waterloop

Water is emerging as a defining factor in U.S. economic growth and national security—from where data centers and energy projects can scale to how communities absorb the rising costs of floods, droughts, and insurance risk. In response, a new Aspen National Water Strategy has been released, laying out a plan to rethink how the country manages water. This episode is a conversation with the co-leads for developing the strategy, Martin Doyle of Duke University and Newsha Ajami of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Their central argument is a shift in framing: water is not just an environmental or local utility issue—it’s a core economic input and a strategic asset. The discussion explores how that plays out today, from AI and energy demands tied to water availability to insurers effectively redrawing the map of risk across the country. It also gets into what’s holding the system back, including fragmented governance, outdated infrastructure models, and policies that don’t align with how water actually moves through watersheds. The strategy outlines priorities including governing for outcomes instead of process, investing in rural landscapes that underpin national water supply, and expanding infrastructure to include natural systems, data, and people. Doyle and Ajami also highlight the need to remove barriers to adopting solutions that already exist, and to rethink financing and business models so innovation can scale. It’s a clear-eyed look at how water is shaping the economy and risk landscape today—and what it will take to treat it as the national priority it has become. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

A download from Davos reveals how water is rising on the global agenda — with business leaders, governments, and NGOs increasingly recognizing it as a critical climate and economic risk. In this episode, Jason Morrison, president of the Pacific Institute, shares insights from the World Economic Forum gathering this past January, where conversations about water resilience are reaching CEOs, prime ministers, and top decision-makers. He explains how initiatives like the CEO Water Mandate and the Water Resilience Coalition are mobilizing major corporations to tackle water challenges collectively across stressed basins worldwide. The discussion highlights real-world efforts underway in places like California and the Mississippi River basin, where companies are investing in projects such as groundwater recharge, watershed restoration, and improved water efficiency. Morrison also describes how new data tools, satellite monitoring, and collaborative basin-scale strategies are helping track measurable progress. The key takeaway from Davos: the water sector doesn’t need more pledges — it needs execution, scaling proven solutions that can deliver meaningful impact on the ground. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

The water sector is in the middle of a major transition, as decades-old challenges collide with powerful new technologies, workforce shifts, and rising public expectations. In this episode, Ralph Exton, Executive Director of the Water Environment Federation, unpacks how a nearly century-old organization is working to steer global water strategy. He breaks down WEF’s three-pillar roadmap—building water communities, advancing workforce development, and leading circularity. The conversation from the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C. also dives into the water–AI nexus, from the growing pressure data centers place on stressed watersheds to the launch of a new Center of Excellence designed to cut through misinformation and align utilities, regulators, and hyperscalers. Ralph discusses the move toward a circular water economy, including the recovery of resources from wastewater. The discussion closes with a look at workforce development, from managing a wave of retirements across the industry to training the next generation. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

California’s water system was built for a wetter century—and now the state is racing to turn wastewater into a reliable part of its supply portfolio. In this episode, Joaquin Esquivel, chair of the California State Water Resources Control Board, breaks down where water reuse fits in California’s long-term strategy, and what it will take to scale it safely and affordably. The conversation spans the state’s role as both regulator and funder, including the adoption of direct potable reuse regulations, the safeguards designed to protect public health, and the need for “regulatory certainty” that helps projects move from concept to construction. Esquivel also shares the numbers behind California’s current reuse footprint—roughly 750,000 to 800,000 acre-feet annually—and the state’s goals to expand that supply in the coming decades while balancing discharges needed for instream flows. The episode tackles the “yuck factor” head-on, explaining why monitoring, testing, and transparent communication are essential to maintaining trust as systems move toward direct connections. And it spotlights a looming constraint few people see coming: a major wave of retirements that could reshape the water workforce just as advanced treatment becomes the new normal. This episode is part of The Golden State of Reuse, a series exploring the past, present, and future of water recycling across California. The series is a collaboration with WateReuse California and sponsored by CDM Smith. The series is also supported by the Sacramento Area Sewer District, Black & Veatch, and Monterey One Water. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

