Meaningful community engagement starts with one simple step: listening. Crystal Davis of the National Parks Conservation Association says that real collaboration requires more than meetings and checkboxes — it demands accountability, non-extractive partnerships, and centering lived experience from the very beginning. Her message is clear: communities know what they need,…
Water isn’t just a natural resource in the Midwest—it’s the connector between education, health, opportunity, and community identity. Crystal Davis of the National Parks Conservation Association explains why water is a powerful unifier across the Great Lakes and why understanding each community’s unique relationship to it is essential for building…
Breakthroughs in water reuse won’t just come from bigger plants — they’ll come from smarter ones. Roshanak Aflaki of CDM Smith explains how digital tools, AI-driven operations, and predictive maintenance will help operators run systems more efficiently while improving safety and reliability. She also highlights major advances on the horizon…
Communities across the Midwest are navigating a complex mix of water challenges—from affordability to agricultural pollution to protecting iconic national parks—and the policies shaping those outcomes. In this episode, Crystal Davis, Senior Midwest Regional Director for the National Parks Conservation Association, discusses how regional advocacy, coalition building, and community-driven organizing…
Across the U.S., stormwater regulations form a confusing patchwork that slows innovation and complicates compliance for communities and companies alike. In this episode from WEFTEC, Jay Holtz of Oldcastle Infrastructure explains how this fragmented system has evolved — and why it’s time for change. He outlines the challenges posed by…
Imagine using algae to clean wastewater and also grow fertilizer, boost crop yields, and even power airplanes. That’s the breakthrough behind Gross-Wen Technologies, where algae replaces chemicals—removing nitrogen and phosphorus while creating a valuable biomass for turf, agriculture, and even sustainable aviation fuel. Martin Gross explains how this circular approach…
California’s next leap in water recycling is all about precision, efficiency, and smarter treatment. Greg Wetterau of CDM Smith explains how engineers are pushing beyond traditional indirect potable reuse—testing new approaches that make direct potable reuse safer, more reliable, and far more affordable. From the Metropolitan Water District of Southern…
Odor control and overflow prevention are critical yet often overlooked challenges for wastewater utilities — especially as urban areas expand and climate impacts intensify. In this episode of Inside Infrastructure, Ryan Powers of the Wager Company explains how a family company that started in marine ventilation is now helping communities…
Public trust nearly derailed one of California’s most important water recycling projects — but it also transformed how the state approaches reuse. Traci Minamide of CDM Smith explains how the East Valley project became a flashpoint in the early 2000s, when “toilet-to-tap” politics stalled progress for two decades. Today, that…
What should we rethink about water? Henk Ovink says we need to rethink how little attention we pay to the hydrological cycle — and how much of it depends on healthy land. Half of all rainfall on land comes from forests, wetlands, and other natural systems through transpiration. His message…
California’s water recycling movement has evolved from experiments to expansion—driven by progressive regulations, proven technology, and positive public trust. In this episode, Traci Minamide, Greg Wetterau, and Roshanak Aflaki of CDM Smith share expert insights from decades of experience advancing reuse across the Golden State. They reflect on the past,…
Federal funding for water infrastructure hangs in the balance. Adam Krantz of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies explains how the White House budget proposal nearly zeroed out key State Revolving Funds—dropping billions in investment to mere millions. Now, the House and Senate will debate how much to restore,…
America’s economic ambitions depend on water. From data centers and chipmakers to manufacturing and energy, every facility need a strong water foundation. Adam Krantz of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies says it’s time Congress and the White House connect the dots—investing in water infrastructure isn’t just about clean…
With D.C. often defined by political noise, water leaders are staying focused on what’s real. Adam Krantz of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies says his organization tunes out the screaming and symbolism in Washington by focusing on tangible progress—advocating for policies, tracking legislation, building bipartisan relationships. Amid political…
Clean water’s future depends on sustainable funding, bipartisan policy, and stronger public communication. In this conversation from the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C., Adam Krantz of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) explains how federal investments and advocacy are shaping the next chapter for America’s water infrastructure. He…
What if the future of water infrastructure isn’t just massive treatment plants and tunnels — but also thousands of small-scale systems spread across our communities? That’s the vision driving Cynthia Koehler and the WaterNow Alliance. From green stormwater infrastructure and urban trees to water-efficient fixtures and turf replacement, these distributed…
Could one program finally bring order to America’s stormwater chaos? 🌧️ Jay Holtz of Oldcastle Infrastructure explains how the new STEPP Program — Stormwater Testing and Evaluation for Products and Practices — aims to create a unified national system for verifying stormwater technologies and approaches. By standardizing testing and ensuring…
Why does every city seem to have its own stormwater rules? 🌧️ Jay Holtz of Oldcastle Infrastructure explains how the EPA set broad national guidelines but left the details up to local agencies — leading to thousands of unique programs shaped by climate, soil, and regional priorities. The result is…
Across the U.S., stormwater regulations form a confusing patchwork that slows innovation and complicates compliance for communities and companies alike. In this episode from WEFTEC, Jay Holtz of Oldcastle Infrastructure explains how this fragmented system has evolved — and why it’s time for change. He outlines the challenges posed by…
Can you destroy PFAS and reuse your carbon at the same time? 🔥 Brandon Hamilton of NORIT explains how their reactivation process hits 1700°F for up to six hours, ensuring PFAS molecules are destroyed while restoring 80–90% of the carbon’s original capacity. The result is a powerful closed-loop system —…
At one of the world’s busiest airports, recycled water is taking flight. Christina Beccera Jones of LA Sanitation & Environment explains how water from the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant will offset potable use at LAX—from air conditioning to toilet flushing—and even replace industrial water within the plant itself. It’s a…
Southern California is building the largest purified recycled water program on the planet — a bold collaboration that will redefine the region’s water future. Johan Torroledo explains how LA Sanitation, the LA Department of Water and Power, and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and are joining forces to…
In the race to remove PFAS from drinking water, about two-thirds of utilities are turning to activated carbon. Brandon Hamilton of NORIT explains how carbon offers a balanced solution with moderate costs, strong performance, and a built-in sustainability edge. Through a process known as reactivation, used carbon is returned, PFAS…
Turning wastewater into drinking water takes more than technology—it takes trust. At the Albert Robles Center, the Water Replenishment District is changing minds by opening its doors to students and the public, showing how science makes recycled water safe, pure, and sustainable. Stephan Tucker says the goal is to replace…