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In Sacramento, the shift to viewing wastewater as a critical resource is transforming regional water security and ecological health.In this episode, Christoph Dobson, General Manager of Sacramento Area Sewer District, explains how the landmark $1.7 billion EchoWater project has elevated treatment standards to tertiary levels, protecting the sensitive Bay Delta while creating a massive new supply of recycled water.This advanced infrastructure enables the Harvest Water project, which will deliver 50,000 acre-feet of reclaimed water annually to 16,000 acres of farmland, effectively reducing groundwater pumping and restoring local aquifers by up to 35 feet over the next 15 years.By leveraging state revolving fund loans and nearly $400 million in grants, the utility has successfully mitigated ratepayer impacts while simultaneously restoring 5,000 acres of riparian habitat and boosting streamflows for Chinook salmon.These efforts demonstrate a scalable blueprint for agricultural reuse, turning environmental regulatory "sticks" into sustainable "carrots" that support both local economies and resilient ecosystems.This episode is part of The Golden State of Reuse, a series exploring the past, present, and future of water recycling across California.The series is a collaboration with WateReuse California and sponsored by CDM Smith.The series is also supported by the Sacramento Area Sewer District, Black & Veatch, and Monterey One Water. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Is the Chesapeake Bay finally turning a corner, or is restoration falling behind on its most critical deadlines?This episode provides an expert "check-up" on America’s largest estuary with Hilary Falk, President and CEO of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). After decades of investment, the results are a complex mix of record-breaking successes and urgent new challenges.Explore the "Oyster Revolution"—a massive effort that has restored 11 tributaries since 2014—and learn how billions of oysters are now naturally filtering the Bay's water. The conversation also tackles the hard truths: why blue crab populations are at historic lows, the impact of invasive species, and why Pennsylvania holds the key to solving the nutrient pollution crisis.Key Topics & Solutions:The Blueprint Status: Why the 2025 deadline remains elusive and what an "accelerated" path forward requires from the states and the EPA.The "Pennsylvania Gap": How the Lancaster Clean Water Partners are curbing nitrogen and phosphorus through industry and conservation.High-Tech Stewardship: Breaking ground on an oyster center using AI to "listen" to reef health and the launch of electric education boats.Island Resilience: Innovative engineering and living shorelines designed to protect the communities of Tangier and Smith Islands.This conversation serves as a vital reminder that while the path to a clean Chesapeake is complex, the combination of community accountability and natural innovation is the key to securing a resilient future for America's largest estuary.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Explosive growth in data centers, semiconductors, and power generation is driving unprecedented industrial water demand, pushing reuse from niche to necessity across the U.S. In this episode, Bruno Pigott of the WateReuse Association, Courtney Tripp of Grundfos, and Jim Oliver of Black & Veatch unpack their joint report, Accelerating Industrial Reuse, spotlighting proven and sustainable strategies to meet that demand.They highlight how existing technologies enable up to 75–90% water savings through fit-for-purpose treatment—treating water only to the quality needed for its next use while minimizing energy and costs. Landmark projects illustrate the impact, from Intel’s Arizona campus recovering nearly all water and brine to support thousands of jobs, Chevron’s California public-private partnership conserving potable supplies for tens of thousands of homes, and Koch Industries’ Oklahoma plant treating municipal effluent to preserve freshwater for community growth. The experts point to low-hanging fruit like operational tweaks for quick gains, alongside rising water rates, bipartisan tax incentives, and progressive state frameworks that are turning reuse into a business and resilience imperative. Looking ahead, they envision widespread adoption nationwide through industrial symbiosis, better salt management, and collaborative models that transform water constraints into economic and environmental opportunities.Access the report Accelerating Industrial Reusewaterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

