Liquid Assets

In a world grappling with water scarcity and climate change, innovation in water technology has never been more crucial. Yet, the water sector faces unique challenges in attracting investment and fostering entrepreneurship.

In this episode of Liquid Assets hosted by Ravi kurani, Scott Bryan discusses the evolution of Imagine H2O from its inception in 2009 to its current status as a leading accelerator for water startups. He highlights the unique challenges faced by water entrepreneurs, including long commercialization timelines of 10-15 years and the need for non-dilutive funding sources.

The conversation delves into the global landscape of water innovation, spotlighting forward-thinking markets like Singapore and the EU. Scott emphasizes the importance of water security as a national priority and how different regions are tackling water-related challenges in the context of climate change. He also addresses the complexities of the water sector, including the fragmented nature of water utilities in the US and the need for localized solutions.

Looking to the future, Scott outlines his vision for water innovation through the lens of four key concepts: digitalization, decentralization, decarbonization, and democratization.

What you'll hear in this episode:

Scott suggests you read ⁠Cadillac Desert by Marc Reisner

Follow Liquid Assets on:

Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LiquidAssets.cc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to follow the larger conversation and never miss an episode.

Sponsored Amazon Affiliate links.

In an era of climate change and increasing water scarcity, understanding water policy has never been more crucial. From California's ongoing drought to the East Coast's flood-drought cycles, water challenges are reshaping our world. But did you know that water laws change drastically at the shoreline? Or that 70-80% of water rights in Western states are tied up in agriculture?

In this eye-opening episode of Liquid Assets, host Ravi Kurani sits down with Robin Craig, an esteemed professor from USC, to dive deep into the intricate world of water policy. Craig, a leading expert in environmental law and author of "Re-envisioning the Anthropocene Ocean," breaks down the complex landscape of water management, from freshwater allocation to ocean conservation.

Whether you're a policy maker, environmental enthusiast, or simply a concerned citizen, this episode offers invaluable insights into one of the most pressing issues of our time. Discover how water policy shapes everything from your daily life to global ecosystems, and learn about the cutting-edge solutions being developed to address our water challenges.

Don't miss this opportunity to expand your understanding of water policy and its far-reaching impacts. Tune in to Liquid Assets for an enlightening conversation that's sure to change how you view this vital resource.

What you'll hear in this episode:

Robin suggests you read The Ministry for the Future.

Follow Liquid Assets on:

Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LiquidAssets.cc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to follow the larger conversation and never miss an episode.

Sponsored Amazon Affiliate links.

Water scarcity and effective management are critical global challenges, particularly in agriculture-dependent regions like Punjab, India. In this compelling episode of Liquid Assets, host Ravi Kurani engages with Tess Russo, a Senior Program Officer at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to unravel these complex issues. Tess, an expert in hydrology, discusses the severe impacts of groundwater depletion and introduces innovative solutions such as Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), which are essential for sustainable water practices and climate adaptation.

Tess shares her vast field experience, emphasizing the importance of understanding both surface and groundwater systems. She highlights how intensive agricultural practices have led to declining water levels in regions like Punjab and underscores the need for multidisciplinary approaches to water management. Through MAR and IWRM, Tess demonstrates how capturing and managing water effectively can prevent further depletion and maintain water quality.

At the Gates Foundation, Tess is leading initiatives that integrate water, energy, and environmental systems to develop sustainable water management strategies. By fostering collaboration among various stakeholders and utilizing innovative approaches, her work aims to address the dynamic challenges posed by climate change and human development. This episode provides a comprehensive understanding of sustainable water practices vital for agricultural development and highlights Tess's dedication to making a tangible impact on marginalized communities.

What you'll hear in this episode:

Tess suggests you read Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water by Marc Reisner

Follow Liquid Assets on:

Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LiquidAssets.cc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to follow the larger conversation and never miss an episode.

Sponsored Amazon Affiliate links.

Water scarcity is an increasingly pressing global issue, exacerbated by factors such as population growth, urbanization, and climate change. Traditionally, our water usage follows a linear model: we extract water from the environment, treat it for various purposes, and then release the wastewater back into the environment. However, this approach is unsustainable and contributes to environmental pollution and resource depletion.

In this insightful episode of Liquid Assets, Ravi Kurani sits down with Tim Bartholomew, a research engineer at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), to discuss the National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI)'s efforts to transform the linear water economy into a circular model.

NAWI, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, is a desalination hub composed of multiple national laboratories, universities, and industry partners. Its primary goal is to develop new water treatment technologies that can enable a circular water economy, where wastewater is treated and reused locally, reducing the need for long-distance transportation and minimizing water consumption and pollution.

