Talking Under Water

President Trump’s first month, EPA Office of Water assistant administrator nomination & the California wildfires

In this episode of Talking Under Water, the hosts summarize several actions of President Trump during his first month after reassuming the presidency and what those might mean for the industry, and they touch on the nomination of Jessica Kramer to the office of water at EPA as its assistant administrator. Finally, the episode ends with an update on the California Wildfires. 
Show Notes: 
EPA places DEI and Environmental Justice employees on administrative leave
Jessica Kramer nominated as EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Water
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announces "Powering the Great American Comeback" initiative
EPA renames its Gulf Division
 
Timestamps:   
Host intro & episode summary | 0:09
News round-up begins; President Trump's administration one month in | 0:50
Jessica Kramer nominated to lead EPA Office of Water | 7:15
California wildfires recap | 10:58
Housekeeping | 18:38
Resources: 
Nominate a Wastewater Digest Emerging leader 
Nominate a WaterWorld Emerging Leader 
Nominate a Stormwater Solutions Emerging Leader 
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.  
 

U.S. EPA releases PFAS risk assessment: Now what?

In April of 2022, Maine banned land application of biosolids due to concerns of PFAS. It has become a point of contention in the state, causing wastewater systems to scramble for alternatives with much of it going over the border to Canadian landfills as Maine landfills refuse to accept the waste or run into capacity issues. 
Nearly two years later, U.S. EPA released a long-awaited risk assessment of two PFAS chemicals — PFOA and PFOS — in sewage sludge and land-applied biosolids on January 14, 2025. While this assessment is not a regulation, it suggests a degree of risk that could one day include a regulation.  
So what do wastewater leaders need to do now and what does this assessment mean for them? Endeavor Business Media Water Group Editor Alex Cossin caught up with Kyle Thompson, the PFAS national practice lead for Carollo Engineers, to get the details. 
Show Notes:   
Watch: EPA draft sludge risk assessment for PFAS: What it means for utilities 
Read: Five takeaways from the EPA's draft sewage sludge risk assessment for PFOA and PFOS 
Timestamps:   
Introduction and episode summary | 00:09
Interview begins | 1:24
Findings and takeaways from the PFAS sewage sludge risk assessment | 1:37
How can utilities use this information to plan around PFAS? | 5:54
What are the best treatment options for PFAS in sludge and biosolids? | 10:19
What's the best way to communicate with customers on this? | 13:39
Housekeeping | 17:38
Resources: 
Nominate a Wastewater Digest Emerging leader 
Nominate a WaterWorld Emerging Leader 
Nominate a Stormwater Solutions Emerging Leader 
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 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.  
  
 

California wildfires, PFAS risk assessment & EPA administrator hearing

In this episode of Talking Under Water the hosts discuss recent industry news including the nomination hearing for Lee Zeldin, whom President Trump is seeking to lead the U.S. EPA; the California wildfires, including the Palisades and Eaton fires along with others that began between January 22 and January 23; and the release of EPA’s risk assessment of PFAS in sewage sludge. This draft risk assessment, which is now available for public comment, hones in specifically on two PFAS chemicals: Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS).
Show Notes:
PFAS & funding dominate EPA admin nomination hearing
How Southern California transformed into a ‘tinderbox’
Mike McNutt of Las Virgenes Municipal Water District discusses California wildfires
From ABC 7 Eye Witness News: With rain on the way, crews race to protect Eaton Fire areas from threat of mudslides
From The Guardian: These are the hazards Californians face after fires – and what homeowners can do to protect themselves
Fire recovery efforts from the office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom
Five takeaways from the EPA's draft sewage sludge risk assessment for PFOA and PFOS
White House clarifies funding freeze
Timestamps: 
Introduction and summary | 1:03
EPA Administrator Nominee Led Zeldin's career and political history | 2:40
Key takeaways from Lee Zeldin's EPA nomination hearing | 4:56
Impact of California wildfires on drinking water systems | 6:33
California wildfire recovery efforts | 8:57
U.S. EPA releases risk assessment for PFOA and PFOS in sewage sludge | 12:55
Housekeeping | 16:14
Resources:
WWD YouTube
WaterWorld Videos
StormCon Registration
Stormwater Solutions videos
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.  

