Talking Under Water

The battle over Colorado River resources is brewing

In this episode Talking Under Water co-hosts discuss escalating water use restrictions in Denver, the broader legal and political fight over Colorado River allocations, and what differing conservation strategies reveal about the future of water management in the West. The conversation begins with Denver Water’s declaration of a Stage 1 drought, outlining outdoor watering limits, fines for repeat violations, and how these measures compare with long‑standing, highly structured conservation programs in Southern Nevada.
The episode then zooms out to the Colorado River basin, breaking down the growing split between upper and lower basin states, the looming possibility of Supreme Court litigation, and disagreements over delivery obligations rooted in the 1922 Colorado River Compact. The hosts explore what water scarcity could mean for cities, agriculture, and priority water rights, and why the lack of a statewide curtailment plan in Colorado raises serious questions.
In additional news, the podcast reflects on the passing of Dr. James Barnard, a pioneering figure in biological nutrient removal, and covers bipartisan federal efforts to fund advanced wastewater treatment for PFAS. The episode rounds out with updates on sediment cleanups, beach water quality monitoring, stormwater permitting debates, and ongoing concerns about affordability as utilities face increasing regulatory and infrastructure demands.
 Show Notes:
Denver water restrictions expected to begin March 25 amid near-record low snowpack
Denver Water Rules for outdoor water use
Denver Water’s 2026 Water Budget Program
The Colorado River is on the brink of possible forced water cuts. One thing is certain: There will be lawyers.
Las Vegas Valley Conservation Schedule
Las Vegas Valley water waste fees and policies
Lower Colorado River Basin states agree to conserve 3 million acre-feet of water (2023)
Opposing viewpoints: what the Colorado River water allocation debate is about, and who has piped up
Water Technology
House advances BEACH Act reauthorization to strengthen water quality monitoring
EPA resumes Cuyahoga River sediment cleanup in Ohio
EPA resumes final phase of Rouge River sediment cleanup in Detroit
PFAS contamination raises new concerns in Louisiana facility's stormwater discharges
Stormwater sector pushes back as Washington targets permits: rules and affordable housing can coexist
Wastewater pioneer James Barnard dies at 90 
Bipartisan bill targets funding for advanced wastewater treatment and PFAS removal
EPA seeks public input on financial capability guidance for wastewater upgrades
Timestamps:  
01:23 – Denver Water declares Stage 1 drought
02:18 – Stage 1 drought rules explained
04:11 – Colorado River basin context
05:31 – The 1922 Colorado River Compact
06:51 – Lower basin conservation agreement
07:45 – States respond as litigation looms
08:41 – Nevada water conservation comparison
10:31 – Potential impacts to Colorado water users
12:12 – Agriculture vs. municipal water use debate
14:32 – Passing of Dr. James Barnard
15:22 – PFAS treatment funding proposal
16:20 – EPA affordability guidance update
17:16 – Federal water policy & cleanup updates
19:24 – PFAS contamination incident
20:09 – Stormwater permitting under scrutiny
20:44 – Housekeeping
 
Resources:
  Use code WWD15 to get 15% off your attendee pass when you register at StormCon.com.
 
About the Podcast
Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Storm Water Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, stormwater and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.    
Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing talkingunderwater@endeavorb2b.com engaging with them on X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media. 

Different by Design: Turning 30 Years of Expertise into Utility Confidence

Utilities hold more power than they think. In this day and age, with a few taps of a keyboard, information is literally at your fingertips. For some, that’s a simple Google search, and others a query with a generative AI tool. But for those more enterprising utility leaders, operators and managers, that interaction in peer groups on Facebook, LinkedIn, Discord or other platforms. 
They share best practices with each other, answer questions, provide guidance on management decisions, and it is a forum for open and honest thoughts about products in the market place. Utilities are holding vendors accountable with each other. 
Bruce Bharat, regional president of the Americas for Kamstrup, has taken notice of this trend and other purchasing influences in the market. In this sponsored interview, Bob Crossen talks with him about how the Information Age has changed the way modern utilities interact with Kamstrup, why that drives innovation and how being different is a good thing. 
This episode is sponsored by Kamstrup
Resources: 
WaterWorld Digital Edition 
SWS Digital Edition 
WWD YouTube Channel 
About the Podcast     
Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Storm Water Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, point of use, point of entry, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and on-site interviews with experts for WWD, WaterWorld and SWS. New episodes of the podcast are released on the third Friday of every month. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.     
Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing talkingunderwater@endeavorb2b.com engaging with them on Twitter @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.  

