Water Values Podcast

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!

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!

James Eklund returns to The Water Values Podcast for a third time to provide an argument for why demand management is critical to the future of the Colorado River. In this session, you’ll learn about: What James has been up to since his last podcast appearanceA brief history of the Colorado River CompactHow the Upper Basin and Lower Basin came to beHow climate change has impacted the Colorado River CompactWhat demand management isHow demand management and water banking worked in the Lower BasinThe creation of the water banking account in the Upper BasinWhy demand management represents a viable solution for Upper Basin StatesHow demand management can stem the proliferation of “buy and dry”Why demand management hasn’t taken off in the Upper BasinWhy only sovereigns can “bank” water & the lawsuit behind itJames’ thoughts on where we go from here on the Colorado River Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: James’ LinkedIn PageEklund Hanlon’s websiteSaving the Colorado River: How Demand Management Can Save the Colorado River, article by James Eklund 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!

Alison Adams, now Chief Technology Officer at INTERA, drove innovation at Tampa Bay Water when she helped pioneer Tampa Bay Water’s digital transformation. Alison provides firsthand knowledge about how to design a program for digital transformation, how to get employee buy in, and the benefits your utility will achieve along the way. Plus Reese Tisdale joins us for another Bluefield on Tap segment. In this session, you’ll learn about: How Alison’s upbringing on a farm helped form her appreciation of the importance water How an environmental issue led to Tampa Bay Water’s need to make the digital transformation Why Tampa Bay Water needed to address groundwater pumping The Floridian aquifer system and its relation to surface water Tampa Bay Water’s early adoption of the digital transformation over two decades ago The four defined steps needed to be undertaken in a utility’s digital transformation How breaking down internal silos helped the digital transformation process How Tampa Bay Water built a decision support system What some of the bumps in the road were How to message that the technology will not replace workers and jobs but will help them do their jobs better–how to create quick wins How Tampa Bay Water’s digital transformation achieved its original goal–environmental recovery–and found new benefits along the way Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Press Release when Alison joined INTERA Press Release on Alison’s recent promotion to Chief Technical Officer at INTERA Tampa Bay Water’s website INTERA’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!

Claudia Toussaint, General Counsel of Xylem, provides a terrific discussion of ESG issues from the perspective of a publicly traded corporation’s general counsel. In a nutshell, Claudia describes how little acorns of ESG can grow into mighty oaks when corporate boards use ESG to guide their business strategies. In this session, you’ll learn about: Claudia’s unique backgroundWhat ESG is from a publicly traded company’s perspectiveWhy the water sector is so central to ESG issuesHow sustainability has morphed from primarily being an environmental concept to a business and social conceptWhy an entity’s business strategy needs to align with its sustainability strategyThe ESG issues involved in the Exxon Mobil proxy fightWhy ESG needs to be front and center for publicly traded companies (guess what – the logic applies to all businesses!)Why it is critical for corporate boards to have an ESG strategyHow ESG supports a corporation’s access to capital and lowers the cost of capitalHow ESG supports a corporation’s workforce and the corporation’s strategic directionHow businesses measure ESGWhy Claudia thinks the water sector can lead on ESG Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Claudia’s LinkedIn PageXylem’s websiteSmart sewer technology satisfies EPA consent decree, saves city $400 million

Tom Ferguson of Imagine H2O fame and now captaining Burnt Island Ventures joins The Water Values Podcast for an engaging discussion on early stage and venture capital investing in the water sector and a big picture discussion about what the water sector needs to achieve greatness. In this session, you’ll learn about: Tom’s unique story for how he landed in the water sectorWhy Tom believes that deserving companies in water typically get funded, although their paths may be disparateBurnt Island Venture’s “broad at seed” strategyThe due diligence Burnt Island Ventures undertakes looking for investment opportunitiesFinding the pain point to accelerate the investment horizonThe investment lifecycleWhy investment diversification is importantBurnt Island Ventures’ current “Island” (you’ll need to listen to learn what this is)What Tom likes about water sector investing. And what he doesn’tTom’s big picture thoughts on the water sectorWhy the water industry needs to start shouting from the rooftops Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Tom’s LinkedIn PageBurnt Island Venture’s websiteTWV #176: The Evolution of a Water Start-Up with Dana HaaszTWV #165: Private Equity in the Water Sector with Cimbria Capital’s Brian Iversen 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!

