In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water the hosts provide some highlights of news in the past month before going into a deep dive on the state of the water industry across all verticals: drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, residential, commercial and industrial water.
In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water co-hosts Bob Crossen and Katie Johns dive into recent industry news, including the EPA’s PFAS CERCLA proposal, the Jackson, Mississipi Water Crisis and recent funding for both drought resiliency in the West and SRFs. Additionally, the hosts share an interview with Steve Drangsholt, account executive with Trinnex. Johns and Drangsholt spoke about smart water and how the digital transformation is impacting the water industry. They also dive into machine learning and digital twins, and Drangsholt shares how you can bring digital transformation to your workplace. Timestamps: Cold open | 0:00 Host intro and episode summary | 0:38 EPA’s proposal to add PFOS and PFOA | 1:25 Jackson, Mississippi, Water Crisis | 6:34 Funding for drought resiliency in the West | 7:15 SRF funding update | 8:08 Steve Drangsholt Introduction | 9:10 What is Trinnex? | 9:36 Current smart water trends | 11:10 Mitigating digital risks | 14:40 Impact of Increasingly Intense Weather | 17:09 Machine Learning & Digital Twins | 18:57 How digital twins can improve infrastructure | 26:29 Advice for implementing smart water practices | 28:41 Keeping the human element | 31:06 Interview ends | 32:47 Housekeeping | 33:02 Outro | 33:52
In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water co-hosts Bob Crossen and Katie Johns discuss a recent funding announcement for water storage and conveyance projects in the West and share a PFAs regulation update from Radhika Fox, assistant administrator for the EPA Office of Water. They also touch on SeaLab, a new tidal pool built on the Middle River that will be used by students at St. Mark’s Episcopal School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to teach them about global water and sustainability issues. And, this month’s interview is with Maura Jarvis, who is the assistant manager of the public outreach team for the Philadelphia Water Department and is the 2022 US Water Prize winner for Rising One Water Leader. Jarvis and Crossen talked about her career, why water is so important and what one water means to her. Timestamps: Cold open | 0:00 Host intro and episode summary | 0:38 Water storage and conveyance project funding | 1:15 Clean Water Act Anniversary | 3:07 Update on PFAS regulations for water and wastewater | 3:54 Maura Jarvis interview introduction | 6:42 Maura Jarvis’ career path and successes | 7:33 What One Water means to Maura | 11:45 Representation matters for One Water | 13:59 Interview ends | 17:15 Housekeeping | 17:53 Outro | 19:27
In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water co-hosts Bob Crossen and Katie Johns give an overview of the Jackson, Mississippi, Water Crisis and touch base on the latest proposal from the EPA, which relates to adding PFAS chemicals to Superfund. Additionally, this month’s interview is with Jeff Cornell, global PFAS practice lead for Black & Veatch. Crossen and Cornell talked about all things emerging contaminants, particularly as it relates to PFAS, but Cornell also shares an exhaustive list of just how many things are on his and the industry’s radar as it relates to water contamination. Timestamps: Cold Open | 0:00 Host Introductions | 0:25 Episode Summary | 0:36 Water Crisis in Jackson Mississippi | 1:10 EPA Proposes Adding PFOA, PFOS to Superfund | 3:43 Interview with Jeff Cornell begins | 6:43 Overview of emerging contaminants in water and wastewater | 6:54 The CERCLA designation is complex and vast | 19:55 Viewing emerging contaminants with a one water lens | 21:20 Exciting technologies to address emerging contaminants | 25:11 What’s the roadmap for addressing emerging contaminants | 30:13 Interview ends | 34:38 Housekeeping | 35:01 End | 35:36
In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water co-hosts Bob Crossen and Katie Johns discuss the movement of EPA’s proposal for PFOA and PFOS to be listed as a hazardous substance under CERCLA and a $132 million investment in the national estuary program. The hosts also share an interview with Glenn Barnes, who is the director of Water Finance Assistance and works with numerous small utilities throughout the United States. Crossen and Barnes talked about the challenges facing small systems, how they are trying to adapt to the new normal, and how workforce concerns are nearing a tipping point. Cold open | 0:00 Host Intros | 0:32 Episode summary | 0:43 OMB finishes review of PFAS CERCLA proposal | 1:12 $132M investment for National Estuary Program | 4:08 Introducing Glenn Barnes | 6:00 Just how many small systesm are there in the U.S.? | 6:32 What small utilities are thinking about day to day | 9:11 Small town public workers wear too many hats | 11:38 How small utilities are looking at infrastructure funding | 14:30 Inflation and rising costs hit small utilities hardest | 17:42 Issues at the top of small systems’ minds | 20:13 The future of small systems in the U.S. | 22:18 Interview wrap up | 26:02 Housekeeping | 26:52
