Water Values Podcast

Rod McNelly, Vice President and General Manager of Water Solution and Services Segment for North America with Xylem, shares insights on water use in data centers and microelectronics manufacturing gleaned over his 38 years in the industrial water industry. Plus, Reese Tisdale discusses the recently released American Society of Civil Engineers infrastructure grades for water, wastewater and stormwater in our Bluefield on Tap segment.  In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep…

Veteran water well driller Jack Clark explains his innovative approach to the water well drilling industry and the practical aspects of water well drilling. Plus, Reese Tisdale discusses a potential blockbuster transaction for the water industry in our Bluefield on Tap segment.  In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate, review and subscribe to The Water Values Podcast on Apple Podcasts if you haven’t done so…

Two experts on water conflict, Dr. Frank Galgano and Dr. David Stuckenberg, discuss the basics of water-related disputes, provide historical examples of water playing a role in armed conflict, and address current hot spots and the geopolitical implications of water conflict. Plus, Reese Tisdale discusses the details of the long-awaited Eversource spin-off of Aquarion and what it might mean for the water sector. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the…

Recently, there has been talk in England about nationalizing England’s private water utilities. Former Wisconsin PSC Commissioner and FERC Commissioner, Branko Terzic, makes the case that England’s water utilities are not struggling because they are private, but rather because of a regulatory failure. Plus, Branko delves into how and why the U.S. system of utility regulation developed and much more. In this session, you’ll learn about: Branko’s background as a utility engineer, appraiser, consultant, regulator and executive How and why England privatized its water utilities Economist Stephen C. Littlechild’s role in English water privatization Why England’s water rates skyrocketed after privatization but electric, gas and telephone utilities all fell Why the United States has a predominantly publicly owned system of water utilities (in contrast to predominantly privately owned electric, gas and telephone utilities) Why English regulation of water utilities has struggled Why high leveraging and capital structure of English water utilities created problems How poor regulation created capital structure problems and low water quality problems Typical capital structure of U.S. utilities Why most U.S. utilities capital structure typically has 40-50% equity despite debt being the cheaper capital Why interest rates for debt and equity capital increase as debt’s share of the capital structure increases What ringfencing is Branko’s thoughts on fixing the English regulatory scheme An overview of how water concessions work A brief history of Enron’s foray into private water Why market fragmentation is holding U.S. water systems back Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Branko’s LinkedIn profile Branko’s website Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate, review and subscribe to The Water Values Podcast on Apple Podcasts if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!

Reese Tisdale of Bluefield Research offers up his grades on Bluefield’s predictions for the water sector in 2024 and identifies some of the unanticipated water issues that made headlines in 2024. Reese also peeks around the corner for what lies ahead for water in 2025. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate, review and subscribe to The Water Values Podcast on Apple Podcasts if you…

Martin Gross, the CEO of Gross-Wen Technologies, provides a phenomenal look at algae-based wastewater treatment, its benefits and its eco-friendly byproducts. In this session, you’ll learn about: Martin’s dual-Ph.D. background  How Martin determined that algae was ideal for wastewater treatment The basics of algal wastewater treatment The difference between algae treatment and bacterial treatment The climate benefits of algal water treatment The lower energy consumption of algal wastewater treatment compared to bacterial treatment  The beneficial algae byproducts produced after harvesting  The resilience of algae systems Why and how algae blooms are harmful  How algae harvesting in algae treatments systems helps avoid algae blooms Algae treatment system footprints How algae treatment systems “bolt on” to conventional treatment systems to help achieve nitrogen and phosphorous removal The types and sizes of systems that are ideal for algal wastewater treatment How algae treatment works in industrial settings, including food and beverage producers, and municipal wastewater treatment Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Martin’s LinkedIn profile Gross-Wen Technologies’ website Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate, review and subscribe to The Water Values Podcast on Apple Podcasts if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!

Alex Shannon, Senior Vice President and West Region Business Line Leader, provides a phenomenal interview focusing on valuing water, spending water infrastructure funds efficiently, and analyzing the issues from multiple perspectives: economics, OneWater, local politics, and more. Tune in for some of Alex’s great insights. In this session, you’ll learn about: Alex’s transformation from economist to the water economist  How Alex’s economics background meshes well with the water sector The benefits of dynamic economic modeling of capital improvement plans (CIPs) and master plans for water utilities How to maintain a dynamic CIP and master plan Alex’s thoughts on how artificial intelligence (AI) will affect dynamic CIPs and master plans The three major variable inputs for dynamic CIPs and master plans OneWater and the value proposition for water Why water quality is top of mind for Alex How water quality and OneWater approaches differ from large systems to small systems Alex’s thoughts on overcoming local politics to creatively solve water issues Where Alex has seen IIJA and IRA funds going to water infrastructure issues How Alex has seen water utilities overcome affordability challenges Alex’s thoughts on what’s in the future for water utility infrastructure Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Alex’s LinkedIn profile WSP’s water supply & distribution web page Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate, review and subscribe to The Water Values Podcast on Apple Podcasts if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!