Brent Fewell of the Water Finance Exchange shares the story of why the Water Finance Exchange was established and how it aims to serve the significant need for water infrastructure funding in the market. In this session, you’ll learn about: What the Water Finance Exchange isWhy the Water Finance Exchange was foundedHow the Water Finance Exchange is fundedBrent’s view on why communities have not been proactive in seeking water infrastructure fundingBrent’s thoughts on how the Water Finance Exchange might fit into the infrastructure billCriteria for Water Finance Exchange fundingHow Water Finance Exchange aims to help build utilities of the futureBrent’s observations on “water cooperatives”Why communities need to be open to change from a water funding perspectiveBrent’s thoughts on regionalization Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Brent’s LinkedIn PageWater Finance Exchange’s website

Jeffrey Kightlinger provides an excellent interview offering profound thoughts on the water industry that was recorded during the waning days of his 15-year tenure as the General Manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Plus, Reese Tisdale of Bluefield Research comes on for Bluefield on Tap to discuss how population shifts might impact the water sector. In this session, you’ll learn about:  Why Jeff decided to retire from Metropolitan at this juncture Jeff’s perspective on what makes a good water leader Where the gaps in water leadership are and whether they’re being filled The advice Jeff received when he began his tenure at Metropolitan Whether Jeff heeded that advice How has the GM position changed during his tenure Jeff’s biggest surprises in dealing with water issues Jeff’s proudest accomplishments during his years at Metropolitan What Jeff wishes had worked out differently Jeff’s public words of advice for his successor, Adel Hagekhalil Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:  Jeff’s LinkedIn Page Jeff’s Twitter handle: @8thGenCA Other exit interviews: Verde Exchange (Part 1 and Part 2) and org TWV #133: Resiliency and Regionalism in Southern California with Metropolitan’s Jeffrey Kightlinger TWV #142: Los Angeles’ Approach to Infrastructure with Adel Hagekhalil 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!

Locus Technologies founder and CEO Neno Duplan provides a wealth of experience on water quality in the cloud. Neno began cloud-based data work before any of us knew what the cloud even was. He does a great job explaining the steps needed to undertake and the significant benefits of a cloud-based digital transformation, and much more! In this session, you’ll learn about:  Neno’s background and start in the nuclear sector consulting on cooling waterNeno’s perspective on water quality data and the cloudThe digital transformation from spreadsheets to local data bases to the cloudThe one advantage that utilities still keeping data on spreadsheets haveNeno’s advice on getting started with data collection and validationThe cross-functional benefits of using cloud-based dataThe benefits of cloud-based data in regulatory reporting and strategic decision makingWhat utilities can be doing now from a data collection standpoint to prepare for future regulationWhy cloud-based and validated data aids utilities in regulatory reportingWhere Neno thinks the future of water liesHow blockchain fits into the water quality regulation Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:  Neno’s LinkedIn PageLocus Technologies’ websiteNews Release: US EPA Establishes New Council on PFAS Thank You!

James Perry of Utilis joins us to discuss Synthetic Aperture Radar and its many and varied applications in the water sector. James provides a wealth of information about how the technology developed to its cost-effective use and application in the water sector. Plus, Reese Tisdale of Bluefield Research provides more water industry insights on the California drought and how utilities are bringing climate adaptation experience learned in California to other regions of the United States. In this session, you’ll learn about:  Jim’s background in big public companies and start-upsWhat synthetic aperture radar (SAR) isHow SAR worksHow SAR can find the “underground signature” of waterHow SAR mapping can help identify where leaks occur in a water systemThe types of leaks SAR mapping can identify, from slow drips to large main breaksHow SAR mapping allows system surveys to allow utilities to target problem leak areasUtilis’ experience as to where the infrastructure is leaking (mains, service lines, meters, hydrants, valves, etc. – the answer might surprise you)Additional uses for SAR like alternative supply locations, soil moisture monitoring, earthen dam monitoring, wastewater leakage, and much moreHow utilities using SAR experience a 6 month ROI Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:  James’ LinkedIn PageUtilis’ website Thank You!