Tim Bartholomew sheds light on the challenges and opportunities associated with this ambitious endeavor. He explains the concept of a "prime" technology, which encompasses attributes such as autonomy, precision, resilience, intensification, modularity, and electrification – characteristics that could revolutionize water treatment processes.

Whether you're interested in water sustainability, emerging technologies, or environmental policy, this episode offers valuable insights into the efforts underway to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

What you'll hear in this episode:

Tim suggests you read Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein.

Follow Liquid Assets on:

Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LiquidAssets.cc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to follow the larger conversation and never miss an episode.

Sponsored Amazon Affiliate links.

Water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource worldwide. With growing populations, urbanization, and climate change exacerbating water stress, finding sustainable solutions to address water scarcity has become a pressing global priority. In this insightful episode of the "Liquid Assets" podcast, host Ravi Kurani invites Ulf Leonard, the visionary mind behind the Watertech funding firm WaterVent, to share his perspectives on confronting the water crisis through innovative technologies and strategies.

Ulf Leonard candidly discusses the stark contrast between grand proclamations made at water conferences and the lack of tangible action on the ground, exposing harsh realities like ignorance, incompetence, and corruption. However, he also explores the promising world of decentralized water treatment technologies such as containerized solutions, nature-based systems like aquaponics, and innovative rainwater harvesting techniques - approaches with immense potential to provide localized water security.

Throughout the episode, Ulf Leonard emphasizes the critical role of education and awareness in fostering responsible water usage and management practices. He advocates empowering communities and encouraging a shift towards a more water-conscious mindset as catalysts for lasting change in combating the global water crisis.

Whether you're an environmental advocate, water professional, or someone deeply concerned about our planet's future, this engaging conversation offers a wealth of knowledge and thought-provoking perspectives on one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Tune in and join the quest for innovative water scarcity solutions.

What you'll hear in this episode:

Follow Liquid Assets on:

Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LiquidAssets.cc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to follow the larger conversation and never miss an episode.

Sponsored Amazon Affiliate links.

The water industry is in the midst of a digital transformation, powered by cutting-edge technologies that are reshaping how we manage this vital resource. From artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT) to advanced data analytics, the realm of digital water solutions is revolutionizing water conservation, distribution, and treatment.

At the forefront of this revolution is Eric Bindler, a Senior Research Director at Bluefield Research, who leads the firm's digital water research. Host, Ravi Kurani and Eric talk about his deep expertise in the field, Eric provides a comprehensive overview of the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the digital water landscape.

This thought-provoking episode delves into the broad spectrum of digital water technologies, from legacy systems like SCADA to emerging innovations like IoT and AI. Eric sheds light on innovative business models that are enabling utilities, especially small and mid-sized ones, to access cutting-edge digital solutions, overcoming resource constraints and technical expertise gaps.

Moreover, the discussion explores the critical role of cybersecurity in protecting water infrastructure from escalating cyber threats, as well as the impact of digital technologies on reducing the water industry's energy and climate footprints.

What you'll hear in this episode:

Eric recommends you read ⁠The Death and Life of the Great Lakes

Follow Liquid Assets on:

Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LiquidAssets.cc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to follow the larger conversation and never miss an episode.

Sponsored Amazon Affiliate links.

In the ever-evolving world of water treatment, innovation is the driving force behind efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. This captivating episode of the Liquid Assets podcast takes listeners on a remarkable journey through the lens of industry veteran Chris Morrison, exploring his illustrious career spanning decades at Nalco (now part of Ecolab) and his current role as the founder of Morrison Water.

From his early days at Nalco, where he championed groundbreaking technologies like reverse osmosis to drive significant energy and water savings, to his strategic account management approach that forged long-term partnerships with corporate clients worldwide, Chris shares his wealth of knowledge and experience. His insights shed light on the evolving landscape of water treatment, including the pressing challenge of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination and the critical need for effective remediation technologies.

Whether you're a water professional, industry stakeholder, or simply curious about the future of water treatment, this podcast episode offers a captivating exploration of the key trends, innovations, and sustainability initiatives shaping the industry. Join Ravi Kurani and Chris Morrison as they delve into the quest for efficient, cost-effective solutions to the world's water challenges, including novel chemistries, sensors, membranes, and cutting-edge water treatment approaches. Don't miss this opportunity to gain invaluable insights from a true pioneer in the field.

What you'll hear in this Water Treatment episode:

Chris recommends you read Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson

Follow Liquid Assets on:

Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LiquidAssets.cc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to follow the larger conversation and never miss an episode.

Sponsored Amazon Affiliate links.