Lifting as we climb: building trust, confidence, and future leaders in water

In this episode Talking Under Water co-host Mandy Crispin speaks with Angela Walker who is the Assistant Director of Wastewater Operations at the Brunswick‑Glynn Joint Water & Sewer Commission and one of the inspirations for this year’s Women in Water feature story.
Walker reflects on her career journey, the role her mother played in shaping her sense of responsibility and stubborn determination, and the ways her team supported her during a profound personal loss. She shares candid insights on navigating male‑dominated spaces, building trust within utility teams, and creating a culture where knowledge is shared — not guarded — through cross‑training and collaboration between operations and maintenance.
The conversation dives into systems thinking during plant upsets, staying calm under pressure, and leading with accountability instead of blame. Walker also speaks to the industry’s role in long‑term water sustainability, from water reuse potential to the challenges posed by data centers and emerging contaminants.
This episode highlights why utilities are about more than infrastructure. They’re about people, public health, and the future of water.
 
Show notes
Women in Water 2026
Angela G. Walker LinkedIn
 
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction01:04 – Developing technical confidence & owning your seat at the table02:32 – Remembering her mother & early influences04:04 – Team support, trust, and leadership culture05:44 – Barriers for women in technical leadership07:59 – Lifting others as we climb / Knowledge‑sharing culture11:12 – Systems thinking & staying calm under pressure13:45 – Public health, sustainability, and water reuse18:26 – Closing thoughts & where to find Angela Walker19:54 – Housekeeping
 
About the Podcast  
Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld (WW) and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

EPA’s legal PFAS battle, tariff fallout, and America’s aging water systems

In this episode, Talking Under Water co‑hosts discuss the newest PFAS regulatory developments, major legal challenges, and the mounting strain on water and stormwater infrastructure across the U.S. The conversation begins with the EPA’s decision to add PFHXSNA to the Toxics Release Inventory, expanding federal PFAS tracking and community access to chemical data. The hosts then outline the unfolding court battle over EPA’s PFAS drinking water rule, detailing the agency’s motion to sever and pause litigation on the hazard index and the strong opposition filed by AWWA and AMWA, who argue that utilities need unified judicial review to plan for compliance.
 
The episode also explores the Supreme Court’s recent ruling striking down President Trump’s tariff plan and how the administration is seeking new legal pathways to maintain tariffs. From there, the hosts examine the politically charged response to the Potomac Interceptor sewer collapse, highlighting the operational, financial, and communication challenges surrounding the incident.
 
Closing out, the show turns to stormwater struggles on both coasts — catch basin failures and compliance gaps in Connecticut, and severe flooding, lawsuits, and multibillion‑dollar funding shortfalls in San Diego — underscoring nationwide infrastructure vulnerabilities. The episode concludes with key industry updates and program announcements.
 
Show Notes
EPA adds PFHxS-Na to toxics release inventory, expanding PFAS reporting
Court battle over EPA PFAS rule turns to procedural fight
AWWA-v-EPA-PFAS-Our-Opposition-to-Motion-to-Sever (PDF)  
Additional AWWA Resources for these court proceedings
EPA Motion to Sever and Hold Challenges to Index PFAS in Abeyance
Supreme Court strikes down Trump-era tariffs, raising implications for infrastructure costs
Trump calls for federal response to Potomac Interceptor collapse
 
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
01:06 – Episode overview (topics the episode will cover)
01:19 – PFAS TRI addition explanation (PFHXSNA added to toxics release inventory)
04:09 – EPA motion on PFAS drinking water rule (EPA asks court to sever hazard index challenge)
09:36 – AWWA & AMWA opposition filing (utilities argue judicial review should remain unified)
14:22 – Supreme Court strikes down Trump tariff plan (overview of the decision and implications)
16:35 – Potomac Interceptor sewer collapse (political conflict and infrastructure impacts)
21:34 – Connecticut stormwater infrastructure challenges (Meriden compliance gaps and repairs)
22:54 – San Diego stormwater failures (flooding, lawsuits, funding shortfall)
24:13 – Housekeeping (polls, nominations, and program updates)
About the Podcast  
Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld (WW) and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

Building the next generation of water utility leaders: inside Xavier University’s new master’s program

