Water Values Podcast

Sai Allavarpu, Xylem’s Chief Digital Officer, shares his vast knowledge of how other industries have made the digital transformation and how the water sector can learn from that prior experience. Sai also elaborates on how digital solutions can solve utility challenges that analog attempts simply cannot solve and much, much more. In this session, you’ll learn about: Sai’s background in digital transformations from the financial, telecom, aerospace, health and other sectors Sai’s observations on what the water sector can learn from other sectors digital transformations How other highly regulated industries successfully navigated digital transformations Sai’s perspective on why the health care sector took the digital leap before the water sector The challenges facing the water market that only digital solutions can solve Why digital solutions can solve those challenges How digital solutions can aid talent attraction and retention What challenges water utilities need to overcome to adopt digital solutions How utilities can start down the road to digital transformation Why avoiding silos of data, IT infrastructure and applications is so important Concrete examples of how digital solutions have helped utilities save money How different sized utilities can take advantage of digitalization Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Sai’s LinkedIn page Xylem’s website Ripple Effect: A Movement Towards Digital Transformation Bluefield was pleased to collaborate with Xylem on this White Paper. View the full White Paper and its associated resources here. 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!

Energy Recovery, Inc.’s Senior Vice President of Water, Rodney Clemente shares how using energy recovery technologies, the water sector saves energy, becomes more sustainable and delivers water at a more affordable price. Plus, Reese Tisdale joins us for another Bluefield on Tap segment discussing the recent New York Times feature on groundwater depletion in the United States. In this session, you’ll learn about: Rodney’s simple yet complex background in the water sector How desalination has changed over time from thermal desalination to membrane based desalination, such as reverse osmosis Why desalination is energy intensive How energy recovery systems can reduce energy consumption by up to 60% Given energy savings, how energy recovery systems make desalination affordable How energy recovery systems interface with zero liquid discharge and minimal liquid discharge systems Why energy recovery presents a sustainable solution for desalination Applications beyond desalination that can utilize energy recovery systems Why Rodney sees fertile ground in the wastewater sector for energy recovery opportunities The opportunity in refrigerant decarbonization for energy recovery applications Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Energy Recovery’s website Rodney’s LinkedIn page 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!

Retired Denver Water CEO Jim Lochhead reflects back on his career(s) in water. In this wide-ranging interview, Jim discusses the challenges on the Colorado River, good leadership and its attributes, how a water leader’s role has changed over the years, and much more. Don’t miss out on Jim’s fantastic insights! In this session, you’ll learn about: Jim’s background and 4 careers in the water sector Jim’s involvement in water issues on the Colorado River, as well as all over the United States and internationally How Jim’s perspectives developed during his earlier careers helped inform him in his role at Denver Water Why Jim chose to step away Important leadership skills according to Jim How Denver Water’s H2O Leadership Academy develops skills in future water leaders Why a legal background is a much needed skill for water leaders The challenge Jim undertook when starting at Denver Water How the role of CEO changed over time Jim’s thoughts on “solving” the Colorado River Why engagement is so important Jim’s words of advice for water leaders Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Jim’s bio on the Water Foundation website Denver Water’s website

RCAP CEO Olga Morales-Pate discusses RCAP’s mission serving rural communities, highlights the needs and challenges of small rural communities and utility systems, and provides insightful commentary on how projects in small, rural communities achieve success and sustainability. In this session, you’ll learn about: Olga’s background in the water sector serving rural communities The Rural Community Assistance Partnership’s mission for the last 50 years How RCAP helps small rural utilities and communities RCAP’s history and connection with the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act How technical assistance providers diagnose a utility’s needs How RCAP ensures the project for the community fits the community’s needs How RCAP is funded How RCAP helps communities develop the capacity to undertake and manage projects Some of the challenges affecting small systems Olga’s terrific insights on regionalization  Why Olga thinks small systems need to embrace change even though change is uncomfortable Olga’s views on why we need to invest in human capital and how RCAP can bring solutions to rural America over the next 50 years Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Olga’s bio on the RCAP website RCAP’s website 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!

Ajay Kasarabada, Associate Vice President and Director of Environmental Solutions for Black & Veatch, provides a brilliant discussion on the issue of water’s role in decarbonization and net zero. In this session, you’ll learn about: Ajay’s unique path to the environmental sector and his tie to the water sector The interrelationship between the air sector and the water sector Water’s role as a raw material in decarbonization The two primary sources of hydrogen Why hydrogen doesn’t exist freely in the universe How Ajay’s chemical engineering background fits perfectly in the water & decarbonization puzzle Water needs for hydrogen production Some of the policy challenges in decarbonization The three tiers of net zero Ajay’s work on the ETTAC (Environmental Technologies Trade Advisory Commission) advising the U.S. Department of Commerce Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Ajay’s LinkedIn profile Black & Veatch’s website ETTAC’s website 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!

