Tap'd In

In this episode of Tap’d In, hosts Jordan and Lana break down Erin Brockovich’s latest report on the rising cancer rates linked to PFAS-contaminated drinking water. A new study estimates that these "forever chemicals" contribute to approximately 6,800 cancer cases annually in the U.S. The episode explores how companies like 3M and DuPont have suppressed evidence of PFAS toxicity and raises concerns about potential deregulation efforts that could weaken EPA standards. Jordan and Lana discuss the urgent need for stricter regulations, corporate accountability, and public advocacy, encouraging listeners to support better water testing and safer alternatives to PFAS.

Article: https://www.thebrockovichreport.com/p/cancer-rates-are-rising-is-toxic

Links:

Tap: https://findtap.com/

PodSnacks (Podcast Summaries): https://www.podsnacks.org/

Episode Description: 

In this episode of Tap’d In, hosts Jordan and Lana dive into Erin Brockovich’s alarming report on perchlorate, a toxic component of rocket fuel, found in U.S. drinking water and food. The episode examines how the Department of Defense is a primary source of this contamination and why the EPA has been slow to regulate it. Brockovich highlights the serious health risks, particularly to the thyroid, and explores how financial incentives may be delaying necessary protections. Jordan and Lana discuss the broader implications of corporate and government accountability in water safety and why public advocacy is crucial in the fight for clean drinking water.

Article: https://www.thebrockovichreport.com/p/the-time-has-come-to-remove-rocket

Links:

Tap: https://findtap.com/

PodSnacks (Podcast Summaries): https://www.podsnacks.org/

In this episode of Tap’d In, hosts Jordan and Lana tackle the complex relationship between water as a human right and the need for good governance, inspired by David Zetland's Living with Water Scarcity. The discussion emphasizes that ensuring access to water for the poor requires more than declaring rights—it demands transparent and competitive management, stronger property rights, and innovative financial mechanisms. Zetland explores how corruption undermines water access and offers practical solutions like registering water rights and incorporating market mechanisms to improve efficiency and equity. Jordan and Lana highlight how accountable governance, grounded in economic realities, can address water scarcity and inequality.

David Zetland: https://www.kysq.org/

Living with Water Scarcity: https://www.kysq.org/lwws/

Links:

Tap: https://findtap.com/

PodSnacks (Podcast Summaries): https://www.podsnacks.org/

In this episode of Tap’d In, hosts Jordan and Lana explore how market-based solutions can address water scarcity in agriculture, drawing on insights from David Zetland's Living with Water Scarcity. The discussion critiques existing water rights systems, which often lead to inefficiency and conflict, and advocates for a shift toward local water markets. Farmers buying and selling irrigation water in these markets can maximize benefits, improve management, and better balance private rights with environmental and social needs. Jordan and Lana delve into the strengths and weaknesses of different water rights systems and explain market mechanisms, like auctions, that facilitate efficient water allocation. By championing local water markets, the episode highlights a path toward sustainable agriculture and societal well-being.

David Zetland: https://www.kysq.org/

Living with Water Scarcity: https://www.kysq.org/lwws/

Links:

Tap: https://findtap.com/

PodSnacks (Podcast Summaries): https://www.podsnacks.org/

In this final episode of the special Tap’d In series exploring David Zetland's Living with Water Scarcity, hosts Jordan and Lana tackle the challenge of balancing human water consumption with the ecological needs of rivers and wetlands. They discuss the complexities of managing water as a public good and the difficulty of assigning economic value to environmental flows. Zetland’s two-step approach prioritizes environmental needs before human consumption, emphasizing ecosystem health and long-term sustainability, even if it disrupts some stakeholders. Jordan and Lana also explore how human ingenuity can help us adapt to less water without sacrificing quality of life, offering a hopeful perspective on the path forward.

