Excess nutrients from farms in Iowa and across the Midwest are a major challenge, polluting local waterways and ultimately impacting the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico.

To address this, the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund incentivizes farmers to adopt practices that improve water quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In this episode, Adam Kiel, Managing Director of the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund, discusses how the Fund works with farmers to implement both in-field practices like cover crops and no-till, and edge-of-field solutions such as saturated buffers and bioreactors.

Fifth-generation farmer Nick Hermanson shares how he uses the Fund to support conservation on his Iowa farm, incorporating innovative practices that protect the Skunk River watershed while maintaining his farm’s profitability.

Through outcome-based payments, the Fund encourages sustainable agriculture, rewarding farmers like Nick for measurable environmental benefits. The initiative has rapidly scaled, expanding from a pilot project in Iowa to now enrolling farms across 25 states and targeting one million acres in 2024.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet. This episode is part of the Mississippi By Nature series supported by the Walton Family Foundation and outfitted by Patagonia.

Flooding is impacting communities nationwide with both devastating and costly effects. The solution requires resilience planning, infrastructure adaptation, and community involvement to effectively address flood risk.

In this episode, Melissa Roberts of the American Flood Coalition discusses the increasing frequency and impact of flooding across the U.S. and the need for innovative, community-focused solutions.

She highlights recent projects, like transforming public spaces to double as floodwater basins in North Carolina and engaging farmers in Iowa to reduce downstream flooding. Melissa also discusses the role of nature-based infrastructure, watershed-based planning, and data-driven policies in building long-term flood resilience.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet. This episode is from a conversation at the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C. where waterloop is the media partner.

Milwaukee faces a significant challenge with over 70,000 lead service lines. In response, the city has implemented a replacement program initiated by an ordinance in 2017. This initiative leverages federal funding to focus on disadvantaged communities, with an emphasis on neighborhoods identified as most in need through an area deprivation index.

In this episode, Superintendent Patrick Pauly of Milwaukee Water Works, Janet Pritchard from the Environmental Policy Innovation Center, and Richard Diaz of the Blue Green Alliance discuss the program’s funding strategies, including principal forgiveness funding that allows for 100% coverage of private side replacements without costs to property owners. They highlight the impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has provided a substantial influx of resources, enabling Milwaukee to increase its replacement goals from approximately 1,000 lines per year to 2,200 in 2024 and 3,500 in 2025.

Additionally, the discussion emphasizes a robust workforce development strategy, which mandates that contractors must allocate 25% of project dollars to small business enterprises and ensure that 40% of work hours are performed by workers from local disadvantaged areas.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet. This episode on lead service line replacement is supported by BlueConduit, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the Environmental Policy Innovation Center.

As climate change and other crises strain water supplies, more attention is being paid to the water footprint, the amount of water used by an individual or household over a certain period of time. A water footprint includes the water that is directly used by taps, showers, toilets, and household appliances, as well as for outdoor uses. But the water used to make the food we eat, consumer products we buy, and energy we use is also part of a water footprint.

The rise and importance of the water footprint is discussed in this episode with Kai Olson-Sawyer, manager of the Water Footprint Project for GRACE Communications Foundation. Kai explains how people can use the Water Footprint Calculator to learn about their personal consumption and shares ways that individuals can reduce their impact.

waterloop is sponsored by Varuna, the tool that provides water utilities with full system awareness and offers a new resilience dashboard that identifies internal and external risks. Learn more at varuna.city

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. Visit waterloop.org

As an historic flood devastated Yellowstone National Park and downstream communities in Montana, the U.S. Geological Survey was busy measuring streamflows, monitoring equipment, sharing data, and even making repairs in the field. Early data shows the flood could be a one in 500-year event and the gauge just outside the park measured water levels 50 percent higher than the previous record.

The role and response of USGS during these storms is discussed in this episode with Katherine Chase, surface water specialist at the USGS Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center. She says that trends show increases in peak flow over the years, a possible indication of how climate change is bringing more intense rainfall and melting snowpack more rapidly in the Yellowstone area. Katherine also talks about how to accurately describe the frequency of flood events and the ways USGS coordinates its science with other federal agencies.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. For all content visit waterloop.org

waterloop is sponsored by Varuna, the tool that provides water utilities with full system awareness and offers a new resilience dashboard that identifies internal and external risks. Learn more at varuna.city

A new report finds that the 2.2 million people in America who live without running water or a toilet at home is costing the U.S. economy over $8.5 billion a year. The biggest impacts to the GDP come from lost productivity, time lost at work or school to access water, physical health impacts, water purchase costs, and mental health impacts.