Shannon Quinn, Global Water Stewardship Leader, and Elizabeth Kinney, Senior Communications and Sustainability Director, of Procter & Gamble provide an in-depth discussion P&G’s vision for a water positive future. They also discuss how companies can enhance their impact on water citing examples of P&G’s own water programs and partnerships. Plus, Reese Tisdale gives us a rundown on the latest water sector news on our Bluefield on Tap segment. In this session, you’ll learn about: Elizabeth’s and Shannon’s respective backgrounds and their unique paths to the water sector P&G’s water commitments  The three pronged plan P&G is pursuing for a water positive future (& what “water positive future” means to P&G) How P&G is taking care of its own house through water efficiency programs How P&G is restoring water to water-stressed areas How P&G responds to big water challenges P&G’s Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program The water consumption delta between washing dishes by hand versus by dishwasher How specific P&G brands are supporting P&G’s goals How P&G partners with other organizations like the Bonneville Environmental Foundation Elizabeth’s & Shannon’s thoughts on how companies can make an impact on water issues Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Shannon’s LinkedIn profile Elizabeth’s LinkedIn profile P&G’s website P&G’s Change the Course website 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!

Nick Dyner, CEO of Moleaer, takes us on an amazing journey into nanobubble technology – what it is, what it does and how it improves water efficiency, water quality, water processes and much more. In this session, you’ll learn about: Nick’s background and his unexpected path to the water sector What nanobubbles are  How big nanobubbles are in comparison to a grain of salt – the answer will surprise you! How nanobubbles transfer gas into liquid so efficiently How nanobubbles behave different than normal bubbles The wide range of industries in which nanobubbles can make process improvements How nanobubbles increase agricultural yields, promote water quality and efficiency, improve nutrient absorption and mitigate against waterborne disease and biofilm How leadership continuity affects utility culture Use of nanobubbles in wastewater treatment, especially in the aeration process How nanobubbles improve energy efficiency Use of nanobubbles in the energy sector How nanobubbles can be used in the natural world to reduce harmful algal blooms and other  Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Nick’s LinkedIn profile Moleaer’s website 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!

Will Pickering, the CEO of the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority, provides a master class in utility leadership covering a wide range of issues from capital programs to the art of building trust with your customers. Plus, Reese Tisdale joins us for a Bluefield on Tap segment discussing some interesting economic information in the water sector. In this session, you’ll learn about: Will’s background  How Will navigated starting at PWSA during the pandemic PWSA’s lead service line (LSL) replacement program Why PWSA does not undertake partial LSL replacements How the LSL replacement program helped rebuild trust in the community Will’s tips on rebuilding trust in the community How leadership continuity affects utility culture PWSA’s capital improvement program, including its water reliability plan Why the Pennsylvania legislature put PWSA under PUC jurisdiction The impact of PUC jurisdiction over PWSA How PWSA succeeded as a public authority in a state favorable to privatization Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Will’s LinkedIn profile PWSA’s website 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!

Dr. Spencer Taintor, Head of School for St. Mark’s Episcopal School and Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, fills us in on Sea Lab and the awesome programming it provides, as well as an inspirational message of hope about water quality.  In this session, you’ll learn about: Spencer’s background  How watching water quality degrade in Biscayne Bay while growing up affected Spencer What Sea Lab is Why Spencer wants to teach kids to be “solution makers” not “solution thinkers” How Spencer interfaced with the local business community to establish Sea Lab The researchers Sea Lab has partnered with The broad age range that can take advantage of Sea Lab How to think globally but act locally Some of the research projects that are underway Some of the struggles Spencer encountered when building the tidal pool for Sea Lab How the Sea Lab program is expanding How Sea Lab is educating the community for the long term Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Spencer’s LinkedIn profile Sea Lab’s website (make sure you check out the Sea Lab launch video!) 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!

Financial journalist and The Water Values Podcast veteran guest, Antony Currie, returns to discuss the water issue in the context of green hydrogen. Antony delivers a fantastic interview and highlights that green hydrogen developers need to pay more attention to water. Plus, Reese Tisdale joins our Bluefield on Tap segment to discuss a significant development in the private water utility space. In this session, you’ll learn about: What’s new with Antony since he was last on the podcast in 2019 Antony’s thoughts on how the financial sector impacts climate The line between water and green hydrogen What the financial statements of green hydrogen developers say about water The key water assumptions green hydrogen developers use Which renewable resource green hydrogen developers gravitate to and the typical water resources where those resources are plentiful Green hydrogen and water efficiency and conservation Water resource allocation issues related to green hydrogen Antony’s thoughts on green hydrogen production in arid areas Why Antony uses stoichiometric so much when discussing water Antony’s argument for greater transparency with respect to water in the energy industry Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Antony Currie’s LinkedIn profile Antony’s The Liquid Asset webpage Reuters’ Breaking Views   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!