Water Reuse Strategies for U.S. Cities

In this episode of Talking Under Water, Co-host Bob Crossen talks with John Newsome, administrator for the Division of Water for the City of Columbus, Ohio and president of the newly founded Ohio WateReuse Association Chapter, discuss all things related to water reuse. 
Various states, including California, Texas, Florida and Arizona are all in various stages of water reuse regulatory developments, and here, Newsome discusses how Ohio has joined the pack. Newsome touches on what drove this desire, how water reuse fits into coordinating with industrial users and partners, and where the state is drawing inspiration from in developing the water future for Ohio.
Show Notes:
The Water Reuse Revolution
Water Reuse: A Short Guide
Key takeaways from U.S. EPA's Potable Reuse and PFAS Q&A document
Timestamps:
Intro | 0:09
Interview begins | 1:14
How conversations on water reuse look | 1:32
What are you relationships with industrial partners right now? | 3:34
Building upon existing relationships for future success | 6:05
Municipal versus on-site industrial reuse | 8:07
What does the Ohio wate reuse vision look like? | 9:31
Taking inspiration from other state water reuse frameworks | 12:10
Managing and educating stakeholders | 13:40
Water reuse technology is tested and proven | 14:5
WateReuse Indsustrial Conference in Columbus, OH | 15:17
Housekeeping | 16:38
Resources:
Five takeaways from the EPA's draft sewage sludge risk assessment for PFOA and PFOS
StormCon Registration
Infrastructure Technology Podcast
Mike McNutt of Las Virgenes Municipal Water District discusses California wildfires
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.  
 

Where is the water industry heading in 2025?

In this episode of Talking Under Water, the hosts discuss the state of the industry surveys from each water brand — Stormwater Solutions, 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 2025.  
Show Notes:   
The Pulse of Water: State of the Industry Insights with Bentley 
GHD study examines path to equitable infrastructure
2024 State of the One Water Industry
Timestamps:   
Cold open | 0:00
Episode summary | 0:56
WaterWorld State of the Drinking Water Industry Report | 2:07
Wastewater Digest State of the Wastewater Industry Report | 8:11
Stormwater Solutions State of the Stormwater Industry Report | 13:44
Housekeeping | 17:55 
Resources: 
WWD November/December Digital Edition 
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.  
  
 

The Pulse of Water: State of the Industry Insights with Bentley

In this episode, Co-host Bob Crossen talks with Gregg Herrin, the vice president of Water in Bentley Systems’ Industry Solutions Group. The two dive into the results from the state of the industry surveys that  WaterWorld, Wastewater Digest and Stormwater Solutions conducted. These surveys occur each year and provide a glimpse at the water market – age and experience of water professionals, how budgets are shifting and where companies and utilities are spending their money. 
Herrin shares his perspective of these trends and market forces and how companies like Bentley Systems are trying to solve them. 
Show Notes: 
2024 State of the Industry eHandbook 
Smart Water insights with Bentley Systems 
Building Climate-Resilient Cities Through Smart Stormwater and Flood Management  
Timestamps: 
Introduction and episode summary | 0:08
Interview begins | 1:33
Age of respondents — 43% are 60 years old and older | 2:31
Theories on career length, age and experience | 4:25
Bridging the experience gap with technological advancement | 6:15
10% of respondents have 10 years or less experience at 60 years old or older | 10:02
13% of small and very small utilities includes workers with 10 years or less experience | 12:42
Bigger projects under more and more scrutiny | 13:41
Streamlining projects and construction elements in parallel | 15:55
How can utilities navigate rising construction costs with digital technologies? | 19:46
Digital twins lead to more timely project delivery | 23:55
How digital models improve transparency and transfer of knowledge | 28:49
Why planning for 30 years down the line isn't a mistake | 32:15
Building a solid foundation of digital tools and skills | 37:33
Housekeeping | 39:14 
Resources:  
Water eHandbooks 
WaterWorld November/December Digital Issue  
Wastewater Digest November/December Digital Issue 
Stormwater Solutions November/December Digital Issue 
 
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, 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.   
 
 
  
 

Why is the membrane filter technique so popular for microbiological testing of water?