In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water, co-hosts Bob Crossen and Katie Johns discuss the PFAS health advisory limits announced by the U.S. EPA last month and share some of the conversations surrounding that news Additionally, they touch on the recent announcement of NOAA funding opportunities through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Finally, we share an interview with Dr. Sera Young, professor of anthropology and global health at Northwestern University. Johns spoke with her about water scarcity and the Water Insecurity Experiences Scales, also known as WISE scales. Timestamps: Cold open | 00:00 Host introductions & episode summary | 01:03 EPA announces PFAS Health Advisory Levels | 01:54 NOAA climate funding news | 06:36 Interview introduction & start | 8:30 Career path and current work | 9:19 Why measure experiences of water? | 12:51 Biggest takeaways from water insecurity research | 17:20 How do we increase visibility of this issue? | 19:23 How to measure water insecurity | 21:59 Why breaking down silos can address the issue | 23:41 Goals for the future of the measurement of water insecurity | 26:10 Interview wrap up| 27:37 Housekeeping | 28:40
In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water co-hosts Katie Johns and Bob Crossen discuss the Action Plan on Global Water Security that Vice President Harris announced earlier this month, in addition to the research American Water conducted on Americans’ perception of water infrastructure. Finally, this month’s interview is with Millicent Pitts, executive director of Ocean Exchange. Crossen and Pitts spoke about one water, circular economy and trends as it relates to technologies and frameworks for discussing water issues as a global community in addition to a local one.
In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water the co-hosts highlight the recent DoD memo that temporarily halted the burning of PFAS as a disposal method and touch on the complexities of Build America Buy America. Additionally, they discuss new grant funding to the State Revolving Funds from the US EPA. Finally, they share an interview with Jesse Mains, the stormwater management division chief for the City of Alexandria and Brian Rahal, the division’s senior civil engineer. Co-host Katie Johns spoke with them about how Alexndria is managing flood mitigation work, how flooding affects wastewater and drinking water and green infrastructure solutions to flood mitigation.
In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water, hosts Katie Johns and Bob Crossen talk about a new documentary, “FLINT,” that will be released on Friday, April 29. Additionally, they discuss an EPA memo regarding accelerating nutrient pollution reductions. Finally, the interview this month is with Maria Lehman, president-elect of the American Society of Civil Engineers and director of US Infrastructure for GHD. Johns talked with Maria about regulations, including the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act, PFAS, lead service line replacement and more.
In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water, hosts Lauren Del Ciello, Katie Johns and Bob Crossen — in conjunction with Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day — share two interviews with stellar women in water on their career journeys and advice to the next generation. Johns spoke with Jennifer Kelly Lachmayr, who recently concluded her service as past president of NEWEA and is an active vice president at Arcadis. Del Ciello spoke with Melissa Jones, group president for commercial water solutions for Pentair. Plus, the hosts share a little about what this episode means to them as co-hosts and where you can find even more women in water Q&As in celebration throughout the month. This marks our 50th numbered episode of Talking Under Water. Finally, the hosts bid farewell to co-host Lauren Del Ciello as she leaves the podcast and starts a new adventure.
In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water, hosts Lauren Del Ciello, Katie Johns and Bob Crossen discuss ASDWA releasing a state implementation framework for lead service line inventories, as well as upcoming water-focused social media events to participate in. Finally, the interview this month is with Donnell Duncan, associate vice president for Arcadis, and Megan Yoo-Schneider, client-account leadership for Accenture. Together, they co-chair Water Environment Federation’s (WEF) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Johns spoke with Duncan and Yoo-Schneider about the WEF committee’s initiatives and goals, the importance of DE&I to the industry and how age plays into DE&I. Next month marks our 50th numbered episode of Talking Under Water. In honor of the big 5-0, we want to hear from you. Send us your favorite water jokes for consideration for the March episode cold open intro (also in honor of World Water Day!) and get in on the action with us. Email us at talkingunderwater@sgcmail.com.
