Water Values Podcast

Albert Cho, Vice President and General Manager at Xylem, provides an insightful look at how digital technologies enhance the operational and financial resilience of utilities. Al discusses the benefits digitally enabled utilities have realized during the pandemic, provides examples of how utilities have gained financial efficiencies in the pre-pandemic deployment of capital and how those examples demonstrate that digital technologies play a significant role in helping utilities navigate the financial challenges ahead. In this session, you’ll learn about: How digital technologies are performing during the COVID-19 pandemic How digital enhanced operational resilience in the early stage of response How utilities using digital technologies fared versus utilities using analog technologies How digital technologies impact utility financial resilience Why Al thinks the utility operational response in the first wave of the pandemic was miraculous (no massive failures, etc.) Why the biggest risk to utilities lies ahead in the form of financial impacts Why digital technologies can play a significant role in mitigating the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic How Al distinguishes between “old smart water” and “new smart water” The tie between digital technologies and improved cash flow The significant savings realized by the City of South Bend, Indiana, by using digital technologies to optimize existing system assets Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Albert’s LinkedIn page Xylem’s website Xylem’s LinkedIn Page TWV #084: Using Big Data to Improve Water Utility Revenues with Valor Water President Christine Boyle Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!

Waterworks Fund CEO Lon Johnson relates his vision of creating a network of water investors and crowdfunding for water projects. Lon describes crowdfunding eligibility for project types, investment types and limitations, and much more in this great interview! Plus, Reese Tisdale joins us for another Bluefield on Tap segment where he identifies a unique and growing aspect of the water sector. In this session, you’ll learn about: Why Lon started Waterworks Fund What Lon hopes to accomplish with Waterworks Fund An overview of the financial regulations that authorized crowdfunding in the water space How Waterworks Fund fills a need in the water space How projects and companies can seek to use the Waterworks Fund platform The different types of structures available under the Waterworks Fund platform The financial limits on crowdfunding for both accredited and non-accredited investors How water investors can find out about water projects Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:  Lon’s LinkedIn page Waterworks Fund’s website TWV #045: Water Sector Investing with Jud Hill TWV #105: Investing in Water with Bill Brennan TWV #165: Private Equity in the Water Sector with Cimbria Capital’s Brian Iversen Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!

Waterworks Fund CEO Lon Johnson relates his vision of creating a network of water investors and crowdfunding for water projects. Lon describes crowdfunding eligibility for project types, investment types and limitations, and much more in this great interview! Plus, Reese Tisdale joins us for another Bluefield on Tap segment where he identifies a unique and growing aspect of the water sector. In this session, you’ll learn about: Why Lon started Waterworks Fund What Lon hopes to accomplish with Waterworks Fund An overview of the financial regulations that authorized crowdfunding in the water space How Waterworks Fund fills a need in the water space How projects and companies can seek to use the Waterworks Fund platform The different types of structures available under the Waterworks Fund platform The financial limits on crowdfunding for both accredited and non-accredited investors How water investors can find out about water projects Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:  Lon’s LinkedIn page Waterworks Fund’s website TWV #045: Water Sector Investing with Jud Hill TWV #105: Investing in Water with Bill Brennan TWV #165: Private Equity in the Water Sector with Cimbria Capital’s Brian IversenThank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!

Greg Quist, CEO of SmartCover Systems, listened to his customers 15 years ago and developed a highly successful smart sewer solution. Greg joins us do discuss how the SmartCover technology works, his thoughts on change in the utility industry, listening to customers, developing enhancements to the core produce, and much more. In this session, you’ll learn about:  How SmartCover Systems was born What CSOs (combined sewer overflows) and SSOs (sanitary sewer overflows) are Difference between how SSO systems and CSO systems are designed How regulation and regulatory policy drove the need for SmartCover’s product Why listening to your customers is so important, especially when developing new solutions How smart sewers save money in both capital costs and O&M expenses How SmartCover has continued to adapt and what the next generation of sensors will be monitoring for Why incrementalism is the key to achieving successful change Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Greg’s LinkedIn page SmartCover Systems’ LinkedIn page SmartCover Systems’ website TWV #130: A Contractor’s Practical Thoughts on Sewer OverflowsThank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!

Greg Quist, CEO of SmartCover Systems, listened to his customers 15 years ago and developed a highly successful smart sewer solution. Greg joins us do discuss how the SmartCover technology works, his thoughts on change in the utility industry, listening to customers, developing enhancements to the core produce, and much more. In this session, you’ll learn about:  How SmartCover Systems was born What CSOs (combined sewer overflows) and SSOs (sanitary sewer overflows) are Difference between how SSO systems and CSO systems are designed How regulation and regulatory policy drove the need for SmartCover’s product Why listening to your customers is so important, especially when developing new solutions How smart sewers save money in both capital costs and O&M expenses How SmartCover has continued to adapt and what the next generation of sensors will be monitoring for Why incrementalism is the key to achieving successful change Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Greg’s LinkedIn page SmartCover Systems’ LinkedIn page SmartCover Systems’ website TWV #130: A Contractor’s Practical Thoughts on Sewer OverflowsThank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!

