Talking Under Water

In this episode Talking Under Water co-host Mandy Crispin speaks with Brent Alspach, Vice President and Director of Applied Research at Arcadis, about the evolving science of microplastics in drinking water and the challenges facing future regulation. Recorded at ACE26, the conversation explores what has changed over the past year in the industry's understanding of microplastics and why policymakers, utilities, and researchers are still searching for answers.
Brent explains why defining microplastics for regulatory purposes is far more complex than defining traditional contaminants, given the wide range of particle sizes, polymer types, and characteristics involved. He also discusses concerns that public and political pressure could outpace the scientific research needed to support effective regulations.
The discussion covers the many hurdles that remain before any federal drinking water standard could be developed, including the lack of standardized sampling methods, testing protocols, and health effects data. Mandy and Brent also examine how regulators might determine whether drinking water is a significant source of human exposure compared to food or air.
Finally, Brent shares insights into how existing treatment processes perform, where knowledge gaps still exist, and what utility leaders should be doing today to prepare for a future in which microplastics receive greater regulatory attention.
Show notes
WaterWorld AWWA ACE26 Show Coverage
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction 
01:41 – What qualifies as a microplastic and why terminology matters 
02:24 – Why science must catch up before regulation advances 
04:03 – The challenge of defining microplastics for regulatory purposes 
07:47 – Determining whether drinking water is a meaningful exposure source 
09:38 – How far away meaningful regulation may be and the hurdles that remain 
11:30 – Can current drinking water treatment processes remove microplastics?
15:51 – 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 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. 

In this episode Talking Under Water the co-hosts discuss the recent coordinated cyberattacks targeting water and wastewater system PLCs across Minnesota and several other states, examining what happened, why it matters, and what utilities can learn from the incident. Bob Crossen and Alex Cossin break down reports that more than 30 Minnesota water systems were affected, with federal agencies now investigating activity across multiple states. The conversation explores how attackers targeted operational technology that helps run critical infrastructure such as pumps, wells, water towers, lift stations, and automated controls.
The hosts emphasize the most important takeaway from the attacks: despite operational disruptions, utilities successfully maintained safe drinking water by switching to manual operations. They discuss the growing importance of resilience as the industry adopts more digital tools, automation, and artificial intelligence, while highlighting the need to preserve operator expertise and manual control capabilities.
The episode also examines challenges facing smaller utilities, including limited staffing, funding constraints, and cybersecurity resources. Crossen and Cossin review guidance from agencies such as the FBI, CISA and EPA, including recommendations related to passwords, remote access, network segmentation, and operational technology security. They conclude by discussing ongoing questions surrounding the attacks, the role of manufacturers and communication during cybersecurity incidents, and the importance of supporting operators who helped maintain reliable service throughout the event.
Show notes
Connect your PLCs to the Internet: What could possibly go wrong?
Cyber resilience and investment strategy in the water sector
This federal agency scans water system cyber-vulnerabilities for free
What recent cyberattacks reveal about securing water utility OT
What is operational technology (OT)?
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
00:44 – One of the largest coordinated cyberattacks on U.S. water systems unfolds
03:40 – Utilities switch to manual operations and keep water safe
04:42 – What the attacks reveal about workforce resilience and AI dependence
08:53 – Why manual controls remain critical for protecting water systems
12:39 – Federal guidance on cybersecurity, passwords, and system protections
16:56 – Who may be behind the attacks and what questions remain unanswered
25:06 – 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 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. 

