling.
Podcast Recorded on March 5, 2026
Tyler Fields, Sr. Director of Water Solutions at Valmont Industries, a global leader in infrastructure and agricultural irrigation products shares insights from his role as a newly appointed member of the Irrigation Association’s Board of Directors, explaining how his technical background and industry experience will help support the organization’s long-term success. As an agricultural engineer, he discusses Valmont’s commitment to advancing ag technology and water sustainability through high-performing, environmentally responsible solutions. The conversation highlights Valmont’s newest irrigation software innovations and how they are helping growers use water more efficiently while boosting productivity to help feed the world.
Podcast Recorded on February 19, 2026
Paulette McGhie, programs manager at ResNet, and Michel Matthews, program engagement specialist, discuss how ResNet standards differ from other energy efficiency programs and how those standards are developed and updated. They explain the important role ResNet standards play in the mortgage industry, including how a ResNet‑certified home may qualify buyers for special mortgage financing tied to new home purchases or upgrades. Michel highlights how the standards ensure accuracy and consistency in home energy ratings, building confidence for lenders and homeowners alike. The conversation also addresses what happens after certification, with Paulette noting that ResNet currently does not enforce ongoing compliance when a certified home is later sold.
Podcast Recorded on February 12, 2026
Alex Grant, CEO of Magrathea Metals, discusses a breakthrough approach to producing carbon‑neutral magnesium metal from seawater and brines. He outlines the major global challenges facing magnesium production, noting that Russia and China currently dominate supply, creating economic and national security risks for the United States. Grant shares how Magrathea Metals is partnering with the U.S. military and Tetra Technologies to rebuild a domestic magnesium supply through a new project launching in Arkansas. He also explains the company’s innovative chloride electrolyzer technology, which significantly lowers processing costs while enabling clean, scalable magnesium production for critical industries including automotive, aerospace, and defense.
Podcast Recorded on February 5, 2026
Mike Hightower, PhD, director of the New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium, and Kyle Murray, PhD, principal scientist at GeoConsulting LLC, explore the growing opportunity to recover critical minerals from produced water in oil and gas operations. They explain how characterizing produced water allows researchers to identify valuable elements such as lithium, magnesium, iodine, bromide, and others that can create new revenue streams. The conversation highlights current projects focused on mineral recovery and outlines the pathway from water characterization to commercial-scale extraction. The episode also identifies U.S. oil and gas basins with the greatest potential for economically viable recovery of critical minerals from produced water.
Podcast Recorded on January 29, 2026
Doug Bennett, conservation manager for the Washington County Water Conservancy District in St. George, Utah, discusses the region’s most pressing conservation and sustainability challenges. He explains how the district is implementing buy‑back programming to improve drought resilience and stretch limited water supplies amid severe future availability forecasts. Doug highlights projections showing water demand may increase by up to 200% by 2060. To address these long‑term needs, the district is investing in a billion‑dollar water reuse system that will treat and reuse wastewater while adding new supporting infrastructure.
Podcast Recorded on January 26, 2026
Shilpa Alva, CEO of Surge for Water, shares how her organization invests in underserved global communities by delivering safe water, hygiene, and menstrual health solutions to help break cycles of poverty. She highlights that Surge for Water is a women‑led movement rooted in equity, respect, and stewardship ensuring historically excluded groups are prioritized and that local wisdom guides every project. Alva explains how the organization partners with community‑based teams in Haiti and Uganda to ensure all solutions are locally owned and sustainable. She also describes a range of educational water projects, from solar‑powered wells to spring harvesting, well drilling, repair, and filtration. Ultimately, she emphasizes that safe water is foundational for thriving schools, health centers, and entire communities.
Podcast Recorded on January 15, 2026
Peter Fiske, Executive Director of the National Alliance for Water Innovation at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, explores the future of water production and reuse. He highlights major advancements in desalination, filtration, and resource recovery technologies that are reshaping how industries treat and repurpose water. Fiske also discusses emerging methods for extracting magnesium and rare earth elements from fracking brine, along with innovations like reactive plasma processing for high‑tech sectors. He explains how water movement directly impacts energy use and how new local regulations aim to increase the safe reuse of produced water.
Podcast Recorded on January 8, 2026
The Water Zone host Rob Starr provides and in depth discussion about the impactful work of Orange County Coast Keepers, a non-profit dedicated to protecting fresh and saltwater ecosystems. Rob shares the organization’s history and its connection to over 300 “Keeper” programs worldwide, each operating independently. He highlights Coast Keepers’ hands-on efforts in public outreach, education, marine restoration (including oyster regeneration), research, and water quality enforcement. Current projects include trash cleanups, corporate engagement, internships, and eco-friendly gardening. Rob also addresses their advocacy against offshore drilling and challenges to federal water protections in Southern California.
Podcast Recorded on December 18, 2025
Arizona homeowner John Bartlett, shares his concerns about pressing water issues impacting communities nationwide. The discussion covers the legal definition of water rights as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court and explores whether the government can alter senior water rights, including current litigation trends. Bartlett and the hosts also examined the global PFAS crisis—known as “forever chemicals”—and debated the necessity and environmental impact of fracking, along with mining brine for rare earth minerals. The episode concluded with practical ideas on how individuals can contribute to long-term water sustainability.
Podcast Recorded on December 11, 2025
Moses West, President of AWG Contracting and the Moses West Foundation, shares his journey into Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG). Drawing on his military experience and engineering background, Moses developed a groundbreaking water harvesting system to provide clean, abundant water for troops in the field—a prototype that earned military approval and orders. Today, his company delivers scalable solutions from small units to large systems producing up to 1.5 million gallons per day, supporting disaster relief, community resilience, and sustainable infrastructure. Moses highlights installations like the one in Jackson, Mississippi, and explains how his solar-powered technology can even generate water in desert conditions.
Podcast Recorded on December 4, 2025
Scott Revell, manager of Roza Irrigation District, and Larry Mattson, director of the Office of Columbia River, discuss the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan. They highlight historically low reservoir storage and streamflows after three consecutive drought years, prompting strict water diversion restrictions to protect fish and senior water rights. They explain key drought factors, current supply levels, and projected water availability, along with voluntary and mandatory conservation measures for domestic users. They also outline resources and emergency drought grants available to farmers to help mitigate crop and livestock losses.
Podcast Recorded on November 20, 2025
Donna DiFrancesco, conservation coordinator for the City of Mesa, AZ, who shares how Mesa won the Wyland’s National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. Donna highlights the city’s innovative programs—like water management for commercial customers and HOAs, residential grass-to-landscape drip conversions, tree bonus incentives, and water education for schools—that empower residents and businesses to use water more efficiently. She also introduces helpful tools such as Mesa’s Water Calendar for personal water budgeting and a library of videos on demand covering landscaping, irrigation troubleshooting, and DIY water-saving tips. Donna explains how these efforts help Mesa reduce water use while sustaining the environment.
Podcast Recorded on November 13, 2025
In this episode, Tia Fleming, executive director of the California Water Efficiency Partnership, explains California Bill 1572 and its impact on water conservation. The bill restricts the use of potable water for irrigating non-functional turf, but exempts residential yards, parks, cemeteries, golf courses, and sports fields. Tia defines non-functional turf, outlines compliance deadlines, and discusses enforcement. She also introduces a new online toolkit to help commercial users and water agencies understand the law, and encourages listeners to check with local water providers for rebates and turf removal programs.
Podcast Recorded on November 6, 2025
Ryan Meres, Paulette McGhie, and Michael Matthews from RESNET explore the significance of the HERS H2O rating system, which evaluates a home's water efficiency alongside its energy performance. They explain the types of homes eligible for certification and share statistics on adoption in California and other states. The discussion highlights how the HERS H2O rating aligns with the EPA’s WaterSense label, offering builders and homeowners a pathway to formal recognition and incentives. The guests also detail the inspection criteria used in certification and emphasize the value of water-efficient homes—even in regions not currently facing water scarcity. This episode underscores the growing importance of integrating water conservation into residential construction standards.
Podcast Recorded on October 30, 2025
In this episode, we speak with Mauricio Guardado, general manager of United Water Conservation District, about their fight for fairness in water policy. A recent federal court ruling allows the government to take most of a community’s water without compensation, citing species protection—even when the science doesn’t support it. United Water is pushing back, demanding that environmental decisions be based on credible science and the rule of law. Listen to learn how this landmark case could reshape regulatory accountability and the future of water management across the country.
Podcast Recorded on October 23, 2025
Homeowner and new listener Alan Lee, from Ohio joins he show seeking advice for his new home's irrigation system after years of apartment living. Hosts Rob and Chris guide him through landscape basics like design costs, DIY installation, and irrigation controller options. They also cover turf selection, watering schedules, winterization techniques, and troubleshooting common system issues like zone failures and drainage. This episode offers practical insights for homeowners navigating irrigation for the first time.
Podcast Recorded on October 16, 2025
Dr. Kyle Murray of principal scientist at Murray GeoConsulting, discusses how brine—an oil and gas byproduct—contains nearly every element in the periodic table, including critical minerals like lithium, rubidium, and platinum. These elements are vital for industries such as energy, computing, and transportation. He explained that recovering and selling these minerals could help oil and gas companies offset drilling costs. Additionally, brine holds large quantities of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which can be reused in manufacturing and fertilizer production. Dr. Murray also outlined methods for extracting these minerals from brine waste.
Podcast Recorded on October 9, 2025
Anthony Giudice introduces AquaFlow’s innovative valve technology designed to optimize water flow and reduce costs across residential, commercial, and industrial applications. The product uses a 3-in-1 system that compresses trapped air and gas in water lines before it reaches the meter—preventing users from being charged for air volume. He explains that air enters water systems through municipal pumps, repairs, temperature shifts, and micro-leaks, and since most meters read total volume, this leads to inflated bills. The valve also regulates flow and pressure, reducing water consumption by up to 35%, minimizing water hammering, and extending plumbing lifespan. In simple terms, Anthony says, “the AquaFlow valve fixes water turbulence and air bubbles & gases so you stop paying for the measured air in the water lines.”
Podcast Recorded on October 2, 2025
Kendall DeJonge, a USDA Research Agricultural Engineer, discusses his team's award-winning work on standardizing evapotranspiration (ET) software for water resource management. While ET methods have long been documented, Kendall highlights the lack of unified, publicly available code—until now. His team overcame major challenges to create collaborative tools using Python, chosen for its readability, extensive libraries, and broad applicability.
Podcast Recorded September 25. 2025
Derek Heeren, PhD, Professor and Irrigation Engineer at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, shares insights into his award-winning work in irrigation education. Honored with the 2025 Irrigation Association’s Excellence in Education Award, Heeren discusses his leadership in developing coursework, certificate programs, and a graduate specialization in agricultural water management. He also highlights his role as general editor for Irrigation Systems Management procedures published with ASABE in 2021. Beyond teaching and research, Heeren drives curricular reform, builds faculty teams, and fosters partnerships with community colleges. He further supports global and domestic irrigation efforts as the IWMI Education Coordinator for the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute.
Podcast Recorded on September 18, 2025
Scott Bowmen, president of Precision-Rain Irrigation, shares his company’s unique business model focused on filling gaps in the landscape and irrigation industry. He emphasized the importance of selecting the right contractor and helping clients organize their project goals into actionable categories. His firm offers full project management or specialized services like irrigation system selection, water management, and arborist support. A key part of their approach is educating clients to understand the technical and operational aspects of their projects.
Podcast Recorded on September 11, 2025
Guest Mark Freeman, Mayor of Mesa, Arizona highlights the city's leadership in water conservation, including winning the 2025 Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge, with residents pledging to save over 22 million gallons of water. He discusses educational and rebate programs that support conservation and sustainability. Additional efforts—like reducing electronics use and switching to refillable bottles—are projected to cut 6.2 million kWh of electricity and eliminate 14,000 plastic bottles. He also addresses Arizona’s climate challenges, emphasizing the urgency of water stewardship.
Podcast Recorded on September 4, 2025
In the latest episode of The Water Zone podcast, Quinten Dreesmann, principal & partner at Sciens Capital Management, discusses the firm’s investment focus on the water industry through its Sciens Water Opportunities Fund, launched in 2018 to acquire and grow private companies addressing U.S. water infrastructure challenges—particularly in utilities, transmission, distribution, and wastewater treatment—while delivering both income and long-term value for investors.
Podcast Recorded on August 21, 2025
Eric Santos, president of Epic Landscape and Water Management Services, shares how his grandfather sparked his interest in landscaping. He discusses key qualifications for success in the industry, what HOAs look for in service providers, and the top challenges they face. Eric also advocates for more rebate funding for water-efficient products and supports state licensing for irrigators to ensure better water management.
Podcast Recorded on August 7, 2025.
Tom Lyons, Founder of Viridis Advisors, explores how resilient freshwater systems are central to global investment themes like energy, health, and technology. He highlights gaps in current water demand solutions and outlines opportunities across the water cycle—from supply and consumption to collection and treatment. Tom also shares how emerging water tech firms can build strong business strategies and secure long-term funding in this evolving landscape.
Podcast Recorded July 31, 2025
Guest Greg Chick, an irrigation engineer, and Festus Langat, a teacher and project leader in Kenya, share how they partnered with Global Water Works to bring rain harvesting systems to rural Kenyan villages. These gravity-fed systems, now installed in five locations, provide clean water and save residents hours of travel each day. Festus leads local volunteers in maintaining the systems, while Greg discusses their next project—composting toilets—and offers listeners a free digital copy of his book via his website.
Podcast Recorded on July 24, 2025
In this episode, we welcome Tim Quinn, water policy strategist for Ocean Well, to discuss a revolutionary new approach to ocean desalination. Tim explains how Ocean Well’s innovative underwater “pod” system harnesses natural hydrostatic pressure at depths of 400 meters to power reverse osmosis—cutting energy use by up to 40% compared to traditional land-based systems. The process is entirely chemical-free and avoids harmful brine outfalls, using a specially designed circulation system to protect marine ecosystems. With the ability to scale to millions of gallons per day, Ocean Well’s technology offers an environmentally responsible solution for delivering high-quality freshwater directly from the deep ocean. Don’t miss this fascinating look at the future of sustainable water sourcing.
