Environmental Finance Center Network

Hosts: Anthony Craven, Eric Williams, & Dr. Jason Barrett, Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute (MWRRI) Guest: David Karr of Mitchell Technical Services Following their discussion on workforce challenges and opportunities, hosts Anthony Craven, Eric Williams, and Dr. Jason Barrett continue the conversation with wastewater veteran David Karr by exploring the personal side of career de...

Hosts: Anthony Craven, Eric Williams, & Dr. JasonBarrett of the Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute (MWRRI) Guest: David Karr of Mitchell Technical Services  In "Wastewater Workforce Wisdom," hosts AnthonyCraven, Eric Williams, and Dr. Jason Barrett welcome wastewater veteran David Karr for a conversation about the people behind the profession. From recruiting and retainin...

Hosts: Anthony Craven & Eric Williams, Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute Guest: David Karr of Mitchell Technical Services Water utilities nation wide are facing a critical workforce challenge as experienced operators, managers, and technicians approach retirement. In this episode of the Environmental Finance Center Network Podcast, Anthony Craven and Eric Williams of the Mississip...

PFAS drinking water regulations present significant planning, financial, and operational considerations for local governments and water utilities. As requirements and timelines continue to develop, communities must understand not only what compliance may involve, but also what funding,policy, and treatment considerations should inform their preparations. In this podcast, GFOA is joined by Charlott...

Hosts: Eva Schwendimann & Shā Lager, Water Utility Trainer and Support Specialists, Southwest Environmental Finance Center  Guest: Morgan Keeling, Associate Director of the Illinois River Watershed Partnership  Episode Description:  In recognition of EPA’s SepticSmart Week, we give you the first Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) podcast of a multi-episode series highlighting how innovativ...

Does your wastewater or water system have aging equipment? Looking for a way to continue operating safely and prepare for the future? Nick Willis with Wichita State University EFC, invites us to consider a few things as we evaluate the criticality, the risk, and probability of failure when it comes to systems with older equipment! Additional Resources: EFCN Blog Series | Turning Data into Action P...

Think you know how wastewater funding works? You might be surprised. In this episode, we’re playing Fact or Fiction and taking a closer look at some of the assumptions that can make funding seem more complicated than it is. From how the Clean Water State Revolving Fund actually works to what happens when a community has a project but isn’t sure where to turn... We’re separating some common misconc...

This episode focuses on the technologies used to treat PFAS. Dr. Li discusses the science behind granular activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange, reverse osmosis, and nanofiltration, comparing their performance, operational requirements, and cost considerations. The conversation also explores PFAS disposal after treatment, emerging remediation approaches, and key factors small water systems should c...

In this episode, join Dawn, AJ, and Mike of the Southwest Environmental Finance Center (SW EFC) to discuss the main types of wastewater treatment plants including their benefits, downsides, and best use cases for each plant type. The three main types of WWTPs discussed are: Lagoons  - Facultative Lagoons - Aerated Lagoons - Anaerobic Lagoons - Polishing Ponds - Evaporative Lagoons Fixed-Film Plant...

We know you are passionate about water, but is there something else you love to do? If so, how can you tap into that to reach your community? Meet Marissa! She invites us to think "outside the tank" and make connections with everyone! Additional Information: Oscoda Citizens For Clean Water | Pirates and Mermaids Festival EFCN Blog | Understanding Public Notice Requirements and Communicat...

Small systems do not need to be caught off guard when it comes to new regulations! Listen in on this conversation where the whole process is explained and what small systems can do to stay in the know Additional Information: EPA | National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) EFCN Blog | Big Picture: EPA Regulations and NPDES Permits

Learn about the myriad considerations for green schoolyard design from a landscape architect's perspective. Adam De Foor-White, PLA, ASLA shares his insights and experience for those who may be considering a green schoolyard for their school. This podcast is a companion to our three-part webinar series Green Schoolyards as a Stormwater and Community Resilience Strategy, which covers funding st...