In Sacramento, the shift from viewing wastewater as a waste stream to a critical resource is transforming regional water security and ecological health. In this episode, Christoph Dobson, General Manager of Sacramento Area Sewer District, explains how the landmark $1.7 billion Echo Water project has elevated treatment standards to tertiary levels, protecting the sensitive Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta while creating a massive new supply of recycled water. This advanced infrastructure enables the \"Harvest Water\" project, which delivers 50,000 acre-feet of reclaimed water annually to 16,000 acres of farmland, effectively reducing groundwater pumping and restoring local aquifers by up to 35 feet over the next 15 years. By leveraging state revolving fund loans and nearly $400 million in grants, the utility has successfully mitigated ratepayer impacts while simultaneously restoring 5,000 acres of riparian and wetland habitat for Chinook salmon. These efforts demonstrate a scalable blueprint for agricultural reuse, turning environmental regulatory \"sticks\" into sustainable \"carrots\" that support both local economies and resilient ecosystems. This episode is part of The Golden State of Reuse, a series exploring the past, present, and future of water recycling across California. The series is a collaboration with WateReuse California and sponsored by CDM Smith. The series is also supported by the Sacramento Area Sewer District, Black & Veatch, and Monterey One Water. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Is the Chesapeake Bay finally turning a corner, or is restoration falling behind on its most critical deadlines? This episode provides an expert "check-up" on America’s largest estuary with Hilary Falk, President and CEO of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). After decades of investment, the results are a complex mix of record-breaking successes and urgent new challenges. Explore the "Oyster Revolution"—a massive effort that has restored 11 tributaries since 2014—and learn how billions of oysters are now naturally filtering the Bay's water. The conversation also tackles the hard truths: why blue crab populations are at historic lows, the impact of invasive species, and why Pennsylvania holds the key to solving the nutrient pollution crisis. Key Topics & Solutions: The Blueprint Status: Why the 2025 deadline remains elusive and what an "accelerated" path forward requires from the states and the EPA. The "Pennsylvania Gap": How the Lancaster Clean Water Partners are curbing nitrogen and phosphorus through industry and conservation. High-Tech Stewardship: Breaking ground on an oyster center using AI to "listen" to reef health and the launch of electric education boats. Island Resilience: Innovative engineering and living shorelines designed to protect the communities of Tangier and Smith Islands. This conversation serves as a vital reminder that while the path to a clean Chesapeake is complex, the combination of community accountability and natural innovation is the key to securing a resilient future for America's largest estuary. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Explosive growth in data centers, semiconductors, and power generation is driving unprecedented industrial water demand, pushing reuse from niche to necessity across the U.S. In this episode, Bruno Pigott of the WateReuse Association, Courtney Tripp of Grundfos, and Jim Oliver of Black & Veatch unpack their joint report, Accelerating Industrial Reuse, spotlighting proven and sustainable strategies to meet that demand. They highlight how existing technologies enable up to 75–90% water savings through fit-for-purpose treatment—treating water only to the quality needed for its next use while minimizing energy and costs. Landmark projects illustrate the impact, from Intel’s Arizona campus recovering nearly all water and brine to support thousands of jobs, Chevron’s California public-private partnership conserving potable supplies for tens of thousands of homes, and Koch Industries’ Oklahoma plant treating municipal effluent to preserve freshwater for community growth. The experts point to low-hanging fruit like operational tweaks for quick gains, alongside rising water rates, bipartisan tax incentives, and progressive state frameworks that are turning reuse into a business and resilience imperative. Looking ahead, they envision widespread adoption nationwide through industrial symbiosis, better salt management, and collaborative models that transform water constraints into economic and environmental opportunities. Access the report Accelerating Industrial Reuse waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

