Pittsburgh’s Point marks the convergence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers. These waterways once fueled the city’s steel empire. They carried commerce deep into America’s heartland. Today, they sustain 30 million people downstream. Smokestacks have given way to waterfront parks. Water-focused recreation now thrives. Over 440 bridges, more than…
Texas is tackling its water challenges head-on with cutting-edge solutions like seawater and brackish groundwater desalination, including a major plant under construction in Corpus Christi. Meanwhile, El Paso’s groundbreaking water reuse facility, which will put purified wastewater back into the drinking water system, sets a model for sustainable urban water…
💧H2O INTRO 🤝 Meet Lyndon DeSalvo of The Nature Conservancy How do we advance green infrastructure that benefits both people and nature? Lyndon DeSalvo, Urban Conservation Program Manager at The Nature Conservancy, is focused on scaling nature-based solutions by tackling barriers in policy, financing, and data. He's working with partners…
Texas is poised to transform its water future with a $20 billion fund, approved by the legislature, to be allocated over 20 years for water security. The plan splits funding equally between developing new water supplies and upgrading aging infrastructure, addressing critical needs across the state, explains Todd Votteler of…
Texas is tackling its booming population’s water demands with a bold $20 billion investment plan to secure sustainable supplies and infrastructure by 2050. In this episode of In The Newsroom, Todd Votteler, a veteran water expert and editor of the Texas Water Journal, joins the podcast to discuss the state’s…
Water sparks joy and connection, and the latest Water Street Questions episode captures this magic through people's heartfelt stories. From nostalgic childhood beach trips to thrilling waterpark rides, serene yoga on a dock, kayaking with friends, and lifeguarding by the pool, residents shared memories that celebrate water’s role in shaping…
Dive into AI or fall behind, warns digital transformation expert Shama Hyder, emphasizing that tools like ChatGPT and Claude are essential for staying competitive. Embrace the learning curve—mistakes are just steps toward mastering AI’s potential in today’s workplace. Episode at https://bit.ly/AIreshapeComms waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for…
Picture yourself diving into a virtual aquifer or watching rain fall onto a model of the city of Los Angeles. That's what happens at the Albert Robles Center, where cutting-edge exhibits reveal the magic of water and visitors can see the process of purification through ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet…
Los Angeles is blazing a trail to a water-secure future by planning to transform 230 million gallons of wastewater daily into clean drinking water at the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant through the ambitious Pure Water Los Angeles program. A pilot project already supplying purified water to LAX proves this game-changing…
AI is elevating the importance of soft skills like empathy and curiosity, according to digital transformation expert Shama Hyder. Asking insightful questions is becoming a vital skill for thriving in an AI-driven workplace. Episode at https://bit.ly/AIreshapeComms waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability. Visit https://www.waterloop.org/ Subscribe…
💧H2O INTRO 🤝 Meet Andrew King of American Water How do we prepare for a changing climate? By evolving our risk assessments. Andrew King is a long-term planner for American Water, focusing on the impacts of natural disasters on our water and wastewater systems. By analyzing historical data and adopting…
AI is transforming workplaces by redefining roles, not replacing them, says digital transformation expert Shama Hyder. She highlights how AI reshapes workflows, elevating entry-level jobs into mid-level opportunities for a more innovative career landscape. Episode at https://bit.ly/AIreshapeComms waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability. Visit https://www.waterloop.org/…
What if the best way to fight floods… is to let them happen—strategically? In the Netherlands, world-renowned for water control, engineers are now shifting from concrete walls to soft engineering—restoring rivers’ natural ability to flood safely. By reconnecting floodplains and giving rivers room to breathe, they’re building resilience instead of…
Too much water one season, not enough the next. The answer doesn’t always lie in concrete and steel. Derek Vollmer of World Wildlife Fund explains how natural water storage—like replenishing soil and aquifers—can solve this imbalance. By directing water to infiltrate the ground and storing it for dry times, communities…
AI isn’t coming—it’s already here, and it’s reshaping how communications and marketing get done. In this episode, Shama Hyder, a leading voice in digital transformation, explains why this moment demands strategic urgency and how organizations must adapt or risk falling behind. She shares how AI is disrupting knowledge work, changing…
Can the Rio Grande flow freely again while still feeding farms and communities? The World Wildlife Fund is working on a three-part strategy to revive this iconic river: restoring native vegetation to conserve water, modernizing dam operations to better balance human and ecological needs, and collaborating with farmers to shift…
Los Angeles imports nearly 90% of its water—an unsustainable reality in an era of drought and climate change. But at the Port of LA, innovation is already in motion. The Terminal Island Water Reclamation Plant is a pioneer in water reuse, initially built to combat saltwater intrusion, now supplying recycled…
💧H2O INTRO 🤝 Meet Parul Baranwal of the City of Ames, Iowa How do you build a water-smart future? Start by bringing the next generation into the treatment plant. Parul, Assistant Director of Water and Pollution Control for the City of Ames, is blending global perspective with local leadership. Born…
WWF’s Waterscapes program is a place-based effort to improve the health of iconic rivers, wetlands, and lakes by working with communities and country offices on the ground. It's not just about water bodies, but the entire landscape that feeds them—and the people who depend on them. The initiative also puts…
In Miami Beach, sea level rise has already pushed water eight inches higher—and streets are flooding even when it doesn’t rain. In response, the city has spent over $500 million raising roads, installing pumps that move 14,000 gallons per minute, and building seawalls and permeable streets to manage the water.…
Healthy rivers are essential for thriving communities, and smart, nature-based solutions are proving crucial to turning things around in a changing climate. In this episode, Derek Vollmer, Director of Waterscapes for the World Wildlife Fund, shares how their program uses innovative, place-based strategies to restore rivers and build resilience worldwide.…
AI Meets Water: Moulton Niguel’s Bold Vision for the Workforce Recycling water isn't just about pipes—it's about people. In Orange County, the Moulton Niguel Water District is preparing for California’s water reuse future by building the Oasis Water Resources Center and launching a workforce training initiative. They’re partnering with a…
💧H2O INTRO 🤝 Meet Lance Ackerman of Colorado Springs Utilities What does it take to protect the Colorado River and keep cities green? Lance Ackerman is a horticulturist by training and a conservationist at heart. At Colorado Springs Utilities—where 70% of the water supply comes from the Colorado River—he’s leading…
The water sector is facing a generational shift—one that demands not just new talent, but bold, forward-thinking leadership. That’s been the mission of the Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment's Water Innovation Leadership Program: to equip emerging utility leaders with the tools to navigate today’s complex challenges while preparing…