

Water Values Podcast
Dave McGimpsey
The Water Values Podcast series is presented in collaboration with Bluefield Research. This podcast series explores water issues from a variety of perspectives with the goal of uncovering the true value of water. Each episode will delve into one aspect of water, such as water utilities, water treatment, water resources, water reuse, and more.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 15, 2022 • 51min
Blockchain’s Place in the Water Sector with Katrina Donaghy
Katrina Donaghy, founder of Civic Ledger and Water Ledger and blockchain leader, comes on to discuss blockchain and how it can benefit the water sector.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
Katrina’s background in Australian disaster response and how it transitioned her into the utility spaceKatrina’s work in the “utility of the future” space for a major utilityA lay explanation of blockchainThe connection between data and blockchainHow blockchain helps interoperability of data across enterprises (i.e., how blockchain frees data from data silos)How blockchain helps the water sectorHow blockchain brings trust, accountability and transparency to dataWhat needs to happen before a company/market can engage in blockchainWhy blockchain will not solve “bad data”Why blockchain is not an answer for every situationKatrina’s problem first, tech second approach to determining when blockchain should be usedHow blockchain can help the tragedy of the commons involving waterHow blockchain serves the public interest and strengthens property rightsBlockchain’s role in democratizing information and making markets more efficientWhy the agricultural water sector is ripe for blockchain (and how blockchain is used in Australian water markets)
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
Katrina’s LinkedIn profileCivic Ledger’s websiteWater Ledger’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!

Mar 1, 2022 • 41min
Pairing Water Tech with Economic Development with Cleveland Water Alliance’s Bryan Stubbs
Bryan Stubbs, the President and Executive Director of the Cleveland Water Alliance, provides a compelling case for the water tech model that embraces economic development while nestled along the shores of the Great Lakes where 21% of the world’s fresh surface water resided.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
Bryan’s entrepreneurial background in sustainable economic developmentHow Cleveland Water Alliance promotes the water economy in the Cleveland areaHow the Cleveland Water Alliance has fostered job growth in the Cleveland areaBryan’s explanation of innovation test beds for water technologiesHow the municipal utility test bed is trying to identify lead service lines without breaking groundHow mobile test beds allow greater technology testing and further reachHow the Cleveland Water Alliance has expanded into a regional player involving multiple geographiesHow a Data as a Service model helped accelerate the technology testingThe role of legal and insurance in building trust and making sure all risks are considered and adequately addressedThe process for accepting companies into the Cleveland Water Alliance’s programsHow Cleveland Water Alliance has developed buy-in with market participants and built up trust with utilities and other market participantsBryan’s perspective on climate change and its impact on water tech innovation and the impacts on the Great Lakes
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
Bryan’s LinkedIn profileCleveland Water Alliance’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!

Feb 15, 2022 • 36min
The Manila Water Concessions and Philippine Water Privatization with Iris Gonzales
Iris Gonzales, Philippine Star reporter and columnist, provides an eye-opening discussion on water in the Philippines and the Manila water concessions. Iris also explains the impact of the recently enacted legislative franchises granted by the Filipino government.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
Iris’ coverage of water in the PhilippinesHow the Philippines set up water utilities after achieving independence on July 4, 1946Why President Ramos privatized the water utility industry in the PhilippinesWhere President Ramos got the idea to privatize the water utility industryThe background on the Manila water utility concessionsWhy Manila split its water utility concessions between an East Zone and a West ZoneHow the Manila water concessions are ––structuredHow the Manila water concessionaires are regulatedThe legislative franchise the Congress of the Philippines enacted for the concessionaires How the legislative franchise interfaces with the Manila water concessionsWhy the legislative franchise provides a safety net for the concessionaires’ investment in water infrastructureWhether privatization improved water utility service in the PhilippinesIris’ take on the Filipino view of water as a right
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
Iris’ page on the Philippine Star’s websiteIris’ Twitter handle & Instagram handle: @eyesgonzalesManila’s Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Service webpage explaining the concessions
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!

Feb 1, 2022 • 43min
Mississippi v. Tennessee and Its Implications for State Water Policy with Robin Craig
Robin Craig, the Robert C. Packard Trustee Chair in Law at USC Gould School of Law and long-time water law professor, joins us to discuss the background, arguments and holding in Mississippi v. Tennessee, and provides some insights on what the case might mean for State water policy moving forward.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
Robin’s extensive background in water lawThe factual background of Mississippi v. TennesseeThe procedural history of Mississippi v. TennesseeWhy Mississippi sued Tennessee and not the actual entity pumping the waterWhat Mississippi’s claim wasWhat the briefings revealed about the parties’ positionsThe issues the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) probed during oral argumentsWhat the SCOTUS held in Mississippi v. TennesseeWhat equitable apportionment isHow equitable apportionment interfaces and impacts compacts between the StatesHow the SCOTUS’ holding might impact State compact negotiations over water rights (and potentially other natural resources)How the holding of Mississippi v. Tennessee might impact other conflicts among the States over groundwater
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
Robin’s LinkedIn PageRobin’s bio on the USC Gould School of Law Faculty PageThe Supreme Court of the United States Opinion in Mississippi v. TennesseeRobin’s blog post on SCOTUSblog about the case
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!

