In this episode of 21st Century Water, we speak with Ken Waldroup, Executive Director at Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA), about his career journey, the challenges of coastal utility management, and the proactive steps taken by his team to lead in water quality and infrastructure modernization. Ken brings a unique perspective as a nuclear engineer turned water utility leader, and we explore how that technical foundation combined with public administration and business training has shaped his approach to utility leadership.

We begin with Ken’s transition from nuclear engineering to water, driven by a passion for clean water and real-world experience at a treatment facility. As his career evolved, he leaned into leadership roles, eventually stepping away from pure engineering into administration and strategy. His move from Raleigh Water to CFPUA was driven by the complexity and forward-thinking approach of the Wilmington-based utility, which was already grappling with emerging contaminants like PFAS years before they hit the national stage.

We dig into CFPUA’s business structure and governance model, which includes a board with a heavy business background. That model has driven a utility culture centered around proactive service delivery and investment, rather than regulatory compliance alone. Ken discusses how this influenced his decision to pursue an MBA to better align with board expectations and sharpen his ability to speak the language of business.

The heart of our conversation revolves around CFPUA’s rapid and independent response to PFAS contamination. In 2017, CFPUA learned their primary water source, the Cape Fear River, had been compromised by GenX and other pollutants from an upstream chemical facility. Instead of waiting for federal intervention, the utility invested in a $43 million granular activated carbon facility, delivering results ahead of future EPA regulations. This solution, now a national benchmark, showcases how customer trust and local leadership can drive transformation.

We also discuss the scale of infrastructure investment needed—over a billion dollars in capital over the next decade for a 200,000-person utility—and how Ken’s team prioritizes those projects using risk-based matrices, strategic partnerships, and alternative revenue streams. From utility acquisitions to economic development projects, the approach remains grounded in business fundamentals.

Climate resilience is another major theme. Located on a coastal peninsula, CFPUA is already seeing the impacts of sea-level rise, groundwater depletion, and storm intensity. Ken shares strategies such as elevating lift station electronics and planning new plants above the 500-year floodplain. These external pressures also demand increased insurance coverage and a shift toward self-insurance, which impacts available capital for infrastructure.

Innovation, for Ken, is as much about people as it is about technology. CFPUA has invested in workforce development, incentivizing both technical certification and higher education. Tools like machine learning and AI are being explored to support smarter capital planning. But the emphasis remains on equipping staff to leverage those tools.

Finally, we explore Ken’s servant leadership style—delegating authority, celebrating team wins, and continuously investing in people. As he enters the final stretch of his career, his focus is on embedding sustainable management systems that will continue to deliver value long after he’s gone.

More:

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority – https://www.cfpua.org

City of Wilmington – https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov

Chemours PFAS Information – https://www.chemours.com

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

In this episode of 21st Century Water, we sit down with Heather Collins, president of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and operations leader at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. We trace Heather’s path from engineering intern to managing water treatment for 19 million people, hearing how she was drawn into the water industry by chance and has stayed ever since. Her career journey is rooted in a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and public service, and it shapes her priorities as AWWA president today.

We discuss the scale and complexity of running one of the nation’s largest wholesale water operations, including the balancing act of hydrology, source water quality, demand planning, and emergency preparedness. Heather explains how her team maintains agility with five-layer-deep contingency plans and how their Climate Action Master Plan (CAMP) for Water aligns infrastructure, planning, and sustainability.

Shifting to her role at AWWA, Heather outlines three key priorities: rebuilding public trust in water, cross-sector collaboration, and mentoring the next generation. She sees public trust as rooted in proactive communication, storytelling, and connecting with people on a human level. On collaboration, she’s committed to engaging water-intensive industries like tech, agriculture, and healthcare in dialogue, making AWWA the go-to resource for best practices and research. Her goal is for these industries to reference AWWA as the authoritative source on water.