In this episode Talking Under Water co-host Mandy Crispin speaks with Pranjali Kumar, associate vice president at Carollo and the firm’s Southeast Water Reuse Lead, about why the industry needs to look beyond treatment technologies and public perception when evaluating reuse projects.
Kumar explains how water reuse is increasingly being considered a resilience and sustainability tool rather than simply a drought response measure. She highlights the importance of systems thinking, organizational collaboration, and investment in human capital to ensure successful project implementation. The conversation also explores common misconceptions about potable reuse regulations, including the lengthy and collaborative process required to develop state-specific frameworks that protect public health while enabling innovation.
The discussion covers the factors that separate successful projects from those that stall, the economic realities of potable reuse compared to alternative water supply options, and the safeguards that make reuse a highly regulated and reliable source of drinking water. Looking ahead, Kumar shares insights on PFAS monitoring, artificial intelligence, advanced monitoring technologies, and how the next generation of water reuse leaders can build on lessons learned while remaining adaptable to change.
Show notes
Engage with Pranjali Kumar, Carollo Engineers associate vice president and southeast water reuse lead.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
01:16 – Why water reuse is becoming a core water supply strategy
03:36 – What's overemphasized and underestimated in potable reuse
05:48 – How potable reuse regulations are developed and why they take years
11:04 – What separates successful reuse projects from stalled projects
13:17 – Debunking the myth that potable reuse is cost prohibitive
18:35 – PFAS, AI, advanced monitoring, and the future of potable reuse
23:18 – 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 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. 

In this episode Talking Under Water co-hosts discuss EPA’s draft guidance on PFAS in biosolids, lessons utilities can take from the PFAS regulatory landscape to prepare for future contaminants, and recent developments affecting stormwater and water infrastructure projects.
Bob Crossen explains EPA’s newly released guidance for reducing risks associated with PFOA and PFOS in biosolids, highlighting the agency’s emphasis on source control, monitoring, pollution prevention, and public engagement through the ongoing comment period. He examines how states such as Michigan have successfully reduced PFAS loadings through pretreatment programs and discusses the challenges utilities face when land application options become restricted.
Mandy Crispin shares key insights from an ACE panel discussion focused on what PFAS can teach utilities about preparing for future contaminant regulations. She outlines emerging contaminants that could draw future regulatory attention and emphasizes the importance of documenting contaminant-specific costs, testing efforts, treatment decisions, staff time, and public outreach activities. These records could prove valuable for compliance, funding opportunities, and potential cost recovery efforts in the future.
The episode concludes with stormwater news covering Michigan dam safety legislation, EPA-approved groundwater remediation plans in Wyandotte, and Florida funding to strengthen wastewater infrastructure following Hurricane Milton.
Show notes:
EPA releases draft PFAS biosolids guidance for public comment
EPA proposes UCMR 6 monitoring rule, leaves microplastics off testing list
Lessons from PFAS can help utilities prepare for the next wave of contaminants
How Suffolk County Water Authority Got Ahead of PFAS and Built a Roadmap for the Next Emerging Contaminant
What PFAS Taught Us About Preparing for the Next Emerging Contaminant
What is greywater?
Key moments:
00:00 – Introduction
01:31 – EPA releases PFAS in biosolids guidance and opens public comment period
04:59 – Michigan’s source-control strategy shows major PFAS reductions
11:23 – ACE panel lessons: preparing utilities for the next emerging contaminant
14:26 – Why utilities should document contaminant-specific costs and decisions
18:08 – Suffolk County perspective: preventing contaminants before they reach drinking water sources
19:26 – Stormwater infrastructure, dam safety, cleanup projects, and funding news
21:48 – 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 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. 

In this episode Talking Under Water co-hosts Bob Crossen and Mandy Crispin discuss key insights and takeaways from the AWWA ACE26 conference, including affordability challenges, PFAS treatment and regulation, data center demands, and the evolving role of collaboration across the water sector.
Recording from Washington, D.C., the hosts share firsthand experiences from sessions, interviews, and conversations across the event. They highlight a powerful keynote framing this moment as “water’s moonshot,” emphasizing the urgency and scale of challenges facing utilities today. Central to the discussion is the growing tension between maintaining affordable rates and funding essential infrastructure upgrades.
The episode dives into PFAS as a persistent and complicated issue, touching on treatment technologies, regulatory uncertainty, and liability concerns tied to disposal. The conversation expands to emerging contaminants like microplastics and the broader need to address pollution further upstream.
They also explore how data centers are reshaping water demand, particularly at the local level, and why utilities must engage early in siting and partnership discussions. Across topics, a recurring theme emerges: collaboration — whether through new project delivery models, public-private partnerships, or policy innovation — is critical to navigating today’s interconnected challenges and preparing for the future.
Show notes:
AWWA ACE26 Show Coverage Landing Page (to be updated on an ongoing basis — bookmark and come back for more show coverage)
Wastewater Digest Top Projects Nomination Form
WaterWorld Top Projects Nomination Form
Stormwater Solutions Top Projects Nomination Form
PFAS Crossword Puzzle
Key moments:
00:00 – Introduction01:03 – “Water’s Moon Moment” Keynote03:43 – Affordability vs. Infrastructure Crisis07:01 – PFAS Complexity & Industry Overload12:03 – Emerging Contaminants & Regulatory Questions20:32 – Data Centers & Localized Water Demand44:59 – 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 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. 

