Water Values Podcast

Parjana CEO Greg McPartlin explains the patented technology that helps replenish groundwater and mitigate surface water problems. Through Parjana’s invention of an “artificial tree root”, surface water is more easily dispersed in the ground and thus achieves groundwater balance. New applications for the Parjana technology occur on a frequent basis, and you’ll be interested to hear how the technolo...

ValveTek’s Jeff Favina discusses main flushing and ValveTek’s use of the patented NO-DES flushing solution. Starting with the basics of main flushing, Jeff explains why main flushing is important from a water quality standpoint and outlines the conventional methods of main flushing. He then expands into the NO-DES flushing solution and demonstrates how it works and how it does not waste water. Avo...

Paul Kramer of Gresham, Oregon, joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss a subject too infrequently discussed: Fats, Oils and Grease, or FOG. Paul walks us through what FOG is and how it gets into the sewer system and disrupts the system’s operation. He then discusses elements of a FOG program, including the extensive internal and external communication necessary, and what a FOG program launch en...

Steve Cavanaugh, President and CEO of Cavanaugh and Associates, joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss an important yet misperceived area of water utilities: non-revenue water. Steve describes what non-revenue water is, how it can be optimized and the simple steps utilities need to do to get started with a non-revenue water program. With a little bit of work, your utility can optimize non-reven...

George Hawkins, CEO and General Manager of DC Water, joins The Water Values Podcast and discusses his brand of change leadership. George details specific examples of his leadership style and how he approached his position when first joining DC Water. George also relates stories on how water utilities can interact with their customers and their governing boards. Finally, George offers his thoughts...

Ku McMahan of the Securing Water for Food Program joins us to discuss the program, its origins, mission and impact on developing countries. Ku discusses how the program fosters innovation in the water-agriculture nexus and how the program currently is undergoing a third call for innovations that can help those in developing countries use water more efficiently for agriculture, implement water capt...

Denise Nelson, Vice President of Public Education for the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, discusses the EnvisionTM Ratings System. Denise describes the origins of the system through a collaboration of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Council of Engineering Companies, and the American Public Works Association. Denise also explains why it was needed and how the ratings...

Meghna Tare, the Executive Director of the Institute for Sustainability and Global Impact at the University of Texas at Arlington joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss how the Institute approaches water sustainability and to describe some of the projects and research undertaken by the Institute. Meghna emigrated from India approximately 15 years ago, so she has experienced water shortages firs...

Tom Gwynn, President of Krausz USA, joins us on this week’s episode of The Water Values Podcast to discuss the current state of water infrastructure in the United States, collection and distribution system pipe repairs, and how Krausz USA is working to safely and quickly repair those pipes. Tom tells us in detail about the various products Krausz USA has to offer and informs us on their uses to he...

James Eklund, the Director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, discusses Colorado’s Water Plan. James looks at why Colorado needed a water plan, how the State went about developing the water plan, and where the State is in the process of finalizing the water plan. James also engages in a discussion of how water and funding water projects fit in with the rest of the State’s fiscal requirement...

Terrence McDonough, an economics professor at the National University of Ireland in Galway, discusses one of the most controversial issues surrounding water in the current world: the implementation of water charges in Ireland. Terry fills us in on how water historically has been paid for by the Irish people, why the model has changed, and what is behind all of the unrest over these charges in Irel...

Incredible efficiencies have been gained in the municipal water use sector over the last 30 years. As part of its Drought Forum webinar series, the Western Governors’ Association put together an expert panel that digs into the issues surrounding municipal outreach and consumer technology in the municipal water sector. Tune in for a fascinating discussion with Robb Barnitt of Dropcountr, Nicole Sel...

Susan Latvala discusses the discord in the Tampa Bay area amongst the various counties and municipal governments over water supply. After legislative intervention, the affected governments negotiated an intergovernmental agreement that formed Tampa Bay Water. Susan describes how the board of Tampa Bay Water worked through their differences and gradually calmed the turbulent Tampa Bay water scene....

Sharlene Leurig, Water Program Director at Ceres, discusses the impact of climate change on water. Sharlene takes us on economy-wide tour of water’s impact on climate. Sharlene addresses how cities are using innovative green infrastructure programs & provides examples from San Francisco and Philadelphia. She also identifies some of the challenges of funding the investments needed to cope with...

Mark Peterman, CEO of OndaVia, discusses water testing and technological advancements occurring in the water industry. Mark shares how OndaVia technology provides rapid testing results, which provides a better alternative to off-site laboratory testing that can take weeks. Mark cites examples such as perchlorate in groundwater and water at oil refineries and how on-site testing at the micro level...

Phil Rolchigo, Vice President of Technology at Pentair, joins The Water Values Podcast this week to discuss new products and technologies his company is developing to feed the world through innovations in sustainable aquaponics systems and the recovering of resources from water. He also talks about some of the challenges and processes that Pentair is using to drive productivity and growth in the m...

Ann Tartre explains the efforts businesses in the Colorado River Basin undertake to educate themselves, their customers and others on sustainably using the Colorado River with Protect the Flows. Ann takes us through the powerful findings of an Arizona State University study commissioned by Protect the Flows quantifying the economic impact of the Colorado River on the Southwest (& by extension...

Jeff Hughes of the Environmental Finance Center at the University of North Carolina joins The Water Values Podcast for an in-depth discussion about environmental finance. Environmental finance concerns how to pay for programs that provide environmental services. Jeff guides us from traditional rate-making to several more creative approaches to implementing water rates and explores some of the obst...

The CEO of San Antonio Water System (SAWS), Robert Puente, joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss the numerous successes of its water system through water supply limitations and droughts. He also discusses how SAWS works to conserve water through these drought periods, different infrastructure projects, resources, and the creative opportunities SAWS pursues to help its stay ahead of the game in...

Head of investment banking firm Blue Star Capital, Jud Hill has spent his career exploring the smartest and most innovative ways to invest in the water sector – and why water is such a unique commodity. Jud discusses the growing trend in water equities and what opportunities are on the horizon for investors.

Ed Pawlowski, mayor of Allentown, PA, discusses how a public–private partnership (or P3) helped to save the city from financial ruin and revitalize the city, turning a multi-million dollar deficit into a multi-million dollar surplus. The Mayor discusses the nuts and bolts of the P3 arrangement from the RFP process and building political support for the P3 to the details of the P3 such as how rate...

It’s been a fantastic year since we launched The Water Values Podcast in late March 2014. You’ve been absolutely terrific. I know I don’t say that enough, but your emails, your comments and your listenership each are greatly appreciated. And I just hope you keep up the engagement as we head into 2015. We’ve got some great guests scheduled for you in 2015, so keep on listening and spreading the wor...

John Oldfield, CEO of WASH Advocates, discusses advocacy for WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene). John tells us that implementing WASH in communities leads to other important development goals in the developing world. John discusses the history and current political climate surrounding this important humanitarian issue. John explains that with cooperation from governments, private philanthropist...

Brad Lancaster discusses permaculture and rainwater harvesting. Brad describes how to harvest rainwater and greywater. Brad also explains how the soil helps filter out toxins from greywater to keep us safe and healthy, but also transforms those toxins in the greywater into a valuable fertilizing resource for the plants. Brad talks about how other communities across the country are adopting the use...

Mark LeChevallier, Director of Innovation and Environmental Stewardship at American Water, discusses technology in the water sector. Mark tells us what the water industry is doing to assist areas that are going through a drought, and what alternatives and methods they are using to reuse water. He also discusses the technology that’s being developed for the desalination of sea water to provide more...