The Salty Water Podcast

What does it really take to build water independence? In this episode of the Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel, we sit down with Lisa Henthorn, a chemical engineer whose career spans Chevron, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, global desalination leadership at CH2M Hill, and executive roles in produced water and circular water innovation. From early research and development to large-scale seawater desalination plants around the world, Lisa has helped shape the modern desalination industry. She has led global engineering teams, served in leadership roles within the International Desalination and Reuse Association, chaired the board of H2O Innovation, and pioneered new approaches to produced water reuse in oil and gas. This conversation goes beyond technology. We explore the real drivers behind water security, the importance of public trust, and how innovation only succeeds when communities support it. If you care about desalination, water reuse, water security, infrastructure, circular water systems, or the future of engineering leadership, this episode of the Salty Water Podcast is for you. New episodes of the Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel drop every Friday. Visit https://SaltyWaterPodcast.com to find us on your favorite podcast platform. Timestamps (21:43) 00:00 – Rising to the challenge: The theme of Lisa’s career 01:00 – Early career at Chevron and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation 02:00 – The moment desalination became her life’s work 03:00 – Research, innovation, and finding purpose in water science 04:00 – Transition from government R&D to global consulting 05:00 – Leading desalination at CH2M Hill 06:00 – Career turning points and global leadership 08:00 – Working across the Middle East, Asia, and Australia 09:00 – What it feels like when a community gains reliable water 11:00 – Singapore’s strategic move toward water independence 12:00 – Why public support matters as much as technology 13:00 – Produced water, circular water systems, and oil & gas 15:00 – Technical challenges of high salinity streams 16:00 – Is there success at the end of the rainbow? 17:00 – Leadership legacy and mentoring the next generation 19:00 – Women in engineering: Then and now 21:00 – Final reflections on impact and the future of water Key Takeaways • Technology alone does not create water independence. Public trust and political support are essential. • Desalination has evolved from niche research to global infrastructure strategy. • Produced water reuse is one of the most complex and promising frontiers in water innovation. • Circular water thinking is reshaping oil and gas operations. • Leadership in water requires technical depth and global perspective. • Women in engineering today have greater opportunity than ever, but mentorship remains critical. Why This Episode Matters Water independence is not just about desalination plants. It is about: Water security Strategic infrastructure Geopolitical stability Sustainable engineering Circular water reuse Produced water management Desalination technology Global engineering leadership The Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel highlights the leaders shaping the future of water. This episode is a masterclass in how one career can influence an entire industry. About the Podcast The Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel spotlights industry leaders in desalination, water reuse, infrastructure, and global water strategy. Through long-form podcasting conversations, we explore careers, innovation, and the technologies shaping the future of water. If you are an engineer, policymaker, water executive, or infrastructure professional, this podcast was created for you. New episodes drop every Friday. Subscribe on YouTube. Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart, or wherever you get your podcasts. Visit: https://SaltyWaterPodcast.com

What does it take to double the value of a water company in less than four years? In this episode of the Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel, Eric sits down with Henry Charrabé, CEO of Seven Seas Water, to unpack one of the most compelling growth and value creation stories in the global water sector. When Henry stepped into the CEO role, Seven Seas Water was valued at approximately $500 million. In under four years, the company more than doubled in value and was acquired by EQT for over $1 billion. This conversation explores how that happened, why the strategy worked, and what it signals about the future of water and wastewater infrastructure. Rather than focusing only on technology, this episode dives deep into leadership, delivery models, and capital strategy. Henry explains why Water as a Service has become a powerful alternative to traditional EPC and build-own-operate approaches, particularly for decentralized water and wastewater systems serving fast-growing communities. The discussion covers how long-term operating agreements align incentives between operators, investors, and customers, and why decentralized infrastructure can reduce energy use, manage risk, and scale more effectively than large centralized plants. Eric and Henry also compare leadership under private equity ownership versus public markets, including how incentives shift, how planning