Talking Under Water

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Water Sector

In this episode of Talking Under Water the hosts discuss U.S. EPA’s latest proposal to add nine PFAS to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act as hazardous substances, a public draft testing method for detecting 6PPD-quinone in stormwater and updates to the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements including public comments that were submitted. Additionally, this week’s interview features Ifetayo Venner, senior vice president for Arcadis and immediate past president of Water Environment Federation.  Co-host Mandy Crispin spoke with Venner about the important of diversity, equity and inclusion in the water sector. 
  
 
Show Notes:   
EPA develops 6PPD-quinone testing method for stormwater, surface waters 
Is Superfund the Future for PFAS? https://www.wwdmag.com/wastewater-treatment/article/21024076/what-is-the-future-of-pfas-regulation 
Water Associations Share Final Comments on PFAS CERCLA Proposal https://www.wwdmag.com/compliance-and-regulations/news/21437708/water-associations-share-final-comments-pfas-cercla-proposal 
EPA proposed to add nine PFAS to RCRAs hazardous constituents https://www.wwdmag.com/compliance-and-regulations/article/33036439/epa-proposed-to-add-nine-pfas-to-rcras-hazardous-constituents 
Common RCRA violations for wastewater professionals https://www.wwdmag.com/utility-management/video/33001983/common-rcra-violations-for-wastewater-professionals
LCRI Proposal https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/12/06/2023-26148/national-primary-drinking-water-regulations-for-lead-and-copper-improvements-lcri 
Public Comments on LCRI https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0801-0036/comment  
Timestamps:   
Host introductions and summary | 0:16
U.S. EPA's proposal to add 9 PFAS to RCRA | 1:12
Draft testing method for 6PPD-quinone | 2:24
A summary of LCRI public comments | 3:13
Interview with Ifetayo Venner begins | 6:02
Defining DEI | 6:19
Why DEI is important to the water sector | 8:18
How roles and job titles tie into diversity efforts | 11:36
How Ifetayo has influenced DEI initiatives in her career | 12:34
Advice for water professionals | 18:10
What initiatives are still needed in water? | 22:27
How to build a DEI culture | 24:02
The value of design thinking for perspective | 25:12
How Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) relates to diversity efforts | 27:24
What do people not realize about DEI? | 30:50
Housekeeping | 32:30
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, WQP 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.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

How to elevate groundwater desalination efforts

In this week’s episode of Talking Under Water, co-host Katie Johns interviews Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) General Manager Joe Mouaward. EMWD has been elevating its work with desalinated water, so the conversation dives nto groundwater desalination, how stormwater plays a role and the importance of funding.  
Show Notes:  
EMWD places emphasis on groundwater desalination
Research finds low-energy method for desalination
Resources: 
SWS Young Pros
SWS Industry Icon  
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, WQP 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 X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.  
  
  
 

The intersection of water & food processing

In this episode of Talking Under Water, the hosts talk about the announcement from U.S. EPA Assistant Administrator to the Office of Water Radhika Fox that she is leaving EPA in February, the re-adoption of an emergency regulation for minimum flow of some river in California, Illinois EPA funding availability and how to apply, and the entrance of Aqualia to the U.S. Market.
Finally, the interview this episode is with Andy Hanacek, senior editor for Food Processing, a Endeavor Business Media brand covering the food processing industry. Hanacek spoke with host Bob Crossen about trends in food processing related to water and larger tends that overlap with the water industry such as sustainability, decarbonization and water reuse.

PFAS Progress Report for 2023

In this episode of Talking Under Water, co-host Bob Crossen talks with Radhika Fox, assistant administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water, about the agency’s annual Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Progress report, which was released on Dec. 14, 2023. Crossen and Fox discuss UCMR5; the proposed Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation; PFAS in stormwater; updates on the EPA's Risk Assessment of PFAS in biosolids and other wastewater streams; and more.  
Show Notes:   
What’s next for the PFAS MCL & UCMR5 
How much could PFAS management cost the wastewater sector? 
EPA releases annual report on PFAS progress 
Episode 66: Analysis of U.S. EPA’s PFAS MCLs proposal 
Timestamps:   
Introduction & Summary | 0:00
EPA Council on PFAS | 1:30
UCMR5 Data Inferences from EPA | 4:02
PFAS MCL comments and plans for final publishing | 5:56
Risk assessment of PFAS in biosolids | 6:48
EPA'sapproach to PFAS in stormwater | 8:48
Housekeeping | 10:38
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 (WW) 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, WQP 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.  
  
  
 

Episode 84: State of the Industry

In this episode, the hosts discuss the U.S. EPA’s request for information on Build America Buy America products and equipment, funding for water resource projects from the Department of Interior and EPA’s proposal to expand the Lead & Copper Rule requirements. Additionally, the hosts dive into highlights from their State of the Industry surveys for each water market – stormwater, wastewater and drinking water. They also discuss trends and issues that are driving market forces and industry change. 
Show Notes:  
Talking Under Water Episode 83: Climate Variability & Infrastructure Challenges
Interior announces $51M for 30 environmental water projects
EPA proposes new Lead and Copper Rule Improvements
Timestamps:  
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 WastewaterDigest (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, WQP 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.  

Episode 83: Climate Variability & Infrastructure Challenges

In this episode of Talking Under Water co-host Katie Johns is joined by James Logan, water market leader for AEM. The two discuss the 2023 State of the Market Report - Response to Climate Variability, which examines infrastructure challenges, the impact of climate variability and more. They dive into industry challenges found in the report, including funding, and how companies and municipalities can factor climate variability into their future plans and projects. 
Show Notes:
2023 State of the Market Report: Response to Climate Variability
Timestamps:   
 Intro | 0:00
Interview Starts | 0:56
Summary of the Market Report survey | 1:23
Biggest findings from the report | 2:15  
Climate change impacts on water, wastewater and stormwater systems | 3:20
How to address the aging infrastructure problem | 4:44
Funding for infrastructure projects | 6:06
The value of public outreach and education | 7:47
Utilities planning for climate variability | 8:23
Final thoughts and points | 10:31
Housekeeping | 11:47
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 Water & Wastes Digest (WWD), Water Quality Products (WQP) 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, WQP 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.  

