Resilience is a shared characteristic of rural communities, often dealing with adversity through their close-knit and resourceful nature.

However, the ongoing rural struggles related to water infrastructure, pollution, and workforce shortages are now amplified by the effects of climate change.

New strategies and technical assistance can build up their resilience, as discussed in this podcast with Olga Morales-Pate, CEO of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership.

Olga sheds light on the power of collaboration and regionalization, enabling small water systems to benefit from economies of scale and gain a more powerful voice. She also emphasizes the critical need for flexible funding mechanisms and workforce development to enhance the capacity of rural communities.

This episode is from a conversation at the Reservoir Center in Washington D.C. where waterloop is a media partner.

This episode is supported by Flume Utility & Business Solutions, which delivers comprehensive residential water data analytics to entities tasked with creating a sustainable water future. Learn more at flumewater.com

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. Visit waterloop.org

A sommelier is commonly associated with wine expertise, but there exists a category of professionals specializing in the assessment of water's taste, texture, and quality.

These experts offer valuable insights into attributes like mineral composition, source, and purity, all of which are explored in this episode featuring Milin Patel, a water sommelier and consultant.

Milin takes the podcast host on a journey through a water tasting experience, featuring a variety of waters, including municipal tap water, reverse osmosis-treated water, and well-known bottled brands.

Additionally, Milin delves into the sommelier's role in public outreach and discusses how people react to educational experiences centered around water tasting.

This episode is sponsored by Flume Utility & Business Solutions, which delivers comprehensive residential water data analytics to entities tasked with creating a sustainable water future. Learn more at flumewater.com

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. Visit waterloop.org

Time spent exploring outdoors can provide the best perspective on the state of our water world.

This episode delves into the remarkable lessons offered by the mountains and rivers of Colorado, insights shared by Chris Wolff on his Adventure Hydrology Instagram page.

Chris takes us through the observations and transformations he's witnessed during his hikes, rafting excursions, and skiing adventures amidst the Rocky Mountains.

Additionally, he sheds light on his prior contributions to water conservation efforts at the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District, as well as his current role dedicated to advancing sustainability in the Colorado River Basin with Quantified Ventures.

This episode is supported by Flume Utility & Business Solutions, which delivers comprehensive residential water data analytics to entities tasked with creating a sustainable water future. Learn more at flumewater.com

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. Visit waterloop.org

It’s the year 2099 and civilization has finally achieved global water sustainability.

In this positive era, water is a human right, properly valued, efficiently and productively used, extensively reused, and part of thriving ecosystems.

The path to this future is discussed in this episode with Peter Gleick, author of The Three Ages of Water and President Emeritus of the Pacific Institute.

He explains the fundamental choice made in the 2020s that led to a sustainable water world and how obstacles were overcome in politics, pricing, efficiency, energy, and agriculture.

This episode is supported by Flume Utility & Business Solutions, which delivers comprehensive residential water data analytics to entities tasked with creating a sustainable water future. Learn more at flumewater.com

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet exploring solutions for sustainability and equity in water. Visit waterloop.org

The NFL has long had an environment program to mitigate the impact of its major events and leave a green legacy in host cities.

But over the last few years, water stewardship has become a more prominent part of the portfolio, particularly in conjunction with the Super Bowl, as discussed in this episode with Jack Groh, Director of the NFL Environment Program.

He explains how the NFL works with FORCE BLUE, an organization of military special operations veterans, to conduct water projects, including restoring coral reef in Florida, helping the kelp forest in California, and removing invasive snails in an Arizona river.

Jack also talks about engaging the NFL fans to raise awareness of current water issues and increase stewardship.

This episode is from a conversation at the Green Sports Alliance Summit.

This episode is supported by Open Water, the ultra-purified, electrolyte-packed water canned in the U.S. in BPA-free aluminum packaging. Learn more at drinkopenwater.com

\waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. Visit waterloop.org

Water treatment facilities use tremendous amounts of energy, often responsible for up to 30 percent of a municipality's energy consumption and cost.

There is a movement to make these water facilities net zero, meaning they produce as much energy as they consume.

Oregon is home to one of the original net zero facilities in the U.S., as discussed in this episode with Jacob Corum, an engineer at the Gresham Wastewater Treatment Plant.