Podcast Recorded on June 12, 2025
Guests Mike Hightower, director of the New Mexico Produced Water Consortium, and Jonas Armstrong, director of New Mexico’s Environmental Water Protection Division, discuss the state’s innovative produced water project, which treats contaminated groundwater from oil fracking and converts it into clean, usable water. Jonas explains his team’s role in sampling, analysis, and updating Source Water Assessments to identify and mitigate contamination risks, while Mike outlines the fracking process and highlights partnerships working to turn produced water into a community resource. They also explore current treatment technologies—such as carbon filtration—and the challenges of filter disposal, emphasizing the need for continued innovation in sustainable water management.
Podcast Recorded on June 5, 2025
Gisele Schoniger, organic gardening educator for Kellogg Garden Products shares fascinating insights into how organic soils and plant foods are manufactured, highlighting Kellogg’s commitment to sustainable and environmentally responsible practices. She discusses the company’s OMRI Listed products and explains how to select the right soil and amendments for various garden types—including small spaces, edibles, raised beds, and landscape gardens. Gisele emphasizes the importance of keeping soil alive with nutrients and beneficial organisms, as well as applying and distributing water correctly to maximize garden health.
Podcast Recorded on May 29, 2025
This episode of The Water Zone features activist and endurance athlete Leo Gripari, David Finn (CEO of Globe House Streaming), and Nubia DuVall Wilson (President of Starfury Productions), who joined forces to create the award-winning documentary MAGI. The film follows Leo as he takes on five extreme physical challenges across four continents to raise nearly $1 million for clean water projects in Uganda, while spotlighting the global water crisis, political tensions in regions like Nepal and Jordan, and efforts to preserve sacred springs in Arizona’s Grand Canyon. The guests share powerful insights on the making of the film, its global impact, and the urgency of protecting our most precious resource.
Podcast Recorded on May 22, 2025
Dr. Melissa Matlock, Director of Programs at the California Water Efficiency Partnership (CalWEP), shares insights into her leadership initiatives including the creation of CalWEP’s flagship Peer to Peer Program, which brings water professionals together to exchange real-world strategies and innovations. She introduces the Implementation Hub & Resources, a centralized platform offering tools and templates to help agencies implement the California Conservation Framework. Melissa also highlights her new Charting the Course for Compliance Series, designed to simplify complex regulatory requirements, and discusses CalWEP’s Data Streaming Efforts, which aim to reduce reporting burdens and improve data system coordination for water purveyors across the state.
Podcast Recorded on May 8, 2025
Guest Steve Creech, President of the Wyland Foundation, shares how the organization—founded by famed marine artist Wyland—has grown its impact through education, community outreach, and partnerships promoting environmental sustainability. Steve highlights key programs like the Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, which engages thousands of water agencies and their customers in pledging to save water, with prizes ranging from smart irrigation controllers to a $50,000 electric vehicle. He also discusses the Wyland Art Challenge for K-12 students, a new watershed study curriculum supporting STEM learning, and the foundation’s 80-foot mobile water museum featuring a theater, mini watershed, rainforest, and interactive exhibits that travel across the U.S. to inspire the public to protect our planet’s most vital resource.
Podcast Recorded on May 1, 2025
Eddie Wallace, owner of MidWest Landscaping in California, shares his perspective on the recent Southern California fires and how property owners can proactively protect their homes and businesses. Eddie outlines a three-zone planting strategy using specific types of ground cover, shrubs, and trees to reduce fire damage and describes a simple irrigation system modification that can create a protective water shower during a wildfire. He also discusses the latest advancements in controllers, spray heads, and high-capacity rotors for fire defense, emphasizing the importance of maintaining irrigation systems for peak performance. Listeners can view Eddie’s instructional videos on his website and through the California Landscape Contractors Association.
Podcast Recorded on April 24, 2025
In this episode we welcome Marc LoPresti, CEO and chief market strategist of Market Rebellion, Wall Street veteran, securities attorney, and media contributor. Marc shares his legal team’s pivotal role in the landmark multi-billion-dollar lawsuit against 3M over forever chemical contamination in U.S. drinking water, offering insights into the technical evidence that led to the historic settlement. He also discusses litigation involving DuPont and its spin-offs Chemours and Corteva for similar violations. Looking ahead, Marc offers his take on water-related investments—viewing utilities as stable but recommending tech-driven water solutions like filters, pumps, and desalination for those seeking stronger returns.
Podcast Recorded on April 14, 2025
In this episode of The Water Zone, Rylan Dobson, water stewardship programs leader at the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF), shares how he drives public-private collaboration and policy advocacy to advance global water sustainability. He highlights water's critical role as a connector across environmental priorities like climate and nature, and addresses key issues including water scarcity, stress, security, hygiene, and their link to UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6). Rylan voices frustration over water being sidelined in broader environmental conversations, noting that “water is where climate impacts hit first,” and stresses the importance of data-driven action. He also discusses WWF’s partnership with GlobeScan and industry leaders to diagnose water challenges and push for a more impactful global agenda.
Podcast Recorded on April 10, 2025
In this inspiring episode of The Water Zone, guest Atul Bhatara, President and CEO of Atul Skin Care Products, shares his powerful personal journey and insights into the vital role water plays in skin health. Diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy as a toddler and given only a few years to live, Atul defied the odds to build a successful career and launch a skincare brand rooted in natural healing. He explains how the body is 75% water and highlights the differences between micellar, alkaline, and oxygenated water—revealing which are best for drinking and skincare. Atul also discusses the benefits of natural ingredients like turmeric and saffron in promoting healthy, radiant skin.
Podcast Recorded on April 3, 2025
Brenda Burman, general manager of the Central Arizona Project (CAP), shares her background and insights from her time as Administrator of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. She provides a deep dive into CAP’s history, infrastructure, and its critical role in delivering Colorado River water to Arizona. Brenda discusses the economic impact of this water, the causes behind current shortages, and what that means for the state’s future. She also addresses potential challenges related to energy supply, cybersecurity threats, and water quality protection. Highlighting CAP’s use of artificial intelligence to safeguard infrastructure, she shares updates on a major project to link CAP and SRP canals and introduces CAP University—an online resource for public education and legislative updates.
Podcast Recorded on March 27, 2025
In the latest episode of The Water Zone, guest Tiffany Baca—public affairs manager for the Municipal Water District of Orange County and executive director of the Water Energy Education Alliance (WEEA)—discusses how WEEA is uniting over 260 organizations across California to build career pathways in the water and energy sectors. She explains how the alliance was formed, its rapid growth, and the critical need to align education and training with industry demands. Tiffany highlights key workforce challenges, including an aging workforce and skills gaps, and shares how WEEA is addressing them through partnerships with educational institutions, hands-on programs like internships and apprenticeships, teacher training, and multilingual career resources.
Podcast Recorded on March 20, 2025
Mike Hammond, President & CEO of Signal Relief, introduces a groundbreaking drug-free pain relief technology that harnesses the water within the body to reduce or eliminate pain—without the need for medicine, power, or external devices. The patch utilizes the 4th phase of water, a scientifically recognized state found in the human body that carries a negative electrical charge within the exclusionary zones of muscles. Featuring a specialized antenna array layout, the patch activates a positive charge state when placed on the skin, stimulating the negatively charged internal water to trigger rapid pain relief. Mike also underscores the critical role of water in overall health and explores how deeper insights into the body's internal water dynamics could unlock new advancements in human performance and well-being.
Podcast Recorded on March 13, 2025
Arizona State Senator Tim Dunn shares his journey from farming to politics and discusses the state’s pressing water challenges, including water quality, salinity in agriculture, and surface and groundwater management. He highlights the need for inland desalination facilities to support future farming and emphasizes the importance of balancing water pricing and allocation to ensure economic efficiency, social equity, and environmental sustainability.
Podcast Recorded on March 6, 2025
Jeff Mosher, general manager of the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA), discusses the agency’s role in managing and protecting water resources in the Santa Ana River basin. Established in 1975 as a joint power authority, SAWPA is composed of five member agencies working together to address water supply reliability, water quality, recycled water, wastewater treatment, groundwater management, brine disposal, and regional planning. Jeff highlights SAWPA’s mission to develop and maintain collaborative programs and projects that ensure the economic and environmental sustainability of the watershed.
Podcast Recorded on February 27, 2025
In this episode of The Water Zone podcast, experts Pei Xu, PhD, from New Mexico State University, and Mike Hightower, PhD, director of the New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium, explore cutting-edge research in water treatment. They delve into their work on the desalination and treatment of brackish and saline waters, as well as high-salinity waste waters. The conversation highlights current advances in produced water treatment and reuse, presenting data that demonstrates how such water can be safely transformed for various applications, including agricultural use and drinking water. Additionally, the guests share insights into their ongoing projects, innovative technologies, and advanced testing methodologies, shedding light on modern challenges and solutions in water pollution management.
Podcast Recorded on February 20, 2025
In this episode, Cat Shrier, Ph.D., Founder & CEO of WaterCitizen.org, shares how her nonprofit transforms water professionals and entrepreneurs into industry changemakers through virtual and high-engagement in-person events. She highlights the organization’s three core pillars—Water Innovation, Water Workforce, and Water Leadership—and discusses "Water Pitch," a high-energy startup matchmaking event connecting entrepreneurs, funders, and clients. Cat also introduces WaterCitizen’s virtual educational lab, which helps individuals launch water programs and events in just 10 weeks, fostering relationships, revenue, and long-term impact.
Podcast Recorded on February 13, 2025
Gregg Semler, founder & CEO of InPipe Energy, introduces HydroXS, an innovative energy recovery system that replaces traditional control valves by converting wasted water pressure into renewable energy. Instead of burning off excess pressure, HydroXS optimizes flow control, reduces operating costs, conserves water, lowers carbon emissions, and extends infrastructure lifespan. This smart control technology also provides real-time data for improved system verification. Gregg highlights how water districts across the U.S. are already using HydroXS to generate revenue, making water systems more reliable, efficient, and sustainable.
Podcast Recorded on February 6, 2025
Guests Clifford Chan (GM, East Bay Municipal Utility District), George Hawkins (CEO, Moonshot Missions), and Lou Bendon (CEO, Flycatcher Marketing) discuss key water industry challenges and innovations. The conversation examines how firefighters ran out of water during the Los Angeles wildfires, what went wrong, and how various utilities collaborated to support local agencies during the crisis. Lou also highlights proven methodologies for reducing energy costs and carbon footprints, enabling utilities to accelerate decarbonization efforts. Additionally, the group explored how artificial intelligence is transforming utility operations by optimizing data collection and analysis to reduce unnecessary expenditures.
Podcast Recorded on January 30, 2025
Troy Hayes, Water Services Director for the City of Phoenix, Arizona, shares insights into the city’s water treatment and distribution system. Phoenix operates five water treatment plants, with two in North Phoenix (Union Hills and Lake Pleasant) utilizing Colorado River water delivered by the Central Arizona Project (CAP), while three central plants treat Salt River Project (SRP) water. CAP water can also be redirected to any plant during maintenance or drought. Troy details the city’s treatment process, robust water quality monitoring, and its 6,000-mile interconnected pipe system, which delivers an average of 264 million gallons of water daily. Deliveries are adjusted monthly to meet customer demand, influenced by factors such as weather, tourism, and usage patterns.
Podcast Recorded on January 23, 2025
In this episode of The Water Zone, California Secretary of Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot discusses the state’s water infrastructure, detailing its current status and future needs. He highlights key initiatives, including the Sites Reservoir project and Delta Conveyance expansion, emphasizing their critical role in meeting California’s long-term water demands. Crowfoot also explores the integration of advanced technologies for agricultural irrigation and groundwater monitoring, as well as partnerships with countries like Israel, the Netherlands, and Denmark to adopt cutting-edge water efficiency methods. Additionally, he provides insights into the diverse entities he oversees, such as the State Board of Water Resources, Cal-Fire, and Fish and Wildlife.
Podcast Recorded on January 16, 2025
Dr. Gerald Pollack, Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington, shares insights from his groundbreaking book, The Fourth Phase of Water. He introduced "EZ water" (Exclusion Zone water), a structured form of water (H3O2) that forms upon contact with most surfaces and differs fundamentally from conventional H2O. This unique phase generates an electric charge, offering energy with potential applications in medicine, agriculture, energy production, and health. Dr. Pollack discussed his experiments and how this discovery could revolutionize our understanding of water’s role in biology, chemistry, and beyond, paving the way for innovative uses in science and technology.
Episode Recorded on January 9, 2025
In this episode of The Water Zone, Brad Loiselle, President & CEO of Artic Freshwater, discusses his company’s mission to combat the global water crisis by unlocking the potential of trillions of liters of renewable freshwater. He emphasizes the severity of issues such as water scarcity, lack of access, the burden of water collection, and child mortality, highlighting Artic Freshwater’s innovative, collaborative, and socially responsible approach. Brad details their partnerships with local and governmental agencies, regional distribution networks, and their active involvement in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6) program. He also shares how their awareness and education initiatives draw on Iceland’s water ecosystem to promote a culture of water responsibility while building a global coalition dedicated to making a difference.
Podcast Recorded on December 12, 2024
JP Robinette, Engineering & Construction Manager for the Sites Reservoir Project, discusses his role in overseeing the construction and management of this innovative 15-million-acre-foot off-stream reservoir. Designed to capture rainfall and runoff from extreme storms, the reservoir will provide a flexible water supply for California's communities, farms, and environment during times of scarcity. Once integrated with the California State Water Project and Central Valley Project, it will improve water management during floods and droughts while delivering key environmental benefits, such as 372,029 acre-feet of water for ecological use, increased Delta freshwater flows, and cold water for salmon in the Sacramento River.
Podcast Recorded on December 5, 2024
Clifford C. Chan, general manager of East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), discusses the utility's ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. He highlights the water industry's significant carbon footprint—4 gigatons annually, four times that of aviation—and the critical role of innovation in reducing it. Mr. Chan shares how EBMUD tackles the challenge of balancing decarbonization efforts between large utilities and underserved communities, emphasizing that while the industry may be perceived as slow to innovate, many water agencies are actively driving progress.
Podcast Recorded on November 21, 2024
In this episode, Tom Ferguson, managing partner at Burnt Island Ventures, discusses his venture capital group’s role in driving innovation in water technology. Burnt Island Ventures invests in emerging solutions to address critical water challenges, emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurial creativity and engineering ingenuity. Joined by guest host Lou Bendon, Ferguson highlights the connection between water management and climate change, sharing insights on transforming environmental issues like brine from petroleum fracking and blue-green algae into valuable resources. He stresses the need to balance innovation with production success, offering a forward-thinking perspective on the future of water sustainability.
