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.

Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify or Apple.

Never miss a video on YouTube.

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Agriculture in Iowa is vital to feeding the world, but it poses challenges for water quality and flood management due to nutrient runoff and extreme weather.

One innovative solution is the restoration of oxbow lakes—former river bends that have become disconnected from streams. These revitalized oxbows filter out nutrients like nitrates, provide habitat for endangered species such as the Topeka shiner, and offer flood storage to reduce downstream impacts.

In this episode, Brandon Iddings of the Iowa Soybean Association explains the restoration process, which involves collaboration with landowners and partners like U.S. Fish and Wildlife. John Marshall, a farmer in Iowa, discusses the benefits of having oxbows restored on his land, from reducing nutrient runoff to creating wildlife habitats and improving flood resilience.

With over 250 oxbows restored statewide and growing interest among farmers, these projects are delivering economic and environmental returns while showcasing the power of simple, nature-based solutions.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet. The Mississippi By Nature series is supported by the Walton Family Foundation and outfitted by Patagonia.

The presence of 200,000 lead service lines in Cook County, Illinois poses a serious public health threat, especially to young children who are highly vulnerable to the effects of lead exposure.

Addressing this issue requires collaboration across more than 130 municipalities and overcoming the complexities of replacing outdated infrastructure. One key initiative is the Lead Care program, which prioritizes removing lead lines at childcare facilities.

Caroline Pakenham of Elevate, alongside Cook County officials Dominic Tocci and Drew Williams-Clark, provides insights into the program’s structure, its funding through the American Rescue Plan Act, and its support for home-based childcare providers and smaller municipalities. Dante Sawyer, Village Manager of Hazel Crest, highlights the importance of community engagement and the economic benefits, including job creation. Barbara Nelson, a childcare provider, shares a personal perspective on the transformative impact of having lead removed from her facility.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet.

Amid the devastation of the Los Angeles wildfires, confusion and misinformation have surrounded the role of water resources.

This episode clarifies key inaccuracies, highlighting how municipal water systems are designed to support localized firefighting efforts rather than large-scale wildfires fueled by extreme weather conditions.

Kathryn Sorenson of Arizona State University’s Kyl Center for Water Policy and Chad Seidel of Corona Environmental Consulting explore the limitations of current infrastructure and the evolving challenges posed by urban-wildland interface fires.

Drawing on examples from Colorado and Arizona, they discuss the cascading impacts of wildfires, including how burned watersheds affect water quality and force expensive upgrades to treatment systems.

They also share innovative strategies, from enhancing system resilience to improving emergency response, that can better prepare communities for the next wildfire. These insights underscore the urgent need for a proactive and collaborative approach to addressing the increasing risks of wildfire in a changing climate.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet.

At the 2024 WaterSmart Innovations Conference in Las Vegas, waterloop founder Travis Loop shared key insights from his travels across the United States, documenting innovative water projects. He identified a number of commonalities that define sustainable solutions.

A return to nature is a recurring theme, with projects like Louisiana’s $3 billion Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion reconnecting the Mississippi River to its floodplains, restoring wetlands, and reducing erosion. Equally impactful are people-centered approaches, such as Milwaukee’s lead pipe replacement program, which prioritizes workforce diversity and uplifts local communities.

Loop also highlighted the importance of multi-benefit solutions, like Tucson’s wetlands restoration, which improves water quality, revives the Santa Cruz River, and creates habitats for wildlife while offering recreation opportunities. Another crucial observation was the focus on return on investment, exemplified by East St. Louis’ Horseshoe Lake, where a $2 million flood mitigation project prevented $10–15 million in damage during a major flood.

Finally, climate resilience underpins many efforts, such as Memphis’ Tom Lee Park, a green space that doubles as flood protection for the Mississippi River while serving as a vibrant community hub. Loop’s observations highlighted the power of breaking down silos and embracing collaboration across sectors to secure water sustainability for future generations.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet.

Since launching in 2014, the Clean Water Partnership in Prince George’s County, Maryland has provided a blueprint on how the government and a company can work together to simultaneously tackle environmental challenges and achieve community and business development.

In this episode, Roland Jones of CIS and Jim Lyons of Prince George’s County discuss how this groundbreaking community-based public-private partnership has implemented extensive green infrastructure while ensuring 80 percent of the $340 million spent stays in the county. The initiative includes a mentor-protégé program that has trained and empowered 60 firms.

Projects like the Treat and Teach program at schools combine environmental education with practical infrastructure upgrades, reaching over 40,000 students. By prioritizing local businesses, workforce development, and community outreach, the Clean Water Partnership sets a national example of how the public and private sectors can collaborate.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet.