Words On Water

Latest Episodes:

Words On Water #190: Lauren Christopher on the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Jul 15, 2021

Show notes

July 15, 2021

Lauren Christopher is the Director of the Division of Energy Assistance in the Office of Community Services at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In this episode Lauren discusses the new Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program, which was established by Congress and has initially provided $166.6 million in grants to help ratepayers effected by the COVID-19 pandemic pay drinking water and wastewater utility bills. She explains that states, territories, and tribes receive these federal grants and work in partnership with water systems to ensure low-income households and families have access to services.

Episode #190
Hosted by Travis Loop

**Words On Water #189: Paul Peterson on Aeration Blowers – What’s Really New?** Jul 06, 2021
Show notes

July 7, 2021

Paul Petersen is Municipal Sales Manager for Central & Eastern U.S. at Atlas Copco. In this episode Paul discusses the latest technology and trends in aeration blowers, including with canopy design, air filtration, and VSD/VFD. He also talks about the key areas of reliability and maintenance of aeration blowers, as well as how controllers and remote monitoring are improving connectivity.

This episode is brought to you by Atlas Copco.

Words On Water #187: Sam Villegas on Using a Biosolids Communications Toolkit May 20, 2021

Show notes

May 20, 2021

Sam Villegas is Director of Strategic Communications Services at Raftelis. In this episode Sam discusses WEF’s comprehensive toolkit for communicating about biosolids in ways that are factual, science-based, and easily understandable by those who might be hearing about biosolids for the first time. She explains that the toolkit includes guidance on some of the more challenging communication tasks you may encounter—responding to, or proactively pursuing media coverage, handling concerns raised about the safety of biosolids, creating presentations for use at events or meetings with the public, and developing content to post online or on social media. Sam also talks about how the toolkit features messages that serve as an overall umbrella that can be adapted for FAQs, talking points, community meetings, fact sheets, brochures, social media, and websites. Find the toolkit at https://www.wef.org/biosolids/

WOW: Take It From The Top Series With Tom Kunetz May 17, 2021

Show notes

May 17, 2021

Tom Kunetz usually hosts the Take It From The Top Series, but for this episode the tables were turned on the former WEF President. In this episode Tom discusses his background in comedy, the usefulness of improve skills in the workplace, and his trainings for the water sector. He shares observations of water management during his extensive travel around the world, the importance of increasing resource recovery at utilities, and how his 30 years as WEF member have taught him that water professionals are a community of passionate people.

WOW: Take It From The Top
Hosted by Tom Kunetz (except for this episode, which was hosted by Travis Loop)

Words On Water #186: Megan Yoo-Schneider and Donnell Duncan on Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion May 12, 2021

Show notes

May 12, 2021

Megan Yoo-Schneider is Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Municipal Water District of Orange County and President of Seven Management and Consulting. Donnell Duncan is an Associate Vice President at Arcadis. In this episode Megan and Donnell discuss the efforts by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) to address diversity, equity, and inclusion issues within the organization, among its membership, and across the water sector. They talk about the ongoing work and expected impact of the DE&I Subcommittee of the WEF Board of Trustees and the DE&I Work Group of the House of Delegates. Megan and Donnell explain why they volunteer their time and that transformation in the water sector will be a process. Learn more about WEF’s DE&I work on this web page.

Episode #186
Hosted by Travis Loop

Words On Water #184: Jamie Eichenberger on the Need for Water Infrastructure Funding Apr 17, 2021

Show notes

April 19, 2021

Jamie Eichenberger is the President-Elect of the Water Environment Federation and an Associate Vice President at HDR. In this episode Jamie explains how without significant funding increases for water infrastructure, there will be long-term harm to public health, environmental protection, social equity, and economic growth in communities, as outlined in a WEF position statement. He says the water sector needs increased and more reliable financing of water infrastructure to address such priorities as aging infrastructure and technology innovation to meet changing regulations. Jamie calls on the entire water sector to advocate for funding, particularly through Water Week and WEF’s Water Advocates program.

Episode #184
Hosted by Travis Loop

Words On Water #183: Amy Kirby and Dr. Andrew Sanderson on Expansion of Wastewater-Based Disease Surveillance Apr 15, 2021

Show notes

April 15, 2021

Amy Kirby is the National Wastewater Surveillance System Lead for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Dr. Andrew Sanderson is the Chief Medical Officer for the Water Environment Federation (WEF). In this episode they discuss how CDC has selected WEF to develop, manage, and provide training for a nationwide network of water utilities, public health agencies, and laboratories participating in wastewater-based disease surveillance. Andrew and Amy explain that wastewater-based disease surveillance has been used to study the presence and trends in coronavirus infections in communities and is increasingly viewed as a valuable tool during the current pandemic and for future public health research.

Episode #183
Hosted by Travis Loop

Words On Water #182: Chris Hunniford and Mark Perkins on Trends in Odors and Air Pollutants Apr 05, 2021

Show notes

April 5, 2021

Chris Hunniford is Chief Operating Officer of V&A Consulting Engineers and Mark Perkins is President and Owner of Perkins Engineering Consultants. In this episode Chris and Mark discuss a variety of trends in odors including challenges with getting new facilities permitted, the patchwork of regulations across the country, and the continued rise of data, sensors, and other technology. They also talk about the agenda and highlights at WEF’s upcoming Odors and Air Pollutants Conference.

Episode #182
Hosted by Travis Loop

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected