Talking Under Water

In this episode Talking Under Water co-host Bob Crossen discusses Water Week 2026 where key figures recorded messages from the event. The episode features firsthand perspectives from water sector leaders who gathered in Washington, D.C., for the annual Water Policy Fly‑In to advocate for national water priorities. Through voice memos from leaders at the Water Environment Federation, American Water Works Association, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, and utility representatives from across the country, listeners hear a consistent message: federal investment in water infrastructure is critical. Speakers point to concerns around declining State Revolving Fund support, the need for long‑term affordability, and the growing financial and regulatory pressures of PFAS management. Utility leaders explain how tools like SRF loans help keep water affordable for customers, especially as infrastructure ages and compliance costs rise. Crossen also reflects on related conversations with utility directors beyond Capitol Hill, tying Water Week priorities to broader operational challenges such as biosolids management, inflow and infiltration, and emerging technology needs. Together, these insights illustrate why coordinated advocacy and sustained federal support remain essential to the health, resilience, and affordability of water and wastewater systems nationwide. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 00:21 – Water Week 2026 overview and purpose of the DC Fly‑In 00:51 – Overview of expert voice memos from WEF and AWWA 01:28 – Steve Dye (WEF) on energy, momentum, and advocacy on Capitol Hill 02:49 – Danielle Cloutier (NACWA) on record turnout and engagement with Congress 03:41 – Joint water sector priorities highlighted in the Water Week press release 03:47 – Key policy issues: infrastructure funding, PFAS, affordability, and “Do Not Flush” labels 04:53 – Cynthia Lane (AWWA) on building relationships and advancing legislation 05:59 – SRF, WIFIA, and growing funding tension for utilities 06:55 – Cynthia Lane post‑meeting recap from Capitol Hill 07:43 – Liesel Gross on infrastructure funding and PFAS 08:38 – Jason Barrett on aging infrastructure needs 09:14 – SRF funding, affordability, and economies of scale 11:07 – Connecting Water Week themes to PFAS, biosolids, and geopolitics 12:25 – Inflow and infiltration as a growing national challenge 12:44 – Emerging technologies, SCADA integration, and AI interest 13:19 – Why federal policy decisions matter for local utilities 13:53 – Closing thanks to WEF and AWWA contributors 14:12 – Housekeeping   Resources: Use code WWD15 to get 15% off your attendee pass when you register at StormCon.com.   About the Podcast Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Storm Water Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, stormwater and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.     Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing talkingunderwater@endeavorb2b.com engaging with them on X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media. 

In this episode Talking Under Water co-hosts discuss escalating water use restrictions in Denver, the broader legal and political fight over Colorado River allocations, and what differing conservation strategies reveal about the future of water management in the West. The conversation begins with Denver Water’s declaration of a Stage 1 drought, outlining outdoor watering limits, fines for repeat violations, and how these measures compare with long‑standing, highly structured conservation programs in Southern Nevada. The episode then zooms out to the Colorado River basin, breaking down the growing split between upper and lower basin states, the looming possibility of Supreme Court litigation, and disagreements over delivery obligations rooted in the 1922 Colorado River Compact. The hosts explore what water scarcity could mean for cities, agriculture, and priority water rights, and why the lack of a statewide curtailment plan in Colorado raises serious questions. In additional news, the podcast reflects on the passing of Dr. James Barnard, a pioneering figure in biological nutrient removal, and covers bipartisan federal efforts to fund advanced wastewater treatment for PFAS. The episode rounds out with updates on sediment cleanups, beach water quality monitoring, stormwater permitting debates, and ongoing concerns about affordability as utilities face increasing regulatory and infrastructure demands.  Show Notes: Denver water restrictions expected to begin March 25 amid near-record low snowpack Denver Water Rules for outdoor water use Denver Water’s 2026 Water Budget Program The Colorado River is on the brink of possible forced water cuts. One thing is certain: There will be lawyers. Las Vegas Valley Conservation Schedule Las Vegas Valley water waste fees and policies Lower Colorado River Basin states agree to conserve 3 million acre-feet of water (2023) Opposing viewpoints: what the Colorado River water allocation debate is about, and who has piped up Water Technology House advances BEACH Act reauthorization to strengthen water quality monitoring EPA resumes Cuyahoga River sediment cleanup in Ohio EPA resumes final phase of Rouge River sediment cleanup in Detroit PFAS contamination raises new concerns in Louisiana facility's stormwater discharges Stormwater sector pushes back as Washington targets permits: rules and affordable housing can coexist Wastewater pioneer James Barnard dies at 90  Bipartisan bill targets funding for advanced wastewater treatment and PFAS removal EPA seeks public input on financial capability guidance for wastewater upgrades Timestamps:   01:23 – Denver Water declares Stage 1 drought 02:18 – Stage 1 drought rules explained 04:11 – Colorado River basin context 05:31 – The 1922 Colorado River Compact 06:51 – Lower basin conservation agreement 07:45 – States respond as litigation looms 08:41 – Nevada water conservation comparison 10:31 – Potential impacts to Colorado water users 12:12 – Agriculture vs. municipal water use debate 14:32 – Passing of Dr. James Barnard 15:22 – PFAS treatment funding proposal 16:20 – EPA affordability guidance update 17:16 – Federal water policy & cleanup updates 19:24 – PFAS contamination incident 20:09 – Stormwater permitting under scrutiny 20:44 – Housekeeping   Resources:   Use code WWD15 to get 15% off your attendee pass when you register at StormCon.com.   About the Podcast Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Storm Water Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, stormwater and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.     Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing talkingunderwater@endeavorb2b.com engaging with them on X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media. 

