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© 2026 Water Foresight Podcast
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Examining the future of water through the lens of strategic foresight--anticipating, framing, and shaping your preferred future.
64 Episodes
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What happens when a trillion-dollar infrastructure gap collides with rising standards, shrinking federal support, and a workforce exodus? We invited Jim Good, CEO of Parkview Advisors and veteran of both investor-owned utilities and global operators, to unpack how private water companies are shaping reliability, affordability, and innovation across the United States. From Capitol Hill to plant operations, Jim’s career offers a rare 360-degree view of how money, regulation, and field reality i...
Turn yesterday’s wastewater into tomorrow’s supply—safely, affordably, and at scale. That’s the promise of water reuse, and we go deep with Bruno Pigott, Executive Director of the WateReuse Association and former Acting Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Water, to explore how it’s reshaping utilities, industry, and policy across the United States. We start by clarifying what water reuse is and why it matters now: tightening supplies in arid regions, rising industrial demand from dat...
We talk with Cynthia Giles about why environmental legal requirements may underperform and how a smarter future design—monitoring, e-reporting, and transparency—can make water compliance the default. The conversation moves from pathogens and “sampling out” to climate-driven adaptation and a future reimagined federal–state data relationship. Cynthia offers thoughts on: • the gap between public health goals and actual outcomes • beliefs about widespread compliance and enforcement’s prima...
We ask Reese Tisdale of Bluefield Research how data centers are reshaping water demand, rates, siting decisions, and public trust. We weigh the real risks against practical solutions like onsite reuse, liquid cooling, and utility partnerships that fix leaks and modernize networks. • AI-driven demand accelerates data center growth and water use • Municipal supply dependence and pressure on local systems • Greenfield siting momentum versus brownfield opportunities • Rate stability, stranded co...
The world of water innovation is experiencing a remarkable evolution, powered by a perfect storm of entrepreneurial talent, technological advancement, and growing recognition of water's fundamental importance. In this fascinating conversation with Tom Ferguson, Managing Partner of Burnt Island Ventures, we explore how venture capital is catalyzing transformative solutions to our most pressing water challenges. Ferguson shares his journey from running Imagine H2O's accelerator program to foun...
We stand at the threshold of a new age. As the Industrial Era gives way to the Age of Intelligence, we face unprecedented transformation in every aspect of human existence. Steve Fisher, managing partner at Revolution Factory and chief futurist at the Human Frontier Institute, joins us to explore the nine "SuperShifts" reshaping our world. From his teenage encounter with Alvin Toffler's "Future Shock" to developing his own social theory examining 200-year macro-historical patterns, Fisher of...
Amber Desprets joins us to unveil her groundbreaking creation: the Future of Water Awareness Game. This isn't your typical board game - it's a powerful tool designed to shift how we think about our water future using speculative design principles. Through a deck of 112 insight cards and a five-step process, Amber's game takes participants on a journey from questioning our present water reality to creating tangible "artifacts from the future" that might solve emerging challenges. The game sur...
Imagine turning on your tap and wondering: Is this water safe? Despite living in one of the world's most developed nations, millions of Americans question their drinking water daily. Why? As our returning panel of water experts reveals, it might partly be because the very reports designed to build confidence are actually undermining trust. Dr. Manny Teodoro, Dr. Katherine Sorensen, and Dr. Chad Seidel continue their illuminating discussion of the Madison Declaration, focusing on transparency...
The Water Foresight Podcast continues its exploration of the Madison Declaration with a deep dive into the "regulatory treadmill" that keeps water utilities running hard without making progress on critical threats facing our water systems. • The Safe Drinking Water Act created a valuable framework for regulating contaminants, but has it reached a point of diminishing returns? • Water utilities face a "regulatory treadmill" where they chase increasingly smaller contaminant risks while neglect...
What happens when we recognize that resources aren't infinite? Dr. Stephen Gale joins us to offer his thoughts on how the circular economy represents a fundamental shift in economic thinking that could reshape our relationship with water and other vital resources. From his unexpected journey as a neuropsychologist who found himself working at the Department of Agriculture and USAID, to his current role advising organizations on strategic foresight, Dr. Gale offers a unique perspective on how...
What role, if any, can public relations professionals play in shaping the future of water? After all, it seems that "public relations" is what an organization needs after--not before--the crisis. As a seasoned public relations professional, Stephen Dupont, Principal of Dupont Foresight, offers a different, aspirational perspective on how public relations professionals are able to take a more proactive role in anticipating, framing, and shaping the future of water. #water #W...
Is the demise of the Chevron Doctrine "greatly exaggerated"? Professor Sidney Shapiro of the Wake Forest University School of Law joins the Water Foresight Podcast with his observations. What does the future of the U.S. Supreme Court's Loper Bright Enterprises decision mean for the future of water and how administrative agencies interpret and implement Congressional directives? Much has been said about Loper Bright Enterprises, but will it lead to a future transformation of ...
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is 50 years old. Is it in good health or is it having a mid-life crisis? Do the successes of the SDWA define its "ceiling" or present a new "floor" for consideration? The Madison Declaration calls for an assessment of the future of drinking water throughout the United States. Dr. Manny Teodoro from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. Katherine Sorensen from the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University, and Dr. Chad...
What if the future of our planet hinged on a single, often overlooked element? Join us as Dr. Mills, honorary professor at the University of Essex and author of "End of the World," reveals the pivotal role water will play in navigating apocalyptic scenarios such as climate emergencies, overpopulation, and geopolitical tensions. Drawing on real-world examples like the Ukraine-Russia conflict, where water has been weaponized, Dr. Mills paints a stark picture of the urgency with which we must ad...
Discover the transformative idea of granting natural entities--including water--legal personhood as we sit down with Professor James Salzman, a leading voice in environmental law. This episode takes you beyond traditional environmental regulation, where nature typically plays a supporting role to human interests, and into the realm of the rights of nature movement. Listen in as we discuss the emergence of this groundbreaking concept and its implications on environmental law and policy, includ...
Embark on an enlightening exploration of a globally pressing issue with the insight of Samista Jugwanth, joining us from the vibrant heart of South Africa. Prepare to unravel the intricate tapestry of WASH—Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene—challenges that persist not only in the developing world but also on the doorsteps of developed nations. Samista sheds light on the stark reality that billions are deprived of basic necessities like clean water and safe sanitation, with severe repercussions fo...
Unlock the secrets of regulatory innovation as we sit down with Hdata's founder and CEO, Hudson Hollister, whose journey from SEC lawyer to tech trailblazer is transforming the energy industry's approach to data. This episode promises a wealth of knowledge as we venture into how Hudson's brainchild streamlines regulatory filing processes, applies AI to sector-wide queries, and empowers stakeholders with actionable insights. Discover how this groundbreaking platform not only reshapes energy da...
Step into a world where every drop of water counts as Professor Buzz Thompson, author of "Liquid Asset," unravels the complex role of the private sector in water management. Together, we navigate the intricate dance of business and government alliances as they supply life's most vital resource, dissecting the tug-of-war between public service and commodification. Discover how companies like Xylem are revolutionizing water systems with cutting-edge technologies, and delve into the ethical and ...
Welcome to an enlightening installment of the Water Foresight Podcast, where we venture into the complex world of non-revenue water, carbon emissions and carbon leakage credits. We're honored to have water industry veteran, Steve Cavanaugh, join us as we decode this labyrinth of issues. As the CEO of Cavanaugh & Associates and the chair of the International Water Association's (IWA) Leakage Emissions Initiative (LEI), Steve offers an invaluable depth of understanding on the subjects at ha...
Imagine having the power to look into the future of the water industry - sounds exciting, right? That's the journey we embark on with Dr. Graham Norris, an organizational psychologist who specializes in foresight and futures thinking. Our dialogue spins around understanding the importance of long-term thinking, especially in the water sector. We delve into the concept of controlling our attention and expanding our imagination to contemplate future possibilities and their implications. We also...
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