Mentorship is also central to her leadership. Heather aims to demystify water careers for students and workers across generations, often drawing direct links between their interests and potential water sector roles. She emphasizes the power of being present and giving younger professionals the “cliff notes” to accelerate their learning and career development.

Heather also reflects on managing crises, highlighting her work on emerging groundwater contaminants like MTBE and perchlorate while a public health regulator. That experience reinforced her belief in the value of engineered, science-based solutions. We close with a look at technology’s role in water, where Heather embraces AI and advanced tools but insists we maintain a manual understanding to ensure resilience.

Her legacy? To be remembered as a leader who led with kindness, purpose, and built lasting bridges—between people, sectors, and generations.

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

In this episode of 21st Century Water, we sit down with Glenn Marzluf, CEO and General Manager of Del-Co Water, to explore the growth, innovation, and strategic leadership shaping one of Ohio's fastest-growing water utilities. With roots in civil engineering and a unique journey through municipal roles in Florida and Ohio, Glenn shares how intentional career steps and a deep sense of purpose led him to his current role.

We trace Del-Co's origins from a rural cooperative founded in the 1970s to an expansive utility covering 830 square miles across eight counties. Glenn explains how Del-Co’s growth has been fueled by regional consolidation and a commitment to member-focused service, supported by a nimble governance model. This structure allows for flexible, proactive planning—like pre-engineering transmission lines for anticipated industrial users—and innovation in rate design. Glenn highlights their recent shift to an inclining block rate to encourage water conservation, a rare move in the Midwest, aimed at reducing peak-day demand and extending infrastructure lifespan.

On infrastructure, Glenn outlines the utility’s deliberate investments: four treatment plants, several new elevated tanks, and significant capacity at their flagship Olentangy plant. Water quality is a priority, with upgrades like ultraviolet disinfection and an upcoming granular activated carbon retrofit to combat PFAS, disinfection byproducts, and taste/odor issues. Distribution strategies focus on resiliency and redundancy, ensuring the system remains robust and future-proof.

Del-Co’s remarkable source water resiliency stems from 2.6 billion gallons of upground reservoir storage, allowing operational flexibility and water quality control unmatched by many peers. Their partnership with the City of Columbus on the Doutt Reservoir further strengthens supply.

Technology adoption is another pillar. From IBM Maximo for asset management to Esri GIS and Oracle’s cloud-based customer system, Del-Co emphasizes scalable, cloud-based platforms. Glenn even discusses canine-led leak detection, a novel tool for maintaining low water loss in a modern, distributed network.

Community engagement is intentional and deep-rooted. Del-Co has grown from an inward-facing utility to a community pillar, earning corporate citizenship honors and serving as a statewide training hub with its Wolf Water Center. Annual member meetings have evolved into educational open houses, reflecting a broader commitment to transparency and trust.

As we look ahead, Glenn defines his legacy around securing sustainable source water, leveraging data and conservation to manage peak demand, and developing the next generation of leaders. Del-Co Water, under his guidance, is a case study in how cooperatives can drive 21st and 22nd century water excellence in both growth and governance.

Del-Co Water Website: https://delcowater.org/

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

In this episode of 21st Century Water, we sit down with Matt Stouder, Executive Officer of the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) in Oregon, to explore how his leadership is driving operational resilience, environmental stewardship, and innovative thinking in wastewater management. We begin by learning how Matt’s rural upbringing and early exposure to water chemistry inspired a lifelong commitment to environmental protection and public service. His path from stormwater engineering to leading a regional utility reflects a deep-rooted belief in stewardship, collaboration, and giving back to the community.

We then dive into the scale and structure of MWMC, which serves about 275,000 residents across Eugene and Springfield. Despite owning over $500 million in assets and operating a major treatment plant with a peak capacity of 277 MGD, the commission itself has no employees and operates through intergovernmental agreements—Springfield handles the administration and capital projects, and Eugene manages the operations. Matt emphasizes how strategic coordination is key to balancing daily operations with long-term capital investments, especially as the infrastructure ages.

