n this episode of Talking Under Water, One Water, One Podcast, hosts Lauren Del Ciello, Katie Johns and Bob Crossen discuss the latest coronavirus relief package — the  American Rescue Plan — and its impact on the water industry. We’ll also dig into the results of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2021 Infrastructure Report Card as pertains to water infrastructure.
Finally, the interview this month is with Rich “Raz” Razgaitis, co-founder and CEO for FloWater. Johns spoke with Razgaitis about microplastics and how the issue impacts all aspects of the water industry from consumer to municipality workers.

Show Notes:
Congress adopts $1.9 trillion stimulus, securing first major win for Biden
EPA Action Notices Extend Lead & Copper Rule Revision Effective Date
US House Passes Stimulus Bill, Includes Water Assistance
ASCE Infrastructure Report Card: Drinking Water, Wastewater & Storm Water Grades
Storm Water Earns ‘D’ on ASCE Report Card for America’s Infrastructure

Timestamps:
Cold open: (0:00)
Host introduction: (0:28)
American Rescue Plan Act effect on water industry: (1:45)
An update on the status of the Lead & Copper Rule Revision: (4:46)
ASCE Drinking Water & Wastewater Grade briefing: (6:09)
ASCE Storm Water Grade briefing: (7:42)
Unpacking the ASCE Report Card grades: (9:02)
Introducing Rich “Raz” Razgaitis: (12:34)
Defining microplastics in water: (13:17)
Threats microplastics pose to humans and the environment: (14:23)
 The impact of microplastics on water, wastewater and storm water treatment: (18:30)
Are regulations on the horizon for microplastics?: (20:50)
Why banning single-use plastics doesn’t always work: (23:49)
How tap water is a crucial element in solving the microplastics problem: (26:04)
Microplastics regulations for wastewater and stormwater facilities?: (27:19)
What can water industry professionals do to address microplastics: (29:02)
Housekeeping: (35:03)
End: (37:52)

Episode 38: When it Rains, it Pours

In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water, hosts Lauren Del Ciello, Katie Johns and Bob Crossen — in conjunction with Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day — share two interviews with stellar women in water on their career journeys and advice to the next generation. Johns spoke with Jennifer Kelly Lachmayr, who recently concluded her service as past president of NEWEA and is an active vice president at Arcadis. Del Ciello spoke with Melissa Jones, group president for commercial water solutions for Pentair.
Plus, the hosts share a little about what this episode means to them as co-hosts and where you can find even more women in water Q&As in celebration throughout the month. This marks our 50th numbered episode of Talking Under Water.
Finally, the hosts bid farewell to co-host Lauren Del Ciello as she leaves the podcast and starts a new adventure.

Episode 50: Women in Water

In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water, hosts Katie Johns and Bob Crossen talk about a new documentary, “FLINT,” that will be released on Friday, April 29. Additionally, they discuss an EPA memo regarding accelerating nutrient pollution reductions. 

Finally, the interview this month is with Maria Lehman, president-elect of the American Society of Civil Engineers and director of US Infrastructure for GHD. Johns talked with Maria about regulations, including the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act, PFAS, lead service line replacement and more.

Episode 51: Diving into Regulations

In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water the co-hosts highlight the recent DoD memo that temporarily halted the burning of PFAS as a disposal method and touch on the complexities of Build America Buy America. Additionally, they discuss new grant funding to the State Revolving Funds from the US EPA. Finally, they share an interview with Jesse Mains, the stormwater management division chief for the City of Alexandria and Brian Rahal, the division’s senior civil engineer. Co-host Katie Johns spoke with them about how Alexndria is managing flood mitigation work, how flooding affects wastewater and drinking water and green infrastructure solutions to flood mitigation.

Episode 52: Flood Mitigation as a One Water Issue

In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water co-hosts Katie Johns and Bob Crossen discuss the Action Plan on Global Water Security that Vice President Harris announced earlier this month, in addition to the research American Water conducted on Americans’ perception of water infrastructure. Finally, this month’s interview is with Millicent Pitts, executive director of Ocean Exchange. Crossen and Pitts spoke about one water, circular economy and trends as it relates to technologies and frameworks for discussing water issues as a global community in addition to a local one.

Episode 53: Discussing Water as a Global Community

In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water, co-hosts Bob Crossen and Katie Johns discuss the PFAS health advisory limits announced by the U.S. EPA last month and share some of the conversations surrounding that news Additionally, they touch on the recent announcement of NOAA funding opportunities through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Finally, we share an interview with Dr. Sera Young, professor of anthropology and global health at Northwestern University. Johns spoke with her about water scarcity and the Water Insecurity Experiences Scales, also known as WISE scales.
Timestamps: 

Cold open | 00:00 

Host introductions & episode summary | 01:03 

EPA announces PFAS Health Advisory Levels | 01:54 

NOAA climate funding news | 06:36 

Interview introduction & start | 8:30 

Career path and current work | 9:19 

Why measure experiences of water? | 12:51 

Biggest takeaways from water insecurity research | 17:20 

How do we increase visibility of this issue? | 19:23 

How to measure water insecurity | 21:59 

Why breaking down silos can address the issue | 23:41 

Goals for the future of the measurement of water insecurity | 26:10 

Interview wrap up| 27:37 

Housekeeping | 28:40

Episode 54: Measuring Water Insecurity

In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water co-hosts Bob Crossen and Katie Johns discuss the movement of EPA’s proposal for PFOA and PFOS to be listed as a hazardous substance under CERCLA and a $132 million investment in the national estuary program. The hosts also share an interview with Glenn Barnes, who is the director of Water Finance Assistance and works with numerous small utilities throughout the United States. Crossen and Barnes talked about the challenges facing small systems, how they are trying to adapt to the new normal, and how workforce concerns are nearing a tipping point.