What happens when laws designed to protect water fail — and what legal action does it take to set things right?For decades, the health of the Chesapeake Bay has struggled because of three major pollution sources: stormwater, wastewater, and agriculture. These pressures send nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment into streams and rivers that flow into the Bay, where they harm water quality and the environment broadly.While there have been many solutions implemented and tremendous progress made across the watershed, there are still challenges that sometimes require a legal approach.In this episode, David Reed of the Chesapeake Legal Alliance shares a look at these three major pollution challenges through the lens of local riverkeepers in Maryland.The story begins with Gunpowder Riverkeeper Theaux Le Gardeur, who explains how unchecked development and failing stormwater controls allowed sediment to smother vital habitat. Next is Alice Volpitta, the Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper at Blue Water Baltimore, who shares how two of Maryland’s largest wastewater treatment plants fell into disrepair. Finally, Taylor Swanson of the Assateague Coastal Trust talks about the Eastern Shore, where industrial poultry facilities have created unregulated ammonia pollution.They each share how legal action was the last line of defense for the Chesapeake Bay and local waterways.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Green infrastructure is reshaping how communities manage stormwater by blending natural processes with modern engineering to improve water quality, reduce flooding, and fit into increasingly dense urban spaces. In this episode, Christian Hennessy of Oldcastle Infrastructure breaks down what makes a system truly “green,” from mimicking pre-development hydrology to using engineered soils, media amendments, and carefully selected plants to target pollutants like nutrients and metals.He covers how green infrastructure has evolved from simple rain gardens into high-performance, small-footprint systems that combine green and gray infrastructure through precast structures, filtration media, and controlled detention. Hennessy also explains how performance is measured through rigorous field testing and lab validation, ensuring these systems deliver real water quality results. Looking ahead, he discusses hybrid approaches, digital monitoring, and climate-driven design as essential tools for making stormwater infrastructure more resilient and effective in a changing world.Learn more about Oldcastle Infrastructure water solutions.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Water is at the heart of America’s national parks, yet many of these rivers, lakes, coasts, and wetlands are under growing stress from pollution, climate impacts, and decisions made outside park boundaries. In this episode from the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C., Ed Stierli of the National Parks Conservation Association explains how his organization serves as the independent voice for 433 national park sites, backed by nearly 2 million members. He breaks down why more than half of waterways in national parks remain impaired, connecting the dots between upstream land use, aging infrastructure, and weakened protections that shape water quality. Stierli highlights how bedrock laws like the Clean Water Act and modern restoration programs have helped bring back iconic species and improve water conditions, while warning that political rollbacks could erode decades of progress. He also points to large-scale, watershed-based collaborations—uniting federal agencies, states, local governments, and nonprofits—to restore wetlands, rebuild natural buffers, and invest in resilient infrastructure. Throughout, Stierli stresses the power of public engagement and broad coalitions to secure funding, defend protections, and keep national parks functioning as living classrooms where people can experience and learn from healthy waters.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Wastewater treatment plants rely on nonstop mechanical power to keep water moving, oxygen flowing, and critical equipment turning—and the systems behind that power are the focus of this episode. Dave Zimmerman of Dodge Industrial breaks down how gearboxes, bearings, motors, and couplings form the “powertrain” that drives nearly every major process in a treatment plant.Zimmerman explains how these components support pumps, aeration basins, clarifiers, bar screens, screw conveyors, and oxidation ditches—operating 24/7 under punishing conditions of moisture, grit, vibration, and load. He highlights how smart mechanical design can cut energy consumption by 7–10 percent, a major opportunity for utilities facing some of the highest electricity bills in municipal government.As the water workforce shrinks, Zimmerman outlines how pre-engineered, easy-to-install components reduce maintenance complexity and keep equipment online longer. Lessons from heavy industries like mining and aggregates—where shock loads and extreme stress are the norm—are shaping tougher, more durable systems for wastewater plants. The conversation also explores emerging technologies such as sensors, real-time monitoring, and predictive maintenance tools that help operators understand equipment health and prevent catastrophic failures before they happen.Learn more about Dodge Industrial.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

