The Water Lobby

In this episode of the Water Lobby Podcast , hosts Sanjay and Eduardo are joined by community organizer Liv to dive into a heavy but necessary conversation. From the looming “Day Zero” in Iran to the controversial expansion of data centers in Texas, the team explores how water is being leveraged as a tool of war, industry, and survival. 🌍 The Global Crisis: Iran and the Middle East The Middle Eas...

In Episode 11 of the Water Lobby podcast, we talk with Matt Paneitz, a former Austinite and founder of the nonprofit Long Way Home , who has spent the last two decades in Guatemala pioneering a revolutionary approach to infrastructure, education, and community-building. What starts as a conversation about building with trash (yes, trash ) quickly evolves into a powerful blueprint for solving syste...

A conversation between Sanjay and Eduardo on the complex water challenges facing Texas, from the parched reservoirs of the coast to the hidden drought beneath Austin’s feet. As the Texas summer heat finally gives way to the crisp promise of autumn, the conversation naturally turns to change. For us, it’s a time of professional growth—shifting from water resources modeling to the hands-on, under-th...

This past month has been a difficult one for Central Texas, especially for those in Travis and Kerr Counties. As residents grieve and begin to rebuild after devastating floods, a different kind of storm is brewing: the ongoing conflict over water rights. While our community comes together to help one another, the political and corporate battles for Texas's most precious resource continue behind th...

Hello, Water Lobby listeners! In this information-heavy Episode 8 , Eduardo and Sanjay dive deep into critical conversations surrounding floodplain management , emergency preparedness , and the recent Kerr County flooding event . With July 13th marking a somber reminder of past tragedies, this episode tackles the complex interplay of natural phenomena, engineering decisions, and community response...

Welcome to the seventh episode of the Water Lobby podcast. This week, we're tackling the big money flowing into Texas water infrastructure, the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence, and what it all means for your monthly water bill. A Drop in the Bucket: The Texas Water Fund's $2.5 Billion Renewal The Texas Water Fund has been renewed, growing from an initial $1 billion to $2.5 billion...

Welcome to the companion blog for the Water Lobby podcast! In our sixth episode, recorded on May 11th, hosts Sanjay and Eduardo dived deep into some of the most pressing and often overlooked issues at the intersection of water, technology, and global security. From the insatiable thirst of data centers in our backyards to the alarming use of water as a weapon in international conflicts, the conver...

Welcome back to the Water Lobby Podcast! This is Episode 5, and we switched things up, recording on a Saturday evening (April 12th, 2025) instead of our usual morning slot. After catching up on our days – Sanjay hitting a 5K, grabbing tacos, and getting some sun paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake, and Eduardo tackling gardening and building shed doors – we dove into some pressing topics circulating...

Hello fellow water enthusiasts! Welcome back to another recap of the Water Lobby Podcast. In this episode (the fourth!), Sanjay and Eduardo tackle a packed agenda, covering everything from a potentially game-changing Executive Order impacting FEMA to the highlights of Texas Water Day. They also delve into the broader philosophical implications of ecological systems and how we, as individuals and p...

Introduction: Navigating Uncertainty in the Water Sector Hey, Water Lobby Podcast listeners and fellow water professionals! Eduardo and Sanjay here, back with a critical discussion that's been brewing in our minds (and likely yours, too). It's February 2025, and the water sector is facing a perfect storm of challenges: a new political administration with shifting funding priorities, the rapid rise...

Welcome back to the Water Lobby podcast! In our second episode, we explored the diverse economic activities and opportunities within the water sector. From for-profit ventures to volunteer engagement, we discussed various avenues for individuals passionate about water resources, environmental conservation, and ecological advocacy. Key takeaways from our discussion: * Water professionals can contri...

Tuning in to the flow of knowledge. Have you ever wondered about the intricate world of water management, the challenges of conservation, and the impact of new technologies on our understanding of this precious resource? Look no further than "The Water Lobby," a new podcast making waves in the world of water engineering and beyond. In their pilot episode, hosts Eduardo and Sanjay, both experienced...