In this sponsored interview, Editorial Director Bob Crossen sits down with Blake Michal from Kamstrup to discuss what a decade of AMI performance can teach utilities about reliability, cost, and lifecycle value. 
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 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.  

In this episode Talking Under Water co-host Bob Crossen speaks with Krishna Prashanth, global product line manager for electromagnetic flow meters and global segment manager for water and wastewater instrumentation at ABB, about the promise and practicality of the circular water economy.
Prashanth explains how the concept shifts water management away from a linear take-treat-discharge model and toward a system focused on reducing losses, reusing water, recovering resources and extending the value of every drop. He outlines the “six Rs” — reduce, reuse, recycle, reclaim, recover and restore — and argues that utilities must evolve from operators of pipes and plants into stewards of local water loops.
The conversation also explores the critical role of data capture, monitoring and analysis in making circularity possible, from identifying leaks and managing demand to improving reuse decisions and predicting infrastructure issues. Prashanth and Crossen discuss how AI can strengthen these efforts when paired with trusted instrumentation, as well as the barriers standing in the way, including regulatory silos, misaligned incentives and aging infrastructure.
Together, they paint a picture of a more resilient, efficient and resource-aware future for water utilities.
Show notes:
Wastewater Digest Top Projects Nomination Form
WaterWorld Top Projects Nomination Form
Stormwater Solutions Top Projects Nomination Form
PFAS Crossword Puzzle
Key moments:
00:00 – Introduction02:14 – What the circular water economy actually means05:29 – The six Rs that could reshape water management11:15 – Why utilities need a new role13:21 – The data foundation behind circular water18:17 – Where AI fits — and where it doesn’t28:23 – 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 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. 

In this episode Talking Under Water co-hosts discuss EPA’s latest PFAS regulatory moves, major new federal funding for drinking water and lead service line replacement, and stormwater-related investments aimed at protecting coastal water quality. The episode opens with a breakdown of EPA’s proposal to maintain drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS while reconsidering standards for several other PFAS compounds, alongside a potential compliance extension that could give some utilities until 2031 to meet federal limits. The hosts also examine EPA’s increasing focus on PFAS destruction technologies, nearly $946 million in emerging contaminants funding, and what those developments mean for utilities trying to balance treatment costs, planning, and compliance pressure.
The conversation then shifts to the legal and financial risks surrounding PFAS liability, including how CERCLA and RCRA apply to utilities, what EPA’s enforcement discretion does and does not protect against, and why water sector groups are pushing for permanent legislative safeguards. Later, the episode highlights nearly $2.9 billion in lead service line replacement funding and closes with stormwater and coastal water quality news, including federal beach monitoring grants and resilience planning underway in Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina.
Show notes:
Administrator Zeldin Makes Major PFAS Announcement and Hosts Roundtable with Secretary Kennedy
EPA History: Superfund
Federal Environmental Liability under CERCLA and RCRA
Report finds 61% of U.S. beaches experienced unsafe contamination levels in 2024
EPA announces $9.75 million in BEACH Act funding for water quality monitoring
Sullivan's Island resilience plan pairs gray infrastructure with green solutions for 2050
Key moments:
00:00 – Introduction
01:16 – EPA PFAS actions overview
02:16 – Proposed PFAS compliance extension to 2031
03:31 – Shift toward PFAS destruction technologies
04:39 – $945.7 million in emerging contaminants funding
06:13 – EPA outreach for small and disadvantaged systems
07:02 – $2.9 billion for lead service line replacement
08:34 – Lead funding declines slightly from prior year
09:02 – PFAS liability discussion begins
10:20 – RCRA and CERCLA explainer
13:05 – Why utilities face PFAS liability risk
14:03 – EPA enforcement discretion
16:48 – Legislative safe harbor push
17:45 – Deeper PRP liability implications
19:32 – Atlantic Richfield case walkthrough
23:22 – Limits of current liability protections
25:17 – Stormwater and coastal water quality segment
25:30 – EPA beach water quality grants
26:22 – Safer swimming report findings
27:12 – Sullivan’s Island resilience planning
28:11 – 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 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. 

