Words On Water #224: Boyd Gregg on Improving a Utility’s Energy Profile

September 14, 2022

Boyd Gregg is Senior Business Development Manager for Energy Solutions at ENGIE North America. In this episode, Boyd explains why the water sector needs to pay even more attention to energy use at facilities. He discusses how the energy profile at a utility can be improved through upgrades and optimization, as well as through a holistic approach. Boyd also shares an example of how ENGIE is working with West County Wastewater to unlock new revenue streams and reduce carbon emission.

This podcast is sponsored by ENGIE.

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Words On Water #165: How One Project Reflects Water Sector Trends and Opportunities

October 1, 2020

Frank Houston is Senior Regional Manager for the Eastern U.S. for DN Tanks and Alan Parent is Director of Business Development and Laura Simmers is Preconstruction Coordinator for PC Construction. In this episode Frank, Alan, and Laura talk about a $271 million bio-energy project at a Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission’s facility in Piscataway, Md. They explain the benefits of extensive collaboration in the project, the design-build process, and advancement of biosolids and energy generation, as well as how these are broader trends and opportunities for the water sector. Frank, Alan, and Laura also discuss the deliberate use of woman- and minority owned businesses in the project.

This episode is brought to you by DN Tanks.

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Words On Water #125: George Sprouse on Managing Biosolids in Uncertain Times

February 18, 2020

George Sprouse is Manager of Process Engineering and Research and Development at the Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities and Co-Chair of the 2020 Residuals and Biosolids Conference. In this episode George explains the importance of capturing the energy and nutrients that are concentrated in biosolids and circulating those resources back into the community. He talks about using creative approaches to manage biosolids during uncertain times, particularly with PFAS concerns. George also discusses how the Metropolitan Council uses biosolids to generate energy and the role of technology in the future of biosolids management.

Episode #125
Hosted by Travis Loop

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Words On Water #95: Adam Lovell on Water Utilities in Australia

July 1, 2019

Adam Lovell is Executive Director of the Water Services Association of Australia. In this episode Adam provides an overview of the water utility sector in Australia and issues such as urbanization, extreme drought, water reuse, and energy neutrality. He also explains the water sector’s focus on customer value, affordability, stormwater, and community livability. Adam discusses the special collaborative relationship that Australia has with the United States and United Kingdom.

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Words On Water #86: Indra Maharjan on Energy and Innovation in Ontario

April 23, 2019

Indra Maharjan is the Director of Innovation, Technology and Alternate Delivery at the Ontario Clean Water Agency in Canada. In this episode Indra explains how new technology, right-sizing equipment, conservation programs, and behavior change have increased energy efficiency at water facilities. He also discusses differences in the water sector between Canada and the U.S., including the size and ownership of systems as well as government-led efforts to address climate change. Indra also talks about starting his career in water in Nepal, where even as a part of management he was involved in the groundwork of operating traditional systems.

Episode #86
Hosted by Travis Loop

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Words On Water #82: Jenelle Watson on Going Net-Zero in Melbourne

March 11, 2019

Jenelle Watson is the Manager of Treatment and Resources at Melbourne Water in Australia. In this episode Jenelle explains how Melbourne Water is working to meet its obligation to be net-zero by 2030. She says the utility is identifying ways to eliminate demand and increase energy efficiency, while also advancing a series of renewable energy projects including solar, mini-hydros, and biogas. Jenelle also discusses how Melbourne Water must build resilience to sea level rise, which will inundate its largest treatment plant.

Episode #82
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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

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Words On Water #63: Art Umble on the Circular Economy

November 13, 2018

Dr. Art Umble leads the Global Wastewater Practice for Stantec Consulting. In this episode, 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.

Episode #63
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Words On Water #58: Tom Kunetz on Priorities as WEF President

October 9, 2018

Tom Kunetz is the new President of the Board of Trustees for the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and Assistant Director of Monitoring and Research for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD). In this episode, Tom discusses his priorities for the next year as WEF President, which include increasing the diversity of the water workforce and expanding resource recovery by utilities. He also talks about his work at MWRD, the rebound of the Chicago River, and his involvement in comedy.

Episode #58
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Words On Water #55: Chris Mahoney on the Evolution of Equipment for Water Treatment

September 29, 2018

Chris Mahoney is the Vice President of Capital Markets for Andritz Separation Technologies. In this episode, Chris shares his perspective on how the goals of water treatment have changed over the past several decades, including the shift from basic treatment to resource recovery. He explains the important role of equipment such as screens, thickeners, and driers in the mechanics of water treatment. Chris also discusses how Andritz’s work in the water sector benefits from its work in industries such as pulp and paper, mining and minerals, and chemicals.

This episode is brought to you by Andritz Separation Technologies.