Utilities hold more power than they think. In this day and age, with a few taps of a keyboard, information is literally at your fingertips. For some, that’s a simple Google search, and others a query with a generative AI tool. But for those more enterprising utility leaders, operators and managers, that interaction in peer groups on Facebook, LinkedIn, Discord or other platforms.  They share best practices with each other, answer questions, provide guidance on management decisions, and it is a forum for open and honest thoughts about products in the market place. Utilities are holding vendors accountable with each other.  Bruce Bharat, regional president of the Americas for Kamstrup, has taken notice of this trend and other purchasing influences in the market. In this sponsored interview, Bob Crossen talks with him about how the Information Age has changed the way modern utilities interact with Kamstrup, why that drives innovation and how being different is a good thing.  This episode is sponsored by Kamstrup Resources:  WaterWorld Digital Edition  SWS Digital Edition  WWD YouTube Channel  About the Podcast      Talking Under Water is the premier 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 Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld 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, WaterWorld and SWS. New episodes of the podcast are released on the third Friday of every month. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.      Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing talkingunderwater@endeavorb2b.com engaging with them on Twitter @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.  

In this episode Talking Under Water co-host Mandy Crispin speaks with Angela Walker who is the Assistant Director of Wastewater Operations at the Brunswick‑Glynn Joint Water & Sewer Commission and one of the inspirations for this year’s Women in Water feature story. Walker reflects on her career journey, the role her mother played in shaping her sense of responsibility and stubborn determination, and the ways her team supported her during a profound personal loss. She shares candid insights on navigating male‑dominated spaces, building trust within utility teams, and creating a culture where knowledge is shared — not guarded — through cross‑training and collaboration between operations and maintenance. The conversation dives into systems thinking during plant upsets, staying calm under pressure, and leading with accountability instead of blame. Walker also speaks to the industry’s role in long‑term water sustainability, from water reuse potential to the challenges posed by data centers and emerging contaminants. This episode highlights why utilities are about more than infrastructure. They’re about people, public health, and the future of water.   Show notes Women in Water 2026 Angela G. Walker LinkedIn   Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 01:04 – Developing technical confidence & owning your seat at the table 02:32 – Remembering her mother & early influences 04:04 – Team support, trust, and leadership culture 05:44 – Barriers for women in technical leadership 07:59 – Lifting others as we climb / Knowledge‑sharing culture 11:12 – Systems thinking & staying calm under pressure 13:45 – Public health, sustainability, and water reuse 18:26 – Closing thoughts & where to find Angela Walker 19:54 – Housekeeping   About the Podcast   Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld (WW) and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