California’s Central Coast is turning recycled water into a lifeline for rivers, golf courses, farms, and coastal communities—showing how reuse can work far beyond the big cities.In this episode, Nick Becker of Pebble Beach Community Services District, Alison Imamura of Monterey One Water, and Melanie Mow Schumacher of Soquel Creek Water District share how their communities are rethinking every drop.At Pebble Beach, Becker explains how drought in the 1980s pushed local leaders to build one of the first systems that uses recycled water to irrigate seven world-class golf courses and a high school—later upgraded with microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and a 115-million-gallon reservoir so the system can bank winter water for dry summers.Imamura describes how Pure Water Monterey takes a holistic approach, blending municipal wastewater, urban stormwater, industrial flows, and agricultural drainage into advanced treatment that both supplies 12,000 acres of farmland and returns purified water to the groundwater basin—cutting diversions from the Carmel River and protecting endangered species.Schumacher shows how the small-but-mighty Soquel Creek Water District is fighting seawater intrusion and an overdrafted aquifer with Pure Water Soquel, an advanced purification project that turns wastewater into a high-quality groundwater recharge supply backed by strong public outreach, regional partnerships, and creative funding through state and federal programs.This episode is part of The Golden State of Reuse, a series exploring the past, present, and future of water recycling across California.The series is a collaboration with WateReuse California and sponsored by CDM Smith. The series is also supported by the Sacramento Area Sewer District, Black & Veatch, and Monterey One Water.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Hydrogen sulfide is the invisible gas quietly eating away at sewer systems—driving odor complaints aboveground and concrete failure below. In this episode of Inside Infrastructure, Kerry Koressel of IPEX explains how H₂S forms inside collection systems, why splashing and drops inside manholes turn it into a corrosive, dangerous gas, and how it can silently destroy manholes, pipes, and metal components over time. He breaks down the real costs for municipalities, from emergency repairs and bypass pumping to business impacts when odors reach streets and downtowns.The conversation explores why these problems persist despite decades of awareness, including limited budgets, competing priorities, and the sheer scale of sewer networks. Koressel also discusses how better hydraulic design, improved materials, and oxygen-boosting strategies can suppress odors, reduce corrosion, and send “better sewage” downstream. Together, these approaches point toward a more sustainable, lower-maintenance future for collection systems under growing environmental and financial pressure.Learn more about solutions from Ipex.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Communities across the Midwest are navigating a complex mix of water challenges—from affordability to agricultural pollution to protecting iconic national parks—and the policies shaping those outcomes. In this episode, Crystal Davis, Senior Midwest Regional Director for the National Parks Conservation Association, discusses how regional advocacy, coalition building, and community-driven organizing are advancing solutions across 11 states and 53 park sites. She highlights efforts to strengthen park funding, reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and address pollution pressures in places like Lake Erie. Davis also explains how the Midwest is building multi-sector coalitions to push for equitable access to water and nature, elevating voices typically excluded from environmental decision-making. She shares lessons from Healing Our Waters, a 180-member coalition driving federal and state reforms, and outlines why authentic engagement—not box-checking—is essential for lasting progress. Her work underscores how unified advocacy across communities, businesses, tribes, and frontline organizations is shaping a more equitable and resilient future for parks and water in the Great Lakes region.This episode is part of the Color of Water series, a collaboration with the Water Hub. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Odor control and overflow prevention are critical yet often overlooked challenges for wastewater utilities — especially as urban areas expand and climate impacts intensify.In this episode of Inside Infrastructure, Ryan Powers of the Wager Company explains how a family company that started in marine ventilation is now helping communities solve complex sewer problems on land. He discusses why traditional chemical and carbon-based systems are costly, maintenance-heavy, and environmentally burdensome ways to fight the problems. Powers also highlights the benefits of passive, low-maintenance designs that eliminate odors and prevent inflow and overflow without electricity or chemicals.Learn more about Wager.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