We discuss MWMC’s shift from expansion to asset renewal, including a strong focus on asset management and funding strategies. Incremental rate increases and a rate stabilization fund have helped buffer financial volatility, allowing the utility to maintain steady investment without burdening ratepayers. Matt also shares MWMC’s approach to innovation through projects like the biocycle farm, where biosolids are applied to hybrid poplar trees for local reuse, and a renewable natural gas facility that generates new revenue streams while reducing emissions.

Communication and education emerge as central themes. From community partnerships and public outreach at local fairs to an award-winning Clean Water University program for fifth graders, MWMC prioritizes transparency and awareness. Matt's engineering background doesn't limit his commitment to public engagement; instead, it reinforces it.

As we shift to environmental goals, Matt outlines how MWMC embraces a circular economy mindset. Instead of costly infrastructure like chillers, the utility addresses thermal pollution by planting trees along the McKenzie River, effectively reducing river temperatures while supporting watershed health. He also highlights how climate change is affecting local precipitation patterns, forcing the utility to adjust infrastructure capacity and operational readiness.

Looking ahead, Matt is focused on a $300 million infrastructure renewal plan, transforming biosolids into a higher-value Class A product, and potentially expanding MWMC’s services to nearby communities through regionalization. He views himself as a custodian of the system, aiming to leave the utility stronger than he found it and prepared for the next generation.

More:

Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC): https://www.mwmcpartners.org

Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies (ORACWA): https://oracwa.org

Northwest Natural Gas (NW Natural): https://www.nwnatural.com

Willamette Riverkeeper: https://www.willametteriverkeeper.org

National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA): https://www.nacwa.org

Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association (PNCWA): https://www.pncwa.org

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

In this episode of 21st Century Water, we sit down with Eric Johnson, Executive Director of the Fox River Water Reclamation District (FRWRD), to unpack a unique leadership journey and explore a forward-thinking approach to water management. Eric’s path to running a regional wastewater agency is anything but conventional. Starting in public service at age 19 while in college, he transitioned from political roles to township supervisor, then city manager, and eventually into the water sector. What stands out is how he’s brought a legal and administrative mindset into a highly technical domain, focusing on assembling expert teams rather than becoming the technical expert himself.

We dive into the scale and complexity of FRWRD’s operations—three plants serving over 200,000 residents across multiple counties, with a $24 million operating budget and up to $20 million in annual capital projects. Eric walks us through a strategic pivot the agency is undergoing: its first-ever facility master plan. This includes initiatives like implementing a digital twin, improving asset management, and exploring plant consolidation to drive efficiency.

We also talk about regionalization. Eric makes a strong case for consolidating smaller wastewater utilities into regional agencies to improve cost-effectiveness, compliance, and service quality. He cites examples from his own district and explains the political and institutional barriers to broader adoption, highlighting the need for leadership willing to set aside control for the greater good of the community.

Financially, FRWRD recently completed a rate study, aiming to keep costs fair and predictable while balancing regulatory pressures and infrastructure needs. Eric shares how the utility is pursuing alternative revenue streams, including water reuse and solar energy, to reduce the financial burden on ratepayers. He also emphasizes the importance of public communication, using scale, continuity, visibility, and plain language to help people understand the unseen but essential role wastewater infrastructure plays.

Operationally, FRWRD faces challenges with aging infrastructure, rising costs, and a tightening labor market. Eric outlines efforts to modernize the organization—from equipping staff with better technology to launching workforce development partnerships and emphasizing leadership training. His passion for building high-performing, collaborative teams is clear, and he sees talent development as central to his long-term vision.

Eric closes with reflections on legacy. For him, success means advancing regionalization, fostering innovation, and creating an environment where employees thrive—even if that means they eventually move on to bigger roles. He hopes FRWRD becomes known as a forward-thinking, mid-sized agency that others look to for leadership, innovation, and talent.

