In this episode of Make Water Work, Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover sit down with Chris Miller, Vice President of Digital Services at USALCO and founder of Fontus Blue, to unpack the journey from academic research to startup success and acquisition.

Chris shares how a job in a university water lab led to a PhD, a company, and ultimately a platform helping utilities navigate one of the toughest challenges in water: balancing compliance, chemistry, and operational complexity.

In this episode, we cover:

• The origin story of Fontus Blue and why it matters

• How water utilities balance disinfection and harmful byproducts

• Why “optimization” really means managing trade-offs

• Lessons learned from building and scaling a water tech startup

• What founders need to know about partnerships and acquisition timing

• The growing complexity of water regulations and what comes next

• Why supporting operators is critical to the future of water

Whether you're a water professional, entrepreneur, or simply curious about how safe drinking water actually gets delivered, this episode breaks down the science, strategy, and human side of the industry.

In this episode of Make Water Work, Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover sit down with Lia Clark, Community Support Director at Water Finance Exchange and founder of Engineer With Empathy.

Lia shares her journey into water, from an orphanage service trip in China to working on some of the toughest water infrastructure challenges in underserved communities across Texas.

This conversation dives into:

• Why most small water systems struggle to access funding

• The reality behind state and federal infrastructure dollars

• Why water utilities must operate more like businesses

• The hidden barrier: trust, not just pipes and funding

• How “Engineer With Empathy” is reshaping how engineers work with communities

Key Takeaways:

• Most U.S. water systems serve fewer than 10,000 people and lack resources

• Funding exists, but access and complexity are major barriers

• Empathy and trust-building are critical to successful projects

• Sustainable water systems require financial literacy and long-term planning

#WaterInfrastructure #WaterFinance #Engineering #Empathy #Utilities #MakeWaterWork #WaterLeadership

In this episode of Make Water Work, we sit down with Shellie Chard, former Water Quality Division Director at the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, to explore how policy, leadership, and long-term thinking shape the future of water.

With a 34-year career in environmental regulation, Shellie shares hard-earned insights on how water policy actually gets made, why trust in water systems is declining, and what it will take to manage our most critical resource moving forward.

From navigating complex regulations to balancing public perception with scientific reality, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone working in or curious about the water sector.

In this episode, we cover:

• How water found Shellie and shaped her career

• The evolution of water policy over the past three decades

• Why trust in water systems is eroding and how to rebuild it

• The real challenges regulators face behind the scenes

• How policy, politics, and public perception intersect

• Why water management is the defining challenge of our future

• The importance of education and long-term thinking in solving water issues

What does real leadership in water look like?

In this episode of Make Water Work, Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover sit down with Greg Wukasch to talk about leadership, community trust, communication, and the future of the water industry. Greg shares how water found him, why utilities need to stop being afraid of public engagement, and what it takes to lead with curiosity, empathy, and humanity.

From his early days at the San Antonio Water System to helping build the Catalyst community, Greg reflects on how experienced leaders can pour into the next generation, why trust is a utility’s true license to operate, and how water can be a powerful unifier in divided times.

This conversation is for water professionals, utility leaders, communicators, young professionals, and anyone interested in the future of infrastructure, public trust, and community-centered leadership.

In this episode, we cover:

• Greg Wukasch’s journey into the water industry

• Leadership lessons from nearly 30 years in water

• Why communication and public engagement matter in utilities

• How Catalyst is building a movement for water communicators

• The importance of trust, empathy, and human-centered leadership

• Greg’s take on AI, innovation, and the next generation of water professionals

• Why the future of water leadership must better reflect the communities we serve

AI runs on water. But how much? And what does that mean for the future?

In this episode of the Make Water Work Podcast, Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover sit down with Peter Yolles (Echo River Capital) and Clara Drysdale (Stanford University) to break down the findings from the new Data Center Innovation Report.

As artificial intelligence and cloud computing explode, data centers are becoming one of the fastest-growing drivers of water and energy demand in the world. Cooling the chips that power AI requires enormous amounts of water — and the industry is racing to find more sustainable solutions.

This conversation explores:

• Why AI and data centers are creating a massive new demand for water

• The technologies being developed to cool data centers more efficiently

• The surprising connection between energy, water, and AI infrastructure

• Innovations like atmospheric water capture, advanced membranes, and closed-loop cooling

• Why communities are raising concerns about data center water use

• How better measurement, transparency, and policy could shape the future

Peter and Clara also share insights into where the next generation of water technology startups will emerge as AI infrastructure continues to scale globally.

