waterloop

Water scarcity and groundwater overuse are driving land use dilemmas in California, particularly in agriculture.

One promising solution gaining traction is multi-benefit land repurposing, which involves transforming unproductive farmland to capture rain, floods, and diverted water for groundwater recharge. These repurposed lands also provide various advantages for wildlife, recreation, education, and climate adaptation.

This episode delves into discussions with experts and stakeholders involved in the program, such as Ann Hayden, Vice President of Resilient Water Systems at the Environmental Defense Fund.

The potential of multi-benefit land repurposing is showcased through visits to Pixley National Wildlife Refuge, Kaweah Oaks Preserve, Joseph Gallo Farms, and Castroville Slough Treatment Wetlands.

Despite its complexity and cost, the program is gaining momentum, offering hope for California and beyond.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet that explores solutions for sustainability and equity in water. This episode is supported by the Environmental Defense Fund.

2024 is the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the landmark federal legislation designed to protect public health by regulating the quality of drinking water in the United States.

This episode features a discussion with Alan Roberson, Executive Director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators.

He explores the state of America’s drinking water before the enactment of SDWA, the fundamental changes brought about by the law, and the progress of the past 50 years. Alan highlights how the 1986 and 1996 amendments to SDWA strengthened regulations and expanded the scope of protections.

He also talks about opportunities to improve SDWA and changes that may shape the next 50 years of drinking water safety.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet.

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

Growing up with a strong fear of water doesn’t typically lead someone to a career in coastal issues. However, after grappling with this fear during childhood in India, Vidya Balasubramanyam found the courage to pursue a career in coastal resilience and environmental advocacy in the U.S.

In this episode, Vidya shares her personal journey and professional perspective. She discusses various options for building resilient shorelines in places like Illinois and New Hampshire. Vidya also delves into the impacts on communities of color and disadvantaged populations in coastal areas, along with strategies for bolstering their resilience.

Vidya currently serves at the Coastal States Organization, and although she is not representing it in this interview, she provides insights into the organization's role in advancing resilience and offering solutions for vulnerable communities on the coast.

This episode is part of the Color Of Water series, a collaboration between waterloop and the Water Hub that features interviews with diverse experts from communities across the country. Visit the Color Of Water directory.

Sustainability is now a pivotal concern in the realm of corporate responsibility, pushing companies to integrate environmentally beneficial practices into their core strategies.

This shift is particularly evident in the growing focus on water stewardship and the adoption of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, highlighting how businesses are increasingly held accountable for their efforts.

In this episode, a discussion with Emilio Tenuta, Chief Sustainability Officer at Ecolab, explores the evolution of corporate responsibility and water stewardship. Emilio delves into the significance of water management within corporate ESG strategies, shedding light on the multifaceted benefits of environmental stewardship for business.

He also talks about consumer influence on corporate sustainability, innovative water resilience projects, and collaborative initiatives involving some of the world’s leading companies.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet that explores solutions. Visit waterloop.org

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) has consistently defied conventions in the use of social media by a water utility. Their approach combines humor and human connection to foster relationships within the community.

During the last holiday season, they took their efforts a step further by encouraging people to dial a phone number, which greeted them with a heartfelt voice message.

In this episode, a conversation with NEORSD Communications Manager John Gonzalez delves into the profound impact of this message and explores some of the most memorable moments from their social media endeavors.

John also discusses the guiding principles behind NEORSD's social media activities, the strategies to gain support from utility management, and valuable insights for fostering meaningful engagement with customers.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. Visit waterloop.org

It only rains about 11 inches per year in Tucson, Arizona and decades of historic mismanagement compounded the water scarcity problems, resulting in dwindling groundwater supplies and a mostly dry Santa Cruz River.

In response, this city in the Sonoran Desert became a leader in saving, reusing, and recycling water.

Programs to conserve water and reclaim treated wastewater are discussed in this episode by John Kmiec, Director of Tucson Water. Efforts to use recycled water to restore flows in the Santa Cruz River are shared by Luke Cole, who directs the river’s restoration for the Sonoran Institute. And local resident Brad Lancaster explains how he harvests rainwater for all his needs at home and spurred the use of green infrastructure to capture stormwater in the neighborhood.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. Visit waterloop.org

As a variety of forces continue to change the water landscape in the American West, adaptation is the focus. This episode features conversations with several prominent water leaders from the One Water Summit in Tucson.

Adel Hagekhalil, the General Manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, explains ambitious plans to capture, store, and recycle enormous amounts of water across the region.

Felicia Marcus, a Fellow at Stanford University’s Water In The West Program, discusses California’s progress during the past decade and how it has created a comprehensive approach to adaptation.

Sharon Megdal, a professor and Director of the Water Resources Research Center at the University of Arizona, talks about the role of research in building public understanding of problems and advancing tangible solutions.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. Visit waterloop.org

Members of the Color of Water directory bring extensive knowledge and firsthand experience in water solutions, environmental justice, climate resilience, on-the-ground research, and policy advocacy.

A new collaborative series between waterloop and the Water Hub will provide a platform for these diverse experts, who are improving understanding and management of water in their communities.

This episode features a conversation with Maya Richard-Craven, a freelance journalist and co-host of the series. Maya talks about her personal and professional connections to water, the importance of hearing from diverse experts, and her goals for the series.

This episode is part of the Color Of Water series, a collaboration between waterloop and the Water Hub that features interviews with diverse experts from communities across the country. Visit the Color Of Water.

Blue Plains, located in Washington, D.C., holds the title of the world's largest advanced wastewater treatment plant.

In this episode, join Miguel Miranda, a process engineer at DC Water, for an informative and technical tour of the facility. Treating approximately 380 million gallons daily, the plant is a testament to cutting-edge environmental engineering.

Miguel delves into the advanced treatment processes, including nitrification and denitrification, essential for discharge into the Potomac River. He also sheds light on the plant's solid handling techniques, from initial screening and removal to thermal hydrolysis and digestion, effectively converting waste into energy and biosolids for beneficial use.

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

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. Visit waterloop.org

King tides are the highest high tides of the year and they are increasing due to factors such as rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and land subsidence. Communities are experiencing more flooding from king tides, posing a variety of challenges and hazards.

This episode explores a collaboration between the North Carolina King Tides Project and Wetlands Watch that utilizes digital tools and citizen science to study these events.

Gabi Kinney, the Community Engagement Project Manager for Wetlands Watch, explains how innovative apps and community engagement are used to gather crucial data during king tides. This information enhances understanding and preparedness for future challenges associated with sea level rise and flooding.

Gabi also discusses how communities are responding to these evolving coastal conditions and their efforts to build resilience.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet and winner of the US Water Prize for Communications. Visit waterloop.org.