In this episode Talking Under Water co-host Bob Crossen talks with John Ikeda and Justin Roush about the launch of Xavier University’s groundbreaking Water Utilities Management master’s degree — the first program of its kind in the United States. Together, they discuss how the degree was conceived, the industry challenges it aims to address, and why workforce development has become one of the most urgent priorities for water and wastewater utilities.
Ikeda, chief mission officer at the Water Environment Federation (WEF), and Roush, assistant economics professor at Xavier and director of the new program, outline the growing need for specialized utility leadership as retirements accelerate and system complexity increases. They explain how the curriculum blends foundational business skills with utility‑specific coursework in areas like rate setting, regulation, capital improvement planning, and strategic communications. The discussion also highlights unique residency experiences, cohort‑based learning, and the program’s intentional focus on networking and long‑term career growth.
Crossen, Ikeda, and Roush explore how the master’s degree fits into broader sector‑wide workforce strategies and why emerging topics — such as AI in water — are being built directly into the curriculum. The episode offers a forward‑looking look at how the program aims to elevate future water utility leaders across the U.S.
Show Notes
Xavier University Water Utility Management Program
Xavier University Water Utility Management Program on LinkedIn
Poll: What is your biggest workforce challenge in 2026?
WWD Emerging Leaders submissions
WW Emerging Leaders submissions
WW Women in Water Questionnaire
StormCon 2026 registration
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
01:25 – Guest introductions
02:24 – Origin of the master's program
04:49 – Why traditional programs fall short
06:53 – What makes water utilities unique
08:20 – Role of WEF in program development
10:44 – Why visibility and career pathways matter
11:30 – Cohort model & residency experiences
18:44 – Unique program features
27:15 – Housekeeping announcements and closing reminders
About the Podcast  
Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld (WW) and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

Forecasting water in 2026: data centers and wastewater association goals

In this episode of Talking Underwater, co-hosts Mandy Crispin and Bob Crossen explore the forces shaping the water and wastewater sector as the industry looks ahead to 2026. 
The conversation opens with insights into new research on the growing water demands of data centers in Texas. Drawing from a recent white paper by the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), Crispin outlines how existing and planned data center development could significantly strain drinking water supplies if water planning and policy fail to keep pace with rapid growth. 
Crossen then shares insights from a January poll on wastewater capital spending priorities. Results show utilities are primarily focused on treatment process upgrades and collection system improvements, while resilience and emergency preparedness rank surprisingly low. 
The episode wraps with a broader look at 2026 industry forecasts from the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). Key themes include workforce development, the rise of the circular water economy, policy efforts around PFAS and the “polluter pays” principle, funding through state revolving funds, and affordability programs such as LIHWAP. Together, these perspectives suggest a shift from big‑picture concepts toward practical action as utilities confront emerging challenges and opportunities in the year ahead.
Show Notes
Thirsty Data and the Lone Star State: The Impact of Data Center Growth on Texas’ Water Supply
What is perchlorate in drinking water?
Poll results: 2026 wastewater capital spending priorities
Looking forward: WEF’s strategics priorities and collective action for the wastewater sector
NACWA’s clean water initiatives focus on liability, affordability and infrastructure
AWWA outlines federal priorities for water and wastewater utilities in the 119th Congress
Poll: What is your biggest workforce challenge in 2026?
WWD Emerging Leaders submissions
WW Emerging Leaders submissions
StormCon 2026 registration
Timestamps
00:28 – Introduction
01:05 – Overview of HARC white paper on Texas data centers and water use
01:42 – Projections for data center water demand by 2030
04:13 – Policy recommendations
06:23 – January capital spending poll overview
07:55 – 2026 WEF priorities
09:15 – 2026 NACWA policy and legislative focus
09:34 – State Revolving Fund reauthorization
10:08 – Low‑Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)
11:15 – Housekeeping announcements and closing reminders
About the Podcast  
Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld (WW) and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