Jan 18, 2022 • 33min
A Heart-Based Approach to Industrial Water Treatment with Christina Lundbäck
Christina Lundbäck provides a fascinating discussion of SurfCleaner and its applications to remove contaminants from water at wastewater treatment plants, industrial facilities, ports, harbors, and spills.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
What SurfCleaner isHow the technology behind SurfCleaner was developedHow SurfCleaner was developed based on the human heartHow SurfCleaner worksHow SurfCleaner helps separate and capture floating solidsHow SurfCleaner helps remove oil and fuel from waterHow reduced emissions is a byproduct of SurfCleanerWhy industrial applications are ideal for SurfCleanerWhy pretreatment applications are ideal for SurfCleanerWhy “upstream” applications are ideal for SurfCleanerThe difficulties of using SurfCleaner in the open sea and oceanHow SurfCleaner differs from traditional skimmersChristina’s SurfCleaner leave-behind message
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
Christina’s LinkedIn PageSurfCleaner’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!

Jan 4, 2022 • 43min
How the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators Views Upcoming Issues
Water industry veteran and Association of State Drinking Administrators (ASDWA) Executive Director Alan Roberson discusses the big issues facing the water sector from a state regulatory perspective. Plus, Reese Tisdale joins us for a Bluefield on Tap segment.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
What ASDWA isASDWA’s membershipThe priorities in 2022 for state drinking water regulatorsWhy the Lead and Copper Rule is the most complex regulation to administerHow the Lead and Copper Rule interplays with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the service line inventory periodsHow state drinking water administrators view compliance and enforcementASDWA’s perspective on PFASHow PFAS regulation might unfoldHow ASDWA interfaces with the U.S. EPAHow ASDWA looks at cybersecurity for drinking water systemsHow ASDWA views the upcoming funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
Alan’s LinkedIn PageASDWA’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!

Dec 21, 2021 • 49min
The Year in Water 2021 with Cathy Bailey, OJ McFoy and Cindy Wallis-Lage
An all-star panel of water leaders participate in a roundtable discussion about what happened in the year that was 2021 and provide insights on what 2022 might hold for the water sector.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
Each panelist’s takeaways from 2021Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding issuesWhy the IIJA needs to be a “down payment” on our infrastructure rather than a one-time investmentWhy our panelists are worried about small and medium sized utilitiesHow larger utilities can help small and medium sized utilitiesWhy access to infrastructure funds need to be simplifiedHow we can help our communities understand water’s role in building our communitiesHow historic underinvestment in infrastructure has and is manifesting itselfHow affordability took on an even bigger role in 2021Innovation and the role of technology for utilities moving forwardOur panelists’ favorite holiday traditions
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
Cathy’s LinkedIn PageOJ’s LinkedIn PageCindy’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!

Dec 7, 2021 • 33min
All about charity: water with Chief Global Water Officer Christoph Gorder
Christoph Gorder, Chief Global Water Officer, blows us away with a deep dive on charity: water and its work.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
How Christoph transitioned from disaster relief to charity: watercharity: water’s missionHow charity: water’s unique structure helps it achieve successHow charity: water overcame one of the unique fundraising challengesWhy clean water helps reduce infant mortality rates, increase literacy rates and increase incomeHow much it costs charity: water to implement a water projectHow charity: water uses technologyWhat technology solutions charity: water deploysHow the technology solutions benefit rural communitiesHow climate change impacts the populations served by charity: waterThe steps charity: water takes to ensure its projects are resilient to climate changeHow charity: water interacts with governments where its projects are locatedHow to get involved with charity: water
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
Christoph’s LinkedIn Pagecharity: water’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!

Nov 16, 2021 • 33min
Outcome Based Contracting with Woodard & Curran CEO Alyson Watson
Alyson Watson, CEO of Woodard & Curran, delivers a tour de force performance explaining why the water industry needs a fresh approach to delivering services and advocating for an outcome based contracting approach focused on trust and empathy.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
Alyson’s background as a “water brat”Alyson’s perspective on the prevailing mode of project deliveryWhy shifting to an outcome based approach makes more senseHow risk can be shifted to the private sector to facilitate an outcome based approach What needs to happen to shift to an outcome based approachWhy trust is key to this outcome based approachHow empathy factors into the trust equationHow water leaders can foster outcome based contracting in their organizationsSeveral case studies that demonstrate the benefits of outcome based contractingHow outcome based approaches might have ancillary benefits, such as employee retentionAlyson’s ideas to foster collaboration in the water industry How outcome based approaches and collaboration can help combat climate change
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
Alyson’s LinkedIn PageWoodard & Curran’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!

Nov 2, 2021 • 42min
Water Use on Military Installations with Cameron Craig
Cameron was a civilian employee working on a U.S. Army base before moving to a military contractor. Cameron gives a terrific interview shining a light on water issues on military installations in this U.S. Army approved interview.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
Cameron’s backgroundWhy water is important to the armed forcesWater needs and use on military basesCameron’s role as a civilian working on water issues for the U.S. Army The collaboration on water issues between the military and civilians on military installationsWater and the impact of COVID-19 on military installationsHow the military used wastewater epidemiology to build a predictive analytics model to monitor the spread of COVID-19 on military basesThe collaboration among the local university, the civilian water team, and the military on developing the wastewater epidemiology modelWhy wastewater epidemiology models are system specific Water and sustainability on military basesClean water issues for field based military units Cameron’s thoughts on military sustainability and resilience
Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:
Cameron’s LinkedIn PageConcurrent Technology Corporation’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!