During a tour of the plant, Jacob explains how it achieved net zero status, particularly by increasing production of biogas, optimizing processes for energy efficiency, and installing solar panels on the property.

This episode is supported by Flume Utility & Business Solutions, which delivers comprehensive residential water data analytics to entities tasked with creating a sustainable water future. Learn more at flumewater.com

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet exploring solutions for sustainability and equity in water. Visit waterloop.org

This episode is part of a series, Funding To Fight Lead.

A group of experts from government, banking, and advocacy recently gathered at the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C. to discuss funding options and opportunities and how to advance the work.

This episode features presentations from the event on topics including federal loan programs, activities at the municipal level, technical assistance for communities, use of bond financing, and resources to navigate funding.

The speakers are:

-Anita Thompkins, Director of Drinking Water Infrastructure Division at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

-Tom Neltner, Senior Director of Safer Chemicals at the Environmental Defense Fund

-Carolyn Berndt, Legislative Director for Sustainability at the National League of Cities

-Cynthia Koehler, Executive Director at the WaterNow Alliance

-Nathan Anderson, Assistant Vice President at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

-Maureen Cunningham, Chief Strategy Officer at the Environmental Policy Innovation Center

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. Visit waterloop.org

This episode is made possible by support from the WaterNow Alliance and Environmental Policy Innovation Center and is sponsored by:

-120Water offers cloud-based software and digital sampling kits to help water systems and states to execute lead programs. Visit 120water.com

-LeadCopperRule.com helps utilities proactively manage lead communications and public information emergencies. Visit leadcopperrule.com

-BlueConduit has developed cutting-edge, predictive machine learning software to effectively locate lead service lines. Visit blueconduit.com

Fresh perspectives and innovative ideas play a pivotal role in addressing the challenges of the 21st century, such as climate change, water equity, and environmental justice.

This is why it's crucial to identify, recognize, and nurture emerging leaders, a topic explored in this episode with Dr. Jalonne White-Newsome, Senior Director for Environmental Justice at The White House Council on Environmental Quality. She joins the podcast to celebrate the recipients of the WaterNow Alliance 2023 Emerging Leader Award.

During the conversation, she delves into the intersection between emerging leaders and environmental justice, emphasizes the significance of effecting change at the grassroots level, and underscores the imperative for early and mid-career water professionals to be bold in their pursuits.

This episode is a collaboration with WaterNow Alliance. Learn more about their 2023 Emerging Leader Award Winners.

This episode is supported by Flume Utility & Business Solutions, which delivers comprehensive residential water data analytics to entities tasked with creating a sustainable water future. Learn more at flumewater.com and connect at [email protected].

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. Visit waterloop.org

There are one million people in California without safe drinking water and many of them live in the San Joaquin Valley, a region dominated by agriculture. Many residents, particularly low-income, Latino farmworkers in rural communities, face the harsh reality of dry wells or contaminated water sources due to the excessive water consumption and pollution caused by the agricultural industry.

But there are organizations fighting for fairness in water access, as discussed in this episode with Susana De Anda of Community Water Center, Linda Gutierrez of the Yettum-Seville Community Services District, and Jessi Snyder of Self-Help Enterprises.

They talk about the basic assistance of providing emergency tanks, delivering water, and drilling wells for homes. They also explain efforts to unite tiny utilities, build networks of community leaders, assist towns with operations, and raise the voice of those in need.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. Visit waterloop.org

Sports have tremendous influence and impact on many facets of society, including the environment. The potential to turn the sports industry into a powerful driver of sustainability led to the formation of the Green Sports Alliance in 2010.

Over a decade later, its member teams, leagues, venues, and businesses are creating change, as discussed in this episode with Dune Ives, the organization’s co-founder and board member.

Dune explains how the Green Sports Alliance was initially focused on energy and waste, but that water is now becoming a more prominent issue. She talks about a new playbook that aims to help venues improve water management and the opportunities for the water and sports industries to deepen collaboration.

This episode is supported by Open Water, the ultra-purified, electrolyte-packed water canned in the U.S. in BPA-free aluminum packaging. Learn more at drinkopenwater.com

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. Visit waterloop.org