Podcast Recorded on November 14, 2024
Recorded live from the Irrigation Association Show at the Long Beach Convention Center, Rob and Chris connect with four influential figures in the irrigation industry. Outgoing IA President Inge Bisconer reflects on her tenure, shares her vision for the association’s future, and introduces Surf & Earth Enterprises’ advanced, free software for industry users. Tyler Fields, sr. director, Valley Water Delivery at Valmont Industries, Inc., highlights his company’s journey to winning the IA’s prestigious Vanguard Award. IA CEO Natasha Rankin offers insights into the association's expanding educational initiatives and its active role in public policy advocacy. Finally, Dan Winterton, director of marketing for The Toro Company's Irrigation & Lighting Division, discusses the environmental benefits of WaterSmart technology with natural turf over turf removal, emphasizing its role in carbon sequestration and reducing urban heat, noise, and pollution.
Podcast Recorded on November 7, 2024
Steve Counter, VP of the Irrigation & Lighting Category at SiteOne Landscape Supply, shares his journey into the landscaping industry and how SiteOne became the largest irrigation distributor in the U.S., with over 500 stores nationwide. Steve highlights what sets SiteOne apart from competitors, including their extensive product range covering irrigation, lighting, turf and landscape maintenance, nursery, hardscape, and pest control. He discusses the company's commitment to supporting customers with in-depth knowledge and specialized services, such as irrigation system and lighting design, drainage planning, and their SiteOne University training for professionals. Steve also offers insight into the future challenges contractors may face and emphasizes the importance of water conservation in the evolving landscape industry.
Podcast Recorded on October 17, 2024
Noel Carter, general manager of the Buckeye Water Conservation and Drainage District (BWCDD), discusses the district's role in supporting agriculture through irrigation water, power, and flood irrigation services, as well as protecting farmland from alkali drainage. He shares the district's history and its evolution in developing guidelines as the area transitioned from a major agricultural hub. Noel also highlights a new bipartisan infrastructure deal that allocates over $11 million to BWCDD for canal modernization and energy projects, including concrete lining for the Main Canal and implementing solar and wind-powered systems. With Buckeye, Arizona rapidly expanding and set to develop over 100,000 new homes, he emphasizes the district's efforts to balance agricultural and residential water needs sustainably.
Podcast Recorded on October 10, 2024
In this episode, Susan Kennedy, Chairman and CEO of Cadiz, Inc., discusses the company's mission to expand safe, reliable water access through innovative water management and conservation. Cadiz is focused on building infrastructure, such as a pipeline connecting their wellfield to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California's Colorado River Aqueduct, storing surplus water underground, and treating water to remove harmful contaminants. Susan highlights partnerships like the one with the Farmworkers Institute of Education to install clean water filtration systems in underserved communities and shares the company's agricultural efforts in the Cadiz Valley. She also emphasizes how Cadiz’s groundwater storage bank can supply water to areas like the Salton Sea and asserts that Southern California's drought concerns could be mitigated by utilizing millions of acre-feet of underground water in the Mojave Desert.
Podcast Recorded on October 3, 2024
Rob Starr and Chris Davey broadcast from their recent visit to the 2024 WaterSmart Innovations Conference in Las Vegas, NV, where several companies shared their innovations addressing water and environmental challenges. RESNET's Paulette McGhie and EPA's Jonah Schein discuss new building standards for energy and water efficiency. Atoco's Magnus Bach highlights sustainable atmospheric water harvesting and CO2 capture technologies. John Green of BlueGreen Water Technologies introduce solutions for controlling blue-green algae. Kamstrup's Joe Ball detailes how ultrasonic water meters optimize revenue and water management. Lastly, Biogreen's Teresa Kim explained the benefits of Agromon biodegradable mulching film for sustainable farming.
Podcast Recorded September 26, 2024
Special guests Joaquin Esquivel, chairman of the California State Water Resources Board, and Lou Bendon, CEO of Flycatcher Marketing, join the show to discuss key water issues facing California water operators. The conversation covers the impact of climate change on the water industry, the importance of decarbonization, and how water budgeting and water loss mandates from the Water Board are linked to decarbonization efforts. They also explore what the State Water Resources Board can do to advance decarbonization in the absence of legislation and mandates, and how these initiatives can help offset rising operational costs for larger water agencies.
Podcast Recorded on September 19, 2024
In this episode, Lindsey Stuvick, sustainable resources officer at Moulton Niguel Water District, and Lou Bendon, CEO of marketing at Fly Catcher Communications, discuss carbonizing water, water use efficiency, and the financial benefits for ratepayers and water districts. As part of a five-segment series, Lindsey explains how carbonizing water can drive cost savings and sustainability, while Lou shares his expertise in public relations for California water districts. He highlights creative strategies to educate customers on water conservation, implement innovative projects, and enhance operational management. Together, they showcase how these efforts contribute to both environmental and financial gains in water efficiency.
Podcast Recorded on September 14, 2024
Lynn Priddy, PhD, President of Claremont Lincoln University, and Joanna Bauer, Executive VP and Chief Academic Officer discuss their parent entity, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, and its unique curriculum for various public sectors. They explore the degrees offered by Claremont Lincoln University, key factors of leadership classes for mid to high-level executives, the formation of Teams and Fellows to resolve real-world issues, and the university's accreditation and compliance with necessary regulations and state rules for education.
Podcast Recorded on September 5, 2024
This episode features Mike Hightower, program director of the New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium; Justin Mattingly, manager of the Water Reuse Program at the U.S. EPA; and Malynda Cappelle, facility manager of the Bureau of Reclamation’s Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility. The discussion centers around the EPA’s Water Resource Action Plan (WRAP), highlighting key priorities such as produced water and water stewardship. The guests delve into the federal role in treating and reusing produced water for agriculture, with Malynda Cappelle detailing her work on treatment requirements and new water treatment technologies. They also share insights on current efforts in New Mexico, California, Wyoming, and Texas to use produced water for irrigation, and review survey results on using treated produced water for various crops.
Podcast Recorded on August 22, 2024
On this week’s show, Cynthia Campbell, water resources manager and advisor for the City of Phoenix, AZ, discusses how her passion for water conservation led her to the water industry after serving as the assistant city manager and working as an attorney. She provides insight into the current state of water in her district, highlighting the conservation initiatives spearheaded by Phoenix Water, including a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment center that creates more usable water for the community. Cynthia shares her involvement in key projects such as the "Save Water to Promote Water Conservation" pledge, a drought simulation game testing residents' ability to manage a city's water portfolio, and a stormwater awareness campaign that encourages year-round efforts to prevent pollution. She also highlights the latest rebate incentives, including smart irrigation controllers and turf removal programs, aimed at promoting sustainable water use among constituents.
Podcast Recorded on August 15, 2024
This week’s guest is Ralph Holt, the owner of Eco-Verde Irrigation Company in Phoenix, AZ. He shares insights about his business and what sets it apart from other companies. Ralph’s motto is “Turf is not a four-letter word,” and he discusses the importance of turfgrass for the environment. He also describes various water-saving methods that don’t involve removing existing landscapes. His presentation includes a commonsense discussion on sustainability, covering topics such as conservation, risk, compliance, monitoring, and more.
Podcast Recorded on August 8, 2024
Darcy Burke, a board member for the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, shares her experience as a government advisory committee member for the EPA. She co-chairs water and climate adaptation communication workgroups and participates in The California Water for Food & People Movement. This movement's mission is to unite all of California's water-for-food-and-people advocates, coalitions, organizations, groups, bureaus, alliances, growers, and more into one large action force. Their goal is to compel immediate long-term solutions to protect and provide water for humans. She describes the organization’s grassroots efforts around water management and its commitment to education and water policy.
Podcast Recorded on August 1, 2024
Lou Bendon, president of Flycatcher Marketing, has over 40 years of strategic marketing experience in water and commercial industries. In this episode, Lou tells us about the AWWA's (American Water Works Association) mission to decarbonize water by creating renewable energy from existing water pipeline infrastructure. He explains that water utilities and other water intensive industries face climate disruption, and increased energy costs that threaten the reliability of the water supply. Lou shares emerging technologies that are helping to solve the issue of decarbonization of water while also lowering energy costs.
Podcast Recorded on July 25, 2024
The Water Report offers in-depth analysis of solutions written by the world's industry leaders covering a breadth of perspectives and expertise across multiple sectors. The monthly publication’s Owner and Editor in Chief Shaina Shay details her experience dealing with water use efficiency and varied water policies. Shaina describes how she came to purchase the publication and how she is using her expertise in water policy and management, conservation, and community outreach to take The Water Report to the next level.
Podcast Recorded on July 11, 2024
Candidate for Arizona State Representative, Gary Snyder talks about his experience in the farming industry. He discusses how he promotes and implements water conservation and soil management best practices into his farming activities. Gary also describes the need for a higher appreciation of water and new technologies to help farmers and the public use water more efficiently. Gary also provides his vision for the future of water in Arizona, and how his ideas and water management knowledge play a significant role in his bid for Arizona State legislation.
Podcast Recorded on June 27, 2024
Scott Burr and Rick Penn of Accelerated Filtration, explain their new technology, specialized metal filters designed for produced water markets. They provide detail on the unique challenges of this innovative start-up and how this specialized filtration helps clean contaminants from dirty water, and how it can help provide solutions in several applications. This breakthrough technology is being met with much excitement in the marketplace and the technology is being advanced through the work of its users.
Podcast Recorded on June 20, 2024
Ron Burke, president and CEO of the Alliance for Water Efficiency, explains the organization’s mission and presents their priorities around education, advocacy, research, and training. Ron also takes us on a deep dive into the approach to water efficiency in regions throughout the U.S. He tells us about the organization’s strategic plans, their vision for the future of water in the U.S., and what needs to be accomplished to fix top issues facing the industry.
Podcast Recorded on June 13, 2024
Guest Charley Wilson, executive director and CEO of the Southern California Water Coalition, provides his perspective on the biggest water challenges in California today and what his organization is doing to secure greater water supplies. He shares his thoughts on how climate change is affecting water supplies and discusses the status of the Delta Fix project. He also speaks about the need to expand storm water storage throughout the state, the implementation of desalination projects and presents his view on the future of water.
Podcast Recorded on June 6, 2024
The first of a six-part series on New Mexico Produced Research Consortium, a joint effort of the New Mexico Environment Department and New Mexico State University. Throughout this series, we will have participating members in the Consortium like EPA representatives, government agencies, legislators, scientists, and utilities representatives, to share their perspectives and contributing actions toward the implementation of produced water. In this episode, Mike Hightower, Consortium program director, provides insight into the EPA's National Water Reuse Action and explains the significant role of produced water in that plan. He also describes "the Global One Water Concept" and how the concept can provide for water resilience and reliability.
Podcast Recorded on May 30, 2024
Irrigation Association President and owner of Surf ‘N Earth Enterprises, Inge Bisconer, describes her role and plans for working with membership, the industry and legislators. Inge reflects on recent accolades from the American Society of Irrigation Consultants and her 40 plus years in the irrigation industry. A long-time advocate for sustainability and water use efficiency, she has been a leading expert helping agricultural growers improve their profitability through better technology, management, and education. Her newest educational endeavor includes the co-development of a software program to monetize the benefits of efficient irrigation.
Podcast Recorded on May 23, 2024
Special guest Steven Moore, CEO of Moore Water Management, talks about best practices in water management and how they can be practically applied in the real world. He describes evapotranspiration (ET) and factors to consider when developing watering plans like crop coefficients, soil conditions, temperature, humidity, wind, and solar radiation. Finally, he discusses smart controllers and soil moisture sensors, how each works hand-in-hand to provide the right watering schedule and how ET data plays a role in delivering precise irrigation schedules.
Podcast Recorded on May 16, 2024
Moses West Foundation leverages cutting edge atmospheric water generation technology to provide water access, foster community development and promote environmental responsibility. Founder Moses West joins the show to present the foundation’s latest technology for atmospheric water generation. He also shares how the foundation has generated over 5 million gallons of clean water around the world since its launch and how it has provided many potable water generator systems to the US military, the Red Cross and others. This unique technology has proven effective in any type of environment, even in the hottest deserts.
Podcast Recorded on May 9, 2024
We are joined by friend of the show, John Farner, executive director of the Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy, a center at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. John provides insight on the center’s activities and objectives. He also details the history and importance of the Colorado River Basin and why the center started its work there. He addresses the biggest challenges facing the basin and highlights some key programs relevant to overall global water challenges.
Podcast Recorded on May 2, 2024
This week’s guest is Thomas Schumann, CEO of Thomas Schumann Capital (TSC). TSC has emerged as a leading advocate for sustainable freshwater management and global water security. Recognizing the importance of water, TSC’s mission is to harness innovative strategies to protect freshwater supplies for the future. The company has also developed innovative financial instruments to promote water security, including the world’s first security token backed by real-world assets in the form of Arctic freshwater exploration rights. They have also developed the TSC Water Security Index, the world’s first index family to measure water risks in equities and portfolios for global capital markets.
Podcast Recorded on April 25, 2024
Chris Willis, owner of Colorado Total Maintenance company located in Denver, Colorado details his journey from grounds worker to business owner. Colorado Total Maintenance manages landscape and irrigation for the City of Denver Parks & Recreation along with other large scale commercial properties. Chris believes that his experience starting in the industry and the opportunity to learn from experts has made him a wiser businessman and a owner. He provides insight to the many irrigation opportunities that his company deals with each day, educational resources from the Irrigation Association and Colorado State University, and mentorship experiences in the soil, water and plant testing laboratory.
Podcast Recorded on April 18, 2024
Theo Wirtz and Philliph Prosenko of the IRRISketch company discuss their low-cost, innovative web-based irrigation system planner for landscape professionals and homeowners. Their software can significantly reduce the time to create a professional irrigation system design down to approximately 30 minutes. The system automatically determines pipe size, spray heads or rotors required and how many can be operated by each valve. IRRISketch also identifies all the components needed to install the irrigation system from to PVC connectors to the controller. IRRISketch’s suggested pricing is around $450 versus the thousands of dollars for other design systems.
Podcast Recorded on April 11, 2024
Part two of our discussion on cybersecurity affecting the water, electrical and petroleum industries. Contributors to the discussion are Frank Taylor, former under secretary for Intelligence and Analysis at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Sherri Ramsay, former director of the National Security Agency/Central Security Service Threat Operations Center, Hafsah Lak, former FBI Department of Cyber Security chief, and Harri Hursti, world-renowned data security expert. They discuss issues like the risk of cell phone use for cyber attacks, the dark web, infrastructure safety, the future of cyber security, and how we can get involved.