Every time it rains, water washing off roads and highways carries pollutants into nearby streams, rivers, and estuaries. One of the most concerning pollutants is 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ), a chemical byproduct of a common tire rubber additive that is among the most toxic substances known to aquatic life. This podcast introduces 6PPDQ to planners and technical staff who may be encountering it for the fi...

In this episode, Eva Schwendimann from the SW EFC discusses the basics of sewer smoke testing in sanitary sewer systems with Mike Rivera. Mike is a Water and Wastewater Utility Specialist at the SW EFC and has a background of working with Water and Wastewater in New Mexico systems for over 20 years. This episode walks listeners through why and how a smoke test is conducted, the equipment needed, b...

Learn why cybersecurity matters for every water and wastewater utility and how leaders can take simple, proactive steps to safeguard their operations and the communities they serve. Additional Resources: Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) EFCN | Request Assistance with Cybersecurity or Request a Cybersecurity Training

In this episode James Markham from the Southwest Environmental Finance Center interviews Angelina Grey, Associate Planner at the Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments in New Mexico about guidance for small utilities that are looking for help with capital improvement planning, with a focus on what needs to be done to get ready for the process. Getting your regulatory and financial house in or...

More than 50 years after the passage of the Clean Water Act, what can we learn from its impact on small communities? In this episode, Dr. Rhiannon Jerch discusses how the Clean Water Act shaped municipal finances, improved water quality, and influenced long-term community growth. We explore how small municipalities financed major wastewater infrastructure investments, the role of user fees and fed...

Cross-connection and backflow risks may not always be obvious, but they can pose serious threats to drinking water systems and public health when left unaddressed. In this episode, Alice Kilkelly from the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center speaks with Elizabeth Belezaire, Water Quality Analyst at the Board of Water Supply for the City of Mount Vernon, New York, about the city’s effor...

Small water systems face many of the same regulatory requirements and financing complexities as larger utilities, but with fewer staff and resources to manage them. In this episode, we examine how finance professionals can effectively navigate the landscape of federal funding opportunities available to small water systems. Joined by finance expert Kevin Wachtel, Senior Manager at GFOA, the discuss...

PFAS are increasingly being detected in drinking water systems across the country. In this episode, Dr. Li explains what PFAS are, how they enter our water supplies, current regulations, risks to communities and private well owners as well as actionable measures individuals can implement within their households to mitigate the presence of these pollutants.

In this episode of the Environmental Finance Center Network podcast, hosts Anthony Craven and Eric Williams are joined by Bill Moody of the Mississippi Department of Health’s Water Division and David DeWitt of Taylor Power Systems. Together, they share practical guidance for water utilities on maintaining regulatory compliance and responding effectively during emergencies. Drawing on real-world ex...

Severe weather events, natural disasters, and power outages pose serious challenges for wastewater public utilities, yet essential services must continue when communities need them most. In this episode of the Environmental Finance Center Network podcast, hosts Anthony Craven, Jason Barrett, and Eric Williams sit down with Mr. David DeWitt of Taylor Power Systems to explore how wastewater utilitie...

Join Brian Bohnsack, Tyler Cotner and John Colcazier from the Wichita State University EFC as they share their experiences working with wastewater and water boards and some of the most common issues they have encountered.

This podcast outlines how to frame the funding challenges, how to understand the Funding Landscape, ways to identify funding sources for you utility, the best ways to stay organized, how to manage multiple funding sources, and how Technical Assistance can help. Hosted by Wichita State University EFC Program Manager Analisa Munhall, with Anna Archer, who is also a WSU EFC Project Manager.

This episode explores how the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement has evolved since its inception. The conversation breaks down pollution diets and nutrient reduction goals, highlights effective stormwater best management practices, and discusses workforce development programs that are helping small communities move from regulatory compliance to community-focused action that protects local waters a...