This episode of The Water Online Show features Jesse M. Keenan, a leading scholar on climate change and Associate Professor at Tulane University, and Edgar Westerhof, a climate adaptation expert from Arcadis, who discuss the financial implications and adaptation strategies for water infrastructure.

This episode of Water Online Show examines the critical issue of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination in water systems, focusing on Salem, New Jersey's proactive response. Salem partnered with New Jersey American Water, which took over the town's water and sewer utility after a community referendum, leveraging its expertise and resources to tackle the PFAS challenge.

This episode of the Water Online Show features hosts Travis Kennedy and Kevin Westerling engaging in a thoughtful discussion with Pam Elardo, Senior Director of Strategic Services at Brown and Caldwell, on how to address the multifaceted challenges currently facing water and wastewater utilities in the U.S., including aging infrastructure, workforce availability and capability, funding constraints, the role of technology and AI adoption, the evolving regulatory environment, and the crucial aspect of community expectations.

Elardo, who previously held leadership positions at major utilities in King County, Washington and New York City, highlights the importance of moving from a reactive to a proactive stance through strategic asset management and predictive maintenance, while acknowledging the importance of prioritization in the face of financial and logistical limitations. Her highest priority, however, is serving the “mission, vision, and values” of the utility and community. 

Learn more by tuning in.

In an era marked by economic uncertainty and mounting challenges, ensuring access to clean water is more complex—and critical—than ever. In this episode of The Water Online Show: Business Of Water, Kathleen Dyekman of Hach dives into the key pressures facing the water industry today, from tightening regulations and inflation to workforce shortages. More than just a trusted name, Hach is redefining what it means to be a partner in the sector, offering not just reliable solutions but true collaboration. This conversation explores how long-term, strategic partnerships are essential to overcoming today’s obstacles and securing the future of water access for all.

In this episode, host Travis Kennedy sits down with Tom Muilenberg of De Nora to unpack the future of PFAS regulation and what it means for public water systems across the country. With new federal deadlines looming, public water systems have just three years to complete their initial PFAS monitoring—but that’s only the beginning. Tom shares expert insight on what utilities can expect over the next five years, the specific steps water districts should be taking right now, and the resources available to help them stay ahead of compliance. Whether you're a utility leader or just curious about how communities are tackling the “forever chemicals” challenge, this conversation offers timely, actionable guidance.

In this episode of The Water Online Show, hosts Travis Kennedy and Kevin Westerling explore the complex interplay of tariffs, regulations, and industry trends with Saurabh Singh and Jacob Steele from BlueTech Research, offering insights and recommendations for stakeholders in the water and wastewater sector.

In particular, the discussion focuses on the potential impacts of tariffs on different industry segments and activities, the commodities used therein, and the cost of operations — for example, how the price of pipes, pumps, valves, membranes, and treatment chemicals could be affected.

Singh, BlueTech’s Vice President of Advisory Services, and Steele, a Senior Research Analyst, also provide mitigation strategies for avoiding, as best as possible, high costs that could trickle down to ratepayers.

The current state of and tariffs’ effect on American manufacturing is considered, as are the trajectories of sustainability goals and smart-water initiatives. The panel also discusses the potential fate of regulations, including rules around per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Get the experts' take on this fast-moving situation by tuning in.

In this episode of The Water Online Show, hosts Travis Kennedy and Kevin Westerling engage in a critical discussion with Claudio Ternieden, Executive Director of the Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association (WWEMA), concerning the tumultuous landscape of changing U.S. policies and their implications for the water and wastewater industry. The discussion centers on the rapid and often unpredictable actions of the new presidential administration, specifically focusing on tariffs, federal budget reviews, and regulatory changes under President Donald Trump that are creating a sense of uncertainty for both manufacturers and utilities.

In this episode of The Water Online Show, hosts Travis Kennedy and Kevin Westerling dive into one of the most pressing issues in the water and wastewater industry: PFAS contamination. With the recent release of the U.S. EPA’s draft risk assessment on PFAS in biosolids, the conversation is more relevant than ever. To shed light on the findings, implications, and potential regulatory future, the hosts are joined by Rashi Gupta, National Wastewater Practice Director at Carollo Engineers. The discussion covers the widespread presence of PFAS, which affects over 90% of the U.S. population, and how these chemicals, long present in various sources, have only recently been detected in biosolids used in agriculture. The EPA’s draft risk assessment models the impact of PFAS on a hypothetical “farm family” consuming food, water, and animal products from contaminated land, revealing that even at low concentrations, the risk in some scenarios exceeds acceptable levels.

The episode also delves into the implications of potential regulatory changes, urging utilities and agricultural partners to prepare for new compliance requirements. While biosolids serve as cost-effective fertilizers with essential nutrients, concerns over PFAS contamination pose long-term environmental and health risks. The public has until March 17, 2025, to comment on the EPA’s draft, after which risk management strategies and regulations may follow. Utilities are advised to assess PFAS levels, manage industrial sources, and engage transparently with agricultural partners while considering diversification in biosolids management. As regulatory changes could bring financial burdens, stakeholders must balance costs with the overarching goal of public health and environmental protection. This episode highlights the complexity of PFAS contamination and the proactive measures needed to navigate the evolving landscape.

Tune in to The Water Online Show to hear all of Rashi Gupta’s expert advice.

In this episode of The Water Online Show, Joe Ball from Kamstrup returns for another discussion with host Travis Kennedy. Listen in to hear Travis and Joe's conversation about quality in the water industry, why it's not as easy to quantify, and Kamstrup's quality campaign launching in 2025.

This episode of The Water Online Show's In The Flow podcast addresses the persistent challenge of nutrient removal in wastewater treatment. Hosts Travis Kennedy and Kevin Westerling and guest Jose Jimenez, VP of Wastewater Treatment at Brown and Caldwell, discuss the ongoing impact of excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which fuel harmful algal blooms and degrade water quality.

Jimenez highlights the need for municipalities to balance environmental protection with economic realities, finding solutions that address both nutrients and emerging contaminants. He explains that algal blooms are likely worsening due to increased nutrient pollution, climate change (warmer waters and increased rainfall), and other factors like urbanization.

The discussion covers regulatory nutrient limits and the technologies available for efficient removal. While biological nutrient removal (BNR) is common, newer methodologies like aerobic granular sludge (AGS), membrane aerated biofilm reactors (MABRs), and mobile organic biofilm (MOB) offer process intensification — maximizing treatment with fewer resources. Optimization, cost effectiveness, and nutrient recovery are key talking points as well.

Learn more by listening to the full interview.