Tag: green infrastructure

Words On Water #163: Erin Rothman on Monitoring Stormwater With Sensors

September 30, 2020

Erin Rothman is the CEO of StormSensor. In this episode Erin discusses how cities are increasingly interested in using networks of sensors and cloud-based software for real-time monitoring of stormwater systems. She explains how sensors can also be used for a variety of purposes including evaluating green infrastructure and studying the impact of sea level rise on infrastructure. Erin also talks about her experience collaborating with college students and the creativity they bring to projects.

This episode is brought to you by StormSensor.

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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

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Words On Water #118: Chris Hartman on Using the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program in Northeast Ohio

January 13, 2020

Chris Hartman is a Stormwater Technical Specialist with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. In this episode Chris discusses the important role of green infrastructure in Project Clean Lake, the utility’s program to reduce pollution to Lake Erie. He explains that NEORSD decided to utilize the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program for training on the design, installation, and maintenance. Chris says the use of NGICP has led to several people gaining jobs to maintain green infrastructure in the greater Cleveland community.

Episode #118
Hosted by Travis Loop

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Words On Water #99: Dr. Sally Brown on Communicating About Biosolids

August 5, 2019

Dr. Sally Brown is a Research Professor in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences at the University of Washington. In this episode, Sally says biosolids are a science communication tool for the public, particularly as learning about the benefits help them get over the yuck factor. She also discusses innovative ways to use biosolids, including in urban stormwater management and growing cannabis. Sally says decades of research have shown biosolids to be safe and the sector must talk about the low level of risk from contaminants including PFAS compared to other household sources.

Episode #99
Hosted by Travis Loop

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Words On Water #83: Marcus Quigley on Advancing Stormwater Management

March 20, 2019

Marcus Quigley is a senior advisor for Opti. In this episode, Marcus discusses how stormwater is an important area for both water quality and water quantity, and how the challenge is amplified by aging infrastructure and continued development. He explains that local elected officials are motivated by the many community benefits of managing stormwater. Marcus also talks about the role of technology such as cloud computing and wireless communications in improving stormwater management and adapting to climate change.

Episode #83
Hosted by Travis Loop

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Inspiring Women in Water

March 8, 2019

To mark International Women’s Day 2019, here are 15 podcast episodes from the past year that feature influential and inspiring women in water.

Eleanor Allen on Water for People
Eleanor explains the organization’s model of water for Everyone Forever, which has to date provided service to 3.3 million people. 

Jenelle Armstrong on Leadership, Women in Water, and Veterans
Jenelle talks about how her time at the U.S. Naval Academy shaped her views on leadership and prepared her to be a woman in the male-dominated water industry. 

Cathy Bailey on Lead in Drinking Water
Cathy discusses her rise from a chemist working nights to the first woman and African-American to lead the utility in its 200-year history.

Ingrid Bella on BAYWORK
Ingrid discusses the origins of BAYWORK, its focus on showcasing water sector jobs to students and educators, and the many resources available to help utilities address workforce challenges.

Haley Falconer on Sustainability in Boise
Haley discusses managing environmental services for one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. and how water fits in the portfolio with energy, waste, and air quality.

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.

Abigail Gardner on Public Opinion Poll Results
Abigail talks about the results of a 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. 

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. 

Marleah LaBelle on Alaska Native Villages
Marleah discusses the challenges with drinking water and sanitation in Alaska Native villages, which includes about 3,000 households with no service.

Karen Pallansch on the Utility of the Future
Karen talks about the Utility of the Future concept and how wastewater treatment plants are transforming into water resource recovery facilities. 

Melissa Pomales on Puerto Rico’s Recovery from Hurricane Maria
Melissa tells her personal and professional stories of the devastating impact of Hurricane Maria on her home island. 

Kishia Powell on Atlanta’s Community Investments
Kishia discusses Atlanta’s extensive use of green infrastructure, including using it to create public spaces such as the Historic Fourth Ward Park and to educate citizens on water management.

Angeliki Rigos on Scientists as Advocates and Leaders
Angeliki says more scientists should be active advocates for sustainability and that she encourages women scientists to become leaders in society.

Britt Sheinbaum on Conflict and Resolution
Britt discusses her view that water conflict is an opportunity for cooperation, the role of water scarcity in tensions in places like Syria, and the remarkable cooperation found along transboundary waters.

Kathryn Sorenson on Water in Phoenix
Kathryn discusses how the utility collects, distributes, and treats water in the desert home of the fifth-most populated city in the United States.

Words On Water #74: Gary Belan and Janet Clements on Stormwater Currency

January 29, 2019

Gary Belan is the Senior Director of the Clean Water Supply Program at American Rivers and Janet Clements is the Senior Water Resource Economist at Corona Environmental Consulting. In this episode, Gary and Janet discuss Stormwater Currency, a collaboration with the Water Environment Federation to develop private financing options for green infrastructure. They explain how, with support from the Great Lakes Protection Fund, the organizations will work with utilities in Grand Rapids, Michigan to develop a stormwater credit trading program and in Cleveland, Ohio to optimize a green infrastructure grant program. Gary and Janet say the goal is also to enable the strategies to be scaled throughout the Great Lakes region and beyond.

Episode #74
Hosted by Travis Loop

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Words On Water #59: Ghassan Korban on the Work Ahead in New Orleans

October 15, 2018

Ghassan Korban is the new Executive Director of the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans. In this episode, Ghassan discusses the work needed to improve water infrastructure in New Orleans, which he says includes reinvesting to create a system for the next 50 to 100 years, particularly to deal with flooding. He acknowledges the unique nature of New Orleans’ infrastructure and the special spotlight on the city. Ghassan also talks about the benefits of green infrastructure, the challenge of shaping a workforce, and creating a better image for the utility.

Episode #59
Hosted by Travis Loop

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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
Hosted by Travis Loop

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Words On Water #50: Kishia Powell on Atlanta’s Community Investments

September 4, 2018

Kishia Powell is the Commissioner of the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management. In this episode, Kishia talks about the utility’s new $1 billion, five-year capital improvement plan. She discusses Atlanta’s extensive use of green infrastructure, including using it to create public spaces such as the Historic Fourth Ward Park and to educate citizens on water management. Kishia also explains the importance of community involvement in the planning process and how the utility is focused on equity across neighborhoods.

Episode #50
Hosted by Travis Loop

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Words On Water #46: Darryl Haddock on Urban Waters in Atlanta

August 6, 2018

Darryl Haddock is the Education Director for the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance and the Federal Urban Waters Ambassador for Proctor Creek. In this episode, Darryl explains how a community struggling with environmental justice issues came together to advocate for more desirable wastewater and stormwater solutions. He also talks about the many benefits of reinvesting in urban waterways and the neighborhoods around them, as well as how residents in these areas can provide meaningful input into projects.

Episode #46
Hosted by Travis Loop

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Words On Water #44: Tim Thomure on Reclaiming and Reusing Water in the Desert

July 23, 2018

Tim Thomure is the Director of Tucson Water in Arizona. In this episode, Tim discusses how a heavy focus on reclaiming and reusing water in the desert has enabled Tucson and Pima County to transition off groundwater and recharge the aquifer. He also talks about the work to develop a regulatory framework for direct potable reuse in Arizona so communities will have the option if necessary. Additionally, Tim explains the growth of green infrastructure in Tucson as a way to capture precious rainfall and reduce the heat island effect.

Episode #44
Hosted by Travis Loop

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