In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water, hosts Lauren Del Ciello, Katie Johns and Bob Crossen discuss national news regarding the U.S. EPA finalization of the Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) and its implications for water systems. The hosts also touch on the launch of a new EPA video challenge — “Companies Crushing Pollution” — and share how to get involved. Finally, the interview this month is withNate Allen, executive director for WaterStart. Crossen spoke with Allen about innovation and how tactical decisions can be part of a grander One Water Strategy. Cold Open | 0:00 Host Introductions | 1:06 Special Announcement: One Water Media | 2:04 EPA finalizes the UCMR 5 | 4:15 Companies Crushing Pollution video challenge | 7:04 Interview with Nate Allen begins | 9:31 What is WaterStart? | 9:43 Giving smaller solutions providers exposure | 11:16 Technology trends and innovations in water and wastewater | 13:00 Relieving the regulatory burden placed on utilities | 15:55 How small tasks can become big problems | 18:22 WaterStart’s role in the One Water conversation | 21:19 Tactical decisions for One Water strategies | 24:02 Trends for 2022 and WaterStart’s next steps | 24:59 Why having a working example is vital to innovation adoption | 28:09 Interview with Nate Allen ends | 30:24 Housekeeping | 30:57 Outro | 33:23
Wrapping up 2021, Talking Under Water hosts Lauren Del Ciello, Bob Crossen and Katie Johns present the third annual special State of the Industry episode. The hosts touch briefly on the recent passage of the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act; however, the bulk of the conversation focuses on the State of the Industry. Del Ciello, Crossen and Johns each share key snippets and trends from their individual brands/markets (Water Quality Products, Water & Wastes Digest, Storm Water Solutions) regarding what they have been seeing through State of the Industry surveys and subsequent reports, which dive deep into the the wastewater, storm water and water quality sectors respectively. Finally, the hosts dig into a discussion on cross-sector overlap. In January, the podcast will be back with the regular format of news discussion plus a guest interview. Timestamps: Cold Open: 0:00 Host introduction: 0:46 Episode overview: 1:03 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law overview: 2:12 Municipal water and wastewater breakdown and headwinds: 3:28 Storm water breakdown: 4:41 Residential and commercial water breakdown: 5:33 State of the Industry overview State of the Industry for Water Quality Products: 7:19 State of the Industry for Water & Wastes Digest: 9:53 State of the Industry for Storm Water Solutions: 14:17 Supply chain disruption: 17:54 Staffing, recruiting and retention: 23:17 Funding, regulation, and permitting: 29:04 Inflation: 33:34 Housekeeping: 37:28 Outro: 39:05 End: 39:51
In this episode of Talking Under Water, One Water, One Podcast, hosts Lauren Del Ciello, Katie Johns and Bob Crossen highlight conversations with four women in water on their career journeys, women in leadership, diversity in the workplace, the role of mentorship and more. Plus, the podcast guests share advice for young professionals entering the water industry. For this episode, Johns interviewed Mariyana Spyropoulos, a member of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago’s Board of Commissioners. Del Ciello spoke with Sivan Zamir, senior director of Xylem’s Innovation Labs. Crossen spoke with Felicia James, associate vice president and asset management lead for Carollo Engineers and Haley Goddard, project engineer and young professionals facilitator for Carollo Engineers.
In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water, hosts Lauren Del Ciello, Katie Johns and Bob Crossen discuss the National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) new five principles for advancing water equity and new regional roundtables on WOTUS announced by the U.S. EPA and U.S. Department of Army. Finally, the interview this month is with Renée Willette, vice president of programs and strategy for the US Water Alliance. Ahead of Imagine a Day Without Water, recognized annually on October 21, Crossen spoke with Willette about what is new in the One Water sphere for the US Water Alliance; the impact of extreme weather on how the industry and the public talk about water; and how listeners can engage with Imagine a Day Without Water. Timestamps: Cold Open: 0:00 Host Introduction: 0:54 Episode Summary: 1:08 NAWC adopts five water equity principles: 1:49 EPA & Army announce WOTUS round tables: 4:35 Introducing Renée Willette: 6:22 What’s new in One Water and were are we heading?: 6:59 How has the perception of water changed during the pandemic?: 9:40 How climate and extreme weather events impact The Value of Water campaign: 13:34 How climate stress and extreme weather become water discussion points: 18:40 Getting involved in Imagine A Day Without Water: 21:25 What’s next for US Water Alliance?: 23:11 Housekeeping: 26:48 End: 29:06