horizons change, and why clarity around exit strategy matters. The conversation explores key growth markets including Texas, the Caribbean, and Latin America, and why fast-growing regions require new approaches to water supply and wastewater treatment. Henry shares insights on Texas water policy, infrastructure funding gaps, municipal utility districts, and why Water as a Service models are particularly well suited for both municipal and industrial clients. Listeners will also hear Henry’s perspective on the future of desalination and wastewater treatment, including energy efficiency, regulatory considerations, and the expanding role of industrial Water as a Service. The episode concludes with a look ahead at what’s next for Seven Seas Water under EQT ownership and the leadership lessons that apply across the broader infrastructure sector. This episode of the Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel is essential listening for water professionals, utility leaders, engineers, infrastructure investors, and policymakers interested in how smart business models and leadership decisions can unlock rapid, sustainable growth in critical infrastructure.   Visit ⁠https://SaltyWaterPodcast.com⁠ for socials.   Episode timestamps:  00:00 Welcome and why this growth story matters 01:45 Seven Seas Water origins and early desalination roots 03:30 Becoming CEO and resetting strategy 06:00 Private equity ownership vs public markets 08:30 Water as a Service explained 11:15 Decentralized water and wastewater systems 14:20 Texas, Caribbean, and global growth markets 17:10 Future outlook under EQT 19:30 Final thoughts and wrap-up     About the Salty Water Podcast The Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel explores the technologies, policies, business models, and leadership shaping the future of water. Through long-form podcast conversations with industry leaders, the show examines desalination, wastewater treatment, infrastructure investment, and innovation across global water markets. Podcasting allows these complex topics to be explored in depth, with context and nuance that short-form content cannot provide. 🎧 Subscribe to the Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel 🌍 Visit ⁠https://SaltyWaterPodcast.com⁠ Desalination business, wastewater infrastructure, decentralized water systems, private equity water investment, Texas water infrastructure, infrastructure finance, water industry leadership, water podcast, desalination podcast, wastewater podcast

What Do People Still Get Wrong About Desalination Technology? Lessons from 40 Years Inside Desalination and Membrane Technology Desalination is often misunderstood. It is called too expensive, too energy intensive, or unrealistic at scale. But much of what people believe about desalination technology is outdated, incomplete, or based on early failures rather than decades of real-world progress. In this episode of the Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel, Eric sits down with John Tonner, Executive Director of the American Membrane Technology Association and an XPRIZE Water Scarcity Judge, for a wide-ranging, career-spanning conversation about what people still get wrong about desalination technology and why those misconceptions persist. With more than 40 years in the industry, John Tonner has worked across thermal desalination, seawater reverse osmosis, energy recovery systems, international water consulting, and large-scale project development. His career spans early, risky desalination plants, the evolution of membrane technology, major breakthroughs in energy recovery, and today’s global push to address water scarcity through innovation and smarter delivery models. This episode goes beyond theory. It explores what actually worked, what failed, and what lessons engineers, policymakers, utilities, and the public still need to understand about desalination technology today. If you care about water security, infrastructure, energy use, public health, or the future of clean drinking water, this episode of the Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel offers rare, experience-driven insight you will not find in academic papers alone. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps (Approximate, topic-based) 00:00 – Welcome to the Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel 02:30 – John Tonner’s unconventional entry into desalination 07:15 – Early desalination plants and what went wrong 13:40 – Thermal vs reverse osmosis, lessons learned 21:10 – Energy recovery myths and real-world breakthroughs 30:45 – Why desalination is still misunderstood today 38:20 – Cross-border water projects and regulatory challenges 47:30 – XPRIZE Water Scarcity competition and future innovation 56:10 – What the next generation of water professionals should know 01:02:30 – Final reflections on desalination, water scarcity, and progress 🔑 Key Takeaways Why desalination’s reputation does not match its real-world performance How early technical and operational mistakes shaped public perception The role of membrane technology in water reuse and potable supply Why energy costs are often misunderstood in desalination discussions What needs to change in project delivery, regulation, and communication 🔍 Search Terms & Topics desalination technology, desalination myths, water scarcity solutions, membrane technology, reverse osmosis, thermal desalination, water innovation, water infrastructure, potable reuse, water energy nexus, global water supply, water security, public health water systems, desalination costs, desalination energy use, podcast about water, water technology podcast Parents, communities, and policymakers often ask how water quality affects health, long-term sustainability, and family well-being. Conversations about water access intersect with broader public concerns about infrastructure reliability, environmental safety, and future resilience, topics increasingly discussed alongside issues like sleep, health outcomes, and public trust in science. 