21st Century Water

Latest Episodes:

Running A Utility Like a Business with DC Water CEO David Gadis Apr 05, 2022

Show notes

David Gadis is the CEO of DC Water. Prior to this, he was with Veolia NA and Indianapolis Water. He joins Aquasight CEO Mahesh Lunani for a wide-ranging discussion, including how his experience in the private sector informs his management style when running a utility.

A third generation water professional, Gadis looks at DC Water as an economic engine for our nation's capital. This includes cleaning up waterways to enable economic development, and providing access for tourists in town for the cherry blossoms. But it's also important to him to do the right thing - which meant turning former customers' water back on during COVID, and halting shutdowns.

This caring approach is also how David approaches company culture at DC Water. Within a few months of his arrival, he moved from a siloed approach to a more collaborative, inclusive one, where people of all backgrounds are both hired and heard. He also focused on a strategic plan, closing aligned with new key performance indicators.

Gadis also discusses infrastructure priorities including the DC Lead Free initiative, and the building of deep tunnels, which help mitigate flooding and will cut excursion into rivers and streams. Advances in technology and innovation are exciting as well.

DC Water is the only municipality that's produced an ESG Report. But Gadis doesn't look at it as Environmental Social Governance specifically. It's just a natural piece of their strategic plan.

Finally, David discusses the leadership qualities of listening, being a people person, and rewarding your employees. In fact, in terms of legacy, he's most concerned about being remembered for how he treated people.

Links:

DC Water Website:https://www.dcwater.com/

David Gadis Bio: https://www.dcwater.com/person/david-gadis

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

OJ McFoy, Buffalo Native and Buffalo Water CEO Mar 15, 2022

Show notes

Today, Aquasight CEO Mahesh Lunani is joined by OJ McFoy, CEO Buffalo Sewer Authority and Chairman of Buffalo Water. OJ is a Professional Engineer, on the board of NACWA, and is a member of the US Water Alliance Equity Taskforce Team. OJ and his team is treating wastewater for over 500,000 residents in the State of New York and recharging Niagara River. Throughout our conversation, you'll hear OJ's passion for his work shine through.

OJ discusses the relationship between Buffalo Sewer Authority and the community it serves, upcoming challenges and investments, and how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help. We also talk about wastewater technology and its use as an enabler for a circular economy.

Social justice is an important topic for McFoy. Buffalo is majority minority city, with 30% of its population living below the poverty line. And it's not secret why wastewater treatment plants often end up in communities of color. OJ is working to serve those communities, and make sure that his board looks like the city it serves.

We touch on how OJ has changed as a CEO since he started, and how Buffalo Water was better equipped to pivot during the pandemic than many other municipalities.

Finally, Mahesh and OJ talk about the future of the water industry, and OJ's passion for recruiting talent at a young age. This includes working with elementary and middle school students to get them excited about water.

OJ McFoy is in the unique position of having served the community he was born and grew up in. Throughout this episodes, you'll learn how that informs his perspective.

Buffalo Water Website: https://buffalowater.org/

Buffalo Sewer Authority Website: https://buffalosewer.org/

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

One Water, Environmental Justice, Climate Change with Mami Hara CEO of US Water Alliance Mar 09, 2022

Show notes

Mami Hara is the CEO of the US Water Alliance and formerly CEO of Seattle Public Utilities, as well as Deputy Commissioner at Philadelphia Water. Her diverse background also includes time as a visiting professor at MIT, an adjunct professor at Temple University, and principal at an urban planning and architecture firm. She has degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and the Harvard University. This experience uniquely qualifies her for a conversation with Mahesh Lunani about 21st Century Water. Topics covered include:

Career Highlights

Impact of the US Water Alliance

Strategies and Tactics to help people understand the value of water

Effects of the bi-partisan infrastructure bill

Shifting from the for-profit to non-profit sector

How to best combat climate change

The future of the water industry

Additional Resources:

US Water Alliance Website: http://uswateralliance.org/

Mami Hara Bio: http://uswateralliance.org/about/staff

Principles for Equitable Infrastructure Implementation: http://uswateralliance.org/resources/blog/introducing-principles-equitable-infrastructure-implementation

Water Utility Climate Alliance Strategic Plan:https://www.wucaonline.org/assets/pdf/about-strategic-plan-2026.pdf

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

Water Leadership Insights from Tad Bohannon, Regional Water Architect and CEO of Central Arkansas Water Feb 07, 2022

Show notes

Tad Bohannon leads the largest public drinking water system in Arkansas, serving 500,000 consumers and 18 cities. Tad's law degree, water licenses, and recent Master's degree from the University of Oxford combine to make him the perfect man to lead Central Arkansas Water through the 21st Century.