In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water, hosts Lauren Del Ciello, Katie Johns and Bob Crossen touch on a water crisis in Lebanon related to high fuel prices. The hosts also dig into the impacts of Hurricane Ida on all aspects of water, from drinking water to wastewater and storm water Finally, the interview this month is with Scott Wilson, president and CEO of Regenesis. Del Ciello spoke with Wilson about PFAS, the impact on groundwater, a rise in consumer awareness and how PFAS is a One Water issue. Timestamps: Cold Open: 0:00 Host Intro: 0:53 Lebanon fuel crisis is causing a drinking water crisis: 1:38 Host discussion on Lebanon drinking water crisis: 2:39 Hurricane Ida wreaks havoc on eastern U.S.: 5:19 Host discussion on Hurricane Ida: 7:55 Introducing Scott Wilson interview: 11:11 What is/are PFAS?: 11:52 Where can PFAS be found?: 15:13 Putting PFAS’ creation in context: 17:15 The lack of analytical tools at the time of PFAS’ creation: 18:16 How does PFAS impact groundwater professionals compared to surface water?: 19:10 How is PFAS contamination a One Water issue?: 28:25 Interview ends: 31:44 Housekeeping: 32:07 End: 34:26
In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water, hosts Lauren Del Ciello, Katie Johns and Bob Crossen touch on recent news from the US Water Alliance — another One Water advocate like this podcast — announcing a new CEO. The hosts also cover progress on the U.S. Investment and Jobs Act, following months of bipartisan negotiations between the Biden Administration and a bipartisan group of Senators. Then they dig into a discussion on the relationship between recent increasing extreme weather events and water. Finally, the interview this month is with Ronit Erlitzki, director of business development and innovation for AdEdge Water Technologies, and RJ Cavagnaro, director of marketing for AdEdge Water Technologies. Crossen spoke with Ronit and RJ about small systems trends in requested treatment tech, packaged systems and contaminants of most concern. Timestamps: Cold open: (0:00) Host intro: (1:32) US Water Alliance announces new CEO Mami Hara: (2:37) US Senate passes $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill: (3:16) Hurricane and wildfire update: (4:49) Interview with Ronit Erlitzki and RJ Cavagnaro begins: (7:19) Trends in small systems bid specifications: (8:05) The growing trend toward packaged systems: (12:23) Drivers behind the trends in small systems treatment: (14:04) The evolution of treatment technology for small systems: (19:22) Rain water, water harvesting and water runoff for small systems: (28:02) The sincerity of commercial and corporate water reuse: (30:44) Interview ends: (32:58) Housekeeping: (33:32) End: (35:28)
In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water, hosts Lauren Del Ciello, Katie Johns and Bob Crossen touch on federal water news, including potential WOTUS updates, the confirmation of Radhika Fox to the U.S. EPA Office of Water and movement on federal infrastructure funding. Finally, the interview this month is with Brad Clements, senior corporate account manager, Lodging segment for Nalco Water. Del Ciello spoke with Clements about sustainable hotel water management and how One Water principles can play a role. Timestamps: Cold Open: (0:00) Host Introduction: (0:43) Waters of the United States: (1:38) Senate Confirms Radhika Fox to lead EPA Office of Water: (3:45) INVEST in America Act: (5:44) President Biden and Senators reach $1.2T infrastructure package compromise: (7:01) Introducing Brad Clements interview: (8:52) Effect of drought and barriers to efficient hotel water management: (10:18) Costs associated with hotel water: (14:24) How water quality impacts cooling tower management: (18:41) Considerations when choosing where to target water savings initiatives: (22:48) Recognizing that no two systems are alike: (25:40) Customer awareness surrounding sustainable hotel water management (26:50) How one water plays into sustainable hotel water management: (29:46) Interview ends: (32:50) Housekeeping: (32:59) End (35:40)
In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water, hosts Lauren Del Ciello, Katie Johns and Bob Crossen provide a brief update on the progress of the Lead and Copper Rule Revision, which is now undergoing community roundtables to gather feedback. The hosts also explore current water scarcity issues in the U.S., including Lake Mead’s declining water levels and the impact of water scarcity on the entire water cycle ranging from surface water to groundwater. Finally, the interview this month is with Scott Slater, CEO of Cadiz Inc. about water scarcity and how it affects the economy, relates to water equity and more. Timestamps: Cold Open - Gameshows: (0:00) Host Intro: (0:44) Lead & Copper Rule update: (1:33) Drought in the Western U.S.: (5:28) The connection between agriculture water use and water wells: (9:06) Introducing Scott Slater, CEO of Cadiz Inc.: (13:07) Biggest challenges regarding water scarcity in the Western U.S.: (13:59) Factors contributing to water scarcity: (19:17) Water scarcity’s impact on the economy: (23:22) How water scarcity affects water equity: (28:23) Aquifer storage as a water scarcity solution: (35:54) Interview ends: (39:51) Housekeeping: (39:58) End: (42:40)
In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water, hosts Lauren Del Ciello, Katie Johns and Bob Crossen discuss the recent Senate passage of the Drinking Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021, and touch on a new U.S. EPA web-based app to help communities identify potential sources of pollution to recreational waters. They also unpack recent survey results conducted by Water Quality Products, Storm Water Solutions and Water & Wastes Digest on water industry attitudes towards live event attendance. Finally, the interview this month is with Rajan Ray, digital solutions leader for CDM Smith, on emerging technologies that are advancing the engineering and design phases of projects in the water and wastewater industry.