"Every great movement must experience three stages "ridicule, discussion, and adoption". And right now, when it comes to harvesting invisible water from the sky, we are at the early stage"

What if we could harvest an unlimited supply of water from the sky itself, then purify and recycle it in a constant loop? On this mind-expanding episode of Liquid Assets, Professor Jeffrey Langholz shares his radical vision for solving the global water crisis through the ultimate decentralized system.

Langholz is a professor at the Middlebury Institute who has spent over 20 years studying sustainable management of precious natural resources like water, forests and fisheries worldwide. He paints a compelling picture of why our current centralized, pipeline-based model of water distribution is unsustainable across economic, environmental and social dimensions. But a local, circular model of pulling water from the air and continuously recycling it could mitigate crises like scarcity, pollution and climate impacts.

His bold four-part framework revolves around the Passive collection from rain, fog and dew, Active harvesting using atmospheric generators, Purifying graywater from sinks and laundry and Recycling blackwater from toilets. Langholz details cutting-edge examples of these technologies being piloted globally, from solar-powered generators to office towers recycling their wastewater.

He draws insightful parallels to how other utilities like electricity, telecoms and entertainment inevitably transitioned from centralized to decentralized, consumer-level systems. Is water simply the next utility ripe for that disruptive shift? While the idea may sound far-fetched today, so did concepts like streaming movies or ordering an Uber from your phone not long ago.

Whether you find Langholz's ideas ridiculous or inspiring, this fascinating discussion will make you rethink humanity's ancient relationship with our most precious resource. Join us for a glimpse of a future where households and businesses could be self-sustaining water microgrids - a bold new paradigm as revolutionary as any other game-changing technology.

What you'll learn in this episode:

Jeff recommends you read The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman

Follow Liquid Assets on:

Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LiquidAssets.cc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to follow the larger conversation and never miss an episode.

Sponsored Amazon Affiliate links.

Water is the lifeblood of human civilization – yet its critical importance is often overlooked. In this thought-provoking episode of Liquid Assets, host Ravi Kurani has an in-depth discussion with Peter Gleick about humanity’s past, present and future relationship with that precious resource.

Peter is co-founder of the Pacific Institute and author of “The Three Ages of Water,” a sweeping look at how water enabled the growth of early agricultural societies, and led to major infrastructure in the industrial age, but also unintended consequences like pollution and scarcity. He argues we’re at a crossroads where solutions exist to major crises like persistent water poverty and ecological destruction, but lack the political will to implement them at scale towards a “third age” focused on efficiency and sustainability.

Delving into his lifelong passion for environmental issues, Peter shares insights from decades of research on the inextricable links between water, climate, and society. He makes a compelling case that if we hope to build flourishing civilizations in the 21st century, we need a fundamentally more conscious and equitable approach to managing scarce freshwater resources. Tune in to hear solutions-focused ideas around everything from wastewater recycling to international governance reform. This is a clarion call to action for everyone from policymakers to scientists, business leaders, and citizens – our collective future depends on evolving our relationship with water.

What you'll hear in this episode:

Peter recommends you watch the 1974 film Chinatown

Follow Liquid Assets on:

Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LiquidAssets.cc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to follow the larger conversation and never miss an episode.

Sponsored Amazon Affiliate links.

As global populations expand rapidly, water demand is projected to exceed supply by over 30% in 20 years. Yet today, just 5% of wastewater is recycled worldwide, representing a massive lost opportunity. In this episode of Liquid Assets, Aaron Tartakovsky explains how his startup Epic Cleantec aims to catalyze a “water reuse revolution” to close this gap.

Sitting with host Ravi Kurani, Aaron highlights the antiquated, centralized approach that has dictated water infrastructure design for over 200 years. With global urbanization accelerating and climate impacts intensifying, he makes the case that we need to transition toward more decentralized, distributed systems. Epic deploys advanced filtration systems to capture and treat wastewater within residential and commercial buildings themselves. Listen in to learn how their localized treatment model allows for onsite water recycling rates upwards of 95% for non-potable reuses.

Beyond water provision, Aaron discusses how Epic’s systems also recover nutrients and energy from wastewater through soil amendments and heat capture. Tune in to hear how smart science communication helps combat public perceptions around water reuse. By taking a systems approach to the built environment, Aaron aims to showcase how we can build resilience into our water systems to ensure adequate supply for all, despite the environmental changes ahead.

What you'll hear in this episode:

Aaron recommends you read Water 4.0

Follow Liquid Assets on:

Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LiquidAssets.cc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to follow the larger conversation and never miss an episode.

Sponsored Amazon Affiliate links.