Water Values Podcast

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!

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!

Khris Dodson of Syracuse University’s Environmental Finance Center discusses a wide range of workforce development issues for water utilities. Khris identifies the problems with utility workforce development and also delves into potential solutions. It’s a great and important episode. In this session, you’ll learn about: What the biggest job needs are for water utilities Strategies to develop the skilled trades Why our culture doesn’t value the skilled trades highly enough How to align skill sets and geographical barriers with workforce needs Why more attention needs to be paid to retention strategies Compensation issues How utility rates impact the workforce Keys to succession planning for the utility workforce What the anticipated impact of artificial intelligence, machine learning and the internet of things might be Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Khris’ LinkedIn page EFC Network website Syracuse EFC website TWV #039: Serving Water For People and Utility Employment Opportunities with Connecticut Water CEO Eric Thornburg TWV #036: Water Utility Acquisition Issues and Utility Industry Gender Issues with Utilities Inc. President Lisa Sparrow 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!

Khris Dodson of Syracuse University’s Environmental Finance Center discusses a wide range of workforce development issues for water utilities. Khris identifies the problems with utility workforce development and also delves into potential solutions. It’s a great and important episode. In this session, you’ll learn about: What the biggest job needs are for water utilities Strategies to develop the skilled trades Why our culture doesn’t value the skilled trades highly enough How to align skill sets and geographical barriers with workforce needs Why more attention needs to be paid to retention strategies Compensation issues How utility rates impact the workforce Keys to succession planning for the utility workforce What the anticipated impact of artificial intelligence, machine learning and the internet of things might be Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Khris’ LinkedIn page EFC Network website Syracuse EFC website TWV #039: Serving Water For People and Utility Employment Opportunities with Connecticut Water CEO Eric Thornburg TWV #036: Water Utility Acquisition Issues and Utility Industry Gender Issues with Utilities Inc. President Lisa Sparrow 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!

Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Chairman Peter Lake joins us to discuss water infrastructure financing in Texas and more. Chairman Lake provides a wide-ranging interview showcasing his knowledge on water infrastructure finance, risk and creditworthiness assessment, opportunities for private capital, water markets, and much, much more. In this session, you’ll learn about: Pete’s background and how a finance expert wound up on the TWDB TWDB’s SWIFT Program (State Water Implementation Fund for Texas) The TWDB’s regional planning process for water supply Issues in marketing TWDB’s $1 billion bond portfolio to investors Water & its relationship with economic development and the business community Why institutional investors look for positive stories, needed services and creditworthiness when assessing an investment TWDB’s programs assessing borrower creditworthiness and implementing post-loan compliance The increasing role of climate risk and the importance of local participation in climate planning P3s & investment portfolios and the relationship with regulatory risk and technology risk Two examples of opportunities where private capital might be leveraged to create value in water supply by lowering technology and regulatory risk   Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Pete’s LinkedIn page Pete’s Twitter handle: @twdb_peter Texas Water Development Board website TWDB’s SWIFT homepage Slaking Texas’ Thirst with Carlos Rubinstein 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!

Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Chairman Peter Lake joins us to discuss water infrastructure financing in Texas and more. Chairman Lake provides a wide-ranging interview showcasing his knowledge on water infrastructure finance, risk and creditworthiness assessment, opportunities for private capital, water markets, and much, much more. In this session, you’ll learn about: Pete’s background and how a finance expert wound up on the TWDB TWDB’s SWIFT Program (State Water Implementation Fund for Texas) The TWDB’s regional planning process for water supply Issues in marketing TWDB’s $1 billion bond portfolio to investors Water & its relationship with economic development and the business community Why institutional investors look for positive stories, needed services and creditworthiness when assessing an investment TWDB’s programs assessing borrower creditworthiness and implementing post-loan compliance The increasing role of climate risk and the importance of local participation in climate planning P3s & investment portfolios and the relationship with regulatory risk and technology risk Two examples of opportunities where private capital might be leveraged to create value in water supply by lowering technology and regulatory risk   Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Pete’s LinkedIn page Pete’s Twitter handle: @twdb_peter Texas Water Development Board website TWDB’s SWIFT homepage Slaking Texas’ Thirst with Carlos Rubinstein 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!

Seth Siegel, a New York Times best-selling author renowned for his insights on water scarcity, dives into pressing issues surrounding America's drinking water in his latest book. He shares how his journey from advertising to advocating for sustainable water management was sparked by a pivotal moment. The discussion unveils the inefficiencies in water governance, calling out the failures of regulation and the fragmented nature of water management. Siegel also explores the need for consolidation among utilities to ensure safer drinking water and highlights the public health implications of contaminated supplies.