Words On Water #199: Briefing on the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act

November 10, 2021

Steve Dye is the Legislative Affairs Director for the Water Environment Federation. In this episode Steve provides a briefing on the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, which will provide nearly $1.2 trillion for the nation’s infrastructure. He explains that $51 billion is allocated to drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure and provides a detailed breakdown of the investments. Steve also discusses how the historic investment was driven by years of advocacy by WEF members and the broader water sector.

Episode #199
Hosted by Steve Dye

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Words On Water #129: Tom Ferguson on Innovation and the Next Decade

March 2, 2020

Tom Ferguson is the Vice President of Programming for Imagine H2O. In this episode Tom explains that Water Innovation Week will be focused on “The Next Decade”, with an eclectic mix of water leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and more exploring what is possible for the sector over the next 10 years. Tom also gazes into his crystal ball to predict that by 2030 there will be significant investment in water, regionalization/consolidation of utilities, a flood of tech crossing over from other industries, and a heavy emphasis on communications and outreach.

Episode #129
Hosted by Travis Loop

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Words On Water #94: Lori Weigel on Public Opinion on Infrastructure, Affordability, and Reuse

June 24, 2019

Lori Weigel is Principal at New Bridge Strategy. In this episode Lori discusses the results of an annual public opinion poll conducted through the Value of Water Campaign, which found that 85 percent of voters support increased funding for water infrastructure, a level of support that cuts across demographics, geography, party affiliation, and income level. She also talks about questions on affordability that show four in five voters believe water rates are affordable and are willing to pay more. Lori also explains that only 12 percent of voters are familiar with recycled water.

Episode #94
Hosted by Travis Loop

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Words On Water #77: Adam Davis on Public Opinion on Water Services

February 11, 2019

Adam Davis is Senior Counsel at DHM Research. In this episode Adam discusses results of a national opinion survey conducted with Blue Drop that found one-third of people do not know the source of their drinking water and two-thirds do not know the destination of their wastewater after it is cleaned. He also shares that 50 percent aren’t familiar with the quality of their drinking water and three-quarters don’t know about water infrastructure projects in their community. Adam explains how a lack of public awareness can lead to other types of infrastructure and services being prioritized for investment before water. He says it is important for utilities to poll locally, engage customers, use focus groups, and partner with other organizations as a way to build relationships.

Episode #77
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
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 #48: Manny Teodoro on Affordability of Rates

August 20, 2018

Manny Teodoro is an Associate Professor at Texas A&M University. In this episode, Manny discusses the issue of affordability of water, including how water can be simultaneously underpriced and unaffordable. He talks about why the water sector must address the affordability issue now. Manny also explains why the median household income isn’t an accurate measure for determining affordability and offers more effective ways to calculate costs for working class households.

Episode #48
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 #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
Hosted by Travis Loop

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Words On Water #41: Britt Sheinbaum on Conflict and Resolution

July 2, 2018

Britt Sheinbaum is a water conflict specialist and Head of the East Coast Technology Approval Group for Isle Utilities. In this episode, 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. She also talks about adaptability, shared goals, and tools as the keys in conflict resolution.

Episode #41
Hosted by Travis Loop

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Words On Water #38: Al Cho on Smart Water Systems

June 18, 2018

Al Cho is the Vice President of Advanced Infrastructure Analytics at Xylem, Inc. In this episode, 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.

Episode #38
Hosted by Travis Loop

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Words On Water #34: Adam Krantz on Advocacy and Policy

May 21, 2018

Adam Krantz is the CEO of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies. In this episode, Adam talks about the complementary roles of the various water associations, including NACWA. He also assesses the current political will by elected officials to act on water issues and discusses paying for clean water, advancing smarter regulations, promoting innovation, and modernizing the Clean Water Act.

Episode #34
Hosted by Travis Loop

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Words On Water #33: National Green Infrastructure Certification Program

May 8, 2018

The National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP) is a new jobs program that provides training and certification in the field of green infrastructure. NGICP establishes national requirements for working on green infrastructure projects, promotes a skilled green workforce, streamlines the process of connecting qualified talent to in-demand jobs, and supports community-based job creation in U.S. cities. This episode features conversations with several people involved with NGICP including program director Adriana Calderelli.

Episode #33
Hosted by Travis Loop

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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
Hosted by Travis Loop

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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
Hosted by Travis Loop

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Words On Water #27: Robert Puente on Conservation and Competition in South Texas

March 25, 2018

Robert Puente is the President and CEO of the San Antonio Water System. In this episode, Robert explains how San Antonio gained its reputation for water efficiency and conservation, including how they keep the famous River Walk flowing and why they have an 11-foot model of a low-flow toilet. He also discusses the competition for water resources in Texas, which has led the city to keep a close eye on aquifers and build a desalination plant.

Episode #27
Hosted by Travis Loop

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Words On Water #25: Melissa Pomales on Puerto Rico’s Recovery from Hurricane Maria

March 12, 2018

Melissa Pomales is based in Puerto Rico as a Water Program Management Leader for Arcadis. In this episode, Melissa tells her personal and professional stories of the devastating impact of Hurricane Maria on her home island. She talks about the estimated $700 million in damage to water infrastructure, the opportunity – and necessity – for Puerto Rico to rebuild in a resilient manner, and how climate change is fueling sea level rise, coastal erosion, and stronger storms.

Episode #25
Hosted by Travis Loop

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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
Hosted by Travis Loop

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Words On Water #23: Tony Parrott on a Utility’s Economic Impact

February 26, 2018

Tony Parrott is the Executive Director of the Louisville/Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District. In this episode, Tony discusses how operations and capital programs of U.S. water utilities generate $550 billion in economic activity in communities and the need for Congress to act on infrastructure funding and workforce packages that support that activity. He also highlights efforts in Louisville to include more small and minority owned businesses in contracts, promote job opportunities for local projects, and address affordability of water bills.

Episode #23
Hosted by Travis Loop

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Words On Water #22: Eliza Roberts on the Food-Water Nexus

February 20, 2018

Eliza Roberts manages the agricultural water stewardship program at Ceres. In this episode, Eliza talks about the food-water nexus and how food sector companies are evaluating their water risk, improving water management practices, and reducing the impact of agriculture on water resources. She also discusses how investors are examining the performance of food companies in managing water resources and considering climate change risks.

Episode #22
Hosted by Travis Loop

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