🎧 About the Podcast The Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel is a long-form podcast focused on desalination, water reuse, infrastructure, and the people shaping the future of water. Each episode brings real-world experience and honest conversations to the forefront of global water challenges. The Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel is available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. 👉 Listen, Subscribe, and Learn More 🎙️ Subscribe to the Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel for in-depth conversations about water, technology, and innovation 🌊 Visit: https://SaltyWaterPodcast.com 💬 Share this episode with colleagues, students, and anyone interested in the future of water

Why does a technology we think of as “modern” actually date back thousands of years? In this episode of the Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel, we explore why desalination is one of humanity’s oldest technologies, and how turning seawater into fresh water has shaped civilizations, public health, and the modern world. This podcast episode features author and engineer Emilio Gabbrielli, whose book traces more than 7,000 years of desalination history. From ancient distillation methods to Renaissance-era designs by Leonardo da Vinci, to Cold War investments championed by John F. Kennedy, this conversation reveals that desalination is not a new invention, but a rediscovered survival technology. In this episode of the Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel, we connect ancient innovation with modern engineering, exploring how desalination supports public health, families, and communities. Access to clean water is foundational to hygiene, sleep quality, child development, disease prevention, and vaccine effectiveness. For parents and caregivers, reliable fresh water underpins health outcomes that are often taken for granted. This podcast discussion goes beyond technology to examine geopolitics, environmental concerns, and the myths surrounding desalination. We talk honestly about brine, energy use, cost, and why many misconceptions persist, despite decades of real-world data. The Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel is a podcast for decision-makers, engineers, utility leaders, policymakers, and anyone interested in water security, infrastructure, and the future of civilization. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Welcome to the Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel 02:10 Why desalination is far older than most people realize 05:30 Desalination in ancient civilizations and early survival 09:45 Roman ships, distillation, and life at sea 14:20 Cleopatra the Alchemist and early distillation science 19:10 Leonardo da Vinci’s desalination designs 25:30 Desalination during the Age of Discovery 31:40 World War II and ship-based desalination 36:50 The Middle East, oil, and land-based desalination 42:30 JFK, the Cold War, and desalination as a global priority 48:10 The birth of modern reverse osmosis membranes 53:40 Environmental myths, brine, and real impacts 59:30 Why clean water matters for health, sleep, and families 1:04:30 The future of desalination and water innovation 1:10:00 Final thoughts and where to find the book 🔑 KEY POINTS FROM THIS PODCAST EPISODE Desalination is one of humanity’s oldest survival technologies Ancient, Renaissance, and modern desalination methods are deeply connected Leonardo da Vinci designed early desalination systems JFK viewed desalination as a humanitarian and global priority Clean water is essential for health, hygiene, sleep, and disease prevention Reliable water access supports families, children, and vaccine effectiveness Environmental concerns around desalination are often misunderstood Modern reverse osmosis builds on decades of public research 🔍 SEARCH TERMS & KEYWORDS Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel, desalination history, water technology podcast, fresh water from seawater, reverse osmosis, clean drinking water, public health and water, water and child health, water hygiene, water safety, parents and health, sleep and hydration, vaccines and clean water, disease prevention, global water security, desalination myths, water infrastructure podcast 📌 CALLS TO ACTION 🔔 Subscribe to the Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel on YouTube 🎧 Listen to this podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Podbean 🌐 Visit https://SaltyWaterPodcast.com to explore episodes and resources 💬 Share this episode with anyone interested in water, health, and the future of civilization

