The water sector is in the middle of a major transition, as decades-old challenges collide with powerful new technologies, workforce shifts, and rising public expectations.

In this episode, Ralph Exton, Executive Director of the Water Environment Federation, unpacks how a nearly century-old organization is working to steer global water strategy. He breaks down WEF’s three-pillar roadmap—building water communities, advancing workforce development, and leading circularity.

The conversation from the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C. also dives into the water–AI nexus, from the growing pressure data centers place on stressed watersheds to the launch of a new Center of Excellence designed to cut through misinformation and align utilities, regulators, and hyperscalers.

Ralph discusses the move toward a circular water economy, including the recovery of resources from wastewater. The discussion closes with a look at workforce development, from managing a wave of retirements across the industry to training the next generation.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability. Visit https://www.waterloop.org

00:00 Intro: The Great Transition in Water
01:11 What Is WEF? A Global Federation (Not a Trade Association)
03:05 Leading a 100-Year Organization Through Change
03:36 WEF’s 3-Pillar Strategy: Communities, Workforce, Circularity
05:29 Defining the “Circular Water Economy”
05:39 The Fifth-Grade Water Cycle (And What’s Missing)
06:52 How People & Industry Turn Circular Water Into Linear Water
08:02 Circular Economy 101: From Waste to Resources
10:09 Global Lessons + Partnerships Driving Circularity
10:44 Utilities + Industry + Reuse: Where Circularity Gets Real
11:26 The Water–AI Nexus: Data Centers and Public Concern
12:24 Why Data Centers Dominated the 2024 Water Discussion
14:24 WEF’s Response: Convene, Educate, Cut Through Misinformation
16:42 Why Water Reuse Is Central for Data Centers
17:38 Water–AI Nexus Center of Excellence: Who’s Involved
18:51 Why Amazon Was Selected as a Hyperscaler Partner
20:39 The Other Side of AI: Tools That Make Utilities Better
20:54 Agentic AI for Utilities: Pilots, Proof Points, Practical Use Cases
24:32 Workforce Reality Check: Retirements, Skills, and New Demands
25:26 Workforce Starts with Diversity, Equity, and Belonging
26:10 Ops Challenge: 40 Years of Skills Training at WEFTEC
27:20 AI-Powered Training: Scaling Learning to Everyone
28:51 Bridging Generations: Knowledge Transfer + Young Professionals
30:45 Public Awareness: The Long Game for Water Support
31:41 Coalitions + Consistent Messaging: Making Water “Seen”
33:22 Utilities Are Leveling Up Outreach: Education Centers & Public Tours
33:54 Closing Thanks

#Water #WaterIndustry #WaterLeadership #WaterInnovation #AIinWater #ArtificialIntelligence #DataCenters #CircularEconomy #Wastewater #WorkforceDevelopment #Infrastructure #Sustainability #Utilities #SmartWater #ClimateResilience