In this sponsored episode of Talking Under Water, Co-host Mandy Crispin speaks with Patty Lee, global product manager for microbiology at Cytiva, about the importance of water quality. Lee talks about membrane filter technique, microbiological testing and the dangers of water born pathogens. 
Show Notes
Visit Cytiva's website
Second U.S. EPA mobile water laboratory deployed to North Carolina following Hurricane Helene impacts
Ensuring trust through better taste
7 key takeaways from AWWA’s Public Perceptions of Tap Water survey
Timestamps
Introduction and episode summary | 0:00
Interview begins | 1:44
What is Cytiva? | 1:59
The sources of microbial contamination in water | 3:11
Why contamination presents a problem for water sources | 4:09
Microbial testing methods for monitoring environmental waters | 5:20
Why membrane filters are so popular for microbial testing and monitoring | 6:32
How to choose the bets membrane for the MF technique | 8:40
Tips for increasing lab efficiency with microbiology testing | 11:12
Breaking down pathogenic monitoring testing | 13:34
Where to learn more information about lab testing | 15:58
Housekeeping | 16:34
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 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.  

Exploring the intersection of data, communications & power infrastructure, Part II

In this week’s episode, we are sharing part two of the panel between Endeavor Business Media’s Infrastructure and Energy Groups. Editors from Data Center Frontier, Cabling Installation & Maintenance, ISE;  Lightwave; and Microgrid Knowledge, gathered to discuss the latest trends and funding impacts in their sectors. The first half of this panel was published in the November 8 episode of Talking Under Water. 
Show Notes:  
Exploring the intersection of data, communications & power infrastructure, Part I 
Cabling Installation & Maintenance 
ISE | ICT Solutions & Education 
Lightwave and Broadband Pulse 
Microgrid Knowledge 
Resources: 
WWD YouTubeChannel 
WaterWorld Top Projects Nominations 
StormCon 2025 
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.  

Smart Water Insights with Bentley Systems

In this episode of Talking Under Water, Co-host Bob Crossen speaks with Cecilia Correia, senior water solutions manager for Bentley Systems, about smart water. Correia speaks on how smart systems help us manage water, where we’re going with it and how we got here in the first place. 
Show Notes: 
Building Climate-Resilient Cities Through Smart Stormwater and Flood Management   
Three ways to assess your smart utility readiness 
Green infrastructure solutions for urban stormwater management 
New survey shows mixed feeling about future needs of America’s infrastructure 
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.  

Exploring the intersection of data, communications & power infrastructure, Part I

In this week's episode of Talking Under Water, we are sharing part one of a panel featuring infrastructure and energy editorial leads at Endeavor Business Media. This panel, EBM's Data Center, Communications, and Power Infrastructure Confluence Forum, is a shared discussion on important topics, such as funding and regulations, and how those are affecting various infrastructure brands. The brands that participated in this panel include: Data Center Frontier, Cabling Installation & Maintenance, ISE, Lightwave and Microgrid Knowledge.
We will share the second half of this panel soon, with even more panels on the way. The Water Group, of which this podcast is a part, will be included in an upcoming panel, so stay tuned. 
Show Notes: 
Cabling Installation & Maintenance
ISE | ICT Solutions & Education
Lightwave and Broadband Pulse
Microgrid Knowledge
Timestamps: 
Intro | 0:00
Data Center Frontier segment begins | 2:04
How ChatGPT changed the data center landscape | 2:33
Power and transmission needed for data processing | 4:18
Fusion and nuclear energy development | 7:09
Semiconductor needs for U.S. Data Center growth | 10:11
Public-private partnerships to lower carbon footprints | 13:06
Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program | 15:05
How BEAD will open doors for small and independent business | 18:20
How BEADS funds are distributed for projects | 20:18 
What is BABA for digital infrastructure | 21:40
How BABA has impacted the digital infrastructure market | 24:29
How big tech has influenced the telecomm industry | 27:18
The winds of generative AI makes landfall | 29:25
How much connectivity do consumers want and how much data will they share? | 30:47
The culture of streaming and gaming is changing bandwith needs | 32:07
Cloud-computing isn't the future, it is now | 33:45
Housekeeping | 33:45
Resources:
WWD YouTubeChannel
WaterWorld Top Projects Nominations
StormCon Call for Papers
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.