Water Values Podcast

Ann Tartre explains the efforts businesses in the Colorado River Basin undertake to educate themselves, their customers and others on sustainably using the Colorado River with Protect the Flows. Ann takes us through the powerful findings of an Arizona State University study commissioned by Protect the Flows quantifying the economic impact of the Colorado River on the Southwest (& by extension the United States). Hint – the economic impact of the Colorado River is roughly equivalent to the GNP of Australia

Jeff Hughes of the Environmental Finance Center at the University of North Carolina joins The Water Values Podcast for an in-depth discussion about environmental finance. Environmental finance concerns how to pay for programs that provide environmental services. Jeff guides us from traditional rate-making to several more creative approaches to implementing water rates and explores some of the obstacles to getting these more creative rate design mechanism adopted and implemented.

The CEO of San Antonio Water System (SAWS), Robert Puente, joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss the numerous successes of its water system through water supply limitations and droughts. He also discusses how SAWS works to conserve water through these drought periods, different infrastructure projects, resources, and the creative opportunities SAWS pursues to help its stay ahead of the game in the water industry. Tune in for this innovative and inspiring session with Robert!

Head of investment banking firm Blue Star Capital, Jud Hill has spent his career exploring the smartest and most innovative ways to invest in the water sector – and why water is such a unique commodity. Jud discusses the growing trend in water equities and what opportunities are on the horizon for investors.

Ed Pawlowski, mayor of Allentown, PA, discusses how a public–private partnership (or P3) helped to save the city from financial ruin and revitalize the city, turning a multi-million dollar deficit into a multi-million dollar surplus. The Mayor discusses the nuts and bolts of the P3 arrangement from the RFP process and building political support for the P3 to the details of the P3 such as how rate increases, capital expenditures and environmental risks are handled.

It’s been a fantastic year since we launched The Water Values Podcast in late March 2014. You’ve been absolutely terrific. I know I don’t say that enough, but your emails, your comments and your listenership each are greatly appreciated. And I just hope you keep up the engagement as we head into 2015. We’ve got some great guests scheduled for you in 2015, so keep on listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast.

John Oldfield, CEO of WASH Advocates, discusses advocacy for WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene). John tells us that implementing WASH in communities leads to other important development goals in the developing world. John discusses the history and current political climate surrounding this important humanitarian issue. John explains that with cooperation from governments, private philanthropists, corporations, NGOs, & academics all across the globe, there are opportunities to solve this problem.

Brad Lancaster discusses permaculture and rainwater harvesting. Brad describes how to harvest rainwater and greywater. Brad also explains how the soil helps filter out toxins from greywater to keep us safe and healthy, but also transforms those toxins in the greywater into a valuable fertilizing resource for the plants. Brad talks about how other communities across the country are adopting the use of greywater and rainwater harvesting and how he’s working with them to create a more sustainable future.

Mark LeChevallier, Director of Innovation and Environmental Stewardship at American Water, discusses technology in the water sector. Mark tells us what the water industry is doing to assist areas that are going through a drought, and what alternatives and methods they are using to reuse water. He also discusses the technology that’s being developed for the desalination of sea water to provide more water for those living in coastal cities and options for bringing desalination technology into the mainland.

Eric Thornburg, President and CEO of Connecticut Water Company, relates his experiences from a Water for People trip to Rwanda, Africa. Eric explains how Water for People is helping countries in need and how they are making a difference and transforming those communities to provide a significant service of healthy and safe drinking water. He also discusses water sustainability initiatives and infrastructure in the Northeast and various career opportunities in the water utility industry.