Isaac Pellerin, Vice President of Marketing at 120Water, dives into the data on lead service line (LSL) inventories and explains what you need to know about the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). Plus, Reese Tisdale provides an update on the flow of funds coming out of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in this month’s Bluefield on Tap segment. In this session, you’ll learn about: Isaac’s unique road to the water sector  How 120Water’s business model has evolved from its initial inception  The current state of utility LSL inventories based on the approximately 8,000 utilities submitting via the 120Water software platform  The unknown percentage and lead percentage in the LSL inventories The difference between LSL percentages between urban and rural utilities  The LCRI and its 5 focus areas Isaac’s thoughts on assisting rural utilities achieve LCRI compliance  What the 10-year LSL replacement deadline really means  The significance of lowering the lead action level and the change in tap sampling requirements  What Isaac thinks utilities should be aware of about the LCRI  What “potholing” is What should be on utilities’ to-do list for LCRI compliance  Why it’s important to eliminate as many unknowns as possible in the next LSL inventories due in 2027 Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Isaac’s LinkedIn profile 120Water’s website Registration for 120Water’s webinar on LCRI Compliance Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate, review and subscribe to The Water Values Podcast on Apple Podcasts if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!

Prakash Govindan, COO and Co-Founder of Gradiant, provides a phenomenal look at industrial water applications and reuse. Prakash describes a multitude of issues and uses relating to water in industrial settings. He does a great job putting water in context of business needs and political decision-making. In this session, you’ll learn about: Prakash’s upbringing in the Chennai, India, and how it shaped his appreciation of water How Prakash earned his Ph.D. and became unemployable, so had to start a company How Prakash worked on and invented zero liquid discharge technologies at MIT How in Prakash’s words, Gradiant is a water company that solves societal problems How Gradiant facilitates lithium extraction and production, and PFAS destruction Gradiant’s involvement in industrial water reuse Prakash’s unique perspective on the intersection between water, geopolitics, and national security in the context of the semiconductor industry How water-intensive industries can flip a water rich area to water-stressed (see: Taiwan, where Prakash explains uses 60% of its water in the semiconductor industry) Water reuse in industrial applications and manufacturing processes Differences in developing water reuse solutions for greenfield and brownfield projects How Prakash tries to futureproof water solutions Why water is not a piece of the puzzle, it is the puzzle Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Prakash’s LinkedIn profile Gradiant’s website Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate, review and subscribe to The Water Values Podcast on Apple Podcasts if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!

Patrick Williamson, a Principal Hydrogeochemist with INTERA, provides a phenomenal discussion on the interrelationship between water and mining. Patrick deftly addresses a range of water issues present in mining. Plus, Reese Tisdale addresses the Rethinking Water conference and the role of private capital in the water sector in this month’s Bluefield on Tap segment. In this session, you’ll learn about: Patrick’s fascinating background as an “oil brat”, exposure to geology as a result, and how that led him to environmental geochemistry and the water sector Why mining is important for modern life – “If it can’t be grown, it needs to be mined” Why mining is water intensive How water is used in mining What mine tailings are and why tailings ponds are used Dewatering in mines The difference between contact water and non-contact water and their treatment needs How water intensity of mining depends on the relationship among climate, commodity, and location The tension between water for mining, water for agriculture, and water for human populations The broad spectrum of water risks facing the mining sector ESG implications for the mining sector  Why water cannot be viewed as a consumable input anymore The biggest water transformations in mining over the last 20 years Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Patrick’s LinkedIn profile INTERA’s website Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate, review and subscribe to The Water Values Podcast on Apple Podcasts if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!

Josh Cantone, Managing Director of Suez Digital Solutions North America/CEO of Optimatics and Patrick Keaney, CEO of Subeca, provide a fascinating look at the Series A investment into Subeca, a tech company aiming to bring simple and cost-effective solutions to water utilities of all sizes. Josh and Patrick not only describe the motivation behind the investment but delve into the technology and the factors that make it an easy, secure and cost-effective solution for even the smallest utilities. In this session, you’ll learn about: Josh’s background in Australia and Australian stormwater infrastructure projects Patrick’s background in environmental engineering and how he moved from Big Tech to start-up CEO Why Subeca is a tech company, not a metering company How Subeca specializes in IoT solutions that focus on the water industry Why Suez/Optimatics wanted to strategically target the smart metering market Why Suez decided to make a Series A investment in Subeca Patrick’s thoughts on the smart meter market  How Subeca’s smart meter register technology allows for simplistic and easy implementation on Amazon’s cybersecurity Sidewalk platform The unique aspects of Subeca’s Series A investment and the participating investors How Subeca provides simple and affordable smart meter solutions to smaller and mid-size utilities Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Josh’s LinkedIn profile Patrick’s LinkedIn profile Subeca’s website Article on the Series A investment in Subeca Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate, review and subscribe to The Water Values Podcast on Apple Podcasts if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!