In this episode of Make Water Work, hosts Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover sit down with Melissa Meeker, CEO of The Water Tower, to talk about the biggest issue facing the water industry that no one is talking about enough: workforce.

While the industry focuses on PFAS, AI, lead service lines and climate resilience, Melissa is focused on something even more fundamental...people.

💧 How do we attract the next generation into water careers?

💧 How do we train operators differently?

💧 How do we create opportunity for nontraditional and underserved communities?

💧 And how do we scale workforce innovation from 5 states to all 50?

The Water Tower in Gwinnett County, Georgia is redefining what water innovation looks like. Not just through technology, but through hands-on workforce training, operator certification programs, and ecosystem building that connects utilities, engineers and entrepreneurs.

If you care about the future of water, this conversation is a must-watch.

Summary

In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover welcome Anthony DeRosa, the executive director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASWDA). They discuss Anthony's journey in the water management sector, the challenges and innovations in modernizing water management, the importance of data management, and the impact of regulatory changes on water utilities. The conversation also touches on workforce challenges, future trends in water management, and the role of data centers in water use. Anthony emphasizes the need for leveraging technology and data to improve water management practices and shares insights on the future initiatives of ASWDA.

Takeaways

• Modernizing water management is crucial for efficiency.

• Data management practices in the water sector are still immature.

• Regulatory uncertainty is a significant concern for state regulators.

• The Safe Drinking Water Act may need to be revisited.

• Workforce challenges persist in attracting young talent to the water sector.

• Data centers have a growing impact on water use and management.

• ASDWA is focused on making data more accessible for its members.

In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, hosts Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover talk with Chris Sosnowski, founder and CEO of Waterly. They discuss the critical importance of data quality in water management, the evolution of Waterly, and the challenges faced by public water systems. Chris shares insights from his journey in the water industry, emphasizing the need for human validation in data management and the significant role of cybersecurity in ensuring the safety and reliability of water systems. The conversation highlights the importance of staying connected to customers, learning from their experiences, and the ongoing need for innovation in the water sector.

Takeaways

• Data quality is crucial for effective water management.

• Human validation is necessary for accurate water quality data.

• Waterly was born from the need for affordable software solutions.

• The water industry is slow to adopt new technologies due to fear of change.

• Cybersecurity is a significant concern for water systems.

• Operators need to be proactive in managing cybersecurity risks.

• Standardization of data is essential for effective water management.

• Engaging with customers is key to understanding their needs.

• The majority of data in water management is still entered by humans.

• Continuous learning and humility are vital for entrepreneurs.

Summary

In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, hosts Megan Glover and Isaac Pellerin speaks with Michelle Stockness, an influential leader in the water sector. They discuss the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, the challenges of funding infrastructure, and the role of Freshwater in promoting water research and policy. Michelle shares her journey in the water industry, emphasizing the need for effective communication and engagement to address pressing water issues, including the controversial topic of data centers. The conversation highlights the significance of workforce development and the vision for a sustainable water future.

Takeaways

• Listening to stakeholders is crucial for project success.

• Collaboration can bridge gaps in the water industry.

• Data centers present both challenges and opportunities.

• Effective communication is key to stakeholder engagement.

• Funding for infrastructure requires innovative strategies.

• Workforce development is essential for the future of water.

• Community engagement can lead to better water solutions.

• Freshwater aims to support underserved communities.

• Understanding local needs is vital for effective policy.

• Optimism and collaboration can drive positive change.

Summary:

In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover engage with Chad Seidel, president of Corona Environmental Consulting, to discuss the challenges and innovations in the water industry.

They explore the importance of accountability in water systems, the journey of Chad in the water quality field, and the founding of Corona to fill gaps in the industry. The conversation delves into the pressing issues facing water utilities, the need for prioritization of resources, and the impact of waterborne diseases compared to contaminants like PFAS. They also discuss the role of the Water Health Advisory Council in bridging policy and operational challenges, and the importance of community support for water initiatives.

Takeaways

• Water systems must ensure disinfectant residuals for public health.

• Chad Seidel's journey reflects the intersection of policy and technical expertise.

• Corona Environmental Consulting was founded to address niche needs in water quality.

• Water utilities face significant challenges due to resource constraints.

• There is a need to prioritize addressing water quality issues.

• Raising the floor for water quality standards is essential.

• Waterborne diseases pose immediate public health risks.

• The Water Health Advisory Council aims to provide unbiased technical information.

• Legislative measures often overlook the operational realities of water utilities.

• Community support is crucial for sustainable water initiatives.