Podcast Recorded on April 4, 2024
The first of an eye-opening two-part series, this episode dives into the heart of cybersecurity, featuring an elite panel including Frank Taylor, former Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Sherri Ramsay, former Director of the NSA/CSS Threat Operations Center, Hafsah Lak, former FBI Cyber Security Chief, and Harri Hursti, a world-renowned data security expert. Together, they illuminate the potential cyber threats targeting vital infrastructures like water and electrical utilities, and petroleum refineries, while outlining robust response strategies of government agencies and practical measures for private sectors to fortify their IT systems.
Podcast Recorded on March 28, 2024
The New Jersey Irrigation Association is known for its leadership in groundbreaking legislation for the industry. The New Jersey IA helped drive legislation that requires all irrigators in the state to be licensed. Gregg Rogers, owner of Garden Irrigation in New Jersey, chronicles his efforts to help drive new legislation through his work with the Irrigation Association and discusses his company’s growth over the past 30 years. He also describes the many educational activities that they have initiated to provide homeowners and contractors with a wealth of knowledge on irrigation technologies and state regulations.
Podcast Recorded on March 21, 2024
Tom Lucas, president of Performance Nursery, provides a history of how and what attracted him to the green industry. He recounts the changes to the industry over time and how those changes have shaped the sales of low water use plant materials and water conservation. Tom also shares how these changes have impacted marketing, promotion and produced a more educated customer base.
Podcast Recorded on March 14, 2024
Featured guest Seth Bangerter of Thrive Smart Systems joins to share the company’s new valve technology that can immediately and remotely connect back to an installed smart irrigation controller. This product can communicate up to 200 yards through typical landscape obstructions with no wires or pairing required with the controller. He describes how this technology fits within most residential irrigation systems and can manage up to four individual stations.
Podcast Recorded on March 7, 2024
Salt Lake City Utilities is the oldest retail water provider in the west. Conservation Manager for Salt Lake Cities Utilities, Stephanie Duer gives us a brief history on this special purveyor and talks about her role in water conservation. She also shares the many projects that they are involved with focused on water use efficiency and discusses how the organization handles the population growth, climate change, and short-term weather fluctuations that have impacted water supply.
Podcast Recorded on February 29, 2024
Water activist, Seth Siegal, joins the show to share his experience during a recent trip to Israel in a quest to see how the current conflict is affecting people and businesses in the region. He describes to listeners the even more critical need for water and discusses new, highly efficient technologies for agricultural utilization in the Middle East, Europe and the United States receiving praise for reducing their water usage to grow crops.
Podcast Recorded on February 22, 2024
CEO and General Manager of San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, Heather Dyer, speaks about many of the area’s projects including a gravity pipeline that delivers non-reclaimable waste from the Santa Ana River to an Orange County treatment plant. As well as the Santa Ana River water rights project that provides leadership in the management of water resources throughout its service area. Finally, Heather discusses water conservation education programs and workshops they provide to their customers.
Podcast Recorded on February 8, 2024
Tia Fleming, director of external affairs for the California Water Energy Partnership (CALWEP), gives a brief history of the organization and explains how they advocate for California water agency legislation and regulatory requirements. CALWEP provides technical tools and training as well as professional networking opportunities. It also serves as the technical expert for partners and agencies and fosters research, evaluation and management assistance for conservation rebate programs.
Podcast recorded on January 25, 2024
Featured guest Michael Davidson, president of Davidson Consultants details his experience in Israel relevant to the agricultural industry and how magnetic technology is helping to increase crop production. He shares how the current conflict has impacted food supply, water security and distribution in the region. Michael also provides a broader understanding of what is driving the Israeli AgTech sector and how these new technologies are being shared around the world.
Podcast Recorded on January 18, 2024
Hosts Rob Starr and Chris Davey celebrate the Water Zone being named FeedSpot’s #1 podcast on water with a review of highlights from 2023 including segments with Reese Tisdale and John Berryman from Bluefield Research who addressed national water trends; Innovyze President, David Totman regarding the challenges facing water utilities; and a range of fabulous guests representing climate science, irrigation technology, legislation, water supply, meteorology, education, manufacturing and more.
Podcast Recorded on January 11, 2024
Natasha Rankin, CEO of the Irrigation Association (IA), details the Association's 2023 achievements and reviews legislative activities that helped the IA, water agencies, the agriculture industry, and property owners. She shares plans to provide interested individuals with a solid understanding of the significant opportunities within the industry and the educational training and networking capabilities for those seeking a great career path. She also comments on the rise of women in the water industry and how they play a key role in leadership, project management and operations.
Podcast Recorded on January 4, 2024
Metropolitan Water District (MWD) Resource Specialist, Krista Guerro, provides a history of the water purveyor and explains how they serve their Southern California region. She describes her specific role within the organization and details of some of the challenges facing water suppliers right now. Krista speaks about their progress in water conservation activities over the past 30 years and how their customers have become more water efficient.
Podcast Recorded on December 14, 2023
Special guest Jeff Graydon, sr. associate director of athletics at Princeton University chronicles his journey in sports fields and grounds and agronomy. Jeff manages the university's sports field design, construction and maintenance including management of various types of natural and synthetic turf. Jeff explains the variables that can impact the field and players like mold and other field characteristics. He also shares insightful stories about sports fields that he has designed and how they differ throughout the country.
Podcast Recorded on November 16, 2023
The city of Plano, Texas has won two EPA WaterSense Partner awards. Outreach & Engagement Coordinator, Katie Walker, joins the show to discuss the city’s educational and conservation activities to capture attention and boost water saving activities among residents. She even shares a musical parity she created for radio and local television broadcasts. Katie further details the rebate and assistance programs that the city offers its customers to help reduce both water and electrical usage.
Podcast Recorded on November 9, 2023
Featured guest Jazmine Molloy, director of product development for Eagle Aerial Solutions shares insight on the company’s off-the-shelf aerial imaging technology that provides landscape detail at a 6-inch square resolution. They’ve also developed specialized software to help users manage compliance, efficiency, and adoption of state and local mandates. Jazmine also discusses some of their scientific technologies like "near infrared" remote sensing which assists the State of California's Department of Water Resources in it's state wide water conservation efforts.
Podcast Recorded on November 2, 2023
Guest Brad Jakubowski, instructor at Penn State University’s Department of Plant Science, has been involved with the green industry for over 30 years. Brad details his philosophy around teaching irrigation and water management. His classes incorporate hands-on, field activities, and include life skills that provide insight to the opportunities that the water industry provides. Also, he is a vigorous defender of the inherent benefits of turf like carbon absorption, climate cooling, atmosphere health and more.
Podcast Recorded on October 26, 2023
Special guest Megan Jenkins, founder and CMO of Yoppify, describes the company’s interface solution between water and electrical utilities and their customers. They provide assistance with communications to deliver social norming, conservation messaging, rebate and program awareness and to measure customer engagement. Megan describes a myriad of activities, training and custom solutions that Yoppify performs for utility companies and how they help deliver a higher level of service for these companies.
Podcast Recorded on October 19, 2023
Pamela Berstler, founder of G3 Green Garden Group joins the show to discuss regenerative landscape management. G3 Green Garden Group asserts that the front yard is where we can start reversing climate change by designing, installing and managing the landscape using the watershed approach. The group conducts certification classes on water use efficiency and offers free tools for professionals and homeowners including books to learn how to create a drought tolerant garden utilizing a water shed approach.
Podcast Recorded on October 12, 2023
This week’s show brings a collective of WaterSmart Innovations Expo exhibitors who describe their business, products, and activities. Guests include Krista Guerrero of Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Heidi Putze from Ecorain, Megan Jenkins from Yoppify, Volker Brohm at Gutermann, Quincy Hayes from Hayes Automation, Trey Cutler of Niagara Conservation, Kris Loomis from Sonoma Water, Janice Gould at Responsive Drip Irrigation, and Susan Musica from Flume Water.
Podcast Recorded on October 5, 2023
Dominic Rullo, parks superintendent for Marana, AZ, joins the show to discuss his journey from a part-time lawn mowing service to parks and recreation management. He walks us through the challenges and opportunities that go along with managing a large crew of landscape specialists and how he collaborates with the city council, water agencies and the general public to receive input and buy-in for new projects that will help improve irrigation and reduce water use.
Podcast Recorded on September 28, 2023
The fundamentals of a Smart Water Triangle include smart controls, BMP's in installation and most importantly the use of AxisDE as a soil conditioner. Rich Miller, co-owner of Miller Landscape in Clearwater, Florida, describes the Smart Water Triangle and his holistic approach to water conversation. He explains ways the State of Florida can bolster their contractor certifications to help create a more professional and knowledgeable work force and discusses his approach in attracting new customers through the promotion of smart irrigation products.
Podcast Recorded on September 21, 2023
Overland Distribution Company specializes in magnetic technology that induces a strong magnetic field into an irrigation system to influence water's physical structure and therefore, its behavior. Overland representative, Edward Mathieu joins the show to describe how this change in water behavior brings a higher level of performance and benefits irrigation efficiency, soil health and operational costs for agriculture applications.
Podcast Recorded on September 7, 2023
Like many of us, Cove Mesa Vineyard Owner Emil Molin and his wife discovered a new passion during the pandemic. He joins the show to share how they turned inspiration into a small business and how irrigation technology helped the burgeoning winery’s weak vines to receive additional water. Since opening he has learned much more about soil conditions and the need for instant feedback regarding moisture content and evapo-transpiration information. He also speaks about the different varietals of wine perfectly suited to the Arizona climate and soil.
Podcast Recorded on August 31, 2023
Noreen Rich, director of member engagement & industry relations for the Irrigation Association (IA) provides a history of the association, the organization's mission and long-term vision. She also discusses the upcoming IA show in San Antonio, Texas and details all the activities that make up the event from product displays, new up-start companies, certification training, educational classes, IA resource displays, special awards, and most importantly, networking with industry professionals.
Podcast Recorded on August 24, 2023
Featured guest Michael Davidson of Moleaer Technology returns to the show to provide an in-depth exploration of his company's nanobubble generators. Nanobubbles are 200 nanometers in size; small enough to fit 5,000 or more side by side in a single millimeter. These extremely small bubbles contain a negative electrical charge that helps to reduce the amount of bacteria on fresh produce and can also be used for water treatment, agricultural water sanitation and algae removal.
Podcast Recorded on August 17, 2023
Featured guest Michael Davidson president of Moleaer Inc., discusses how the company has developed nanobubble technology for utilization in agriculture and how it enhances crop growth. He explains how nanobubbles are generated and then incorporated into water to stimulate crop growth. He also defines Climate Smart Agriculture and it’s implementation in farming within Africa, the Middle East and the United States.
Podcast Recorded on August 3, 2023
Dr. Charles Hillyer, director of the Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT) at California State University, Fresno and the interim associate vice president for the California Water Institute, provides his story. Including how he was drawn to the industry. He describes the function of CIT and it’s work with the Irrigation Association, AWWA and ASABI to research and develop irrigation industry standards. Dr. Hillyer also shares insights and observations related to smart irrigation adoption in agriculture.
Podcast Recorded on July 27, 2023
What will the world look like in 2050? Experts from American Water Works Association and Loop Communications share their thoughts on the future state of water. They also explore the state of mind shift required to help make sustainability decisions, shape influential new technologies and change water use behaviors to impact availability in the coming decades.
Podcast Recorded on July 20, 2023
Mary Ann Dickinson shares her career in the water industry and inspiration to found of the Alliance for Water Efficiency. Mary Ann discusses the issues and projects she has been involved with and how she helped to create a network for the water authorities, government agencies and private stakeholders interested in water legislation. She also shares her views on the future of water in California and the top three water infrastructure issues that need to be immediately addressed.
Podcast Recorded July 13, 2023
Eric Anderson, president of Valley Soil, returns to the show to share Valley Soil’s mission and how they got started. Valley Soil has become known throughout Southern California as the “go-to” company among water purveyors for education and installation of water efficient irrigation products like smart controllers, efficient spray nozzles and drip systems. Eric also shared his vision for the future of water and discusses potential new products that could be developed to increase water savings.
Podcast Recorded on July 6, 2023
Nathan Bowen of the Irrigation Association details events and activities around Smart Irrigation Month kicking off on July 1st, including ways that everyone can participate. Then Wall Street Journal reporters Ryan Knutson & Jim Carlton provide a detailed history of the Colorado River and events that led up to its recent condition and the explains the water rights of its various users.
Podcast Recorded on June 29, 2023
Greg Steele, director of SiteOne Green Tech discusses his introduction to the irrigation industry while attending California State Polytechnic University Pomona, in Pomona, CA. Greg goes on to describe the services that SiteOne Green Tech provides, like educational training, product configuration, installation and warranty services. As well as, examples of installation and product performance challenges that he and the team face daily.
Podcast Recorded on June 22, 2023
Featured guest Brett Sanders PhD., professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California in Irvine, addresses the creation of a deep analysis software model to help estimate the risk of flooding in California due to recent increased atmospheric river conditions. His work is extremely important for the pre-identification and location of serious flooding and in providing an early warning system for the state's emergency workers and the public.
Podcast Recorded on March 23, 2023
Did you know that much like fine wines water can be defined and rated? There are various kinds of bottled water such as glacier, carbonated, oxygenated, spring, re-processed and others. Michael Masha and Elena Burke describe their journey to create a training institute for classifying fine water. Michael and Elena set out to develop a methodology to objectively list water type and quality for the restaurant industry. They share just how this is done and their conviction that bottled water should be treated with as much respect as fine wine.
Podcast Recorded on June 15, 2023
Justin Richards, also known as social media’s "Sprinkler Dude", joins the show to talk about how homeowners and commercial property owners are adopting new irrigation technologies and the ways various water districts are promoting conservation, outreach, education and rebates. Justin also shares insights from his work with Conserva Irrigation, a irrigation contractor company who specialize in water smart irrigation technology, product application, and efficient irrigation management.
Podcast Recorded on June 8, 2023
Special guest Dave Langendorff of Irrigation Consultants, Inc., one of the country’s respective irrigation design company, speaks about the work and activities of the ASIC (American Society of Irrigation Consultants). He provides information on how ASIC professionals work with government agencies, water districts and customers to design water distribution systems for that highlights water use efficiency. David shares his experience successfully resolving issues on properties with significant irrigation challenges and his thoughts on mandates related to irrigation training and education.