More:

Fox River Water Reclamation District: https://www.frwrd.com/

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

In this episode of 21st Century Water, we sit down with Andrea Cole, General Manager of Dominion Water & Sanitation District in Colorado. With a background in engineering and law, Andrea brings a multidimensional perspective to leading water, wastewater, and stormwater efforts in the fast-growing Sterling Ranch community. We begin by exploring her journey from a small town in Wyoming, where an early appreciation for natural resources sparked her passion for water. Her unique blend of technical knowledge and legal expertise has positioned her to address the regulatory, financial, and political challenges that utilities face today.

We dive into Sterling Ranch’s model of sustainability, where renewable water is foundational—not an afterthought. Dominion, under Andrea's leadership, has helped position the community as a leader in water efficiency, achieving usage rates as low as 0.17 acre-feet per home annually. This mindset-first approach has shaped a culture where residents inherently value water as a finite resource. With only 10% of the community built out so far, Sterling Ranch is on track to grow to nearly 60,000 residents, with infrastructure in place to support long-term sustainability.

We also look at Douglas County’s broader vision for growth, where Dominion plays a central role in establishing renewable water systems to support future economic development. A key highlight is the $34 million regional wastewater treatment plant set to break ground, which will treat reusable water and enable indirect potable reuse. This project also connects a nearby disadvantaged community to modern infrastructure and safe water, correcting long-standing issues with non-renewable, contaminated sources.

Andrea emphasizes the importance of soft skills in leadership—stakeholder engagement, regulatory navigation, and political awareness—as often more critical than the technical engineering work itself. Her legal training enables her to view regulatory frameworks not as barriers but as tools for innovative problem-solving. We also discuss Dominion’s forward-thinking investment strategy, totaling over $70 million across wastewater, pump stations, and water pipeline projects in the coming years.

Despite being a small and growing utility with only 11 employees, Dominion is leveraging its flexibility to adopt modern technology like GIS to enhance planning and operations. Workforce development is another key theme, with Andrea focusing on hiring people who thrive in dynamic environments and want to help shape the district’s future. She closes by expressing her vision for a legacy rooted in sustainability—a future where our great-grandchildren can enjoy water and nature just as we have.

Links:

Dominion Water & Sanitation District: https://www.dominionwsd.org

Sterling Ranch Community: https://www.sterlingranchcolorado.com

Douglas County Government: https://www.douglas.co.us

American Rescue Plan Act: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/state-and-local-fiscal-recovery-funds

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

In this episode of 21st Century Water, we sit down with John J. Entsminger, General Manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) and the Las Vegas Valley Water District. John oversees the water supply for 2.5 million residents and 40 million visitors annually in one of the most water-stressed regions of the United States. He shares his journey from environmental law to leading a major water utility and highlights the pivotal moments that shaped his approach to water management, including the 2002 Colorado River drought and the 2007-2009 recession.

John explains the vast scale of SNWA’s infrastructure, from its 250 miles of massive pipelines to the 7,000 miles of distribution lines in the Las Vegas Valley Water District. With climate change and cybersecurity as the biggest challenges facing water utilities, he emphasizes how SNWA has aggressively tackled conservation. Through innovative measures like removing non-functional turf, enforcing watering schedules, and deploying water enforcement officers, Southern Nevada has added 800,000 people since 2002 while reducing total water consumption by 35-40%.

We discuss the importance of strategic investments, including a $1.5 billion low-lake-level pumping station at Lake Mead, designed purely for redundancy to secure supply. John also shares insights into international and interstate water negotiations, where he has played a key role in agreements involving the seven Colorado River Basin states and Mexico. He highlights the delicate balance of ensuring every party “loses” just enough to reach a compromise that sustains long-term water management.

A key advantage for Las Vegas is its ability to recycle nearly 100% of indoor water use. Thanks to its unique geography, all wastewater is treated and returned to Lake Mead, allowing for legal return flow credits. The city’s only significant water losses come from outdoor irrigation, evaporative cooling, and septic systems, which SNWA is actively addressing. John also discusses their use of innovative leak detection technology, AI-powered predictive maintenance, and automated metering to enhance efficiency.

