Mark Mattson is the Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and President of Swim Drink Fish Canada.

In this episode Mark talks about the improvements made in Lake Ontario, particularly in the Toronto area, over the past few decades and the role of laws in driving the change. He discusses the importance of connecting people to water by providing public access and opportunities to swim, paddle, and fish. Mark also discusses the development of Swim Guide, a website and app that provides water quality information for over 8,000 beaches.

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Jeremy Orr is a Staff Attorney for the Safe Water Initiative of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

In this episode Jeremy explains that he went into environmental law because he saw a glaring lack of Black representation in the decision-making positions that impacted Black people. He discusses how racism and discriminatory practices created inequitable access to drinking water for communities of color and why environmental justice must be part of delivering equity for Black Americans. Jeremy also talks about a variety of recent progress and success in the fight for safer drinking water in Illinois and Michigan.

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Heather Sackett is Managing Editor at Aspen Journalism and Editor and Report of its Water Desk.

In this episode Heather discusses the rise and importance of nonprofit media outlets such as Aspen Journalism that cover environmental issues. She explains water rights in Colorado and the impact of climate change and the Colorado River Compact on water management. Heather also talks about private investors and hedge funds buying land to gain water rights and the community’s perception of that activity.

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Venky Raghavendra is Vice President of Advancement for the Safe Water Network.

In this episode Venky discusses social entrepreneurship and why it has a vital role in addressing water challenges around the world. He explains how the Safe Water Network emphasizes market-based solutions to provide access to water for people in India and Ghana. Venky also talks about a virtual global convening of young people who are innovators and changemakers for water.

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Fred Tutman is the Patuxent Riverkeeper.

In this episode Fred discusses his experiences as a Black man working in the overwhelmingly white environmental field and shares his perspective on the increased attention from organizations on people of color and diversity. He explains why he refers to it as environmental injustice and why ensuring clean water is part of delivering equity broadly for Black Americans. Fred also talks growing up on a farm by the Patuxent River in Maryland and his spiritual connection to the waterway.

The waterloop podcast is brought to you by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code waterloop for 20 percent off at www.highsierrashowerheads.com

Erin Savage is Central Appalachian Senior Program Manager for Appalachian Voices.

In this episode Erin explains the practice of mountaintop removal for coal mining, which has destroyed more than 500 mountaintops, 1.2 million acres of forest, and 2,000 miles of streams in the Appalachians. She discusses the harmful impacts to communities including contaminated drinking water, increased flooding, and higher rates of cancer and other health issues. Erin says the coal industry isn’t meeting its responsibility to restore these mountaintops and that local economies need to be restructured to give people alternatives to working in mining.

The waterloop podcast is brought to you by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code waterloop for 20 percent off at www.highsierrashowerheads.com

Howard Neukrug is the Executive Director of The Water Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

In this episode Howard discusses why there is always activity and innovation around water in the Philadelphia area. He says that The Water Center at Penn is focused on applied research to solve urban water challenges, with faculty, staff, and students all contributing. Howard explains why integrated watershed management and stakeholder engagement are vital to water sustainability in the 21st century.

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Sharee Williamson is Associate General Counsel at the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

In this episode Sharee discusses the wide range of historic places and national treasures that are connected to water. She explains that impacts of climate change such as sea-level rise, stronger coastal storms, and flooding from intense rainfall are threatening many historic sites like Charleston, S.C.; the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.; and Annapolis, Md. Sharee talks about options for building resilience at historic places and the role of the National Park Service in preservation.

This episode of waterloop is brought to you by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying an invigorating shower. Use promo code waterloop for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com

Dan Shapley is the Water Quality Program Director at Hudson Riverkeeper.

In this episode Dan discusses various challenges the Hudson River faces as it flows from the Adirondack Mountains to New York City, which include legacy PCB pollution and emerging PFAS problems. He explains how the movement to protect the Hudson eventually spawned the global Riverkeeper program. Dan also talks about the important role of community science in public engagement and the new plan for drinking water source protection.

This episode of waterloop is brought to you by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart, stylish choice for conserving water, energy, and money while enjoying an invigorating shower. Use promo code waterloop for 20 percent off at www.highsierrashowerheads.com

Fay Hartman is the Conservation Director of the Colorado River Basin Program at American Rivers.

In this episode Fay talks about the federal government’s history of investing in river and water projects that damage rivers and perpetuate injustices against people of color and low-income communities. She discusses how rivers are powerful economic drivers, particularly through recreation and tourism, and that restoration results in job creation and economic growth. Amy says that American Rivers is calling on Congress to invest $500 billion over 10 years to improve water infrastructure, modernize flood management, and revitalize watersheds.

This episode of waterloop is brought to you by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart, stylish choice for conserving water, energy, and money while enjoying an invigorating shower. Use promo code waterloop for 20 percent off at www.highsierrashowerheads.com