waterloop

California’s water recycling movement has evolved from experiments to expansion—driven by progressive regulations, proven technology, and positive public trust. In this episode, Traci Minamide, Greg Wetterau, and Roshanak Aflaki of CDM Smith share expert insights from decades of experience advancing reuse across the Golden State.

They reflect on the past, when early projects like the East Valley initiative faced setbacks and public skepticism that reshaped how engineers, utilities, and communicators approached outreach and transparency.

In the present, they highlight how clearer regulations, efficient treatment processes, and pilot projects have made large-scale water recycling both achievable and affordable—turning wastewater into safe, local drinking water for millions.

Looking to the future, the panel envisions a new generation of systems powered by AI-driven operations, advanced membranes, and rapid water-quality monitoring tools that will make direct potable reuse more widespread and resilient than ever before.

This episode is part of The Golden State of Reuse, a series exploring the past, present, and future of water recycling across California.

The series is a collaboration with WateReuse California and sponsored by CDM Smith.

The series is also supported by the Sacramento Area Sewer District, Black & Veatch, and Monterey One Water.

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

Water’s future depends on sustainable funding, bipartisan policy, and stronger public communication.

In this conversation from the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C., Adam Krantz of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) explains how federal investments and advocacy are shaping the next chapter for America’s water infrastructure.

He outlines the historic impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and why permanent, predictable federal funding is essential to maintain momentum. Krantz highlights the urgent need for a national Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program so that access to water is treated as essential as food and energy.

He details efforts to get resources and technical help to smaller, under-resourced utilities—often left behind in traditional grant and loan programs—and how partnerships with larger systems can close that gap. The discussion also explores the role of programs like WIFIA and SRF in leveraging billions for critical projects nationwide.

Looking ahead, Krantz calls for a united communications effort to position water alongside energy and transportation as the nation’s most vital infrastructure, ensuring long-term investment, trust, and resilience.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability. Follow us on YouTube, Linked-In, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

Across the U.S., stormwater regulations form a confusing patchwork that slows innovation and complicates compliance for communities and companies alike.

In this episode from WEFTEC, Jay Holtz of Oldcastle Infrastructure explains how this fragmented system has evolved — and why it’s time for change. He outlines the challenges posed by thousands of differing local approvals that make it costly and inefficient for solution providers to bring technologies to market.

Holtz describes how the emerging STEPP Program — Stormwater Testing and Evaluation for Products and Practices — aims to establish a consistent national framework for verifying performance data and standardizing testing.

The initiative, led by the National Municipal Stormwater Alliance, would simplify local approvals, cut costs, and accelerate deployment of proven systems. By centralizing data and ensuring testing integrity, STEPP could spur innovation, expand stormwater solutions nationwide, and ultimately lead to cleaner water in communities across America.

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

Activated carbon is a frontline solution in the fight against PFAS and other contaminants in water.

In this episode, Brandon Hamilton of Norit explains how activated carbon works like a “rigid sponge” —using its complex pore structures to trap everything from volatile organics to microscopic chemicals.

He breaks down why utilities are increasingly choosing activated carbon over reverse osmosis or ion exchange, highlighting its cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and proven performance in water treatment.

Hamilton also dives into Norit’s reactivation process, which destroys PFAS and restores 80–90% of carbon capacity, saving utilities in costs. The conversation explores the different types of carbon—from coal to coconut shell—and how each targets specific contaminants.

Looking ahead, Hamilton reveals how tailored carbon products and innovations in agglomeration are paving the way for the next generation of water treatment solutions.

Learn more about Norit.

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

Los Angeles is turning recycled water into real-world resilience—protecting aquifers from seawater intrusion, powering industry, gaining public support, and building a next-generation supply that reduces dependence on imported sources.

At Terminal Island, Dean Taylor explains how this pioneering facility evolved from discharging into the harbor to producing advanced treated water that now feeds the Dominguez Gap seawater barrier and supplies industrial clients such as like Valero, saving millions of gallons of drinking water each day while moving toward full reclamation capacity.

At the Albert Robles Center, Stephan Tucker shows how education and transparency are turning skepticism into support. Students, residents, and decision-makers experience the treatment process firsthand—building trust, understanding, and a stronger future workforce for the water industry.

At Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant, Johan Torroledo and Christina Beccera Jones outline the ambitious Pure Water Los Angeles program—transforming one of the world’s largest treatment plants into a hub of innovation. Ultimately, the project will deliver up to 230 million gallons per day of purified water. They explain how the regional effort includes Pure Water Southern California, aiming to add another 150 million gallons per day of purified water for one of the nation’s thirstiest regions.

The throughline is clear: science, transparency, and collaboration are making potable reuse not just possible—but practical at metropolitan scale.