Water is invisible, until it is not. In this episode of the Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel, host Eric Jankel sits down with Harry Cohen, Hillsborough County Commissioner and Chairman of Tampa Bay Water, to uncover the hidden infrastructure that quietly supports daily life for more than 2.6 million people across the Tampa Bay region. From hurricanes and drought cycles to rapid population growth and environmental protection, this conversation explains how groundwater, surface water, and desalination work together to keep water flowing under pressure. At the center of the system is the Tampa Bay seawater desalination plant, the first large-scale municipal seawater reverse osmosis plant in North America, and a critical safeguard against water shortages. This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in desalination, water infrastructure, public policy, climate resilience, and podcasting about complex systems that directly affect families, public health, and everyday life. Reliable water underpins everything, from household health to regional economic stability. The Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel goes beyond headlines to explore how long-term planning, investment, and regional cooperation protect future water supplies. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Why water is a precious and finite resource 01:00 – Tampa Bay’s unique role in North American desalination 02:00 – How Tampa Bay Water serves over 2.6 million residents 03:15 – Regional planning successes, and where other systems fall short 04:30 – Groundwater, surface water, and desalination explained 05:45 – Environmental regulation and partnership with SWFWMD 06:45 – Why irrigation accounts for nearly half of water demand 08:15 – Drought cycles, conservation, and watering restrictions 09:00 – Why desalination is the only drought-proof supply 11:00 – Long-term water planning and future supply options 13:00 – Refurbishing and modernizing the desalination plant 15:00 – Pipelines, reservoirs, and system-wide expansion 16:30 – Lessons for California, Texas, and other growing regions 18:30 – Environmental monitoring, marine life, and water quality 20:00 – Regional cooperation as the real infrastructure success 🔑 Key Takeaways • Why desalination functions as an insurance policy for water systems • How Tampa Bay balances cost, reliability, and environmental protection • The economics behind blending multiple water sources • Why conservation policies dramatically reduce demand • How water planning impacts families, public health, and resilience • What other regions can learn from Tampa Bay’s cooperative model 🔍 Search Terms & Keywords Salty Water Podcast, Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel, water infrastructure podcast, desalination podcast, reverse osmosis desalination, Tampa Bay Water, municipal water supply, drought proof water, climate resilience water, water conservation, water reuse, public infrastructure podcast, environmental water planning, podcasting about water 📢 Calls to Action Subscribe to the Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel for in-depth conversations on desalination, water reuse, infrastructure, and the future of water. New episodes drop every Friday. Share this episode with engineers, policymakers, sustainability leaders, educators, and anyone who wants to understand how clean water supports healthy families and resilient communities. Explore episodes and platforms at: 👉 https://SaltyWaterPodcast.com This is podcasting for the people who keep the water running.

Salty Water Podcast with Eric Jankel is for decision-makers, innovators, and leaders shaping the future of water. Each episode features in-depth conversations with experts across desalination, water reuse, water infrastructure, and water technology, offering practical insight into what is working, what is changing, and what is coming next, without hype, just real experience. Hosted by Eric Jankel, a water industry executive with more than 40 years of global experience. Eric is the CEO of Aqualyng Holdings, founding director of the Middle East Desalination Research Center in Muscat, Oman, and former commercial lead for desalination technologies at global engineering firms including Hatch and Jacobs. Over his career, Eric has worked alongside some of the most dedicated and innovative professionals in the water sector. This podcast is his opportunity to bring their stories, lessons, and insights directly to you. In addition to deep dives on breakthrough technologies, policy shifts, and project development, the Salty Water Podcast features career spotlight episodes that explore how industry leaders entered the field, what they have learned along the way, and what guidance they want to pass on to the next generation. These conversations are especially valuable for professionals in government, utilities, engineering, project development, and environmental strategy. The Salty Water Podcast helps you stay informed on the people and ideas making global water systems more efficient, sustainable, and resilient. New episodes are released weekly on Fridays. Season 1 is 10 episodes. #SaltyWaterPodcast #EricJankel #FutureOfWater #WaterIndustry #Desalination #WaterReuse #WaterInfrastructure #WaterInnovation Visit https://SaltyWaterPodcast.com to learn more, find us on social media, or listen on your favorite podcast platform.