California’s water recycling movement has evolved from experiments to expansion—driven by progressive regulations, proven technology, and positive public trust. In this episode, Traci Minamide, Greg Wetterau, and Roshanak Aflaki of CDM Smith share expert insights from decades of experience advancing reuse across the Golden State.They reflect on the past, when early projects like the East Valley initiative faced setbacks and public skepticism that reshaped how engineers, utilities, and communicators approached outreach and transparency.In the present, they highlight how clearer regulations, efficient treatment processes, and pilot projects have made large-scale water recycling both achievable and affordable—turning wastewater into safe, local drinking water for millions.Looking to the future, the panel envisions a new generation of systems powered by AI-driven operations, advanced membranes, and rapid water-quality monitoring tools that will make direct potable reuse more widespread and resilient than ever before.This episode is part of The Golden State of Reuse, a series exploring the past, present, and future of water recycling across California.The series is a collaboration with WateReuse California and sponsored by CDM Smith. The series is also supported by the Sacramento Area Sewer District, Black & Veatch, and Monterey One Water.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Water’s future depends on sustainable funding, bipartisan policy, and stronger public communication. In this conversation from the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C., Adam Krantz of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) explains how federal investments and advocacy are shaping the next chapter for America’s water infrastructure. He outlines the historic impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and why permanent, predictable federal funding is essential to maintain momentum. Krantz highlights the urgent need for a national Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program so that access to water is treated as essential as food and energy. He details efforts to get resources and technical help to smaller, under-resourced utilities—often left behind in traditional grant and loan programs—and how partnerships with larger systems can close that gap. The discussion also explores the role of programs like WIFIA and SRF in leveraging billions for critical projects nationwide. Looking ahead, Krantz calls for a united communications effort to position water alongside energy and transportation as the nation’s most vital infrastructure, ensuring long-term investment, trust, and resilience.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability. Follow us on YouTube, Linked-In, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

Across the U.S., stormwater regulations form a confusing patchwork that slows innovation and complicates compliance for communities and companies alike. In this episode from WEFTEC, Jay Holtz of Oldcastle Infrastructure explains how this fragmented system has evolved — and why it’s time for change. He outlines the challenges posed by thousands of differing local approvals that make it costly and inefficient for solution providers to bring technologies to market. Holtz describes how the emerging STEPP Program — Stormwater Testing and Evaluation for Products and Practices — aims to establish a consistent national framework for verifying performance data and standardizing testing. The initiative, led by the National Municipal Stormwater Alliance, would simplify local approvals, cut costs, and accelerate deployment of proven systems. By centralizing data and ensuring testing integrity, STEPP could spur innovation, expand stormwater solutions nationwide, and ultimately lead to cleaner water in communities across America.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Activated carbon is a frontline solution in the fight against PFAS and other contaminants in water. In this episode, Brandon Hamilton of Norit explains how activated carbon works like a “rigid sponge” —using its complex pore structures to trap everything from volatile organics to microscopic chemicals. He breaks down why utilities are increasingly choosing activated carbon over reverse osmosis or ion exchange, highlighting its cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and proven performance in water treatment. Hamilton also dives into Norit’s reactivation process, which destroys PFAS and restores 80–90% of carbon capacity, saving utilities in costs. The conversation explores the different types of carbon—from coal to coconut shell—and how each targets specific contaminants. Looking ahead, Hamilton reveals how tailored carbon products and innovations in agglomeration are paving the way for the next generation of water treatment solutions.Learn more about Norit.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for sustainability in water.

