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.

There's an urgent need for assistance with water and sanitation in the United States, where 2 million people lack access to basic services.

In this episode, Boris Martin, CEO of Engineers Without Borders USA, delves into the challenges faced by underserved communities, particularly when it comes to accessing funds.

Boris talks about the transformation of 14,000 engineers into volunteers, many of whom help in the U.S. through the Community Engineering Corps. The volunteer engineers engage with communities, conduct needs assessments, and produce reports to secure financial resources.

Boris also shares insights into the growing influx of students and young professionals eager to create a positive impact, the mentorship provided by veteran engineers, and the rewarding experiences that come with helping communities gain water access.

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

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

In a groundbreaking episode, water management in the digital era is explored through a unique engagement with artificial intelligence. ChatGPT was used to create Dr. Aqua, an AI persona embodying a water management expert. Dr. Aqua's responses were then given voice and visual life through AI tools, presenting a fascinatingly interactive character.

Dr. Aqua discusses the integration of digital twins, effective data management, the crucial role of cybersecurity, and the innovative use of drones and robots. The episode also delves into the potential of AI and tools like ChatGPT, exploring how these technologies can enhance communication with the public and address water challenges.

Dr. Aqua shares insights on the adoption of digital tools in water management versus other industries, the risks of technological stagnation, and practical advice for embracing digital advancements. This conversation is not just an exploration of water management strategies but also a testament to the evolving role of AI in understanding and solving complex industry issues.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet and the winner of the 2023 US Water Prize for Communications: waterloop.org

Water management is critical and challenging for Navajo Nation, which spreads across 27,000 square miles of the arid Southwest.

In this episode, Crystal Tulley-Cordova, Principal Hydrologist for the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources, shares her experiences and observations, including how climate change is impacting the landscape.

She discusses the role of Navajo Nation in management of the Colorado River and how tribes in the basin are seeking greater influence. Crystal also talks about the influx of federal funds for infrastructure and how it is supporting progress on Navajo water projects.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. Visit waterloop.org

This episode is supported by Flume Utility & Business Solutions, which delivers comprehensive residential water data analytics. Learn more at flumewater.com

This is an epilogue to the series The PFAS Puzzle: Lessons From A Contaminated Fear. The chemicals were dumped in the North Carolina river for nearly 40 years before being discovered. The series explores how a community responds when it is the epicenter of PFAS pollution.

In this episode, waterloop founder Travis Loop shares some of the pivotal soundbites from an array of experts including environmental scientists, utility managers, public health researchers, community advocates, and regulators. He also shares his professional perspective and personal commentary on PFAS pollution.

Find the complete series at PFAS puzzle.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet.

This series is sponsored by:

Black & Veatch, providing end-to-end consulting, engineering, and construction services to address each community's unique PFAS needs. Learn more at bv.com/pfas

PFASComms.com, who makes utilities the trusted, go-to-source for PFAS information in the community. Visit pfascomms.com

ALTRA, a company with the most robust PFAS treatment solution. Visit logistec.com/pfas-solutions