Words On Water #214: Rajan Ray and Eoin Howlett on the Digital Transformation

March 14, 2022

Rajan Ray is Vice President of Strategy and Marketing at Trinnex and Eoin Howlett is Vice President of Product Development at Trinnex. In this episode, Rajan and Eoin talk about where the water sector stands on the path of digital transformation, including adaptation by different size utilities, the latest with sensors and data, and the role of digital twins. They also discuss the launch of Trinnex and the benefits of its affiliation with CDM Smith.  

This episode is brought to you by Trinnex.

Words On Water #167: Amy Corriveau on the Benefits of Digital Water During the Pandemic

October 29, 2020

Amy Corriveau is a Vice President and Director of Digital Solutions at CDM Smith. In this episode Amy discusses how the coronavirus pandemic has increased interest in digital water and reshaped trends and tools in the field. She explains how utilities benefited by having digital water solutions in place before the pandemic and ways that utilities tried to adopt technologies during the past six months. Amy also offers advice for steps that utilities can take to get started in digital water in a manageable and cost-effective manner.

This episode is brought to you by CDM Smith.

Words On Water #119: Leslie Schehl and John Phillips on the State of Stormwater

January 21, 2029

Leslie Schehl is a Supervising Engineer at the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati and John Phillips is Director of Integrated Watershed Management at Parametrix, as well as co-chairs of the 2020 National Stormwater Symposium. In this episode Leslie and John explain how climate change is altering rainfall patterns and posing challenges for stormwater management, particularly in the form of urban flooding. They talk about the adoption of digital technology across the sector and the rise of smart sewers. Leslie and John also discuss the ongoing issues of maintenance and funding of stormwater infrastructure.

Episode #119
Hosted by Travis Loop

Words On Water #102: Role of Communications in Building the Next Gen Workforce (A Podcast Mashup with Water In Real Life)

September 9, 2019

Welcome to a mashup episode of the Words On Water podcast and Water In Real Life podcast that explores the role of communications in building the next generation water workforce. Listen to Travis Loop of the Water Environment Federation and Stephanie Zavala and Arianne Shipley of Rogue Water, aka The H2duO, discuss the importance of internal communications that excites and inspires employees to be working in water, shows they are part of a talented team, and highlights their work to the public. Travis, Stephanie, and Arianne also stress that water utilities could emphasis innovation and technology in external marketing, display more personality to the community, get creative with storytelling, and create exciting job titles and descriptions.

Episode #102
Hosted by Travis Loop, Stephanie Zavala, and Arianne Shipley.  

Words On Water #91: Jim Cooper on Demystifying Intelligent Water

June 3, 2019

Jim Cooper is Intelligent Water Lead at Arcadis. In this episode Jim discusses a new report done in collaboration with Bluefield Research on how artificial intelligence and predictive analytics can help address two human-centric challenges facing the water sector: affordability and resilience. He explains the concept of collective intelligence, which is “people plus technology,” and how a digital future can empower employees, not replace them. Jim says the sector is at a tipping point where early adopters of intelligent water are reaping multifaceted benefits. 

This episode is brought to you by Arcadis

Episode #91
Hosted by Travis Loop

Words On Water #87: Adam Tank on Communication for the Next Generation

May 6, 2019

Adam Tank is the Director of Digital Transformation at Organica Water. In this episode Adam says to build public support and attract the next generation of the workforce the water sector needs to be more creative and much bolder in communications, including telling stories about its work and using appealing job titles. He also discusses his view that the water sector is behind other industries in digital transformation and that utilities should pay closer attention to why and how they go digital.

Episode #87
Hosted by Travis Loop

The Most Popular Episodes of 2018

Water is a popular conversation topic. That’s why the Water Environment Federation produces the Words On Water podcast. In 2018, there were 54 episodes released, featuring a diverse list of guests and covering a wide range of issues. Instead of picking favorites for an end-of-year list, we looked at the statistics to see which episodes were the most popular with listeners. Here they are, in no particular order.

Art Umble on the Circular Economy

Art explains the concept of the circular economy, including its origins in the 1960s and how it has evolved over the years. He discusses the level of support for a circular economy in the water sector and in industry, businesses, and government. Art also talks about the idea of biomimicry, which involves using nature as the model for designs and systems.

Sidney Innerebner on Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals

Sidney discusses how the new Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals provide a one-stop shop for operators to gain the information needed to do their jobs. She talks about how the book features an array of pictures, graphics, terminology, and practice questions for certification exams. 

Manon Fisher on Addressing Climate Change with Biosolids

Manon discusses the role of biosolids in addressing climate change — including through carbon sequestration – and in building environmental literacy in a community. She also talks about the path ahead for SFPUC to transition to the highest class of biosolids.

John Willis on Biogas and Biosolids

John discusses the generation of biogas by the water sector and the opportunity to increase production, particularly for vehicle fuel. He also talks about the value of biosolids and importance of regular dialogue with the media and public.

Al Cho on Smart Water Systems

Al discusses the use of smart technologies in monitoring, assessing, and decision-making for water infrastructure. He also explains the new Intelligent Water Systems Challenge and offers his thoughts on remote sensing, automation, artificial intelligence, and blockchain.

Jennifer Walsh on Being a Millennial in the Water Sector

Jennifer explains why young people should consider a career in the water sector, how involvement in organizations like the Water Environment Federation provides vital professional development, the strengths of millennials that employers should utilize, and her experience working on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in the UNLEASH program.

Carla Reid on Going From “CE to CEO”

Carla discusses her journey “from CE to CEO.” She also talks about what leadership means to her, the rise of women in the water workforce, the importance of mentorship, and introducing young people to water careers.

Words On Water #68: Will Sarni on Mitigating Risk and Driving Transformation

December 10, 2018

Will Sarni is the Founder and CEO of the Water Foundry. In this episode, Will discusses how he helps multinational companies to evaluate the value of water to their business, look at the growing risks around water, and develop mitigation strategies. He also talks about the ways digital technologies will transform our relationship with water, why the circular economy is vital for getting us away from wasting resources, and that more attention should be paid to the water-energy-food nexus. Will also shares that he is optimistic about the future of water and that we are in the midst of a paradigm shift driven by demand outpacing supply.

Episode #68
Hosted by Travis Loop

Words On Water #60: David Wachal on Digital Transformation of the Water Sector

October 22, 2018

David Wachal is the Director of the Esri Global Water Practice. In this episode, David talks about the digital transformation of the water sector, including the rise of location intelligence and the creation of digital twins of water systems. He also discusses ways that utilities are using GIS data, such as to gain real-time insight into operations or to address affordability concerns. David adds his thoughts on the workforce implications of the digital era and his perspective on the rate of digitization around the globe.

This episode is brought to you by Esri.

Episode #60
Hosted by Travis Loop