Jim Williams, the sitting AWWA President, provides an illuminating interview on the utility response to COVID-19 and what the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will be. Jim addresses the basics for how utilities have responded to the pandemic, and also dives into federal legislative efforts, financial fallout and much more in a great interview. Reese Tisdale also comes on for another Bluefield on Tap to discuss the latest market developments in the water sector. In this session, you’ll learn about: The role of the President of AWWA and AWWA governance How the COVID-19 has impacted utilities in the short term How a pandemic utility response differs from a natural disaster response Strategies employed by utilities to maintain a safe and healthy workforce and protect the public health Utilities, vendors to utilities, and “essential services” under government stay at home orders Delays in utility capital programs and projects Federal legislation and money for utility infrastructure and loan programs Long-term repercussions of COVID-19, including financial repercussions, full cost of service rate recovery, and rate affordability Jim’s thoughts on how the COVID-19 pandemic will change and shape the water sector Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Jim’s LinkedIn page AWWA website AWWA’s Coronavirus Webpage TWV #146: The AWWA: Past, Present and Future with David LaFrance                                 Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!

Jim Williams, the sitting AWWA President, provides an illuminating interview on the utility response to COVID-19 and what the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will be. Jim addresses the basics for how utilities have responded to the pandemic, and also dives into federal legislative efforts, financial fallout and much more in a great interview. Reese Tisdale also comes on for another Bluefield on Tap to discuss the latest market developments in the water sector. In this session, you’ll learn about: The role of the President of AWWA and AWWA governance How the COVID-19 has impacted utilities in the short term How a pandemic utility response differs from a natural disaster response Strategies employed by utilities to maintain a safe and healthy workforce and protect the public health Utilities, vendors to utilities, and “essential services” under government stay at home orders Delays in utility capital programs and projects Federal legislation and money for utility infrastructure and loan programs Long-term repercussions of COVID-19, including financial repercussions, full cost of service rate recovery, and rate affordability Jim’s thoughts on how the COVID-19 pandemic will change and shape the water sector Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Jim’s LinkedIn page AWWA website AWWA’s Coronavirus Webpage TWV #146: The AWWA: Past, Present and Future with David LaFrance                                 Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!

Austin Thompson of the University of North Carolina’s Environmental Finance Center joins us to discuss challenges with and innovations in small utility systems. Austin tackles the primary issues and challenges faced by smaller systems and informs us of some innovations taking place in smaller systems that are making a positive impact. In this session, you’ll learn about: The primary challenges smaller systems face How small systems deal with big capital needs and a small customer base How small systems deal with water quality challenges How topography presents challenges for smaller systems How populations density impacts smaller systems Some of the strategies to address these challenges How water kiosks help small systems How topography challenges created an innovative energy production opportunity for a small system The role training plays in providing innovations to smaller systems Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Austin’s bio page on the UNC EFC website UNC EFC’s website Appalachian Regional Commission website TWV #047: The Ups and Downs of Environmental Finance with Jeff Hughes                            Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!

Austin Thompson of the University of North Carolina’s Environmental Finance Center joins us to discuss challenges with and innovations in small utility systems. Austin tackles the primary issues and challenges faced by smaller systems and informs us of some innovations taking place in smaller systems that are making a positive impact. In this session, you’ll learn about: The primary challenges smaller systems face How small systems deal with big capital needs and a small customer base How small systems deal with water quality challenges How topography presents challenges for smaller systems How populations density impacts smaller systems Some of the strategies to address these challenges How water kiosks help small systems How topography challenges created an innovative energy production opportunity for a small system The role training plays in providing innovations to smaller systems Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Austin’s bio page on the UNC EFC website UNC EFC’s website Appalachian Regional Commission website TWV #047: The Ups and Downs of Environmental Finance with Jeff Hughes                            Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!

Brian Iversen, founder and managing partner of Cimbria Capital, pulls back the curtain on private equity in the water sector in this fascinating episode. Plus, Reese Tisdale joins us for another Bluefield on Tap session talking pipe materials and plastics. Settle in for a great episode! In this session, you’ll learn about: Why Brian believes the water sector is ripe for investment The role of growth capital/private equity capital in fostering water-related businesses Brian’s take on the current state of the water sector How the water sector is a commodity driven market with upstream, downstream and midstream components The difference between private equity and venture capital & why venture capital doesn’t work as well as private equity in the water sector Why Brian believes investors are still trying to figure the water sector out Why Brian believes management teams and business models are key elements of water sector investing Brian’s thoughts on impact investing, ESG & resiliency investing Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:  Brian’s LinkedIn page Cimbria Capital’s website Brian’s bio on the Cimbria Capital website Florida Drilling website AMI Global website TWV #105: Investing in Water with Bill Brennan TWV #045: Water Sector Investing with Jud Hill                     Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!