Episode 82: Smart water sentiments

In this episode of Talking Under Water, the hosts discuss a $100,000 award from Water Research Foundation to a Stanford researcher on nutrient recovery; the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s $6.7 million award for coastal resilience research; and $28 million from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for water reuse and desalination projects. Additionally, this episode features an interview with Colby Manwaring, senior advisor for Autodesk and former CEO for Innovyze, about smart water topics ranging from new trends like AI to how machine learning can reduce barriers to using smarter technologies. 
Show Notes:   
NOAA awards $6.7M for coastal resilience research
WRF presents $100K research award for wastewater resource recovery
Reclamation provides $28M for 31 water reuse, desalination projects
Timestamps:   
Resources: 
Wastewater Digest YouTube 
WaterWorld Subscription 
Stormwater Solutions December Webinar 
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 Water & Wastes Digest (WWD), Water Quality Products (WQP) 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, WQP 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.  
  

Episode 81: WOTUS &The Clean Water Act

In this episode of Talking Under Water, Jeremy Wolfe interviews Duke McCall. McCall describes the function of WOTUS in the Clean Water Act, the story behind the Supreme Court decision, and how the U.S. EPA has adjusted its definition of WOTUS after the ruling. 
Show Notes:
Supreme Court weakens Clean Water Act’s wetlands protections
EPA, Army amend WOTUS to align with Supreme Court wetlands decision
Timestamps: 
Episode Summary | 0:06 
What is WOTUS, and how does it affect Clean Water Act compliance? | 0:31 
How does the latest Supreme Court decision affect WOTUS? | 3:12 
How did the other justices want to define WOTUS? | 6:09 
How has EPA and the U.S. Army adjusted the definition of WOTUS in response to this? | 7:37 
What is significant about this change? | 10:05 
What sort of effects do you think this will bring for the nation’s water quality and environmental health, generally? | 11:19 
Housekeeping | 12:36 
Resources: 
WaterWorld Digital Editions
Wastewater Digest Videos
Stormwater Solutions State of the Industry Survey  
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 Water & Wastes Digest (WWD), Water Quality Products (WQP) 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, WQP 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.  

Episode 80: WEFTEC Audio Diaries

In this month’s episode of Talking Under Water, the co-hosts share audio diaries from two professionals during their time at WEFTEC –  Jay Surti, service line leader – Wastewater Treatment & Recycling, Americas, East Region Biosolids Leader for GHD; and Stephen Katz, market development manager for Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions. Surti and Katz touch on trending topics they heard at the show, as well as what may be coming down the pipeline in terms of industry challenges. Between these clips, the hosts share how Surti’s and Katz’s perspectives relate to their experiences and thoughts from WEFTEC. 
Show Notes:   
Meet WEF President Aimee Kileen
What you missed at WEFTEC 23
Timestamps:   
Cold open | 0:00
Episode introduction and summary | 0:42
Jay Surti's WEFTEC audio diary | 1:38
Editor's discuss Jay's comments | 2:51
Stephen Katz' WEFTEC audio diary | 5:31
Editor's discuss Stephen's comments | 7:22
Housekeeping | 12:50
Resources: 
WaterWorld Digital Editions
Wastewater Digest Videos
Stormwater Solutions State of the Industry Survey  
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 Water & Wastes Digest (WWD), Water Quality Products (WQP) 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, WQP 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.  
  
 

Episode 79: Imagine a Day Without Water

In this special episode of Talking Under Water, the hosts recognize Imagine a Day Without Water by sharing how important water is to other industries – aviation, food processing, dentistry and more – with thoughts from Endeavor Business Media editorial leaders. Each of these voices explain why water is essential to their respective industries. While the industries vary, their need for water does not. From explaining how important water is to making equipment work as needed to how vital water is to dental health; this episode explores why water is such an essential resource.  
Hear from the following voices and brands in this episode:
Andy Hanacek, Food Processing
Joe Petrie, Aviation Pros
Peter Matthews, Firehouse Magazine
Traci Purdum, Chemical Processing
Andrew Johnston, A Tale of Two Hygienists
Show Notes:
Value of Water Series: One Water with Radhika Fox
Value of Water Series: Utility Perspective with Buffalo Sewer Authority
Value of Water Series: Community Perspective with Milwaukee Water Commons
Value of Water Series: Water Access Perspective with COPE   
Timestamps:
Cold Open | 0:00
Host introductions | 1:05
Imagine a Day Without Water, a day of action | 1:20
A day without food processing | 3:27
A day without aviation | 7:13
A day without firefighting | 9:48
A day without chemical processing | 14:36
A day without dentistry and dental hygiene | 18:41
Editors imagine a day without water | 22:51
Housekeeping | 26:21
Resources: 
WWD on-demand webinar: Collection Systems: From inspection to rehabilitation 
WWD Webinar: Why PFAS Necessitates a One Water Commitment 
WQP & Crystal IS webinar: The Impact of PFAS in the Water Industry 
Stormwater Solutions webinar: Exploring Stormwater BMP Co-Benefits to Reduce Stressors of Stream Health 
Stormwater Solutions State of the Industry Survey  
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 Water & Wastes Digest (WWD), Water Quality Products (WQP) 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, WQP 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.