For decades, the health of the Chesapeake Bay has struggled because of three major pollution sources: stormwater, wastewater, and agriculture. These pressures send nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment into streams and rivers that flow into the Bay, where they harm water quality and the environment broadly. While there have been many solutions implemented and tremendous progress made across the watershed, there are still challenges that sometimes require a legal approach. In this episode, David Reed of the Chesapeake Legal Alliance shares a look at these three major pollution challenges through the lens of local riverkeepers in Maryland. The story begins on the Gunpowder River, where unchecked development and failing stormwater controls have allowed sediment to smother vital habitat. Next is Baltimore, where two of Maryland’s largest wastewater treatment plants fell into disrepair. Finally, is the Eastern Shore, where industrial poultry facilities have created unregulated ammonia pollution. Through each story, are the same questions: What happens when laws designed to protect water fail — and what legal action does it take to set things right? waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Green infrastructure is reshaping how communities manage stormwater by blending natural processes with modern engineering to improve water quality, reduce flooding, and fit into increasingly dense urban spaces. In this episode, Christian Hennessy of Oldcastle Infrastructure breaks down what makes a system truly “green,” from mimicking pre-development hydrology to using engineered soils, media amendments, and carefully selected plants to target pollutants like nutrients and metals. He covers how green infrastructure has evolved from simple rain gardens into high-performance, small-footprint systems that combine green and gray infrastructure through precast structures, filtration media, and controlled detention. Hennessy also explains how performance is measured through rigorous field testing and lab validation, ensuring these systems deliver real water quality results. Looking ahead, he discusses hybrid approaches, digital monitoring, and climate-driven design as essential tools for making stormwater infrastructure more resilient and effective in a changing world. Learn more about Oldcastle Infrastructure water solutions. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Water is at the heart of America’s national parks, yet many of these rivers, lakes, coasts, and wetlands are under growing stress from pollution, climate impacts, and decisions made outside park boundaries. In this episode from the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C., Ed Stierli of the National Parks Conservation Association explains how his organization serves as the independent voice for 433 national park sites, backed by nearly 2 million members. He breaks down why more than half of waterways in national parks remain impaired, connecting the dots between upstream land use, aging infrastructure, and weakened protections that shape water quality. Stierli highlights how bedrock laws like the Clean Water Act and modern restoration programs have helped bring back iconic species and improve water conditions, while warning that political rollbacks could erode decades of progress. He also points to large-scale, watershed-based collaborations—uniting federal agencies, states, local governments, and nonprofits—to restore wetlands, rebuild natural buffers, and invest in resilient infrastructure. Throughout, Stierli stresses the power of public engagement and broad coalitions to secure funding, defend protections, and keep national parks functioning as living classrooms where people can experience and learn from healthy waters. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Wastewater treatment plants rely on nonstop mechanical power to keep water moving, oxygen flowing, and critical equipment turning—and the systems behind that power are the focus of this episode. Dave Zimmerman of Dodge Industrial breaks down how gearboxes, bearings, motors, and couplings form the “powertrain” that drives nearly every major process in a treatment plant. Zimmerman explains how these components support pumps, aeration basins, clarifiers, bar screens, screw conveyors, and oxidation ditches—operating 24/7 under punishing conditions of moisture, grit, vibration, and load. He highlights how smart mechanical design can cut energy consumption by 7–10 percent, a major opportunity for utilities facing some of the highest electricity bills in municipal government. As the water workforce shrinks, Zimmerman outlines how pre-engineered, easy-to-install components reduce maintenance complexity and keep equipment online longer. Lessons from heavy industries like mining and aggregates—where shock loads and extreme stress are the norm—are shaping tougher, more durable systems for wastewater plants. The conversation also explores emerging technologies such as sensors, real-time monitoring, and predictive maintenance tools that help operators understand equipment health and prevent catastrophic failures before they happen. Learn more about Dodge Industrial. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

