21st Century Water

Latest Episodes:

From Philadelphia CEO to Founder of UPenn Water Center, Creating The Future of Urban Water Systems with Howard Neukrug Apr 01, 2021

Show notes

Today, Aquasight CEO Mahesh Lunani is joined by Howard Neukrug, former CEO of Philadelphia water, currently professor at University of Pennsylvania, and chair of the Leading Utilities of the World CEO network. Howard wears many hats, but his principal job is head of the Water Center at UPenn. We will have an interesting dialogue both from a point of view of practitioner and a teacher.

Howard walks us through his journey from young engineer to CEO of Philadelphia Water, and then to the University of Pennsylvania, both as a professor and as head of the Water Center at UPenn. You'll hear his passion for urban water systems, including teaching the next generation of water leaders.

Neukrug also chairs a CEO Network, Leading Utilities of the World. He shares his experiences interacting with industry professionals from around the globe.

Finally, we discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on the water industry, water's challenges going forward, and Howard explains why you need to be an expert, but not necessarily in water.

Resources:

Water Center at UPenn: https://watercenter.sas.upenn.edu/

Leading Utilities of the World: https://www.leadingutilities.org/

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

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

Engineering the Future of Clean Water with Terry Leeds and Adam Krantz Mar 01, 2021

Show notes

Today, Aquasight CEO Mahesh Lunani speaks to Terry Leeds, President of National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and Director of Kansas City Water, as well as Adam Krantz, Chief Executive Officer of NACWA.

What career accomplishments are Terry and Adam most proud of?
What are the big issues being addressed at NACWA?
What does Adam hope to accomplish as NACWA President?
How does Terry manage such a large footprint with KC Water, serving 170K customers?
Has COVID-19 created any permanent shifts in the industry?
Throughout the pandemic, what actions have been taken to keep the industry uninterrupted, both at a utility and association level?
Where will wastewater systems be 10 years from now with respect to rates, industry structure, smart technology, and smart regulations?
What are Terry and Adam's views on a circular economy enabled by wastewater systems, as well as public health monitoring enabled by wastewater systems?
How do we recruit top talent in our industry going forward?
Finally, we ask Terry and Adam why they chose water as a career and what they would say to someone aspiring to be water utility leader?

Resources:

Aquasight Website: https://www.aquasight.io/
NACWA Website: https://nacwa.org/

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

360 Degree View On Water Sector with David LaFrance, CEO of American Water Works Association Dec 10, 2020

Show notes

American Water Works Association CEO David LaFrance joins Mahesh Lunani for a 360-degree look at the water sector. We start with the financial impact COVID-19 has had on the industry. This leads into a discussion on the public's trust of the water sector. Which groups trust it more than others? We also look at water rates in the US. Are they under rated?

The water sector is both highly regulated, and highly fragmented. We look forward to major drivers and trends that will affect both of these areas. Finally, we discuss water sector supply chains, and the future of the water workforce as it faces a "silver tsunami" of retirees. What aspects of the sector are appealing to a new generation of water professionals?

More info:

American Water Works Association Website: https://www.awwa.org/

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

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

From DC to a Moonshot with George Hawkins Mar 26, 2020

Show notes

George Hawkins, former GM of DC Water, sits down with Mahesh Lunani to discuss how he transitioned from being a regulator to an operator, and why his time at DC Water was all about the people and innovation. He discusses his new passion, Moonshot Missions, and how it will help utilities improve cost structure.

Links:

Moonshot Missions Website

Aquasight Website

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

Sustaining Economic Vitality While Rebuilding Infrastructure with Tony Parrott of Louisville MSD Jan 23, 2020

Show notes

Links:

Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District Website

Aquasight Website

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

Creating A Circular Economy Using NYC Wastewater System with Pam Elardo, Deputy Commissioner Jan 06, 2020

Show notes

Pam Elardo is the Deputy Commissioner of New York City's Department of Environmental Protection. She talks to Mahesh Lunani today about the vast scope of the city's wastewater system, and how she has to balance the past, present, and future. Pam also shares her thoughts on what the 21st century holds for water systems, and who will be needed to work in the field. Finally, Pam discusses how her work on systems in Nepal led her to create the Living Earth Institute.

Additional Resources:

Living Earth Institute Facebook Page

Aquasight Website

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

Creating A High-Performance Regional Utility With GLWA CEO Sue McCormick Dec 11, 2019

Show notes

Additional Resources:

Sue McCormick and GLWA Leadership Team

Great Lakes Water Authority

Aquasight

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

21st Century Water Trailer Sep 05, 2019

Show notes

Tremendous challenges and opportunities exist right now for our nation's water infrastructure. In this 15 minute podcast, the industry's top leaders and innovative minds share their knowledge and insights for ensuring our water systems are operating safely and efficiently.

These discussions are designed to motivate and create vibrant 21st century water systems and the innovative workforce required to lead and operate them.

This is 21st Century Water, with your host, Aquasight Founder and CEO Mahesh Lunani.

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/