The Mississippi River is essential to global agriculture and trade, but it is increasingly vulnerable to climate impacts, including severe droughts and floods, resulting in significant economic and environmental challenges. Colin Wellenkamp, Executive Director of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI), discusses how the coalition is advancing nature-based…
Communities like Cairo, once thriving river towns, face tough realities due to recurring flooding and economic barriers. Many residents cannot simply leave their homes, needing support to rebuild or relocate and make themselves whole, notes Tharran Hobson of The Nature Conservancy. The challenge lies in balancing economic resilience with sustainable…
Amy Parmenter is the Chief Administrator for the Rhode Island Department of Health Center for Drinking Water Quality. With most of Rhode Island’s water systems relying on small groundwater sources, her team enforces a protective radius around drinking water wells, free from contamination, to ensure source water protection. Thanks to…
💧H2O INTRO 🤝 Meet Elvy Barton Wildfire risk poses a significant threat to communities and water supplies in Arizona, with the frequency and severity of wildfires increasing tenfold since 2000. Elvy Barton, Water and Forest Sustainability Senior Manager at Salt River Project (SRP), shares how the utility is leading efforts…
On Innovation... Pablo Calabuig of GoAigua says the water sector is finally embracing innovation, catching up to other utility sectors by rapidly adopting new technologies like AI to address complex challenges. He also notes the surge in investment in sewer and wastewater systems, a traditionally underfunded area, as a promising…
Restoration efforts at Dogtooth Bend focus on natural infrastructure to manage the Mississippi River's flow and prevent it from cutting a new channel that could disrupt 14 miles of navigation. Planting trees to slow water movement is a key strategy supported by NRCS and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,…
At Dogtooth Bend, many farmers and residents sought a way out as the Mississippi River's behavior changed over time. The Nature Conservancy, in partnership with NRCS, leveraged $24 million in easement funds, supported by private donations, to help willing landowners secure conservation easements and adapt to the shifting landscape, explains…
Large floodplain river systems, like the Mississippi, rely on their floodplains for flood storage, nutrient cycling, and habitat. Despite human efforts to control the river with levees, the river’s power often prevails. “At some point, the river is going to reclaim back what is hers,” explains Tharran Hobson of The…
The ever-changing nature of the Mississippi River poses significant challenges for those living behind the levee at Dogtooth Bend in southern Illinois, where increased flooding and infrastructure strain can impact everyday existence. A promising solution involves nature-based strategies that restore floodplains to better manage water flow and reduce flood risk.…
Greg Busch is Maryland's water supply program manager. His experience in the Peace Corps shapes his appreciation for the extensive systems that provide safe drinking water in the U.S., including source water protection, treatment plants, buried pipes, operator certification and compliance sampling. #SDWA50 a collaboration with the Association of State…
💧H2O INTRO 🤝 Meet Patrick Jensen In today’s evolving infrastructure landscape, proactive outreach is essential for water utilities to access new technologies and attract qualified bids. Patrick Jensen, Principal Civil Engineer at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, underscores the importance of engaging directly with contract vendors and…
Las Vegas faces unique challenges as a rapidly growing city with a small share of water from the Colorado River and an arid desert climate. To meet the demands of residents and 40 million annual visitors, Las Vegas implemented comprehensive approaches to sustainability that drove water usage down even as…
What should we rethink about water? "If you're walking through the desert and you have a gold bar in your pocket and you haven't had a drink of water in three days, you'll swap that for a glass of water." Alexei Levene of Desolenator says the true value of water…
💧H2O INTRO 🤝 Meet Indira Gonzales Workforce challenges in the U.S. water industry are intensifying, with one-third of skilled professionals set to retire in the next decade. Indira Gonzalez of WSSC (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission) emphasizes the urgency of capturing their expertise. To meet this need, Indira advocates for structured…
Sarah Gaddis is director of drinking water for Kentucky. She values the impact of the Safe Drinking Water Act in her professional and personal life, and credits it with helping the state to regionalize water utilities from over 1,000 to about 430. #SDWA50 a collaboration with the Association of State…
The San Antonio Riverwalk is one of the most unique and impactful projects for flood control and urban redevelopment in the U.S. Flowing 15 miles through the heart of the Texas city, each year the Riverwalk attracts 11 million visitors to its hotels, restaurants, shops, and tours. While it is…
The federal government's historic investment in water infrastructure has presented both opportunities and challenges. The solution lies in efficiently distributing funds, overcoming barriers like permitting and regulatory requirements, and accelerating the pace of project implementation. In this episode, Tim Male, Executive Director of the Environmental Policy Innovation Center, discusses the…
The spring that feeds the iconic Jacob's Well in Central Texas isn't flowing. That's because the Trinity Aquifer is overdrawn. Ways to fix this? ➡️ a cap on withdrawals ➡️ repairs at leaky utilities ➡️ harvest rainwater and recycle greywater Episode soon thanks to the Environmental Defense Fund! #water #watermanagement…
💧H2O INTRO🫳 Meet Talita Elizeu of Govern For America. As Director of Partnerships, Talita advances the organization's work to make government more reflective of the communities it serves. This involves recruiting early career individuals to positions and providing leadership training. #watermanagement #government #leadership #career
Communities across the country are disproportionately impacted by environmental injustices like water pollution and inadequate infrastructure. The solution requires not only winning court battles but also building long-term, collaborative relationships with those affected on the ground. In this episode, Julian Gonzalez, Senior Legislative Counsel of Earthjustice, shares insights into how…
What should we rethink about water? Sivan Zamir of Xylem says it's time for more attention on the impacts on water of society's increasing energy demands, driven particularly by data centers and artificial intelligence. From the Sciens Water Rethinking Water conference. #watermanagement #waterenergynexus #technology
Ron Falco manages drinking water for the state of Colorado. In Sterling, high levels of uranium raised health concerns. Through collaboration under the Safe Drinking Water Act, agencies upgraded treatment, ensuring safer, cleaner water for the community. #SDWA50 is a collaboration with the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators. #WaterQuality…
Wetlands along the Mississippi River have been disappearing for decades, leading to increased flooding and degradation of water quality, as well as loss of wildlife habitat. Nature-based solutions, like wetland restoration and floodplain reconnection, offer a path to address these challenges plus provide benefits for communities and commerce. In this…
💧H2O INTRO🤝Meet Tom Freyberg of Atlantean Media As founder of a creative media agency, Tom believes impactful content and events are key. One of the most engaging sessions he has organized is Fuckup Nights, a unique opportunity to discuss, learn from, and even celebrate failures. The model was successfully adapted…