California’s Central Coast is turning recycled water into a lifeline for rivers, golf courses, farms, and coastal communities—showing how reuse can work far beyond the big cities. In this episode, Nick Becker of Pebble Beach Community Services District, Allison Imamura of Monterey One Water, and Melanie Mow Schumacher of Soquel Creek Water District share how their communities are rethinking every drop. At Pebble Beach, Becker explains how drought in the 1980s pushed local leaders to build one of the first systems that uses recycled water to irrigate seven world-class golf courses and a high school—later upgraded with microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and a 115-million-gallon reservoir so the system can bank winter water for dry summers. Imamura describes how Pure Water Monterey takes a holistic approach, blending municipal wastewater, urban stormwater, industrial flows, and agricultural drainage into advanced treatment that both supplies 12,000 acres of farmland and returns purified water to the groundwater basin—cutting diversions from the Carmel River and protecting endangered species. Schumacher shows how the small-but-mighty Soquel Creek Water District is fighting seawater intrusion and an overdrafted aquifer with Pure Water Soquel, an advanced purification project that turns wastewater into a high-quality groundwater recharge supply backed by strong public outreach, regional partnerships, and creative funding through state and federal programs. This episode is part of The Golden State of Reuse, a series exploring the past, present, and future of water recycling across California. The series is a collaboration with WateReuse California and sponsored by CDM Smith. The series is also supported by the Sacramento Area Sewer District, Black & Veatch, and Monterey One Water. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Hydrogen sulfide is the invisible gas quietly eating away at sewer systems—driving odor complaints aboveground and concrete failure below. In this episode of Inside Infrastructure, Kerry Koressel of Ipex explains how H₂S forms inside collection systems, why splashing and drops inside manholes turn it into a corrosive, dangerous gas, and how it can silently destroy manholes, pipes, and metal components over time. He breaks down the real costs for municipalities, from emergency repairs and bypass pumping to business impacts when odors reach streets and downtowns. The conversation explores why these problems persist despite decades of awareness, including limited budgets, competing priorities, and the sheer scale of sewer networks. Koressel also discusses how better hydraulic design, improved materials, and oxygen-boosting strategies can suppress odors, reduce corrosion, and send “better sewage” downstream. Together, these approaches point toward a more sustainable, lower-maintenance future for collection systems under growing environmental and financial pressure. Learn more about solutions from Ipex. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Communities across the Midwest are navigating a complex mix of water challenges—from affordability to agricultural pollution to protecting iconic national parks—and the policies shaping those outcomes. In this episode, Crystal Davis, Senior Midwest Regional Director for the National Parks Conservation Association, discusses how regional advocacy, coalition building, and community-driven organizing are advancing solutions across 11 states and 53 park sites. She highlights efforts to strengthen park funding, reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and address pollution pressures in places like Lake Erie. Davis also explains how the Midwest is building multi-sector coalitions to push for equitable access to water and nature, elevating voices typically excluded from environmental decision-making. She shares lessons from Healing Our Waters, a 180-member coalition driving federal and state reforms, and outlines why authentic engagement—not box-checking—is essential for lasting progress. Her work underscores how unified advocacy across communities, businesses, tribes, and frontline organizations is shaping a more equitable and resilient future for parks and water in the Great Lakes region. This episode is part of the Color of Water series, a collaboration with the Water Hub. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Odor control and overflow prevention are critical yet often overlooked challenges for wastewater utilities — especially as urban areas expand and climate impacts intensify. In this episode of Inside Infrastructure, Ryan Powers of the Wager Company explains how a family company that started in marine ventilation is now helping communities solve complex sewer problems on land. He discusses why traditional chemical and carbon-based systems are costly, maintenance-heavy, and environmentally burdensome ways to fight the problems. Powers also highlights the benefits of passive, low-maintenance designs that eliminate odors and prevent inflow and overflow without electricity or chemicals. Learn more about Wager. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