One Water: AI and energy needs in a sustainable water future

In this episode Talking Under Water co-host Bob Crossen speaks with Gabriel Collins, the Baker Botts Fellow in Energy and Environmental Regulatory Affairs at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, about the evolving pressures on industrial water use and the widening implications of the AI boom. Drawing from his cross-sector expertise, Collins unpacks why water is an inherently hyper‑local resource and how industries — ranging from semiconductor fabrication to refineries and petrochemical plants — are adapting to shrinking supplies and rising costs.
The conversation explores how data centers are straining municipal systems and, in some cases, driving new water‑reuse investments. Collins shares real‑world examples illustrating how creative contracting and industrial partnerships can help utilities upgrade critical infrastructure. He also highlights the increasing viability of air‑cooling technology as an alternative in water‑scarce regions.
Shifting to oil and gas, Collins explains how produced water, seismicity concerns, and disposal challenges are prompting operators to rethink water management strategies. Throughout the discussion, he stresses the importance of “fit‑for‑purpose” water use and the opportunities for circular water practices that avoid mixing contaminated and freshwater streams.
The episode closes with a look at the logistical and economic barriers that still limit a truly integrated one‑water approach.
Show Notes
Gabriel Collins, Baker Institute for Public Policy
Gabriel Collins on LinkedIn
The Sinews of Civilization Substack
WWD Emerging Leaders submissions
WW Emerging Leaders submissions
StormCon 2026 registration
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
01:39 – Industrial Water Use in 2026
03:04 – Blind Spots vs. Barriers
05:07 – Water Reuse, Recycling, and Sector Differences
06:34 – Fit‑for‑Purpose Water & Evolving Standards
09:02 – Costs, Margins, and Sensitivity to Water Price
11:03 – Data Centers & Municipal Pressure
14:25 – Policy Levers & Infrastructure Investment
17:34 – Oil & Gas: Produced Water, Disposal, and Seismicity
20:19 – One Water & Virtual Water Displacement
22:08 – Barriers to Circular Water
26:35 – Housekeeping
About the Podcast  
Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld (WW) and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

EPA proposal for Perchlorate MCL, new PFAS treatment and infrastructure failures

In this episode of Talking Under Water, Mandy Crispin and Bob Crossen discuss the EPA’s proposal to establish a national primary drinking water regulation for perchlorate under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The hosts break down the proposed rule, monitoring requirements, cost implications, and what utilities should prepare for, plus give updates on PFAS treatment research and recent wastewater spills.
Show Notes
EPA proposes national drinking water rule for perchlorate
Federal Register: Proposed national primary drinking water regulation for perchlorate
What do the new PFAS MCLs mean for the water industry?
Steps water systems can take to address perchlorate in drinking water (2020 EPA guidance document)
New copper-aluminum layered double hydroxide technology offers sustainable PFAS remediation
Georgetown isolates 42-inch wastewater line failure after San Gabriel River spill
Houston reports wastewater spill exceeding 100,000 gallons following collection system failure
Timestamps
00:00 – Cold open
00:54 – Introduction to episode and overview
01:32 – EPA proposal for perchlorate regulation explained
03:49 – Comparing perchlorate MCLs to PFAS standards
05:00 – Binning approach for monitoring frequency
07:21 – Waiver process for reduced monitoring
09:41 – Initial monitoring requirements and costs
10:02 – Public comment deadline and hearing details
11:04 – PFAS treatment research update
12:23 – Wastewater spill reports
15:29 – Housekeeping
About the Podcast  
Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld (WW) and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

Where is the water industry heading in 2026?

In this episode of Talking Under Water, the hosts discuss the state of the industry surveys from each water brand — Wastewater Digest and WaterWorld — with some data points. The hosts provide some analysis of the results, including what some of the biggest challenges and trends are moving into 2026.  
Show Notes:   
2025 State of the One Water Industry
2024 State of the One Water Industry
Timestamps:   
Cold open | 0:00
Episode summary | 1:01
Financial trends | 6:29
Organizational health | 9:45
Key industry issues | 32:05
Housekeeping | 40:24 
Resources: 
WWD Videos
WW Magazine Subscription
StormCon Registration
About the Podcast      
Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Storm Water Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and on-site interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.      
Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing talkingunderwater@endeavorb2b.com engaging with them on Twitter @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.  

One Water, Many Worlds: Insights from a global fellowship

In this episode of Talking Under Water as Kaitlin Spiridellis shares insights from her year-long global fellowship exploring water challenges and solutions across five continents. From Europe’s luxury water market and Vienna’s century-old gravity-fed system to sanitation campaigns in Indonesia, equity efforts for First Nations in Australia, and innovative partnerships in Africa, this episode uncovers surprising patterns in water stress and highlights emerging technologies shaping the future of “One Water” management. Kaitlin also reflects on the emotional impact of her journey and her optimism for global collaboration in building resilient, equitable water systems. 
Show Notes: 
World of water landing page
The Water Chronicles: A Journey to Understand the World’s Water Disparities
Timestamps:
Cold open - 0:00
Host introduction and episode summary - 0:53
Europe segment - 2:04
Australia - 15:04
Africa - 19:00
Global themes &  future outlook- 22:44
Personal reflection - 33:00
Housekeeping - 36:55
About the Podcast      
Talking Under Water, a production of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B, is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest(WWD), WaterWorld and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, stormwater and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.      
Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing talkingunderwater@endeavorb2b.com engaging with them on X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.