David Zetland: https://www.kysq.org/

Living with Water Scarcity: https://www.kysq.org/lwws/

Links:

Tap: https://findtap.com/

PodSnacks (Podcast Summaries): https://www.podsnacks.org/

In this episode of Tap’d In, hosts Jordan and Lana delve into the role of economic principles in managing water resources, guided by David Zetland's Living with Water Scarcity. The discussion challenges common criticisms of bottled water, proposing that consumer choice and environmental concerns are better addressed through policies like deposit systems rather than outright bans. Zetland also advocates for full-cost pricing to encourage conservation and prevent shortages, while debunking the need for overly complex "energy-water nexus" strategies. Instead, he argues that proper pricing mechanisms for both water and energy can naturally optimize resource allocation. Finally, the episode highlights the critical importance of effective regulation in ensuring the success of water utilities, regardless of whether they are publicly or privately owned.

David Zetland: https://www.kysq.org/

Living with Water Scarcity: https://www.kysq.org/lwws/

Links:

Tap: https://findtap.com/

PodSnacks (Podcast Summaries): https://www.podsnacks.org/

In this episode of Tap’d In, hosts Jordan and Lana examine the complexities of managing water resources for the benefit of all, guided by David Zetland's Living with Water Scarcity. The episode highlights the limitations of relying solely on politics or monopolistic utilities, which often result in conflicts of interest and suboptimal outcomes. Zetland advocates for a blend of economic mechanisms—like performance insurance and market-based competition—paired with increased community involvement and transparency to improve performance and ensure accountability. Using real-world case studies, Jordan and Lana explore the potential for a more customer-centric and sustainable model of water service.

David Zetland: https://www.kysq.org/

Living with Water Scarcity: https://www.kysq.org/lwws/

Links:

Tap: https://findtap.com/

PodSnacks (Podcast Summaries): https://www.podsnacks.org/

In this episode of Tap’d In, hosts Jordan and Lana examine the pitfalls of current water pricing systems, inspired by insights from David Zetland's Living with Water Scarcity. Many utilities rely on hidden subsidies and flawed pricing structures, like increasing block rates, which encourage overconsumption and unfairly impact certain customer groups. The episode explores the environmental and financial consequences of these unsustainable practices as well as potential solutions. Jordan and Lana also unpack the complexities of balancing the interests of utilities, customers, and the environment, shedding light on the critical role of regulation.

David Zetland: https://www.kysq.org/

Living with Water Scarcity: https://www.kysq.org/lwws/

Links:

Tap: https://findtap.com/

PodSnacks (Podcast Summaries): https://www.podsnacks.org/

In this episode of Tap’d In, hosts Jordan and Lana explore innovative approaches to water management, inspired by David Zetland's Living with Water Scarcity. The discussion emphasizes the need to move from single-source water provision to localized, closed-cycle systems that prioritize recycling and pollution control. Zetland highlights the potential of pricing mechanisms and regulatory strategies, such as volumetric wastewater charges, cap-and-trade programs for industrial pollutants, and mandatory insurance against catastrophic pollution events. These tools aim to incentivize conservation and reduce pollution while addressing the increasing scarcity of freshwater resources. Jordan and Lana also examine the importance of realistic water usage accounting, covering both point-source and non-point source pollution, to ensure sustainable and equitable water management.

David Zetland: https://www.kysq.org/

Living with Water Scarcity: https://www.kysq.org/lwws/

Links:

Tap: https://findtap.com/

PodSnacks (Podcast Summaries): https://www.podsnacks.org/

In this episode of Tap’d In, hosts Jordan and Lana examine the challenges of water infrastructure mismanagement, drawing from David Zetland's Living with Water Scarcity. The episode highlights how subsidies and political influence often result in inefficient allocation and environmental harm. Zetland advocates for reforming policies to align costs with benefits, encourage private investment, and prioritize adaptable, sustainable infrastructure, including "green" solutions, to address climate change risks. Jordan and Lana emphasize the long-term impacts of infrastructure decisions and the need for systemic changes to achieve economic, environmental, and social sustainability.

David Zetland: https://www.kysq.org/

Living with Water Scarcity: https://www.kysq.org/lwws/

Links:

Tap: https://findtap.com/

PodSnacks (Podcast Summaries): https://www.podsnacks.org/