In this episode of Talking Underwater, Stormwater Solutions Head of Content Sarah Kominek speaks with Manuel Parra of Xylem Vue about how digital tools are changing the way municipalities prepare for and respond to flooding. The conversation explores how communities can use existing infrastructure more effectively, why high-quality data matters as much as data collection, and how predictive analytics, modeling, and AI can support faster, smarter decisions during wet weather events. Parra also shares real-world examples from Houston and Buffalo to show how practical, scalable flood-control technology can help reduce risk, improve operations, and protect lives. 
Key Moments 
00:00 - Episode introduction and overview of why flood prediction is becoming more urgent 
01:54 - How digital flood-control applications help municipalities respond to severe weather events 
03:11 - Tools emergency managers use today, from sensors and rain gauges to models and AI 
04:24 - Why data quality, not just data quantity, is critical for effective flood response 
06:25 - Houston example: underpass flood detection and public alerts using existing infrastructure 
08:05 - Buffalo example: preemptive system management that helped reduce combined sewer overflows 
10:12 - What integrating digital technology with existing stormwater infrastructure looks like in practice 
11:35 - The role of predictive analytics and AI in supporting operator decisions 
13:16 - How climate variability changes the baseline and why models must keep evolving 
14:32 - Regulatory and liability considerations tied to better infrastructure management 
15:34 - How smaller or under-resourced communities can adopt lower-cost, right-sized solutions 
17:34 - Typical lead times for flood prediction and why every minute counts 
18:35 - Final takeaway: flood technology does not have to be overly complex to make a major impact 
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 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.  

In this episode Talking Under Water the co-hosts discuss the addition of microplastics to the EPA’s Sixth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL6), enforcement fallout from the Potomac interceptor sewer collapse, industrial wastewater sampling tied to a Tesla facility in Texas, and recent stormwater headlines across the U.S. 
Show notes
How EPA Regulates Drinking Water Contaminants
CCL 6 Frequent Questions
Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List 6-Draft
Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List 6 (CCL 6) Docket Folder
Water Research Foundation Project 5155 (Consumer messaging guidance, microplastics)
Understanding microplastics in water: Fact vs. fiction (Brent Alspach video interview)
WaterWorld subscription
EPA, DOJ sue DC Water over Potomac Interceptor collapse
Lab analysis details wastewater characteristics at Tesla-linked site in Texas
Poll: Which wastewater process area will you focus on this year?
Charleston seeks $4.6 million to replace flood-prone homes with rain gardens, retention ponds 
Grand Canyon eases water restrictions as aging system challenges persist
L.A. County captures record 120 billion gallons of stormwater, boosting local supply
Timestamps
00:00 Cold open00:48 Introduction01:27 EPA/HHS joint initiative announced to address microplastics02:13 What the CCL is and how EPA uses it02:39 How EPA decides whether to regulate (three criteria)04:02 Draft CCL6 overview (chemicals, microbes, and groups)05:01 Public comment process + key deadline05:54 STOMP program explained09:02 Potomac interceptor collapse11:05 Tesla-linked wastewater characteristics 13:03 Douglas County, NV stormwater utility and rate proposals14:33 Charleston, SC buyouts + rain gardens/retention15:34 Grand Canyon National Park water system update16:05 LA County stormwater capture numbers17:07 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 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.