One remarkable case study is how SNWA worked with Formula 1 to make the Las Vegas Grand Prix the first net-positive water race in history. By offsetting race-related water use with an atmospheric water generator installed at MGM, the event saved more water than it consumed. John sees AI playing an increasing role in optimizing pipeline maintenance and customer leak detection, making conservation even more effective.

Another is the building 54 weirs, which are erosion-controlled structures to slow down the water. And over the last 20 years, the number one source of materials for those weirs is imploded old casinos.

As we wrap up, John reflects on his legacy, emphasizing pragmatism and the importance of speaking truth to power. His leadership has positioned Southern Nevada as a global model for water conservation and resilience, proving that even in the face of extreme scarcity, strategic planning and innovation can secure a sustainable water future.

More: 

Las Vegas Valley Water District: https://www.lvvwd.com/

Southern Nevada Water Authority: https://www.snwa.com/

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

In this episode of 21st Century Water, we sit down with Matthew Wirtz, Deputy Director and Chief Engineer at Fort Wayne City Utilities. With over 25 years of experience, Matt has played a crucial role in shaping the city’s water infrastructure, addressing challenges like flood prevention, stormwater management, and sustainability. Coming from a farming background, Matt’s early exposure to water management laid the foundation for his career in civil engineering.

We explore Fort Wayne’s ambitious efforts to modernize its water systems while balancing economic growth and environmental responsibility. Matt discusses the city’s 18-year-long control plan to separate sewer and stormwater systems, a major initiative aimed at reducing overflows by over 95%. Now in its final year, this project marks a significant milestone in Fort Wayne’s water management history. The city has also been investing heavily—up to $135 million annually—in infrastructure improvements, including lead pipe replacement, asset management, and innovative energy solutions.

One of Fort Wayne’s standout achievements is its microgrid system, which integrates solar power, battery storage, and methane-powered engines to enhance power resiliency at its water and wastewater treatment facilities. This setup provides 40-80% of the city’s energy needs daily while ensuring backup power during critical events. Matt emphasizes how this model not only supports sustainability but also enhances operational reliability.

We also discuss how Fort Wayne is leveraging technology and innovation to optimize utility operations. The city is adopting machine learning for sewer inspections, implementing advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) to improve water management, and exploring AI-driven tools for asset management and customer service. Additionally, Fort Wayne is addressing workforce challenges by growing its in-house engineering team, recruiting interns, and investing in professional development to build a strong talent pipeline.

Looking ahead, sustainability remains a key focus. Fort Wayne is developing large-scale green infrastructure projects, such as converting a 140-acre former golf course into a wetland for flood mitigation and water quality improvement. The city is also working toward a more integrated approach by breaking down traditional utility silos, fostering collaboration between engineering and operations teams.

Matt shares his leadership philosophy, emphasizing work-life balance, mental well-being, and a people-first approach to management. His goal is to leave behind a utility that is not only technologically advanced but also a great place to work.

This conversation highlights Fort Wayne’s forward-thinking strategies in water management, blending innovation, sustainability, and resilience to create a model for the future.

Fort Wayne Public Works Website: https://www.cityoffortwayne.org/public-works-departments/board-of-public-works.html

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

This episode of 21st Century Water features a dynamic conversation with Ghassan Korban, Executive Director of the Sewage & Water Board of New Orleans. Korban shares insights from his six-year tenure, focusing on the challenges and transformative solutions for New Orleans’ water infrastructure, a system vital to a city below sea level. The episode dives into the critical steps taken to modernize the city’s systems, sustain its population, and adapt to increasing environmental challenges.