Los Angeles is turning recycled water into real-world resilience—protecting aquifers from seawater intrusion, powering industry, gaining public support, and building a next-generation supply that reduces dependence on imported sources.At Terminal Island, Dean Taylor explains how this pioneering facility evolved from discharging into the harbor to producing advanced treated water that now feeds the Dominguez Gap seawater barrier and supplies industrial clients such as like Valero, saving millions of gallons of drinking water each day while moving toward full reclamation capacity.At the Albert Robles Center, Stephan Tucker shows how education and transparency are turning skepticism into support. Students, residents, and decision-makers experience the treatment process firsthand—building trust, understanding, and a stronger future workforce for the water industry.At Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant, Johan Torroledo and Christina Beccera Jones outline the ambitious Pure Water Los Angeles program—transforming one of the world’s largest treatment plants into a hub of innovation. Ultimately, the project will deliver up to 230 million gallons per day of purified water. They explain how the regional effort includes Pure Water Southern California, aiming to add another 150 million gallons per day of purified water for one of the nation’s thirstiest regions.The throughline is clear: science, transparency, and collaboration are making potable reuse not just possible—but practical at metropolitan scale.This episode is part of The Golden State of Reuse, a series exploring the past, present, and future of water recycling across California.The series is a collaboration with WateReuse California. The lead sponsor is CDM Smith.The series is also supported by the Sacramento Area Sewer District, Black & Veatch, and Monterey One Water.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Utilities across the country are facing shifting water quality challenges — from changing influent chemistry to tightening discharge limits. This demands smarter monitoring and faster response. In this episode, Carlos Williams of Hach shares how utilities are adapting to this evolving landscape through advanced analysis and real-time data. He explains how rainfall patterns, conservation, and industrial variability can alter what flows into plants, requiring automated samplers and online instruments that catch contaminants early. Inside facilities, Williams highlights emerging treatment trends such as nutrient removal, energy efficiency, and diverse disinfection approaches that all depend on accurate water chemistry tracking. He also discusses how new discharge requirements are driving the need for continuous nutrient and solids monitoring to maintain compliance and protect ecosystems. Learn more about Hach.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Artificial intelligence is transforming how cities understand and manage their underground water infrastructure. In this episode, Eric Sullivan of SewerAI explains how computer vision and the cloud are revolutionizing the inspection and maintenance of wastewater systems.Technology automatically detects and classifies defects in sewer pipes using AI models trained on hundreds of millions of feet of inspection data—cutting time, cost, and human error. Sullivan describes how this shift allows field crews to focus on safety and efficiency while enabling engineers to make faster, data-driven repair decisions. With real-time data syncing and benchmarking across hundreds of systems, utilities can now monitor conditions continuously, prioritize investments, and demonstrate performance improvements over time. As Sullivan shares, the integration of big data, AI, and affordable camera technologies is making pipe inspection smarter, faster, and more accessible—reshaping the future of water infrastructure management beneath our streets.Learn more about SewerAIwaterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Orange County shows how water recycling moves from idea to impact—linking history, science, and workforce to make reuse mainstream.At Irvine Ranch Water District, Paul Cook explains how a simple visual breakthrough—the now-iconic purple pipe—was created in the 1980s to clearly mark recycled water and build public trust, a standard that spread across California and the world.At Orange County Water District’s Groundwater Replenishment System, Mehul Patel traces the lineage from Water Factory 21 to today’s 130-MGD advanced purification that protects a coastal aquifer, pushes back seawater intrusion, and supplies enough water for about a million people. Research and innovation lead the way: Megan Plumley spotlights OCWD’s lab and pilots tackling energy use in RO, improving membranes and spacers, and continuously monitoring for PFAS, microplastics, and other emerging contaminants—evidence that potable reuse is built on decades of science, not slogans.The future depends on people as much as plants. At Moulton Niguel Water District, Joone Kim-Lopez lays out the skills needed for direct potable reuse—high-level certification, data literacy, and creativity—while sharing how partnerships with colleges are creating new training pathways.This episode is part of The Golden State of Reuse, a series exploring the past, present, and future of water recycling across California, showcasing the people and projects redefining how water is used again and again. The series is a collaboration with WateReuse California and sponsored by CDM Smith.The series is also supported by the Sacramento Area Sewer District, Black & Veatch, and Monterey One Water.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Annabelle Rayson’s journey into water science began on the shores of Lake Huron and has grown into an award-winning pursuit of global impact. A student at Harvard University and winner of the 2022 Stockholm Junior Water Prize, Annabelle shares how her childhood curiosity about the Great Lakes evolved into groundbreaking research and real-world problem solving. She describes her innovative “Plankton Wars” project—using native zooplankton to reduce harmful algal blooms—and how it earned her international recognition. Annabelle also reflects on her internship at Xylem’s Reservoir Center, where she worked on projects spanning water quality monitoring, nutrient sensing, and community engagement. From studying methane emissions in wetlands to investigating heavy metals in drinking water, her story captures the next generation of scientific leadership and passion driving solutions for clean, sustainable water worldwide.This episode is a collaboration with the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C. where waterloop is the media partner. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.