Podcast Recorded on June 1, 2023
Irrigation & Lighting Editor in Chief, Kyle Brown, joins the show to promote the magazine’s Changing the Landscape Awards. This annual event celebrates and recognizes the outstanding work done by irrigation and lighting professionals throughout the year. The program highlights the best and most impressive examples of irrigation and lighting work. Last year's winners participated in a vast smart controller upgrade project that improved water use efficiency for hundreds of homeowners, as well as a landscape lighting installation that required precise drilling expertise.
Podcast Recorded on May 25, 2023
Featured guest Chris Keating, district sales manager for Toro's Irrigation & Lighting business, walks us through his journey in the water industry and details his outstanding involvement with contractor an distributor training. He shares his take on the difference between irrigation and sprinklers, the industry's disproportionate focus with product, and the important difference between "dirt plumbers" and those who focus on efficiency and distribution.
Podcast Recorded on May 18, 2023
Brian Vinchesi, of Irrigation Consulting, Inc. and president of the American Institute of Irrigation Consultants discusses his very interesting journey to becoming one of the irrigation industry's most respected leaders. He also reveals some of the unique opportunities and challenges presented to him throughout his career. Brian shares his thoughts on the future of water and water management, as well as his vision for the American Institute of Irrigation Consultants.
Podcast Recorded on May 11, 2023
Newsha Ajami, director of Urban Water Policy at Stanford University’s Water in the West initiative describes how the past century's approach to water management was based upon controlling nature and a fragmented infrastructure. Today’s approach to water management revolves around water scarcity, technology and science. This has all come together to help boost critical data gathering that is used to formulate new methods that enhance water management practices.
Podcast Recorded April 13, 2023
A solid relationship is one of the most important factors customers consider when entering a long-term relationship with a manufacturer. Toro Director of Irrigation Services, Inger Nordby, joins the show to explain how the company’s National Service Network (NSN) builds relationships through 24/7 support, extended warranty and digital support tools. She also explains the ways in which her team partners with end users, the distribution network, order fulfillment, product management and engineering to immediately help resolve field issues as well as test new products.
Podcast Recorded on April 6, 2023
Water districts spend millions on efforts to educate customers on water use efficiency. Fiona Sanchez, director of water conservation from Irvine Ranch Water District, describes their latest efforts to Making Conservation a California Way of Life. Fiona shares the opportunities and challenges that her water district faces to meet new government mandates, as well as, the differences between agencies in trying to set new standards of excellence for the California's conservation goals.
Podcast Recorded on March 30, 2023
Premier landscape water management presents a multitude of challenges and requires a unique approach to develop or corrected issues to ensure efficient water use. Tom Raden, director of water management at Par 3 Landscape Management Co. in Las Vegas, NV, walks us through the strategy. His expertise has created water savings in excess of 700 million gallons in landscape water use and saved his customers more than $2 million.
Podcast Recorded on March 16, 2023
City of Houston and Wyland Foundation representatives join the show to celebrate the city’s National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation win! The team shares details on what makes Houston, TX a standout representative of water conservation in our country and informs listeners about the specific challenges and the positive public engagement their citizens achieved.
Podcast Recorded on March 9, 2023
Guests Seth Bangerter and Bryan Brittain of Thrive Smart Systems discuss the EVO 4-station wireless transmitter and receiver. EVO is Thrive’s newest product introduction. The device is an add-on accessory for irrigation controllers that enables wireless communication to valves when the existing wire path is lost beyond repair. EVO allows users to take advantage of the benefits of smart irrigation control for valves added to an existing system during repair or expansion.
Podcast Recorded on March 2, 2023
The critical factors in establishing long-term client relationships are: carefully listening to needs, providing detailed information about how irrigation equipment can provide better water management results, staying connected for the long run and forming a trusted relationship. Special guest Brian Witcher of The Toro Company takes us through how these factors play into a day in the life of an irrigation specification manager. Brian also reviews critical steps in working with water managers and landscape designers to select the appropriate irrigation equipment and the latest available technology for upcoming projects.
Podcast Recorded on February 23, 2023
Dr. Kevin Winter and Dr. Michelle Constant from University of Cape Town’s Future Water Institute, join the show to reveal how they incorporate IoT (the Internet of Things) into their systems to more effectively collect, monitor and implement data to control the delivery and quality of water throughout Australia. They also share success stories and the ways in which this technology improves decision-making capabilities for water purveyors and conservationist.
Podcast Recorded on February 16, 2023
Fred Womack, Executive Director of Operation Good in Jackson, Mississippi, provides an update on all matters related to the water system in the city. Their current water is contaminated, and the delivery of water to areas within the city have been diminished to the point that residents have no safe drinking water. He details the organization’s work to provide bottled water and lunches to impoverished communities and elementary schools. Fred further explains the difficulties in receiving state assistance to help remedy the poor conditions.
Podcast Recorded on February 9, 2023
Innovyze, a subsidiary of Autodesk, is a global leader in building industry software for water and wastewater professionals. Technical Leadership Team member, David Trotman, details how they design and integrate software programs with local water utility monitoring processes to provide real-time information and analysis. David also discusses how software has played a key role in helping to identify significant problems with the outdated water infrastructure in Jackson, Mississippi.
Podcast Recorded on February 2, 2023
The Water Zone hosts Rob Starr and Chris Davey discuss the concerningly low temperatures around the country and steps the homeowner can take to "winterize" their irrigation system to prevent damage to critical irrigation components. They also address ways homeowners in warmer areas of the country can effectively manage outdoor watering during unseasonably cold or freeze events during winter months.
Episode Recorded on January 26, 2023
Nick Dyner, CEO of Moleaer, describes their unique nanobubble technology adaptable to multiple industries and water processes. Two-thousand, five hundred times smaller than a grain of salt, nanobubbles supersaturate water with oxygen and form natural oxidants for disinfection, improved plant health and increased ability to permeate soil and rock. Moleaer’s patented nanobubble technology provides the highest oxygen transfer rate in the aeration and gas infusion industry. Nick shares how this technology can help purify contaminated waste water and address the growing global demand for water.
Podcast Recorded on January 19, 2023
Bluefield Research is a team of analysts exclusively focused on water, wastewater and stormwater across global industrial and municipal sectors. Team members Reese Tisdale and John Berryman, join the show to discuss all the ways industry businesses, utilities and professionals are addressing the challenges and opportunities in water conservation. They also share insight on the future of proposed remedies to address the drought in the western U.S.
Podcast recorded on January 5, 2023
Desalination has historically posed challenges due to the massive amounts of energy required and the resulting brine waste with potential impact on aquatic life. Peter Fiske, director of the Water-Energy Resilience Research Institute discusses desalination and its potential. Peter explains how desalination is becoming more efficient and effective through innovation in membranes, technologies to address brine waste and extraction of valuable elements.
Podcast Recorded on December 22, 2022
Special guest Max Gomberg, former climate change mitigation specialist for the California State Water Resources Control Board, shares his take on various project updates and what’s really going on related to state water management project implementation. He provides carefully detailed insight to what has happened within the State Resources Board and current issues that have tarnished the board’s reputation and work activities.
Podcast Recorded on December 15, 2022
Featured guests Dominic Simms, Chief Executive Director for the International Code Council and Matt Sigler, Executive Director for the Code Council discuss the status of clean water and future planning requirements. They address the lack of a federal standard as opposed to current mandates set by state and local government. They investigate and take a look back at landmark water legislation to uncover how we’ve arrive at the water crisis many experience today. In addition, they share how Israel has transitioned from a net water importer to being a water positive country, and how that experience is being used to help other countries. Finally, Dominic and Matt share their strategy on how local agencies can help the future of clean water.
Podcast Recorded on December 1, 2022
Can private industry help remedy the U.S. water crisis? Guest Alex Loucopoulos of Sciens Water joins the show to discuss the significant shortage of funding from government sources to help water agencies and utilities secure capital to fund much needed improvement projects. In addition, he shares examples of how Sciens Water is working with both government and private entities to provide immediate funding at a reduced payback, and describes how this type of partnership also reduces the time to secure capital and gets projects completed faster.
Podcast Recorded on November 10, 2022
The Central Arizona Project (CAP) carries water from Havasu to the southern boundary of the San Xavier Indian Reservation. Special guest Brenda Burman, executive strategic advisor, provides insight on the project’s activities and challenges. With 361 miles of aqueducts, tunnels, pumping stations & pipelines the project provides water to agricultural lands and is the municipal water purveyor for several communities in Phoenix and Tucson, AZ.
Special guest Greg Nathan, chief business officer for the National Golf Foundation reveals the most essential elements of a desirable golf course. He offers insight to the effects of the pandemic and now inflation on the industry. He also describes the different steps taken by superintendents to keep the cost of golf play reasonable including the impact of technology on water cost and use.
Podcast Recorded on September 8, 2022
Special guest Greg Nathan, chief business officer for the National Golf Foundation reveals the most essential elements of a desirable golf course. He offers insight to the effects of the pandemic and now inflation on the industry. He also describes the different steps taken by superintendents to keep the cost of golf play reasonable including the impact of technology on water cost and use.
Podcast Recorded on September 8, 2022
According to the ‘Closing the Water Access Gap in the United States’ report nearly 2.2 million people in America live without running water or toilet facilities. This concerning state of affairs is reported to cost the U.S. economy over $8.5 billion a year. Featured guest and report co-author George McGraw, comments on the report and how closing the water gap could generate $200 billion over the next 50 years. He states that water insecurity has a significant impact on productivity, lost time at work or school, physical and mental well-being, and the cost of water.
Podcast Recorded on September 1, 2022
According to the ‘Closing the Water Access Gap in the United States’ report nearly 2.2 million people in America live without running water or toilet facilities. This concerning state of affairs is reported to cost the U.S. economy over $8.5 billion a year. Featured guest and report co-author George McGraw, comments on the report and how closing the water gap could generate $200 billion over the next 50 years. He states that water insecurity has a significant impact on productivity, lost time at work or school, physical and mental well-being, and the cost of water.
Podcast Recorded on September 1, 2022
The health and availability of water impacts more than we think like labor, farming, infrastructure, business, and housing. Reason Foundation Vice President and economist, Adrian Moore, Ph.D. discusses the effect of water on the growth and sustainability of our economy. Adrian points to numerous scenarios where economic growth or retraction has been closely related to water availability and cost. He also shares his views on the future of water if old regulations and infrastructure are not updated soon.
Podcast Recorded on August 25, 2022
SiteOne Landscape Supply Category Manager, Brad Lipsey, joins the show to discuss the professional retailer's rise and how it has grown to become one of the largest professional landscape supply distributors with over 600 locations in the U.S. and Canada. Brad shares insight to how the pandemic and inflation has affected the landscape industry. He talks about how irrigation technologies have helped the industry utilize water more efficiently and provides his thoughts about the future of business in the water and landscaping industries.
Podcast Recorded on August 18, 2022
Stephanie Clark, director of business development for the Irrigation Association joins the show to talk about the 2022 IA Show and Education Week. The show brings a vast amount of irrigation technology to the industry through exhibits and a new product contest. It also provides educational opportunities through the IA University. The show and education week is perfect for those interested in learning more about general irrigation technologies or who want to become certified in various aspects of the irrigation trade.
Podcast Recorded on August 11, 2022
Emma Robbins of the Navajo Water Project and Crystal Tulley-Cordova, Ph.D. of the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources, describe their journey; earning technical degrees in hydrology, climatology, and environmental science to give back to the Navajo tribe. They help solve lingering water problems that still affect tribal life such as a lack of water, water contamination, and agriculture. They also share their desire for greater attention from the federal government to their day-to-day struggles in an effort to help maintain and receive clean water to survive.
Podcast Recorded on August 4, 2022
Featured guest Jay Prag, clinical professor at Drucker School of Management in Claremont, CA, provides keen insight into the macro-economics of water. Jay discusses how the economy affects water and how water scarcity affects the economy. He also explores the fine line the state of California walks with the significant reduction of agricultural production due to drought as well as how this condition impacts the home building industry. He asserts that lost revenue and jobs are quickly piling up with no quick fix insight.
Podcast Recorded on July 28, 2022
Kyle Brown, Editor in Chief of Irrigation & Lighting and Irrigation Today magazines shares key issues and information impacting the agricultural industry and regulatory policy at the state and national level. Kyle also previews the 2022 Irrigation Show.
Journalist Trymaine Lee explores concerning water conditions in Jackson, Mississippi. Trymaine reports that residents routinely boil their water before use, and collect rain water to help flush the toilets, do laundry and take a bath. While the state estimates that an infrastructure improvement project will cost nearly $2 billion, local residents believe a lack of funding for the repair project stems from a bias toward people of color.
Podcast Recorded on July 14, 2022
Did you know that 17 countries comprise a quarter of the world’s population? These countries face extreme water stress. With 80-100% of surface and aquifer water supplies already in use, they are rapidly consuming all available water. Lawrence McDonald, Vice President for Communications and Betsy Otto, Water Initiative Director at the World Resources Institute, join the show to explore recent activity to provide the tools to understand the water crisis in these regions and research possible approaches to reduce its impact. They also share their experiences related to Chennai, India; a city that was quickly facing an existential threat from water stress and the new policy choices it took towards better water management.
Podcast recorded on July 7, 2022
Special guest Ali Noroozi, CEO of A2Z Ozone Systems discusses how ozone generators are being used by water agencies as an alternative to chlorine to purify potable and waste water. He speaks about the fascinating ways ozone systems are used across other industries such as, pesticides, clothing, cooling towers, denim manufacturing and others. Ozone generators are also utilized to help preserve fruit, vegetables and even meat helping to give these products a longer shelf life.
Podcast recorded June 30, 2022
Friend of the show, Travis Loop, of Loop Communications, and Matt Rice, Southwest Regional Director for the American Rivers Assoc., discuss the most endangered river in the U.S., the Colorado River. Matt provides insight to the distribution of water from the river to neighboring states and the effects climate change has had on water levels. They explore different perspectives on what states can do to better utilize the water and whether existing water rights are still fair for all users.
Podcast recorded on June 23, 2022
Featured Ed Mathieu of Overland Distributing, Co. discusses the science of magnetic influenced water technology, used to alter the molecular structure of water in an effort to increase water molecule size. This technology helps water more easily permeate soils and is being utilized in agricultural applications. The technique also helps to produce additional oxygen, critical to crop growth success.
Podcast Recorded on June 16, 2022
As CEO of the world's second largest power and solar plant construction company, and as a candidate for the U.S. Senate, Jim Lamon has a few ideas to share on the issue of water in his home state of Arizona. Jim discusses his ideas to secure more water for Arizona through pipeline construction from Mississippi. He also explores the idea’s construction implications and ways adjoining states can work together to resolve centuries-old open water rights conflicts to the benefit of all those that rely on our natural resources.