Cold open | 0:00 

Host Intros | 0:32 

Episode summary | 0:43 

OMB finishes review of PFAS CERCLA proposal | 1:12 

$132M investment for National Estuary Program | 4:08 

Introducing Glenn Barnes | 6:00 

Just how many small systesm are there in the U.S.? | 6:32 

What small utilities are thinking about day to day | 9:11 

Small town public workers wear too many hats | 11:38 

How small utilities are looking at infrastructure funding | 14:30 

Inflation and rising costs hit small utilities hardest | 17:42 

Issues at the top of small systems’ minds | 20:13 

The future of small systems in the U.S. | 22:18 

Interview wrap up | 26:02 

Housekeeping | 26:52

Episode 55: Challenges & Trends in Small Systems

In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water co-hosts Bob Crossen and Katie Johns give an overview of the Jackson, Mississippi, Water Crisis and touch base on the latest proposal from the EPA, which relates to adding PFAS chemicals to Superfund. Additionally, this month’s interview is with Jeff Cornell, global PFAS practice lead for Black & Veatch. Crossen and Cornell talked about all things emerging contaminants, particularly as it relates to PFAS, but Cornell also shares an exhaustive list of just how many things are on his and the industry’s radar as it relates to water contamination.

Timestamps: 

Cold Open | 0:00 

Host Introductions | 0:25 

Episode Summary | 0:36 

Water Crisis in Jackson Mississippi | 1:10 

EPA Proposes Adding PFOA, PFOS to Superfund | 3:43 

Interview with Jeff Cornell begins | 6:43 

Overview of emerging contaminants in water and wastewater | 6:54 

The CERCLA designation is complex and vast | 19:55 

Viewing emerging contaminants with a one water lens | 21:20 

Exciting technologies to address emerging contaminants | 25:11 

What’s the roadmap for addressing emerging contaminants | 30:13 

Interview ends | 34:38 

Housekeeping | 35:01 

End | 35:36

Episode 56: The Emerging Contaminants Puzzle

In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water co-hosts Bob Crossen and Katie Johns discuss a recent funding announcement for water storage and conveyance projects in the West and share a PFAs regulation update from Radhika Fox, assistant administrator for the EPA Office of Water. They also touch on SeaLab, a new tidal pool built on the Middle River that will be used by students at St. Mark’s Episcopal School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to teach them about global water and sustainability issues. And, this month’s interview is with Maura Jarvis, who is the assistant manager of the public outreach team for the Philadelphia Water Department and is the 2022 US Water Prize winner for Rising One Water Leader. Jarvis and Crossen talked about her career, why water is so important and what one water means to her.

Timestamps: 

Cold open | 0:00 

Host intro and episode summary | 0:38 

Water storage and conveyance project funding | 1:15 

Clean Water Act Anniversary | 3:07 

Update on PFAS regulations for water and wastewater | 3:54 

Maura Jarvis interview introduction | 6:42 

Maura Jarvis’ career path and successes | 7:33 

What One Water means to Maura | 11:45 

Representation matters for One Water | 13:59 

Interview ends | 17:15 

Housekeeping | 17:53 

Outro | 19:27

Episode 57: Rising Water Leaders

In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water co-hosts Bob Crossen and Katie Johns dive into recent industry news, including the EPA’s PFAS CERCLA proposal, the Jackson, Mississipi Water Crisis and recent funding for both drought resiliency in the West and SRFs. Additionally, the hosts share an interview with Steve Drangsholt, account executive with Trinnex. Johns and Drangsholt spoke about smart water and how the digital transformation is impacting the water industry. They also dive into machine learning and digital twins, and Drangsholt shares how you can bring digital transformation to your workplace.

Timestamps: 

Cold open | 0:00 
Host intro and episode summary | 0:38 
EPA’s proposal to add PFOS and PFOA | 1:25 
Jackson, Mississippi, Water Crisis | 6:34  
Funding for drought resiliency in the West | 7:15 
SRF funding update | 8:08 
Steve Drangsholt Introduction | 9:10 
What is Trinnex? | 9:36 
Current smart water trends | 11:10 
Mitigating digital risks | 14:40 
Impact of Increasingly Intense Weather | 17:09 
Machine Learning & Digital Twins | 18:57 
How digital twins can improve infrastructure | 26:29 
Advice for implementing smart water practices | 28:41 
Keeping the human element | 31:06 
Interview ends | 32:47 
Housekeeping | 33:02 
Outro | 33:52

Episode 58: Smart Water Trends & Best Practices

In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water the hosts provide some highlights of news in the past month before going into a deep dive on the state of the water industry across all verticals: drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, residential, commercial and industrial water.

Episode 59: 2022 State of the Industry

Talking Under Water is the preeminent podcast for the water industry, including municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Water & Wastes Digest (WWD), Water Quality Products (WQP) and Storm Water Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, point of use, point of entry, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and on-site interviews with experts for WWD, WQP and SWS.

Credit for Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com

Episode 38: When it Rains, it Pours

Talking Under Water

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