As a new administration and Congress settle into Washington, questions loom about how federal water policy will take shape amid broader political turbulence. Fortunately, water remains a rare bipartisan issue, providing a pathway for continued investment and action around critical infrastructure and public health.

In this conversation from the Reservoir Center, Mae Stevens of Banner Public Affairs explains why water has stayed steady compared to more contentious topics like immigration and defense, and how key programs are advancing under calmer conditions.

She discusses the continuation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, clarifies the outlook for PFAS and lead regulations, and highlights efforts underway for a major new reauthorization bill for water infrastructure. Mae also explains how environmental justice and climate advocates can adjust their communications to keep making progress in a shifting political landscape.

Finally, the discussion emphasizes how personal engagement, strategic messaging, and building strong relationships remain essential to influencing water policy in Washington.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Desalination is a proven technology—but it’s still too costly, energy-intensive, and inaccessible for the communities that need it most.

To change that, XPRIZE launched a $119 million global competition to drive breakthroughs in seawater desalination and deliver scalable, sustainable solutions. Lauren Greenlee, Executive Vice President of Food+Water+Waste at XPRIZE, shares how the foundation uses incentive-based competitions to tackle massive global challenges—and why water is now a top priority.

She details the goals of the Water Scarcity Prize, explains its two-track structure, and emphasizes the importance of real-world demonstration and ecosystem-building. The conversation also explores major barriers in desalination, including brine waste and fragile membranes, and how new innovations could benefit underserved regions and even inland U.S. communities.

Greenlee highlights how XPRIZE is pushing the water sector to think bigger, act faster, and collaborate globally to close the water access gap.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

A 2,600-year-old bald cypress tree stands quietly in North Carolina’s Three Sisters Swamp—older than the Roman Empire, untouched by time, and protected by a resurgent tribal community.

In this powerful episode, Travis Loop joins members of the Coharie Tribe on a World Water Day paddle through their ancestral waters on the Black River.

Guided by Kullen Bell and other tribal leaders, the journey reveals a deep cultural revival grounded in environmental stewardship. The conversation explores the tribe’s restoration of forgotten waterways, their discovery of a 650-year-old dugout canoe, and the creation of a paddling trail that reconnects people to place.

Bell also discusses the Great Coharie River Initiative and how community action has led to visibility, funding, and a new generation of programs.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet.

Radhika Fox has spent her career at the intersection of people, policy, and infrastructure.

In a conversation from the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C., the former head of EPA's Office of Water shares how she helped lead the largest federal investment in U.S. water infrastructure, advance PFAS regulation, and expand environmental justice efforts.

Radhika reflects on her path to leading federal water policy, shaped by experience at the San Francisco PUC and the US Water Alliance. She explains how EPA launched $500 million in technical assistance to help more underserved communities access federal funding.

Radhika also discusses the creation of EPA’s first agency-wide PFAS strategy and the importance of holding polluters accountable. Plus, she shares what she’s working on now—from sector disruption and AI to impact investing and democracy renewal.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability. To help our mission, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

Islam offers powerful guidance for enviromental stewardship - and Huda Alkaff has spent 20 years bringing those teachings to life.

As Founder of Wisconsin Green Muslims, Huda blends faith, ecology, and community action to advance water equity and climate justice. She shares how Islamic teachings inspire a sustainable lifestyle - from spiritual water practices during Ramadan to practical solutions like distributing water filters in frontline communities.

Huda also discusses expanding Green Muslims into Michigan, her model of monthly action themes, and advocacy around lead contamination and PFAS. Through a systems-thinking lens and deep sense of interconnectedness, Huda offers a compelling vision for spiritually grounded, community led environmental leadership.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet. This episode is part of the Color of Water series, a collaboration with the Water Hub.

Decades of underinvestment in water infrastructure have caused major issues—lead pipes, sewer overflows, and stormwater failures—in cities like Benton Harbor, Michigan and Mount Vernon, New York.

In this episode, Mayor Marcus Muhammad of Benton Harbor and Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard of Mount Vernon share how federal investments have made a real difference in rebuilding water systems, protecting public health, and boosting local economies.

Recorded at the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C., this conversation highlights the critical role of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the dangers of federal funding freezes, and the economic value of clean, reliable water.

Both mayors were part of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, calling on Congress and the White House to prioritize water infrastructure and support vulnerable communities.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability. This episode is from a conversation at the Reservoir Center.

Nutrient runoff from tile drainage systems on Iowa farms is a significant challenge, affecting local waterways and the Mississippi River.

Tile drain water recycling offers an innovative solution by capturing nutrient-rich drainage water, storing it in reservoirs, and reusing it for irrigation. This approach reduces nitrogen runoff while providing farmers with a reliable water source to boost crop yields.

In this episode, Chris Hay, an agricultural engineer, explains the science and benefits behind this emerging practice, which pairs water quality improvements with financial incentives for farmers.

Mark Schleisman shares his experience implementing tile drain recycling on his farm in Calhoun County, showcasing how this method transforms a long-standing challenge into a win-win for agriculture and the environment.

The Mississippi By Nature series is supported by the Walton Family Foundation and outfitted by Patagonia.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Texas' iconic springs are facing growing pressure from urban development, groundwater pumping, and climate change, threatening the lifeline of both ecosystems and communities. But through sustainable aquifer management, conservation easements, and innovative policies, there is hope for keeping these vital waters flowing.  

This episode features conversations with Vanessa Puig Williams of the Environmental Defense Fund, Robert Mace of The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, and Tim Loftus of the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, exploring the science and strategies behind protecting Texas’ springs.

The discussion covers how endangered species regulations have helped safeguard Barton Springs, the challenges of balancing private property rights with conservation, and the importance of setting caps on groundwater pumping.

Other topics include the role of land conservation in sustaining spring flow, the rise of aquifer storage and recovery, and how community engagement is key to long-term water resilience.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet.

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Flooding and water quality degradation are significant challenges in Iowa's agricultural watersheds, driven by intensive farming practices and increasingly extreme weather events. Relay cropping, a regenerative farming practice, offers a solution by keeping soil covered and living roots in the ground year-round to reduce runoff and improve soil health. Plus it provides another source of revenue for farmers.

Ross Evelsizer of the Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation & Development, explains how relay cropping integrates cereal grains and soybeans in a single growing season, enhancing soil structure and reducing nutrient loss. Farmers like Loran Steinlage of FLOLO Farms have pioneered this method, demonstrating its profitability and environmental benefits, including increased water infiltration and reduced nutrient runoff.

Kate Giannini of the Iowa Flood Center highlights research showing relay cropping could reduce flooding by up to 25% in watersheds while significantly improving water quality. Early data also shows farmers can earn higher profits per acre compared to conventional practices. This episode showcases how farmer-driven innovation and partnerships are advancing nature-based solutions to benefit both agriculture and waterways.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet.

Grand Rapids is restoring the namesake rapids of the Grand River, reversing decades of human intervention that removed natural rock formations and altered the river’s flow. The city’s River For All project is removing five low-head dams and reshaping riverbanks to improve habitat, water quality, and public access.

Mike Stahl, an engineer with the City of Grand Rapids, shares how the project will reconnect people with the river by adding new access points, educational spaces, and recreation opportunities for activities like fishing and kayaking. The project also prioritizes habitat restoration, including creating passage for native fish while managing invasive species like sea lamprey.

With $45 million dedicated to in-river work and another $50 million for river edges, this large-scale transformation is delivering ecological and economic benefits to the region. As the work progresses, Grand Rapids is turning back toward its river, ensuring the Grand lives up to its name once again.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet.

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