Podcast recorded on June 9, 2022
Very special guest, and water industry veteran, Mike Baron, discusses new marketing trends water districts are adopting to provide critical water information to the general public. Mike also delves into what he believes will be the future of water in California and explored some of the directives that are being implemented to help use water more efficiently.
Recorded on June 2, 2022
This week Jim Klauth, president of Aqua Trac System in Phoenix, AZ, joins us. Aqua Trac is an independent water management company that specializes in water use consulting, auditing, and provides upgrade and technical services to universities, golf courses, HOAs, resorts, municipalities and landscape professionals. Jim shares real-world examples of how improved landscape irrigation systems have helped to significantly reduced monthly water expenditures.
Podcast recorded on May 26, 2022
Guest Catlow Shipek, founder of the Wetlands Management Group (WMG) in Tuscan, AZ, provides an overview of the advocacy, stewardship and ecological projects they lead. Notably the project to restore Tanque Verde Creek by eradicating the very invasive Arundo Donax reed. WMG also specializes in training and managing the “hydro-local" movement, a concept that promotes activities to help ensure water security and resilience for residential and commercial properties.
Podcast recorded on May 19, 2022
Get an update on all the latest water news and answers to your questions. Chris and Rob introduce Tip-Talk, to respond to irrigation questions from listeners. Topics cover everything from drip irrigation to spray bodies & nozzles.
Podcast recorded on May 12, 2022
Representatives from the City of Westminster, the 2021 Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge winner, join Wyland Foundation’s Steve Creech and Municipal Water District of Orange County’s Tiffany Baca to spotlight the 2022 Mayor’s Challenge. In addition, the team discusses the planning and implementation of a newly created pocket park designed in cooperation with The Toro Company to highlight water efficiency.
Podcast recorded on April 21, 2022
Special guests, Peter Gleick, President Emeritus and Sr. Fellow of the Pacific Institute, and Travis Loop, president of Loop Communications, explore the long history of conflict over water. From ancient history to modern times, whether used as a resource or a weapon, precious water is often collateral damage in the battles we wage.
Podcast recorded on April 14, 2022
Deluge Technologies has designed new thermal engine technology that could help meet the demand for water in the Phoenix, AZ area. CEO Brian Hagerman joins to explain the science behind how thermal engine technology can desalinate water using minimal power and then make use of the residual salt as power storage for the area. Listen to discover how this cutting edge innovation may help ease the need for water across the country.
Podcast recorded on April 7, 2022
Director of the Center for Irrigation Technologies at Fresno State University, Sarge Green, joins to discuss the importance of water to the state of California. He walks us through the state's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and its impact on housing and agriculture. In addition, Sarge provides insight on some of the best management practices the initiative has to offer and how it will affect the rest of the country.
Podcast recorded on March 31, 2022
Water Solutions Network brings leaders dedicated to solving California’s water management challenges together. Managing Director, Debbie Franco joins the show to discuss the origin of this collaborative network and how proper water management can be incorporated across water districts. Debbie sheds light on the various advocacy programs Water Solutions Network has in process and how their members develop solutions for the many opportunities that exist in the water industry.
Podcast recorded on March 24, 2022
Epic Cleantec, CEO, Aaron Tarkovsky, joins the show to discuss technology on the horizon for water reuse, the record-breaking drought in the Western U.S. and how it will affect towns and cities in the future. With increasing implementation of water reuse systems and installation incentives in cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and Austin, Aaron believes decentralization is poised to have a "roof-top solar" moment.
Podcast recorded on March 17, 2022
Mark Grey from the Building Industry Association of Southern California describes water issues effecting the building industry like water shortages, storm water reclamation and the rising cost to connect water to homes. He shares information about the Association's education series to inform the industry, as well as the general public, about upcoming water restrictions and how they effect new home buyers.
Podcast recorded on March 3, 2022
Featured guest Joe Berg, Director of Water Use Efficiency for the Municipal Water District of Orange County, CA, informs listeners about his responsibilities with the water district and provides his views on the future of water. Berg provides details on California’s 20x22 water conservation plan released in January and presents what he believes are the top three water issues to tackle in the state.
Podcast recorded on February 24, 2022
Tom Huffman, Deputy Superintendent for Arizona’s Aqua Fria Union High School District speaks about the motivation behind the district's big push for water conservation. He discusses the activities they are launching to bring total water and energy conservation to a higher level and their plan to address sustainability, irrigation education and certification as a special science curriculum for their students.
Podcast recorded on February 17, 2022
The Water Zone welcomes, Debby Figoni, Water Conservation Administrator for the City of Beverly Hills, CA. Debby explains how the City of Beverly Hills markets conservation to make a difference in the community. She details a custom water scheduling program deigned for
commercial and residential customers which has dramatically helped to reduced water usage, as well as an automatic meter reading capability which allows customers to obtain immediate feedback on their water usage.
Podcast recorded on February 10, 2022
Get to know newly appointed Irrigation Association (IA) CEO, Natasha Rankin. Natasha joins the show to share her business experience and what drove her decision to join the IA. She discusses her recent activities around relationship building with the IA board and general membership to gain a solid understanding toward the development of advocacy, education & the association's core strategies. Finally she talks through her work to define the IA's biggest challenges and ways to bolster the industry's workforce development.
Podcast recorded on February 3, 2022
Susan Longville of San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District describes the Climate Resiliency & Adaption Plan and the Headwaters Partnership with the San Bernardino National Forest. Susan also details a recent purchase of land that will be used to store excess dam water underground rather than releasing it into bays and oceans and explains why this type of action is needed throughout the state.
Podcast recorded on January 27, 2022
Featured guests Travis Loop, President of waterloop, and Rebecca Klaper, Associate Dean of the School of Freshwater Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, discuss higher education related to water pollution and the new technologies that can help monitor dangerous levels of contaminants. They perform various studies to track and measure the drugs and chemicals in our water supply, and pay special attention to their effects on the environment, attracting students from a wide range of backgrounds and fields of study.
Podcast recorded on January 20, 2022
President of Elemental Ecosystems, Zach Weiss joins the show to explore an action oriented process developed to help clients better manage their land. The process has helped to reduce land temperature by 2 degrees Celsius in areas of India thereby reducing the amount of water used to for crops and vegetation.
Podcast Recorded on January 13, 2022
Hillside Planter owner Colleen Talbert talks to The Water Zone team about a unique partial planter that can be utilized on hillsides and slopes and acts as a water run-off collection bucket. The product has been specially developed for reducing erosion and water runoff and is offered in permanent or biodegradable material.
Podcast recorded on November 11, 2021
John Newlin, Irrigation Association (IA) President-elect and owner of Quality Sprinkling Systems joins the show to detail his top priorities for the IA's coming year. John believes that education and professional mentorship will be key to current members and next generation irrigation professionals. He offers insight on technological advances in irrigation products, the growing need for qualified water managers in the industry, potential challenges and the future of water in the US.
Podcast recorded on November 11, 2021
Nick Federoff, star of Things Green and host of Pet Life Radio, explains how he got into the water industry and how the pandemic has helped generate renewed interest in home gardening. Nick also provides insight on what it takes to produce a television show, his involvement with the Green Industry Hall of Fame, and the impact technological advances are having on the irrigation industry.
Podcast recorded on November 4, 2021
Guest host Travis Loop talks with Maureen Cunningham and Jessie Norriss of Environmental Policy Innovation Center about their program "A Prize Fight Against Lead" which focuses on the importance of removing lead pipe from our water systems. The organization is holding a national competition, the 2021 Water Data Prize, that will play a key role in cost-effective progress toward tackling the challenge.
Podcast recorded on October 28, 2021
Heather Turrentine, Water Resources & Conservation Coordinator for Gilbert, AZ, joins the show to discuss the city’s award winning Landscape Water Budget Program. Heather explains how a landscape budget for commercial property could significantly improve water use efficiency and provide insight for property owners with large turf and landscape areas. She also describes the specific training and activities that the city provides to customers including site audits, smart controller programming, and newly available water-saving technologies. The Town of Gilbert’s efforts were recognized by the IA’s Smart Water Applications Technology awards for Outstanding Industry Partnership.
Podcast recorded on October 21, 2021
Rob Hunter, General Manager of Municipal Water District of Orange County, CA, talks about the seriousness of current drought conditions and the potential for a State of Emergency related to water shortages throughout the western region. Rob also provides insight on possible new mandates around water conservation for the state of California and the products and practices we can participate in to help mitigate the impact of this shortage in water resources.
Podcast recorded on October 14, 2021
Garden City, Kansas is the latest recipient of the EPA WaterSense Outstanding Public Engagement award. Fred Jones, Water Resource System Manager for Garden City, joins the show to discuss the outstanding initiatives the organization developed to help keep customers informed and committed to water use efficiency. He details new on-line tools and rebates to empower customers and help them make an impact.
Podcast recorded on September 30, 2021
Florence Cassel-Sharmasarkar, assistant director of the Center for Irrigation Technology at Fresno State University is the winner of the 2021 Irrigation Association Excellence in Education Award. She joins us to discusses her research on water reduction in agriculture and its impact on the industry. She also speaks about the importance of water management education and the increase of women in the water industry.
Podcast recorded on August 23, 2021
Deborah Hamlin, Irrigation Association CEO, joins to share her journey and discuss the impact she’s had on redefining the organization’s mission. She outlines some of the key achievements that the IA helped spear-headed over the span of her career and shares the challenges and opportunities that faced the industry and the association.
Podcast recorded on September 9, 2021
Katie Wallace, New Belgium Brewing Director for Social and Environmental Impact explores the impact climate change will have on the way we brew beer. She details how New Belgium Brewing became the first brewery in the nation to be certified as "carbon neutral" and discusses various processes that can be altered to help use water more efficiently in the brewing and hops growing process.
Podcast record on September 2, 2021
Featured guests Mary Conely Eggert and Frank Slovenec, co-founders of the Global Water Works community, discuss the impetus to create a global community to unite efforts and information about water conservation around the globe. The organization which began from humble beginnings, now consists of over 1,800 members representing over 80 countries. They share the various water conservation and education programs they sponsor to help launch and distribute transformational technologies around the world, particularly in impoverished communities.
Podcast recorded on August 26, 2021
There’s a lot you can tell from the waste water we generate. Guests Bronson Mack, Dan Gerrity and Katerina Papp of Southern Nevada Water Authority uncover how scientists monitor waste water to detect viral pathogens and variants like Covid-19 and illegal narcotics. Their monitoring system can help pin-point hot spots that help keep track of potentially serious conditions. They also monitor aquifers and recycled water systems to assure the public of clean drinking water.
Podcast recorded on August 19, 2021
President of Irrigator Tech School, Richard Daigle talks about the Covid-19 pandemic’s affect on workers and continuing education throughout the industry. He also shares his vision for the future of the landscaping industry and offers advice on landscape professionals that offer technical training on irrigation installation, repair and advanced hydraulics to improve career opportunity in the industry.
Podcast recorded on August 12, 2021
Bronson Mack of the Southern Nevada Water Authority joins us to explore innovative state water laws that have been enacted to significantly limit non-traditional turf and lawns for residential and commercial properties. He discusses the stiff regulations and motivations behind the laws that will go into effect in the spring.
Podcast recorded on August 5, 2021
The Irrigation Association’s Coleman Garrison, Director of Government Affairs & Public Outreach provides insight to the special activities and training conducted in observance of July Smart Irrigation Month. He also shares a sneak peek at what to expect at the upcoming Irrigation Association Show & Education Week in December.
Podcast recorded on July 29, 2021
Cassi Toves of IDC Precision Irrigation joins us to discuss Substrate Agriculture and her role in implementing the new technology to allow berry growers a longer more bountiful season.
Podcast recorded on July 22, 2021
Special guest host Travis Loop talks with Bronson Mack, Public Outreach Manager for Southern Nevada Water Authority. Bronson speaks about the latest in Nevada laws that will significantly impact lawns and non-traditional turf. With Lake Mead at its lowest level since opening in 1930, he also shares an update on available water in Nevada and the Colorado River Basin.
Podcast recorded on July 1, 2021
Featured guest Mike Read, Director of Golf Sales & Marketing for The Toro Company describes the critical factors required to help golf courses and superintendents maintain pristine conditions, especially for PGA Tournaments. He also addresses the latest in irrigation technologies and how smart systems equip superintendents with real-time data and provide the ability to control an entire system from a mobile device.
Podcast recorded on June 10, 2021
Principle of AZ Sports Field, Inc., Andy Slack shares a day in the life of today's water manager and reminisces about some of his greatest challenges and fun projects like the Annenberg Family Trust facility in Palm Springs. Then President & CEO of California Water Data Consortium, Tara Moran addresses the need for standardized data reporting and access for local and state water agencies to enable real-time critical decisions about current water availability.
Podcast recorded on June 3, 2021
Guests Rob Hunter, Municipal Water District of Orange County, discusses the critical need for significant investment in water storage and the delicate balance of water for urban living, agriculture and the environment. Then guest, Jackson Madnick of Pearl's Premium Grass Seed Co., discusses turf innovations including a unique breed that utilizes very little water and grows roots to three feet!
Podcast recorded on May 6, 2021
Featured guest Mark Dalley, Director of Water Management for DLC Resources, describes his responsibilities in managing numerous HOA developments in Arizona. He also offers insight around how useful specialized training in the latest smart irrigation products and water management practices can be in significantly increasing water efficiency while maintaining beautiful curb appeal.
Podcast recorded on June 17, 2021
In a throwback to the early days of the Water Zone Radio Show, host Chris Davey welcomes back one of the show’s original hosts, Mike Baron, for a reprise at the microphone. In the episode, Chris and Mike take a retro look at how the industry has changed over the last 5 years through Mike’s new perspective as a ‘lay-person’. Topics include history, current and future prospects for water agency efficiency and outreach programs like rebates, turf removal, and native garden planting. The Mike and Rob also compare the 2015 drought, which was the shows impetus, and the possible drought affecting the southwest today.
Podcast recorded on July 15, 2021
Special guest host John Farner, Industry Development Director for the Irrigation Association, takes a look inside the make-up of an irrigation system and the maintenance required to ensure the efficient use of water for landscapes. In addition, guests Julius Duncan, EPA environmental engineer, and Debra Burden, Citrus County Department of Water Resources conservation manager, provide insight on the EPAs water conservation program, WaterSense, and how businesses and homeowners can benefit.