California’s water recycling movement has evolved from experiments to expansion—driven by progressive regulations, proven technology, and positive public trust. In this episode, Traci Minamide, Greg Wetterau, and Roshanak Aflaki of CDM Smith share expert insights from decades of experience advancing reuse across the Golden State. They reflect on the past, when early projects like the East Valley initiative faced setbacks and public skepticism that reshaped how engineers, utilities, and communicators approached outreach and transparency. In the present, they highlight how clearer regulations, efficient treatment processes, and pilot projects have made large-scale water recycling both achievable and affordable—turning wastewater into safe, local drinking water for millions. Looking to the future, the panel envisions a new generation of systems powered by AI-driven operations, advanced membranes, and rapid water-quality monitoring tools that will make direct potable reuse more widespread and resilient than ever before. This episode is part of The Golden State of Reuse, a series exploring the past, present, and future of water recycling across California. The series is a collaboration with WateReuse California and sponsored by CDM Smith. The series is also supported by the Sacramento Area Sewer District, Black & Veatch, and Monterey One Water. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Water’s future depends on sustainable funding, bipartisan policy, and stronger public communication. In this conversation from the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C., Adam Krantz of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) explains how federal investments and advocacy are shaping the next chapter for America’s water infrastructure. He outlines the historic impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and why permanent, predictable federal funding is essential to maintain momentum. Krantz highlights the urgent need for a national Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program so that access to water is treated as essential as food and energy. He details efforts to get resources and technical help to smaller, under-resourced utilities—often left behind in traditional grant and loan programs—and how partnerships with larger systems can close that gap. The discussion also explores the role of programs like WIFIA and SRF in leveraging billions for critical projects nationwide. Looking ahead, Krantz calls for a united communications effort to position water alongside energy and transportation as the nation’s most vital infrastructure, ensuring long-term investment, trust, and resilience. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability. Follow us on YouTube, Linked-In, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

Across the U.S., stormwater regulations form a confusing patchwork that slows innovation and complicates compliance for communities and companies alike. In this episode from WEFTEC, Jay Holtz of Oldcastle Infrastructure explains how this fragmented system has evolved — and why it’s time for change. He outlines the challenges posed by thousands of differing local approvals that make it costly and inefficient for solution providers to bring technologies to market. Holtz describes how the emerging STEPP Program — Stormwater Testing and Evaluation for Products and Practices — aims to establish a consistent national framework for verifying performance data and standardizing testing. The initiative, led by the National Municipal Stormwater Alliance, would simplify local approvals, cut costs, and accelerate deployment of proven systems. By centralizing data and ensuring testing integrity, STEPP could spur innovation, expand stormwater solutions nationwide, and ultimately lead to cleaner water in communities across America. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Activated carbon is a frontline solution in the fight against PFAS and other contaminants in water. In this episode, Brandon Hamilton of Norit explains how activated carbon works like a “rigid sponge” —using its complex pore structures to trap everything from volatile organics to microscopic chemicals. He breaks down why utilities are increasingly choosing activated carbon over reverse osmosis or ion exchange, highlighting its cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and proven performance in water treatment. Hamilton also dives into Norit’s reactivation process, which destroys PFAS and restores 80–90% of carbon capacity, saving utilities in costs. The conversation explores the different types of carbon—from coal to coconut shell—and how each targets specific contaminants. Looking ahead, Hamilton reveals how tailored carbon products and innovations in agglomeration are paving the way for the next generation of water treatment solutions. Learn more about Norit. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for sustainability in water.

Los Angeles is turning recycled water into real-world resilience—protecting aquifers from seawater intrusion, powering industry, gaining public support, and building a next-generation supply that reduces dependence on imported sources. At Terminal Island, Dean Taylor explains how this pioneering facility evolved from discharging into the harbor to producing advanced treated water that now feeds the Dominguez Gap seawater barrier and supplies industrial clients such as like Valero, saving millions of gallons of drinking water each day while moving toward full reclamation capacity. At the Albert Robles Center, Stefan Tucker shows how education and transparency are turning skepticism into support. Students, residents, and decision-makers experience the treatment process firsthand—building trust, understanding, and a stronger future workforce for the water industry. At Hyperion, Johan Torroledo and Christina Beccara Jones outline the ambitious Pure Water Los Angeles program—transforming one of the world’s largest treatment plants into a hub of innovation. Ultimately, the project will deliver up to 230 million gallons per day of purified water. The throughline is clear: science, transparency, and collaboration are making potable reuse not just possible—but practical at metropolitan scale. This episode is part of The Golden State of Reuse, a series exploring the past, present, and future of water recycling across California. The series is a collaboration with WateReuse California. The lead sponsor is CDM Smith. The series is also supported by the Sacramento Area Sewer District, Black & Veatch, and Monterey One Water. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.