This episode is part of The Golden State of Reuse, a series exploring the past, present, and future of water recycling across California.

The series is a collaboration with WateReuse California.

The lead sponsor is CDM Smith.

The series is also supported by the Sacramento Area Sewer District, Black & Veatch, and Monterey One Water.

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

Utilities across the country are facing shifting water quality challenges — from changing influent chemistry to tightening discharge limits. This demands smarter monitoring and faster response.

In this episode, Carlos Williams of Hach shares how utilities are adapting to this evolving landscape through advanced analysis and real-time data.

He explains how rainfall patterns, conservation, and industrial variability can alter what flows into plants, requiring automated samplers and online instruments that catch contaminants early.

Inside facilities, Williams highlights emerging treatment trends such as nutrient removal, energy efficiency, and diverse disinfection approaches that all depend on accurate water chemistry tracking. He also discusses how new discharge requirements are driving the need for continuous nutrient and solids monitoring to maintain compliance and protect ecosystems.

Learn more about Hach.

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

Artificial intelligence is transforming how cities understand and manage their underground water infrastructure.

In this episode, Eric Sullivan of SewerAI explains how computer vision and the cloud are revolutionizing the inspection and maintenance of wastewater systems.

Technology automatically detects and classifies defects in sewer pipes using AI models trained on hundreds of millions of feet of inspection data—cutting time, cost, and human error. Sullivan describes how this shift allows field crews to focus on safety and efficiency while enabling engineers to make faster, data-driven repair decisions.

With real-time data syncing and benchmarking across hundreds of systems, utilities can now monitor conditions continuously, prioritize investments, and demonstrate performance improvements over time.

As Sullivan shares, the integration of big data, AI, and affordable camera technologies is making pipe inspection smarter, faster, and more accessible—reshaping the future of water infrastructure management beneath our streets.

Learn more about SewerAI

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

Orange County shows how water recycling moves from idea to impact—linking history, science, and workforce to make reuse mainstream.

At Irvine Ranch Water District, Paul Cook explains how a simple visual breakthrough—the now-iconic purple pipe—was created in the 1980s to clearly mark recycled water and build public trust, a standard that spread across California and the world.

At Orange County Water District’s Groundwater Replenishment System, Mehul Patel traces the lineage from Water Factory 21 to today’s 130-MGD advanced purification that protects a coastal aquifer, pushes back seawater intrusion, and supplies enough water for about a million people. Research and innovation lead the way: Megan Plumley spotlights OCWD’s lab and pilots tackling energy use in RO, improving membranes and spacers, and continuously monitoring for PFAS, microplastics, and other emerging contaminants—evidence that potable reuse is built on decades of science, not slogans.

The future depends on people as much as plants. At Moulton Niguel Water District, Joone Kim-Lopez lays out the skills needed for direct potable reuse—high-level certification, data literacy, and creativity—while sharing how partnerships with colleges are creating new training pathways.

This episode is part of The Golden State of Reuse, a series exploring the past, present, and future of water recycling across California, showcasing the people and projects redefining how water is used again and again. 

The series is a collaboration with WateReuse California and sponsored by CDM Smith.

The series is also supported by the Sacramento Area Sewer District, Black & Veatch, and Monterey One Water.

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

Annabelle Rayson’s journey into water science began on the shores of Lake Huron and has grown into an award-winning pursuit of global impact.

A student at Harvard University and winner of the 2022 Stockholm Junior Water Prize, Annabelle shares how her childhood curiosity about the Great Lakes evolved into groundbreaking research and real-world problem solving. She describes her innovative “Plankton Wars” project—using native zooplankton to reduce harmful algal blooms—and how it earned her international recognition.

Annabelle also reflects on her internship at Xylem’s Reservoir Center, where she worked on projects spanning water quality monitoring, nutrient sensing, and community engagement. From studying methane emissions in wetlands to investigating heavy metals in drinking water, her story captures the next generation of scientific leadership and passion driving solutions for clean, sustainable water worldwide.

This episode is a collaboration with the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C. where waterloop is the media partner.

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

SUEZ is aiming to ignite innovation in North America by bringing its 160 years of global water expertise and thousands of patented treatment technologies to utilities across the continent.

In this conversation from WEFTEC, Joshua Cantone and Abigail Antolovich of SUEZ share how the company is focused on empowering utilities with advanced tools and know-how for smarter, more sustainable solutions.

The episode explores SUEZ’s plan to partner with North American water systems and companies to accelerate adoption of technology through collaboration rather than competition.

Cantone details the integration of digital and treatment technologies to reduce energy use and optimize plant performance, while Antolovich highlights a new go-to-market model that pairs SUEZ innovation with North America’s best integrators and engineers.

Learn more about SUEZ, the trusted partner for circular solutions in water and waste.

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