Podcast recorded on April 22, 2021
Guest host and interviewer Travis Loop, producer of Water Loop podcast interviews Laura Paskus, author of "At the Precipice: New Mexico's Changing Climate” about the status of the Rio Grande River and the importance of the locals’ perspective on the state efforts to better control ground water use.
(Podcast recorded on April 8, 2021)
The Water Zone hosts a full house of guests, including world renowned marine artist Wyland, Steve Creech, Wyland Foundation President, Dr. Patti Filino from Tuttle Elementary School, and Darren Gruner, Executive Producer of Turfs Up Radio. All were on hand to discuss the National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation, celebrating its 10 year anniversary. Wyland described the motivation behind the creation of the annual event that has grown to over 3,600 city participants across the nation. Steve Creech provides details on various conservation activities the foundation produces every year for communities and schools. Dr. Filino addresses why her school was selected to host of the kick-off event for 2021 with local, county and state officials. Guest host Darren Gruner joins the conversation.
(Podcast recorded on April 1, 2021)
Reese Tisdale is the President of Bluefield Research, and specializes in analyzing data for the water and power industries. Reese discusses strategies for addressing water scarcity and the value of water in the future. He explores risks facing the water industry including terrorism and cyber security, and explains how different industries look at water for private and corporate opportunities.
(Podcast recorded on March 25, 2021)
Madelyn Glickfeld, Director of the UCLA Water Resources Group, discusses the UCLA Institute of Environment and Sustainability’s activities around safe and reliable drinking water, the types of contamination identified in Los Angeles County’s disadvantaged communities as well as rural communities in the Salinas Valley. She also shares her work examining the ability of the smaller disadvantaged Los Angeles County water systems to deliver affordable, safe and reliable water.
(Podcast recorded on March 18, 2021)
Kellogg Garden Organics Chairwoman, Kathy Kellogg Johnson, returns to expand on how important it is to have living soil that contains various biologic type amendments to replenish dead soil. She talks in depth about microbe activities, soil structures, ordinary versus synthetic soils and how living soil can help significantly reduce water use in our gardens and flowerbeds.
(Podcast recorded on March 4, 2021)
Arizona Cardinals turf manager, Andy Levy, discusses field maintenance and preparation for practice and for game day. Andy describes the unique challenges and opportunities presented while managing State Farm Arena, a first of its kind retractable natural turf field in North America. He shares the arena’s roll-out field utilizes an irrigation system incorporated within itself and details the specialized care and preparation that goes into this exceptional sports facility.
(Podcast recorded on February 25, 2021)
Featured guest Scott Bowen, Director of Water Management for Outdoor Systems Management, discusses his involvement in designing, installing and maintaining many prominent PGA golf courses and Major League Baseball sports complexes. Scott addresses how precision irrigation maintenance plays an extremely important role in preparing fields before play and the types of soils, grasses and other irrigation components that are utilized to enhance the action on the field.
(Podcast recorded on February 18, 2021)
Brian Whitcher, District Sales Manager for The Toro Company shares the ways that technology has become a driving force in the development of water efficient irrigation products. He discusses the critical impact that landscape contractors, irrigation distributors and end users’ have on the adoption and application of new smart irrigation products and explores the unique irrigation needs in one of his largest territories.
(Podcast recorded on February 11, 2021)
Featured guest, Greg Chick, an author, landscape contractor, teacher, certified irrigation auditor and successful plumber, discusses his book All About Water: As Told By The Plumber Who’s Seen It All. Greg explores the need for a deeper understanding of water conservation among consumers and how water systems really work.
(Podcast recorded on February 3, 2021)
Featured guest Chris Austin, purveyor of Maven's Notebook, a California water blog discusses how a water war on the King's River could alter the valley as we know it. Austin also shares that 1.6 million California households are facing water shutoffs due to COVID-19 and how this serious public concern is being addressed. Finally, Austin sheds light on how atmospheric rivers bringing fierce rain storms are impacting the west.
(Podcast recorded on January 28, 2021)
Featured guests: Mary Eggert, Executive Director of Global Water Works, Gary Wong, Principal of Global Water Industry at OsiSoft, and Mariyana Spyropoulos, District Commissioner Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Our guests discuss the future of water and approaches to help communities accelerate resilience against floods, natural disasters and climate change.
(Podcast recorded on January 14, 2021)
Featured guest Kathy Kellogg Johnson, Chairwoman of Kellogg Garden Products discusses rebuilding the earth with organic soil. Johnson describes how soil contains life and that re-energizing soil helps the earth reduce dangerous methane and increase the agriculture production.
(Podcast recorded on January 8, 2021)
Featured guests were John McPhee, General Manager and Dan Winterton, Director of Marketing of the Toro Irrigation and Lighting division. McPhee and Winterton discussed their division's sustainability mission which includes their commitment to responsible environmental practices as well as assisting customers in enhancing the health of their landscapes and our planet's eco system. Through their award winning product innovations, education activities, industry and public outreach, they are partnering with water agencies throughout the world helping to define, teach and instill world-class water management techniques to irrigation.
(Podcast recorded on December 17, 2020)
Special guests, Rick Olson, President and CEO of The Toro Company, and Angie Snavely, Director and Assistant General Counsel, Sustainability Chairperson for The Toro Company, discuss the company’s mission and current activity around sustainability and water conservation.
(Podcast recorded on December 10, 2020)
Rob De Thomas, General Manager of Hellas Construction. Hellas Construction company is the largest sports complex construction company in the US. Mr. De Thomas discusses the significant growth in synthetic turf and explains the newest technologies utilized for the installation of synthetic turf. In addition, he discusses how they work with their clients to detail pertinent information about drainage, maintenance and the differences in synthetic turf used for soccer, baseball, football, track and etc.
(Podcast recorded on November 19, 2020)
Special guest Scott Rowan, Director of Asset Management for DMB Community Life, Inc. California and Arizona communities shares landscape and water issues that face daily scrutiny. Scott explains his work with landscape contractors to establish guidelines for how work should be performed and measured. He also comments on what he sees as the future of landscapes.
(Podcast recorded on November 12, 2020)
Featured guests Don and Dave Hendrickson, recent inductees to the Green Industry Hall of Fame, detail their 50 year history in the irrigation and agriculture industries. They describe how they launched Hendrickson Brothers Irrigation Distribution and the many state of the art irrigation products they designed such as pressure regulators, drip irrigation manifolds and flow control regulators.
(Podcast recorded on November 5, 2020)
Featured guest is Brandon Burgess, Conservation Specialist from Chino Basin Water Conservation District. Brandon discusses water conservation methods and technologies as well as their specialized education courses that are presented to both homeowners and landscape professionals at their facilities. He also speaks about the special programs they offer to perform free irrigation system site audits for their district's homeowners and commercial property owners.
(Podcast recorded on October 22, 2020)
Featured guest, Merav Ben-David PhD, an ecologist in Wyoming, and candidate for the U.S. Senate, discusses how climate change will affect the world's water availability. She also details her studies on how the California and Wyoming fires greatly diminish critical water supplies and what we need to do to preserve our most precious resource.
(Podcast recorded on October 15, 2020)
Featured guest is John McIntyre, managing director for the American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact. They are a division of American Family Insurance that operates as a venture capital investment company. The institute invests in visionary start-up entrepreneurs who are building a scalable social enterprise in the areas of economic opportunity, healthy youth development, learning and achievement and resilient communities.
(Podcast recorded on October 8, 2020)
Featured guest was Mr. Ghassan Korban, Executive Director of the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board. Korban provides a history and current status of the organization and addresses how they are building resilience in the face of a changing climate into their working operations. He describes the repetitive flooding conditions of the city, the broken water and sewerage pipelines, and the antiquated 100 year old pumping systems, and what actions they are taking to help meet the demanding conditions.
(Podcast recorded on October 1, 2020)
Featured guest Elliot Grossbard from the Global Water Solutions Connect organization joins The Water Zone to address outside the box technologies that could couple water and energy together to solve significant water issues. Elliot also discusses how atmospheric water harvesting systems could be utilized to help reduce forest fires caused by high voltage electrical tower sparking.
(Podcast recorded on September 17, 2020)
Featured guest Jim Kauth, President of Aquatrac, Inc., located in Arizona, describes many stories of both HOAs and commercial property owners that have experienced extremely high water bills. Aquatrac provides both irrigation, horticulture and arborist consultation to help develop a proper water management solution for property owners. As a certified water manager, Jim also explains about various city’s rules pertaining to irrigation, turf and available rebates for utilizing EPA WaterSense-certified products.
(Podcast recorded on September 10, 2020)
Featured guest was Lou Desmond, President of Desmond and Louis with offices in California and Washington. Lou discusses the serious flooding that Washington experiences and how mitigation by lawmakers is not resolving the issue. He states that many legislators want to take property from homeowners utilizing emanate domain practices and obtain those properties with little payments to the property owners. He shares how more water storage facilities need to be built in the state.
(Podcast recorded on August 13, 2020)
Featured guest Trace Blackmore, President of Blackmore Enterprises, a company that specializes in water treatment systems, joins The Water Zone. Trace discusses how he got started in the industry, entered into a leadership role, and launched the podcast "Scaling Up H2O" which provides specialized webinars and training about water treatment technologies and operation. His company helps hospital and commercial clients design, install and manage on-site water treatment operations. Trace also addresses the deadly Legionella problems found in many water cooling towers and how to remedy the situation.
(Podcast recorded on August 6, 2020)
Featured guests were Luigi Romolo, Minnesota State Climatologist, and Ken Blumenfeld, Senior Climatologist of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, State Climatology Office, join The Water Zone to describe how they track changes in their state's weather with their own various data management tools, which provides climate services to the people of Minnesota. They offered a scientific view of what’s next for the climate of their state.
(Podcast recorded on July 16, 2020)
Featured guest Brent Mecham of the Irrigation Association (IA) was just honored for his lifetime contributions to the irrigation industry. Brent joins The Water Zone to discuss how he got interested in irrigation and his progression from student to landscape designer, to landscape contractor, to water management, and to his most recent position with the IA.
(Podcast recorded on July 9, 2020)
Hosts Rob Starr and Chris Davey of The Water Zone discuss the technology of center pivots that are utilized in farming, as well as drip irrigation systems and how they help greatly to reduce water usage. They further spoke about the thought process needed in building a backyard vegetable garden and what decisions need to be addressed before the physical work gets started.
(Podcast recorded on June 18, 2020)
Featured guests Jim Lauria, VP of Sales and Marketing for Mazzei Injector Company, and Adam Tank, Director of Software Solutions at Transcend Water, join The Water Zone to discuss their new podcast about all things water. They believe that education about water and technology is an extremely important subject which must be shared with everyone. They share their passionate advocation for water and vision with a broad view of the water industry. They further discuss how they help water agencies and water-related companies promote their personal water stories through various media.
(Podcast recorded on June 11, 2020)
Hosts Rob Starr and Chris Davey of The Water Zone explore the scenario of utility companies leasing smart irrigation systems and low-voltage lighting products to their customers. This conveys how consumers and commercial users can obtain these important water and electrical solutions for low payments, and even qualify to receive rebates for leasing these products. They spoke about a company, called Liberty Utilities, who have operations in 14 states across the U.S. and launched such a program.
(Podcast recorded on June 4, 2020)
Special guests on The Water Zone were Tiffany Baca, Public Affairs Manager for Municipal Water District of Orange County, CA, and Sherri Gully, winner of The Water Zone's Xtreme Water Makeover Contest. Tiffany discussed her organization’s role in helping to promote the contest to their member water agencies. Sherri explained how she learned about the contest and how excited she was to have won. She shared how she could not believe the makeover transitioned her yard.
(Podcast recorded on May 21, 2020)
Featured guest on The Water Zone was Darren Gruner, CEO of Turfs Up Radio. Darren discusses how he entered the landscape industry 30 years ago, and now shares his industry knowledge and experiences – in addition to those of other notable professionals to help educate those in the landscape, irrigation and design industry.
(Podcast recorded on May 14, 2020)
Featured guest Reese Tisdale, CEO of Bluefield Research, an independent advisory firm that helps utilities and companies address the various challenges of water. Tisdale discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the water industry, and projects that the current pandemic will affect the affordability of water. Further, Tisdale described how the utility companies are rushing to prioritize their resilience, leading up to the latest water industry's investment into digital technologies to help them better manage their overall processing operations.
(Podcast recorded on May 7, 2020)
Featured guest Jay Famiglietti, Executive Director of the Global Institute for Water Security, joins The Water Zone to discuss his "Map of the Future of Water" and how water security is at greater risk than we may think. He projects that the hardships, damage and loss of life caused by increased flooding and drought can be expected to continue. Jay noted that technical innovations alone will not meet the coming global water challenges, but requires people to understand and implement intelligent water management practices and procedures.
(Podcast recorded on April 23, 2020)
Special guest Mike Temple, Director of Training for the Irrigation Association, joins The Water Zone to discuss how now is a great opportunity for people in the landscaping, irrigation and agricultural segments to obtain more technical education and get certified in various disciplines. Temple discussed areas like Certified Irrigation Landscape Auditor, Certified Irrigation Technician, Certified Irrigation Designer and Certified Landscape Water Manager. More information in webinars and educational books available from the Irrigation Association.
(Podcast recorded on April 16, 2020)
Featured guests Chris Hedges and author Seth Siegel join The Water Zone to discuss his new book, Troubled Water: What's Wrong with What We Drink. Seth discusses how America's water in big cities, as well as in rural locations, came to be at risk. He describes how this situation came about, how the contaminated water throughout America can affect all of us, and what can be done to help remedy this crucial situation.
(Podcast recorded on April 9, 2020)
Featured guests Bill and Rosemarie Alley join The Water Zone to discuss their new book, "The War on the EPA - America's Endangered Environmental Protections". The Alley’s share how the war on the EPA is a war on science, the environment and public health. They explain how the book examines the daunting hurdles facing EPA in its critical roles regarding drinking water, air and water pollution, climate change and toxic chemicals. Both Bill and Rosemarie delve into the science, politics and human dimension of these and other problems, and how today's war on science is undermining the scientific foundation upon which the agency's legitimacy rests and why a strong EPA is more important than ever before.
(Podcast recorded on March 5, 2020)
Featured guest Kyle Pickett, Co-Founder and CEO of Urban Fabrick, a consultancy group that provides technical training and design for sustainable construction projects, joined The Water Zone to discuss water reuse as a design opportunity for new construction projects that want to achieve new sustainability levels. Pickett states that it is estimated the world needs $22 trillion dollars in water investments to ensure adequate water supplies in the years ahead. He also describes one of his firm's most famous LEED Platinum projects, Building 181 located in San Francisco, and detailed how they helped the developer achieve a notable and sustainable facility.
(Podcast recorded on March 12, 2020)
Featured guest Mr. Dov Avital, Director of Research and Business Innovation for the Metzer Group in Israel, joined The Water Zone to share on how the Metzer Group was founded and built an impressive drip irrigation and extrusion equipment manufacturing business. He explained the technical differences of flat vs cylindrical drip emitters that they design, and touched on the need for a decomposing type of drip tubing to help save the world from plastics and various polymers. He also describes the different needs of drip irrigation tubing required in the agricultural market in the Middle East and Asia.
(Podcast recorded on February 27, 2020)
Featured guest Morgan Page, Ph.D., a Statistical Seismologist for the U.S. Geological Survey, joins The Water Zone to discuss the differences of forecasting vs. prediction of earthquakes and how they use data to model the quake's magnitude scaling, decay of after shock rates, and location of the event. Page also showed a key relationship between human's potential inducement of earthquakes through activities, such as injecting waste water into the ground during oil production and by building large dams and storing large quantities of water which places a great strain on the earth's crust.
(Podcast recorded on February 13, 2020)
Featured guest Regina Hirsch is Executive Director of the Sierra Watershed Progressive, a consulting and installation-build collaborative focused on sustainable landscape and water remediation. Regina spoke on the various ways to utilize alternate water resources for irrigation purposes. She emphasizes that property owners should treat their site's water like a small water shed, incorporating best management practices. Regina is also the coordinator of the Localizing California Water (LCW) Conference, which connects allies towards the strategic goal of water management throughout California by discussing local water approaches. She describes how the LCW breaks down the barriers to alignment through presentation and workshops to achieve solutions to local and global climate changes by advancing local water policy at an accelerated pace.
(Podcast recorded on February 6, 2020)
John Farner, Director of Government and Public Affairs of the Irrigation Association, joins The Water Zone to discuss the organization’s role in providing technical information on irrigation technologies and training to government committees. He also spoke about the many and various types of educational courses and materials that are available from the Irrigation Association to both the professional landscaper and DIYer. The Irrigation Association also provides certification classes spanning irrigation auditors, water management specialists, and irrigation system designers just to mention a few. He stated that there is a desperate need for more people to enter the irrigation/landscaping industry, where there are exceptional opportunities for a long-term and rewarding career.
(Podcast recorded on January 30, 2020)
We spoke with special guest, Katie Patrick, CEO of Hello World Labs, who helps social impact entrepreneurs and sustainability professionals make real and measurable change using data. She discussed how most impact entrepreneurs make mistakes because they don't know how to harness the motivational drivers that get people to act. Katie provided examples of various scenarios she has been involved with to help guide water and energy agencies, who seek to make a difference and meet the serious challenges posed by water scarcity and the need for increased energy.
(Podcast recorded on January 23, 2020)
Special guest Nicholas Schneider, Water Conservation and Forecast Manager for the Mojave Water Agency, joins The Water Zone to share on some of the agency’s conservation projects in 2019 - including taking a 820 KW hydroelectric generator online to bring the agency to virtually a net-neutral status. The agency was also able to secure approx. $500,000 in grants to continue work on the Agency's Regional Recharge & Recovery project. Mojave Water is also sponsoring the 2020 Water Summit in Victor Valley, where 500 local school children will learn about the water industry and careers in the industry. The Water Agency also works Curiosity Quest on PBS to present a problem-solver segment to highlight STEM projects.
(Podcast recorded on January 16, 2020)
Adam Tank, Director of Software Solutions for Transcend Water, Inc., joins The Water Zone to share his thoughts on the issue of water over the next 10 years. He touched on topics, such as water utilities starting to market and sell packaged drinking water – in addition to the concern of freshwater scarcity when we have an abundance of saltwater that could meet societal food needs and the technologies that could propel this thought forward. He addressed the advancements in atmospheric water generation, which is gaining lots of new players into this technical arena.
(Podcast recorded on January 9, 2020)
Special guest Steve Bilson, CEO of ReWater System, joins The Water Zone to discuss the results of various greywater studies that were conducted throughout the U.S. – in addition to sharing the pros of a home greywater system, as well as the cons of trying to install one after a home is built. He also describes the components that comprise an in-home greywater system, and how each component functions. Steve founded ReWater Systems in 1990, and helped sponsor CA Assembly Bill 3518, which resulted in our nation's first-of-its-kind state greywater irrigation law.
(Podcast recorded on December 12, 2019)
Special guests Lisa Maddaus, CFO and Senior Engineer at Maddaus Water Management, and Drew Atwater, Director of Finance at Water Resources of Moulton Niguel Water District, join The Water Zone to discuss what the average person might not know about water. Both guests explain some of the various programs they are working on to help better educate the public on the efficient use of water. Both guests saw toilets, showerheads and outdoor irrigation as three areas of opportunity to increase efficiency. They both commented that the water industry is in dire need of more water specialists and now is a great opportunity for not only environmental and civil engineers, but also for maintenance-skilled people to calibrate back-flow systems, install smart irrigation systems, and staff to control water recycling plants.
(Podcast recorded on November 21, 2019)
Amanda-Ariana Grabowski from IPS Corp / Weld-On Products joined The Water Zone to help educate listeners on the proper procedure when joining pipes and fittings. She described what specialized tools should be used in the process, such as a deburring tool, a beveling tool and a cable saw to make straight cuts. Grabowski also explained the purpose of proper pipe preparation using specialized cleaners and primers. Weld-On is the only company who provides free training for pipe and fitting assembly per ASMEB313 certification, which is required for specific installation situations.
(Podcast recorded on November 14, 2019)
Our featured guests on The Water Zone were Bruno Marchon, Chief Technology Officer, and Frank Slovenec, VP of Strategy & Business Development for Water Harvesting Inc., which started in 2018 to commercialize atmospheric water harvesting systems based upon metal organic frameworks (MOFs). This technology was pioneered by Professor Omar Yaghi at the University of California, Berkeley, and have been demonstrated to work for the atmospheric water harvesting application, even under very arid conditions. They believe that there is more potential water in the atmosphere than in all the oceans, lakes and rivers of the world.
(Podcast recorded on October 31, 2019)
Joseph Gallegos of Grey4Green joins The Water Zone to share on his company, which manufactures products used to install grey water systems in both residential and commercial structures. Their unique products collect water from washing machines and sinks, filter it and then disperse the water for irrigation purposes. They also produce a 100% post-consumer plastic root barrier, which is used to prevent irrigation water from going under driveways and sidewalks. Gallegos discusses their innovations to subsurface irrigation, carbon mitigation and net zero/positive water buildings, and how those elements are only the beginning of how technology will change the way cities are built around the world.
(Podcast recorded on October 24, 2019)
On this episode of The Water Zone, representatives from the Riverside Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Darcy Kuenzi, Government Affairs Officer, Jason Uhley, General Manager and Chief Engineer, and Richard Boon, Chief of Water Shed Protection Division, discuss the role of their organization and how flood control is contributing to groundwater sustainability. They also explain the serious issues encountered with various local fires and how their organization responded to the various floods due to no vegetation in the burn areas – in addition to providing tips on how citizens can help prevent storm water and ocean pollution.
(Podcast recorded on October 17, 2019)
Special guest Glenn Schiffbauer, executive director of the Santa Fe Green Chamber of Commerce in New Mexico, joins The Water Zone to discuss the organization’s objective to help create jobs and technologies related to green industries. Particularly, the organization helps connect individuals with established companies to drive green industry jobs, products and services to the general population.
(Podcast recorded on October 10, 2019)
This podcast of The Water Zone features interviews with special guests attending the WaterSmart Innovations Conference in Las Vegas. They include:
- Veronica Blette, chief, EPA WaterSense Program, discusses current EPA WaterSense activities and planned projects re: soil moisture sensors.
- Brent Mecham of the Irrigation Association discusses the upcoming IA Show in November and irrigation technologies.
- Sheri Trapp, communications specialist for Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, discusses their representation of various local water agencies and water users.
- Bill Ward, executive director, PumpPod USA, discusses water conservation equipment for the fire-fighting industry utilized in their training activities.
- Tom Bohner, president, SolarSafe Pool Covers, discusses new technologies in poor covers that reduces water evaporation in pools.
(Podcast recorded on October 3, 2019)
The Water Zone hosted guest Doug Pushard, president of Kuel Water (pronounced “cool”) and HarvestH2o (rain water harvesting). Both organizations work collaboratively with schools, universities, research organizations and, most importantly, individuals across the globe to devise solutions for managing real world problems in water conservation. They use best practices, along with community experience to develop guidelines, tools and practical tips aimed at water conservation and economic investment.
(Podcast recorded on September 19, 2019)
Brenda Burman, Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), joins The Water Zone to discuss their priorities and what she believes needs to be the USBR’s prime focus. She discusses the current drought and challenges facing the Colorado River, and describes how the U.S. and Mexico share the waters of the Colorado River and how this cooperative relationship is working.
(Podcast recorded on September 12, 2019)
Our featured guest on this edition of The Water Zone is Paula Kehoe, Director of Water Resources for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. She discussed how San Francisco's approach to water resource management has become a model for water conservation, and how they combine both centralized and decentralized components with potable and non-potable end users. With regards to outside water reuse, San Francisco has mandated that all new commercial construction install a decentralized methodology for reclaiming and reprocessing grey and black water for all the facility's non-potable usage.
(Podcast recorded on September 5, 2019)
Kathleen Tiegs and Oscar Gonzalez, members of the Board of Directors for Cucamonga Valley Water District (CVWD), join The Water Zone to share on the utility’s history and operation. They discuss CVWD's priorities in providing a reliable water supply for their constituents, what CVWD is doing to continue encouraging water use efficiency, and key challenges and opportunities in the coming years.
(Podcast recorded on August 29, 2019)
Brent Mecham, Industry Development Director for the Irrigation Association, joins The Water Zone to discuss the importance of pressure regulation for spray bodies, nozzles and rotors. He also shared on how and where to utilize flow sensors, soil moisture sensors and smart irrigation controllers – including programming tips and connectivity through the Cloud.
(Podcast recorded on August 15, 2019)
Featured guest William Alley, Ph.D., with the National Ground Water Association, joins The Water Zone to discuss the importance of groundwater and how it is essential to the future of water availability and food security. Dr. Alley explains how ground water is located and measured, and how fracking and pumping groundwater presents serious concerns. He also addresses contamination of groundwater and how desalination of groundwater is becoming more prominent.
(Podcast recorded on August 8, 2019)
Seth Maxwell, CEO and Co-Founder of the Thirst Project, joins The Water Zone to share on his nonprofit and their work with the support of young people to end the global water crises by building freshwater wells in developing communities that need safe, clean drinking water. He discusses a few success stories in the Kingdom of eSwatini, where they have to walk miles just to obtain water which is severely contaminated. He explains how they work with various governments around the globe to help provide their drilling services and educational outreach to people to become more knowledgeable in contaminated drinking water.
(Podcast recorded on August 1, 2019)
Featured guest Joe Frisbie, founder of Sustainable Practices Associates, joins The Water Zone to discuss the availability of water worldwide being a significant issue and the belief that we need to look at water, not as a natural resource, but as a strategic resource. He also discusses a new concept, called "Sponge Cities,” where infrastructure is reconnected to the natural environment.
Chris Austin of Maven’s Notebook also joins the program to share on the latest water news including current differences concerning the biological input regulation between the State of California and the federal government.
(Podcast recorded on July 18, 2019)
Mayor Tara Campbell of Brea, California, joins The Water Zone to discuss several of the city’s conservation programs, and the role water plays in future growth and sustainability for its residents and businesses. She also addresses the new Modern Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, and discusses her thoughts regarding the installation of recycled water and non-potable water into the city water system.
Also joining the program was Phil Hawkins, board member of the Yorba Linda Water District. Hawkins provided an overview of the water district’s service area and described where they obtain their water – in addition to sharing his thoughts on California’s proposed water tax and the need for a twin tunnel solution to carry more water throughout the state.
(Podcast recorded on July 11, 2019)
Featured guest Steve Hazzard, principal of Organic Control, Inc., joins The Water Zone to share how their company produces and sells "beneficial bugs" to proactively protect plants from pests and prevent the use of chemicals. Hazzard also discusses the difference of three insect classifications: predators, parasites and pollinators. He talks about the most common garden pests and how to naturally combat them, as well how to attract beneficial bugs.
(Podcast recorded on June 20, 2019)
Cleveland (Ohio) Mayor Frank G. Jackson and his staff join The Water Zone to share the city’s upcoming summer celebration, called Sustainable Cleveland. Celebrating 50 years of water-quality improvement initiatives yielding one of the nation’s finest urban water systems, they also discuss the history of Cleveland’s famed Cuyahoga River, which famously burned in 1969 – to Cleveland’s river restoration efforts, water quality standards and a view into the future for the city.
(Podcast recorded on June 13, 2019)
Joined by special guest Julie Gillins with the Washington County Water Conservancy District in St. George, Utah, The Water Zone talks about several of the District’s successful conservation programs, their 5-tier water rate system and penalties applied to heavy water users, and various year-round water efficiency events and classes to educate around water conservation.
(Podcast recorded on June 6, 2019)
Joined by special guest Chris Austin of Maven's Notebook, The Water Zone discusses the federal government’s effort to stop pollution of coastal waters caused by untreated sewage from the Tijuana River Valley.
Brian Vinchesi, founder of Irrigation Consulting Inc., one of the most formidable irrigation design experts in the country, also joined the program to share his experience with a couple of notable projects – National Park in Washington D.C. and Central Park in New York City, in how he approached each design and installation. He also spoke about the differences in irrigation applications required in various parts of the country, and new irrigation technologies that help utilize water more efficiently.
(Podcast recorded on May 30, 2019)
Joined by special guest Chris Austin of Maven's Notebook, The Water Zone talks about a number of water issues ranging from the Central Valley Project, one of the nation's major water conservation developments, to an abandoned iron mine in the Joshua Tree National Park that could be repurposed as a hydroelectric power plant.
Also joining the show was Ted Sirkin, president of Valvette Systems, whose company designs flow regulators for irrigation sprinklers and in-home shower arms that can be retrofitted to help reduce water usage.
(Podcast recorded on May 23, 2019)