Brian King, the Executive Vice President of Marketing, Product Management and Sustainability for Advanced Drainage Systems provides a tour de force interview explaining stormwater in a way you’ve probably never heard before. Plus, Reese Tisdale returns for a Bluefield on Tap segment discussing how the outcome of the 2024 presidential election might impact the water sector. In this session, you’ll learn about: Brian’s background in construction building materials Why Brian made the jump to stormwater and how construction building materials feeds into stormwater management Where stormwater fits into the water story How to flip the narrative on stormwater from afterthought to forethought The steps in stormwater management: Capture, Convey, Store, Treatment, and Opportunities to use it as a resource The types of capture infrastructure, including gray and green infrastructure Examples of stormwater infrastructure enabling efficient use of land, resources and public engagement, including unique storage solutions  Why underground stormwater storage is a preferred storage method The various stormwater treatment options and considerations The two big stormwater treatment standards used in the United States Considerations and opportunities for stormwater harvesting Why sustainable stormwater solutions are often economically more viable than traditional solutions Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Brian’s LinkedIn profile ADS’s website Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate, review and subscribe to The Water Values Podcast on Apple Podcasts if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!

David Mussington, Executive Assistant Director for Infrastructure Security at the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), gives a phenomenal interview covering cybersecurity issues relevant to water and wastewater utilities (and other critical infrastructure sectors, too!), including identifying resources, aid, and funding opportunities for water and wastewater utilities. In this session, you’ll learn about: David’s impressive background in cybersecurity  What CISA is and what it does How CISA assists and supports owners and operators of critical infrastructure  The risks cyber threats pose to critical infrastructure systems The changing nature of cyber threats Why cybersecurity is more than just water and wastewater service, it impacts the entire economy How utilities can assess what assets are exposed and at risk, and why they need to The forms of cybersecurity aid that CISA provides for free Why critical infrastructure entities need to ensure their vendors take cybersecurity precautions David’s tips for some simple cybersecurity steps Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: David’s LinkedIn profile CISA’s water and wastewater website TWV #252: Cybersecurity for Water Utilities with Dentons Partner Kyle Miller TWV #212: Cybersecurity Basics with Consolidated Utility District’s Mike Sumner Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!

Doug Hatler comes on for his second appearance on The Water Values Podcast. Doug provides an impassioned interview on PFAS and the need to eradicate it, along with identifying levers to achieve eradication. Plus, Reese Tisdale discusses the California water conservation mandate on our Bluefield on Tap segment. In this session, you’ll learn about: Catching up with Doug since his last podcast appearance Doug’s goal of eradicating PFAS not just from the environment but from society Doug’s take on the challenges facing PFAS eradication Doug’s view on why rushing to clean up PFAS before addressing the production of PFAS is not the best approach Doug’s prescient thoughts on PFAS remediation technology and its relation to regulation  How the potential overturning of the Chevron decision might affect PFAS regulation [NOTE: The interview was recorded prior to the issuance by the SCOTUS of the Loper Bright Enterprises and Relentless opinions that overturned Chevron] Current state of PFAS destruction/remediation technology Where are we on the global PFAS eradication continuum Doug’s leave behind message on where PFAS eradication and its costs fit into larger societal pressures and demands Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Doug’s LinkedIn profile Environmental Business Ventures’ website Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate, review and subscribe to The Water Values Podcast on Apple Podcasts if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!

Jonathan Haswell, Chief Business Officer at OceanWell, delivers a fascinating discussion on OceanWell’s first of a kind approach to desalination. Jonathan discusses the advantages of the “water farms” OceanWell seeks to deploy, including the significant environmental and energy benefits in this can’t miss interview. Plus, Reese Tisdale returns before our summer hiatus for a Bluefield on Tap segment, covering the recent announcement of DuPont splitting into three companies. In this session, you’ll learn about: Jonathan’s unique background and how the water sector found him just 2 years ago OceanWell’s new approach to desalination An overview of the technology How OceanWell provides environmental benefits and reduced energy consumption compared with conventional desalination The depth at which the necessary hydrostatic pressure is found The distance from shore the necessary depth is typically found The onshore infrastructure needed The outreach process to engage with stakeholders The “first of a kind” risk and how OceanWell addresses the risks How OceanWell leveraged non-water technologies to develop its product  Why OceanWell believes “water dissolves conflict and creates value wherever it goes” Why OceanWell chose California to develop its desalination solution Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Jonathan’s LinkedIn profile OceanWell’s website Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate, review and subscribe to The Water Values Podcast on Apple Podcasts if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!