Korban reflects on transitioning to New Orleans after 31 years in Milwaukee, driven by his passion for solving complex engineering problems. He recounts inheriting a system struggling with aging infrastructure and a battered reputation following significant flooding in 2017. Korban emphasizes the importance of prioritizing efforts, starting with stabilizing critical systems while pursuing long-term, future-proof solutions.

A major milestone for the city has been the development of a new power generation complex, ensuring reliable energy for drainage operations—essential for keeping the city dry during rain events. This new system transitions from antiquated, failure-prone turbines to a robust mix of external power supply and backup gas turbines, designed to serve the city for decades. Korban also highlights the successful rollout of smart meters (AMI), addressing billing inaccuracies and modernizing customer service, with over half the population now transitioned to the new system.

The discussion explores innovative funding strategies, including New Orleans’ unique “fair share” agreement, which channels tourism-generated tax revenue into water infrastructure projects. With the Super Bowl around the corner and Mardi Gras to follow, Korban explains New Orleans' unique position as a city with more tourists than residents. This effort, alongside loans and grants from programs like WIFIA and SRF, has helped fund critical improvements while reducing the financial burden on residents. Korban underscores the importance of earning trust through effective execution, ensuring future funding access.

Korban also describes the intricacies of New Orleans’ drainage system, consisting of 24 strategically placed pumping stations with nearly 100 pumps. These systems often activate up to 20 times a year, often during heavy rains, to prevent flooding. Additionally, Korban shares the city’s response to new threats like saltwater intrusion in the Mississippi River, driven by drought and climate change, which jeopardizes the city's raw water supply.

The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of workforce development and legacy building. Korban expresses confidence in the team he has cultivated and their ability to carry forward a culture of innovation, responsibility, and resilience. He also emphasizes the urgency of addressing talent gaps and sustaining investment in infrastructure to meet the evolving demands of a changing environment.

Korban’s work exemplifies leadership through prioritization, execution, and adaptability. His focus on sustainable, resilient systems and creative funding solutions serves as a model for cities grappling with aging infrastructure and climate challenges.

New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board: https://www.swbno.org

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

In this episode of 21st Century Water, Mahesh Lunani speaks with Will Pickering, CEO of Pittsburgh Water, about the transformative changes he has overseen in Pittsburgh's water infrastructure. Pickering shares his unconventional journey into utility leadership, tracing his career from public policy roles in Washington, D.C., to heading a water utility that was in dire need of reform when he joined.

Pickering discusses the challenges Pittsburgh Water faced, including outdated infrastructure, lead service line contamination, and public distrust exacerbated by national crises like Flint, Michigan. Since joining in 2016, Pickering has prioritized rebuilding customer trust and modernizing the utility through strategic investments. Notably, Pittsburgh Water has replaced more than half of its lead service lines at no cost to customers, aided by federal grants and low-interest loans. This proactive approach has established the utility as a national model for lead mitigation.

Pickering also highlights the utility's shift from a reactive "fix-it-when-it-breaks" model to a proactive philosophy that emphasizes long-term planning, public engagement, and affordability. A rebranding effort, launched recently, aims to unify the utility's identity and signal a break from its troubled past, while reinforcing a "one water" approach across drinking water, sewer, and stormwater services.

In addressing broader challenges like climate change and infrastructure resilience, Pickering stresses the importance of preparing for unpredictable risks, from extreme weather to cybersecurity threats. Under his leadership, Pittsburgh Water is leveraging data-driven tools like asset management systems and predictive analytics to prioritize investments and extend the life of critical assets.

Looking ahead, Pickering identifies affordability, regulatory compliance (particularly around emerging contaminants like PFAS and microplastics), and customer engagement as key focus areas. He envisions a utility that continues to innovate and serve as a national leader in water management, emphasizing that building a resilient, customer-focused organization is a legacy he hopes will endure long after his tenure.

The episode concludes with a reflection on the importance of adaptable, forward-thinking leadership in the water sector, as Pickering’s commitment to both community and operational excellence shines through.

Pittsburgh Water Website: https://www.pgh2o.com/

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/