waterloop

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 the population boomed. Bronson Mack of the Southern Nevada Water Authority and Michael Gulich...

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 comp...

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 the organ...

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 episode, Karen Waldrop, Chief Conservation Offi...

Memphis faces the dual challenge of protecting itself from Mississippi River flooding while enhancing the environment and public spaces. The solution lies in nature-based projects that manage stormwater, restore wetlands, and provide community amenities. In this episode Carol Coletta of Memphis River Parks Partnership and Jake Spears of Ducks Unlimited discuss two transformative riverfront project...

Many water utilities across the U.S. are grappling with aging infrastructure, underfunding, and staffing challenges, but solutions are within reach through smarter management and targeted technical assistance. From a conversation at the Reservoir Center, George Hawkins, CEO of Moonshot Missions, shares how his organization helps utilities of all sizes improve operations, access federal funding, an...

Milwaukee faces a significant challenge with over 70,000 lead service lines. In response, the city has implemented a replacement program initiated by an ordinance in 2017. This initiative leverages federal funding to focus on disadvantaged communities, with an emphasis on neighborhoods identified as most in need through an area deprivation index. In this episode, Superintendent Patrick Pauly of Mi...

Milwaukee is tackling the challenge of urban stormwater management through an innovative community-based public-private partnership. The Fresh Coast Protection Partnership is expanding green infrastructure, enhancing neighborhood quality, and developing the local workforce. In this episode, Bre Plier from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and Kurt Farrell of CIS delve into the intricaci...

Developing and recognizing emerging leaders in the water sector is crucial for addressing current and future challenges. The WaterNow Alliance’s Emerging Leaders program plays a vital role in this effort by identifying and supporting professionals who are driving positive change in their communities. This episode presents brief interviews with the seven individuals recognized this year, along with...

Managing water resources effectively is crucial, especially in regions facing scarcity and drought. The OpenET platform, developed through collaboration between NASA, the Environmental Defense Fund, and other partners, offers a groundbreaking solution by leveraging satellite data to measure evapotranspiration. In this episode, we hear from Forrest Melton of NASA and Robyn Grimm, formerly of the En...

Marine conservation and the preservation of the U.S.'s most cherished underwater environments are critically important issues. National Marine Sanctuaries provide a solution by protecting these vital ecosystems. Shannon Colbert of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation shares insights into the significance of these sanctuaries, which range from vibrant kelp forests and coral reefs to historic sh...

As the need for sustainable water management becomes increasingly critical, developing the next generation of leaders is paramount. One promising solution is the Colorado Water Fellows Program, which connects students with water issues and equips them with practical experience. In this episode, Jessica Thrasher, Water Equity Programs Leader at the Colorado Water Center, discusses bringing together...

Communities along the Mississippi River face numerous challenges from natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, and droughts. This episode explores how adopting nature-based solutions can bolster resilience against these impacts. Mayor Errick Simmons of Greenville, Mississippi, shares insights into his community's efforts and the collaborative initiatives of the Mississippi River Cities and To...

Floodplain reconnection has emerged as a crucial solution to mitigating flooding, improving water quality, and supporting biodiversity along the Mississippi River corridor. In this episode, Chris Rice of The Nature Conservancy discusses the restoration of Mollicy Farms, the largest floodplain reconnection project ever undertaken in the U.S. Chris explains the extensive efforts involved in breachin...

The fact there are 2.2 million people in America without safe drinking water and adequate sanitation in their homes does not receive enough media attention or public awareness. There are lessons on how to change this from the high-profile coverage of connected environmental issues such as climate change. This episode features a conversation with Bill Weir, Chief Climate Correspondent at CNN. It wa...

Communities across the United States face significant challenges in accessing and effectively utilizing federal funding for water initiatives. The solution lies in leveraging these resources to empower grassroots organizations and address local water issues. This episode is a recording from a session at River Network’s River Rally, during which Celina Mahabir of Community Water Center and Kirsten...

The River Network’s Emerging Leader Award highlights rising stars at the crossroads of water and justice. Designed to boost early career professionals, the award offers recognition, confidence, and networking opportunities. At River Rally 2024 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, four awardees shared their impactful work, the reasons for their recognition, and their successful water initiatives. This episod...

The Potomac River, once labeled a national disgrace due to severe pollution, has seen significant improvements over the decades. Through efforts such as wastewater treatment upgrades and cleanup of industrial hotspots, the river's health has greatly improved, making it often safe for recreational use. In this episode, Dean Naujoks, the Potomac Riverkeeper, discusses the progress achieved and the o...

Jackson, Mississippi, has long struggled with inadequate water infrastructure, highlighted by a major treatment plant failure in 2022 that left 160,000 residents without safe drinking water. Lexus Giles, an artist from Jackson, reflects on these challenges through her work "Wading the Woes of Jackson Water." The exhibit features pieces that represent the struggles and adaptations of Jackson's resi...

Agencies responsible for natural resources along the Gulf Coast and Mississippi River corridor often face significant challenges due to limited resources. A powerful solution to this problem is the Gulf Corps program, which leverages funding from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement to support nature-based projects.  This episode features conversations with Christina Wayne from The Nature Co...

California is grappling with a severe groundwater crisis, underscoring the urgent need for accurate accounting under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). SGMA mandates that certain basins develop plans to achieve groundwater balance by 2040, ensuring that withdrawals do not exceed recharge rates. Various tools are being used or developed to tackle this challenge, ranging from field m...

Many people in Oregon face significant water justice challenges, including affordability, accessibility, and quality. Addressing these issues requires place-based, community-specific solutions. In this episode, Alai Reyes-Santos, Associate Director of the PNW Just Futures Institute for Climate and Racial Justice, discusses her work in Oregon and what she has learned from her roots in Puerto Rico....

Louisiana faces severe coastal erosion and land loss, making coastal restoration a critical challenge. One of the innovative solutions is the $2.9 billion Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project, which aims to restore about 20 square miles of wetlands and land.  In this episode, Brad Barth, Diversions Program Manager from the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, discusses this massive en...

Urgent water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) challenges persist across the United States. Peer-to-peer support for utility professionals in these communities can make a positive difference. Anniestacia Denton, a Utility Advisor at Moonshot Missions, provides a look into these pressing issues, with a particular focus on her home state of Alabama. Bringing a unique perspective on the severe sanitati...

This episode features a series of rapid-fire questions with Alan Roberson of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, delving into some of the most pressing issues facing the drinking water industry today. The conversation tackles hot topics such as regionalization, Consumer Confidence Reports, the Lead and Copper Rule, PFAS, point-of-use filtration at homes, and the safety of bottl...