In this episode, Talking Under Water co‑hosts discuss the newest PFAS regulatory developments, major legal challenges, and the mounting strain on water and stormwater infrastructure across the U.S. The conversation begins with the EPA’s decision to add PFHXSNA to the Toxics Release Inventory, expanding federal PFAS tracking and community access to chemical data. The hosts then outline the unfolding court battle over EPA’s PFAS drinking water rule, detailing the agency’s motion to sever and pause litigation on the hazard index and the strong opposition filed by AWWA and AMWA, who argue that utilities need unified judicial review to plan for compliance.   The episode also explores the Supreme Court’s recent ruling striking down President Trump’s tariff plan and how the administration is seeking new legal pathways to maintain tariffs. From there, the hosts examine the politically charged response to the Potomac Interceptor sewer collapse, highlighting the operational, financial, and communication challenges surrounding the incident.   Closing out, the show turns to stormwater struggles on both coasts — catch basin failures and compliance gaps in Connecticut, and severe flooding, lawsuits, and multibillion‑dollar funding shortfalls in San Diego — underscoring nationwide infrastructure vulnerabilities. The episode concludes with key industry updates and program announcements.   Show Notes EPA adds PFHxS-Na to toxics release inventory, expanding PFAS reporting Court battle over EPA PFAS rule turns to procedural fight AWWA-v-EPA-PFAS-Our-Opposition-to-Motion-to-Sever (PDF)   Additional AWWA Resources for these court proceedings EPA Motion to Sever and Hold Challenges to Index PFAS in Abeyance Supreme Court strikes down Trump-era tariffs, raising implications for infrastructure costs Trump calls for federal response to Potomac Interceptor collapse   Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 01:06 – Episode overview (topics the episode will cover) 01:19 – PFAS TRI addition explanation (PFHXSNA added to toxics release inventory) 04:09 – EPA motion on PFAS drinking water rule (EPA asks court to sever hazard index challenge) 09:36 – AWWA & AMWA opposition filing (utilities argue judicial review should remain unified) 14:22 – Supreme Court strikes down Trump tariff plan (overview of the decision and implications) 16:35 – Potomac Interceptor sewer collapse (political conflict and infrastructure impacts) 21:34 – Connecticut stormwater infrastructure challenges (Meriden compliance gaps and repairs) 22:54 – San Diego stormwater failures (flooding, lawsuits, funding shortfall) 24:13 – Housekeeping (polls, nominations, and program updates) About the Podcast   Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld (WW) and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

In this episode Talking Under Water co-host Bob Crossen talks with John Ikeda and Justin Roush about the launch of Xavier University’s groundbreaking Water Utilities Management master’s degree — the first program of its kind in the United States. Together, they discuss how the degree was conceived, the industry challenges it aims to address, and why workforce development has become one of the most urgent priorities for water and wastewater utilities. Ikeda, chief mission officer at the Water Environment Federation (WEF), and Roush, assistant economics professor at Xavier and director of the new program, outline the growing need for specialized utility leadership as retirements accelerate and system complexity increases. They explain how the curriculum blends foundational business skills with utility‑specific coursework in areas like rate setting, regulation, capital improvement planning, and strategic communications. The discussion also highlights unique residency experiences, cohort‑based learning, and the program’s intentional focus on networking and long‑term career growth. Crossen, Ikeda, and Roush explore how the master’s degree fits into broader sector‑wide workforce strategies and why emerging topics — such as AI in water — are being built directly into the curriculum. The episode offers a forward‑looking look at how the program aims to elevate future water utility leaders across the U.S. Show Notes Xavier University Water Utility Management Program Xavier University Water Utility Management Program on LinkedIn Poll: What is your biggest workforce challenge in 2026? WWD Emerging Leaders submissions WW Emerging Leaders submissions WW Women in Water Questionnaire StormCon 2026 registration Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 01:25 – Guest introductions 02:24 – Origin of the master's program 04:49 – Why traditional programs fall short 06:53 – What makes water utilities unique 08:20 – Role of WEF in program development 10:44 – Why visibility and career pathways matter 11:30 – Cohort model & residency experiences 18:44 – Unique program features 27:15 – Housekeeping announcements and closing reminders About the Podcast   Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld (WW) and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

In this episode of Talking Underwater, co-hosts Mandy Crispin and Bob Crossen explore the forces shaping the water and wastewater sector as the industry looks ahead to 2026.  The conversation opens with insights into new research on the growing water demands of data centers in Texas. Drawing from a recent white paper by the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), Crispin outlines how existing and planned data center development could significantly strain drinking water supplies if water planning and policy fail to keep pace with rapid growth.  Crossen then shares insights from a January poll on wastewater capital spending priorities. Results show utilities are primarily focused on treatment process upgrades and collection system improvements, while resilience and emergency preparedness rank surprisingly low.  The episode wraps with a broader look at 2026 industry forecasts from the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). Key themes include workforce development, the rise of the circular water economy, policy efforts around PFAS and the “polluter pays” principle, funding through state revolving funds, and affordability programs such as LIHWAP. Together, these perspectives suggest a shift from big‑picture concepts toward practical action as utilities confront emerging challenges and opportunities in the year ahead. Show Notes Thirsty Data and the Lone Star State: The Impact of Data Center Growth on Texas’ Water Supply What is perchlorate in drinking water? Poll results: 2026 wastewater capital spending priorities Looking forward: WEF’s strategics priorities and collective action for the wastewater sector NACWA’s clean water initiatives focus on liability, affordability and infrastructure AWWA outlines federal priorities for water and wastewater utilities in the 119th Congress Poll: What is your biggest workforce challenge in 2026? WWD Emerging Leaders submissions WW Emerging Leaders submissions StormCon 2026 registration Timestamps 00:28 – Introduction 01:05 – Overview of HARC white paper on Texas data centers and water use 01:42 – Projections for data center water demand by 2030 04:13 – Policy recommendations 06:23 – January capital spending poll overview 07:55 – 2026 WEF priorities 09:15 – 2026 NACWA policy and legislative focus 09:34 – State Revolving Fund reauthorization 10:08 – Low‑Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) 11:15 – Housekeeping announcements and closing reminders About the Podcast   Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld (WW) and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