Episode #55
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Words On Water #51: Preview of WEFTEC 2018

September 7, 2018

WEFTEC, the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference, is the largest annual water quality event in the world. This year it will be held September 29 to October 3 in New Orleans. In this episode, WEF staff provide a preview of WEFTEC, including highlights of the conference program, the new additions to the exhibit floor, what to expect at the opening session, and how to use the app to navigate the event.

Episode #51
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Words On Water #45: Manon Fisher on Addressing Climate Change with Biosolids

July 30, 2018

Manon Fisher is a resource recovery specialist with the San Francisco Public Utility Commission. In this episode, 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.

Episode #45
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Words On Water #42: John Willis on Biogas and Biosolids

July 9, 2018

John Willis is Vice President of Wastewater Solutions at Brown and Caldwell. In this episode, 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. John additionally explains the enormous potential of anaerobic primary treatment to drive water utilities to net zero, an innovative process inspired by work by the Gates Foundation in the developing world.

Episode #42
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Words On Water #40: The Water Decision for Lebron James

June 29, 2018

Lebron James is a free agent and choosing where to play basketball next season. What if he factored the city’s water utilities and water bodies into the decision? In this episode, we discuss a few of the attributes and programs of the five cities that sports experts predict as the most likely destinations for Lebron – Cleveland, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Houston, and Boston. Disclaimer: Lebron is unfortunately not a guest on this episode.

Episode #40
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Words On Water #37: Ned Beecher on the Benefits of Biosolids

June 11, 2018

Ned Beecher is the Executive Director of the North East Biosolids & Residuals Association. In this episode, Ned discusses the many benefits of biosolids, including diverting waste from landfills, improving agricultural production, restoring land damaged by mining and fires, and remediating Superfund sites. He also talks about safety issues around emerging contaminants and the role of biosolids in addressing climate change.

Episode #37
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Words On Water #36: Kathryn Sorenson on Water in Phoenix

June 4, 2018

Kathryn Sorenson is the Director of Phoenix Water Services. In this episode, Kathryn discusses how the utility collects, distributes, and treats water in the desert home of the fifth-most populated city in the United States. She also talks about how Phoenix has decreased water consumption and replenished vital groundwater, the continuation of ancient Native American practices for moving water via canals, the oasis known as the Tres Rios wetlands, and a new biogas project that means all resources are recovered at the city’s largest treatment plant.

Episode #36
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Words On Water #35: Dr. Bruce Rittmann on Microbial Communities

May 28, 2018

Dr. Bruce Rittmann is the director of the Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology at the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University. He was named the 2018 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate for revolutionizing water and wastewater treatment. In this episode, Bruce discusses how his first job at a wastewater plant shaped his career, the cutting-edge use of microbial communities to convert pollutants into resources, and how mathematical modeling can improve the treatment process.

Episode #35
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Words On Water #31: Abigail Gardner on Public Opinion Poll Results

April 23, 2018

Abigail Gardner is the communications adviser for the Value of Water Campaign and U.S. Water Alliance. In this episode, Abigail talks about the results of a new public opinion poll that found 88 percent of voters support increasing federal investment to rebuild America’s water infrastructure and how that support cuts across age, gender, political party, and geography. She also discusses how results have changed over time, findings on drinking water behavior, and the public’s priorities for wastewater utilities.

Episode #31
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Words On Water #30: Joe Kane on Water Use Patterns, Stormwater Utilities, and Infrastructure Jobs

April 16, 2018

Joe Kane is a senior research associate and associate fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program. In this episode, Joe discusses the key findings of his research on national and local water use patterns in the U.S., how stormwater utilities offer resilient options for communities, and expanded opportunity through infrastructure jobs. He also talks about his ongoing research on the water workforce and offers his perspective on the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act.

Episode #30
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Words On Water #29: Karen Pallansch on the Utility of the Future

April 9, 2018

Karen Pallansch is the CEO of Alexandria Renew Enterprises in Virginia. In this episode, Karen talks about the Utility of the Future concept and how wastewater treatment plants are transforming into water resource recovery facilities. She also discusses how AlexRenew embodies a Utility of the Future, particularly through its community engagement, watershed stewardship, and recovery of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients. AlexRenew is one of about 80 utilities that have earned recognition as a Utility of the Future Today.

Episode #29
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Words On Water #24: Paul O’Callaghan on Trends in Water Technology

March 5, 2018

Paul O’Callaghan is the founder of BlueTech Research and the CEO of O2 Environmental. In this episode, Paul shares his unique insights on water technology, including what makes something innovative, how water technology is connected to trends in the larger economy, the rate of change in the water sector, and how water fares compared to traditional success/failure rates in venture capital.

Episode #24
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