Tad and Aquasight Founder Mahesh Lunani discuss how CAW is set up and governed, including their naming of a Chief Innovation Officer to their team, and how that new role may change. Also, typical Mergers and Acquisitions legal work does not apply to water systems. Tad explains why.

While a lack of fresh, clean water isn't a problem in his district, Central Arkansas Water faces many of the same problems as other water systems, including how to protect the land around that water, how to pay for new infrastructure, and the regionalization of water districts.

Data will be very important to the future of water. Tad and Mahesh discuss available technologies, what consumers will want, and some of the ways we can use data to be proactive. In fact, he sees the future not as a water company, but as a technology company.

In addition to talking about how COVID-19 has changed the current workforce, Tad and Mahesh brainstorm some ways to attract the water workers of tomorrow. This includes a number of ways to reach out to students and teachers at the high school level. Also, water employees must be engaged with their local communities. And when someone asks what they do, there are a number of better answers than, "I work for the water department."

Central Arkansas Water Website: https://carkw.com/

Tad Bohannon Bio: https://carkw.com/about/our-team/tad-bohannon/

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

4th Aqueduct: How SoCal's Adel Hagekhalil is Building a Water System for the Next 100 Years Nov 03, 2021

Show notes

Adel Hagekhalil is the CEO of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. It is the largest
wholesale agency in the country serving 19 million residents and 26 member-public agencies. Given the challenges of water in California, this conversation should resonate with listeners not only in the US, but worldwide.

Adel discusses how the fourth aqueduct, including reuse of water, will secure water for 90 million people over the next 100 years.

Adel has worked in Los Angeles Sanitation, Street Services, and now the MWD. The common theme, he tells Mahesh, is uplifting lives and taking care of people. Not only does this mean taking care of MWD's customers, but also bringing together all employees and stakeholders to the table.

In terms of infrastructure, Adel speaks of the Met becoming not just a water importer, but a water provider. There are many ways to do this, including the creation of a fourth aqueduct to serve the area. Climate change has affected all aspects of water, and the organization must adapt old methods.

Hagekhalil also believes in serving underserved communities - not just in water service, but in providing employment opportunities as we look for the workforce of the future in the sector. He believes the water industry has not done a good enough job of telling its story and its importance. And newcomers to the industry can quickly learn how much they can affect - and even save - lives.

Adel's mindset when it comes to water comes down to his "Three I's" - integration, innovation, and inclusion.

Additional Information:

Met Website: https://www.mwdh2o.com/

Adel Bio: https://www.mwdh2o.com/bios/adel-hagekhalil/

Aquasight Website: https://www.aquasight.io/

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

How Andy Gere, President of SJ Water, is Leading with Technology in the midst of California Water Crises Sep 29, 2021

Show notes

Today, Aquasight Founder and CEO Mahesh Lunani is joined by Andy Gere, COO and President of San Jose Water. SJW is an Investor-Owned Utility serving one million residents, and it is part of SJW Group that is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Andy has over 28 years of experience in all things water and has both a PE as well as a California T4 operator license. Given the challenges of Water in California and the corporate structure at SJW group, the conversation with Andy provides very interesting insights on how water can be managed and operated in the US.

Andy provides us with a snapshot of the San Jose Water System. This includes the challenges he's experienced in his time there, rising from supervisor to president, over 25 years. We also discuss the differences of working for a publicly listed water corporation, as well as the unique challenges of working so close to Silicon Valley, it being a hotbed of innovation, and its very high GDP per capita.

California is at the center of the climate change discussion. Andy talks about water conservation and technological advances to help both the utility and its customers in this area- everything from leak detection to smartphone apps and other AI. We also look at master plans for investment and infrastructure. Finally Mahesh and Andy talk about legacy and how to best recruit the next generation workforce.