In this episode Talking Under Water co-host Bob Crossen speaks with Gabriel Collins, the Baker Botts Fellow in Energy and Environmental Regulatory Affairs at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, about the evolving pressures on industrial water use and the widening implications of the AI boom. Drawing from his cross-sector expertise, Collins unpacks why water is an inherently hyper‑local resource and how industries — ranging from semiconductor fabrication to refineries and petrochemical plants — are adapting to shrinking supplies and rising costs. The conversation explores how data centers are straining municipal systems and, in some cases, driving new water‑reuse investments. Collins shares real‑world examples illustrating how creative contracting and industrial partnerships can help utilities upgrade critical infrastructure. He also highlights the increasing viability of air‑cooling technology as an alternative in water‑scarce regions. Shifting to oil and gas, Collins explains how produced water, seismicity concerns, and disposal challenges are prompting operators to rethink water management strategies. Throughout the discussion, he stresses the importance of “fit‑for‑purpose” water use and the opportunities for circular water practices that avoid mixing contaminated and freshwater streams. The episode closes with a look at the logistical and economic barriers that still limit a truly integrated one‑water approach. Show Notes Gabriel Collins, Baker Institute for Public Policy Gabriel Collins on LinkedIn The Sinews of Civilization Substack WWD Emerging Leaders submissions WW Emerging Leaders submissions StormCon 2026 registration Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 01:39 – Industrial Water Use in 2026 03:04 – Blind Spots vs. Barriers 05:07 – Water Reuse, Recycling, and Sector Differences 06:34 – Fit‑for‑Purpose Water & Evolving Standards 09:02 – Costs, Margins, and Sensitivity to Water Price 11:03 – Data Centers & Municipal Pressure 14:25 – Policy Levers & Infrastructure Investment 17:34 – Oil & Gas: Produced Water, Disposal, and Seismicity 20:19 – One Water & Virtual Water Displacement 22:08 – Barriers to Circular Water 26:35 – Housekeeping About the Podcast   Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld (WW) and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

In this episode of Talking Under Water, Mandy Crispin and Bob Crossen discuss the EPA’s proposal to establish a national primary drinking water regulation for perchlorate under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The hosts break down the proposed rule, monitoring requirements, cost implications, and what utilities should prepare for, plus give updates on PFAS treatment research and recent wastewater spills. Show Notes EPA proposes national drinking water rule for perchlorate Federal Register: Proposed national primary drinking water regulation for perchlorate What do the new PFAS MCLs mean for the water industry? Steps water systems can take to address perchlorate in drinking water (2020 EPA guidance document) New copper-aluminum layered double hydroxide technology offers sustainable PFAS remediation Georgetown isolates 42-inch wastewater line failure after San Gabriel River spill Houston reports wastewater spill exceeding 100,000 gallons following collection system failure Timestamps 00:00 – Cold open 00:54 – Introduction to episode and overview 01:32 – EPA proposal for perchlorate regulation explained 03:49 – Comparing perchlorate MCLs to PFAS standards 05:00 – Binning approach for monitoring frequency 07:21 – Waiver process for reduced monitoring 09:41 – Initial monitoring requirements and costs 10:02 – Public comment deadline and hearing details 11:04 – PFAS treatment research update 12:23 – Wastewater spill reports 15:29 – Housekeeping About the Podcast   Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld (WW) and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

In this episode of Talking Under Water, the hosts discuss the state of the industry surveys from each water brand — Wastewater Digest and WaterWorld — with some data points. The hosts provide some analysis of the results, including what some of the biggest challenges and trends are moving into 2026.   Show Notes:    2025 State of the One Water Industry 2024 State of the One Water Industry Timestamps:    Cold open | 0:00 Episode summary | 1:01 Financial trends | 6:29 Organizational health | 9:45 Key industry issues | 32:05 Housekeeping | 40:24  Resources:  WWD Videos WW Magazine Subscription StormCon Registration About the Podcast       Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Storm Water Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and on-site interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.       Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing talkingunderwater@endeavorb2b.com engaging with them on Twitter @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.