Additional Resources:

San Jose Water Website: https://www.sjwater.com/

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

How Erin Mahoney is striving for 100% Ops Excellence with Infrastretch and Infragrowth Strategy in Ontario's York Region Sep 17, 2021

Show notes

Today, host Mahesh Lunani is joined by Erin Mahoney, Commissioner of Environmental Services for Ontario Canada's York Region. Erin has over 30 years experience in the public and private sectors, and she's responsible for a range of services including water and wastewater. She is also on the board of Canada's Federal Clean Technology Foundation. We had a fascinating conversation around Erin and her team's plans in regard to the future of water in the York Region and more broadly in Canada.

We begin with Erin's background and what got her interested in the water sector. Next, we discuss the operational challenges of serving a region of 1.2 million residents and 9 wastewater plants that sources 80% of its water from outside the region.

We cover her strategic priorities, as well as the York Region's ambitious 2051 Master Plan. Erin also touches on water conservation, I&I, and water reuse. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the industry's move toward more digital technologies. Erin walks us through that process at York, and what that means for their current - and future - workforce. Through her roles at Canada's Clean Tech Fund and the University of Waterloo, Erin also talks about what she sees at the University level with the next generation of potential employees, and what she hopes to leave behind as a legacy.

Additional Resources:

York Region Water and Wastewater: https://www.york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/environment/yr/waterandwastewater

Clean Tech Fund Canada: https://www.sdtc.ca/en/cleantech-fund/

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

Military to Private to Public Service: How Michael Johnson is Leading Birmingham Water Works Jul 26, 2021

Show notes

Michael Johnson of Birmingham (Alabama) Water Works joins Mahesh Lunani today. We discuss how his background in the military, as well as private and public service, influences the work he does in his current role.

Michael explains the unique challenges of BWW, a system that supplies water to over 600 thousand residents, over five counties and 750 square miles.

We also cover the day to day demands of the job - how does Michael allocate his time, and what are his main priorities in the short and long term?

Additionally, we touch on infrastructure, lead replacement, and COVID-19's impact on Birmingham Water Works and the industry as a whole.

Finally, we discuss the next generation of water workers. Michael explains why he finds this industry so appealing, and how we can best reach out to younger professionals.

More information:

Birmingham Water Works: https://www.bwwb.org/

Aquasight: https://aquasight.io/

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

The Art of Leading: A Forward Looking Regional Wastewater District in Metro Denver with Mickey Conway Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

Today, Mahesh Lunani is joined by Mickey Conway, a lawyer by trade. Mickey left his career in New Jersey to return to his home state of Colorado. Eventually he rose from general counsel to district manager of the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District, serving Denver and beyond.

Mahesh and Mickey discuss his career transition and experience running a government entity. What surprised him and what is he most proud of during his tenure? Also, what keeps him up at night?

Conway has the luxury of running a regional organization that is in great financial shape, and we discuss some of the benefits that come with that. We also look to the future of the workplace post-COVID, and evaluate what technological and workforce opportunities are on the horizon.

Resources:

Metro Wastewater Reclamation District Website: http://www.metrowastewater.com/

Aquasight Website: https://www.aquasight.io/

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

Policy to Operations: Tidal Wave Of Opportunity With WEF President Dr. Lynn Broaddus Apr 22, 2021

Show notes

Today, Aquasight CEO Mahesh Lunani is joined by Dr. Lynn Broaddus, President of both the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and Broadview Collaborative Inc. She has also worked at Johnson Foundation and The Nature Conservancy. This Duke PhD is known for her outside-the-box thinking when it comes to addressing sustainability challenges.

In this episode, we cover how Lynn "fell into" water, literally. We look at how to tackle existing water infrastructure challenges in the US, and infrastucture opportunities that will exist post COVID-19.

Lynn's roles make her an expert in both water policy and water infrastructure. We cover the interconnected aspects of rates, equity, and resiliency. She has a unique point of view on Distributed Infrastructure and the future of water.

Resources:

Water Environment Federation Website: https://www.wef.org/

Broadview Collaborative Website: https://broadviewcollaborative.com/

Aquasight Website: https://www.aquasight.io/

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/