In this episode, George McGraw, CEO and Founder of DigDeep, discusses the report and how closing the water gap would generate $200 billion over the next 50 years. George also talks about recommendations to treat the water access gap as a crisis, refocusing federal funding, and building a domestic WASH sector.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. For all content visit https://www.waterloop.org

waterloop is sponsored by Varuna, the tool that provides water utilities with full system awareness and offers a new resilience dashboard that identifies internal and external risks. Learn more at https://bit.ly/waterloopVaruna

In Baltimore, there are vast, disturbing differences from neighborhood to neighborhood in factors such as employment, education, crime, and life expectancy. While it will take a wide variety of efforts to address the root causes, an effort is underway to evaluate how green stormwater infrastructure could provide benefits for residents and improve equity across the city.

In this episode, Meghan Hazer, a city planner with the Baltimore Department of Public Works, explains how a map that prioritizes work locations was created using socio-economic and health data along with suitability of the environment for green infrastructure. Meghan also discusses the importance of asking residents about their preferred projects rather than the city dictating what will happen.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. For all content visit https://www.waterloop.org

waterloop is sponsored by Varuna, the tool that provides water utilities with full system awareness and offers a new resilience dashboard that identifies internal and external risks. Learn more at https://bit.ly/waterloopVaruna

It took thousands of years for the Mississippi River to build the coastline of southern Louisiana and its vast network of wetlands and bayous. It only took several generations of people to disrupt the natural, land-building flow by controlling the river with concrete and levees.

Now a state-of-the-art, 10,000 square foot physical model is used to plan restoration projects for the area, as discussed in this episode with Clint Willson, the Director of the Center for River Studies at Louisiana State University. Clint explains how the Mississippi River Delta model operates and the unique learning opportunities it provides to students, scientists, and resource managers.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. Visit waterloop.org

The water industry is often described as conservative, risk-averse, and slow to change. That behavior and accompanying acceptance of the status quo frustrate Will Sarni, Founder and CEO of the Water Foundry, who believes the industry needs disruption, particularly to tackle “wicked problems.”

In this episode, Will explains how the government could play a key role in enabling more activity and faster innovation in water. He also discusses the importance of terminology used in reporting on water challenges, the launch of the Colorado River Basin Fund, and how corporations are doing on water sustainability.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet made possible in part by a grant from Spring Point Partners. Find all content at waterloop.org

Note: This episode is in Spanish. Watch it with English subtitles or read a transcript in English at https://bit.ly/TwoNationPark

The Rio Grande River serves as the border between the United States and Mexico and in many ways keeps people apart. A historic project is underway to create a binational park along the river in Laredo in Texas and Nuevo Laredo in Mexico as a way to bring the two communities and nations together, as well as provide a variety of amenities. The vision for the park is discussed in this Pass The Mic episode, which is guest hosted by Mariana Del Valle Prieto Cervantes of Green Latinos. She speaks with Tricia Cortez and Martin Castro of the Rio Grande International Study Center, who explain that the aim is for the six-mile-long park to benefit the health of the Rio Grande and provide a gathering space for people, showcase local culture, drive tourism, and generate economic activity.

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Hundreds of millions of people around the world that lack water and sanitation spend money and valuable time to get access. The market-based model of Water.org has helped 43 million people to use microloans to gain proper access to water and sanitation and then use the saved money and time to better their lives.

The approach is discussed in this episode with Gary White, Co-founder and CEO of Water.org and author of a new book titled The Worth Of Water. Gary also shares stories of how people have lifted themselves out of poverty, the role and impact of actor and Water.org co-founder Matt Damon, and the path forward for the organization, which includes helping water providers expand services to reach more people.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. Visit https://www.waterloop.org

The Colorado River has been named the most endangered river in the U.S. by American Rivers, with the organization citing the challenges it faces from the impacts of climate change, outdated water management practices, overallocation of resources, and a failure to manage the river equitably.

These problems and the overall state of the Colorado River are discussed in this episode with Matt Rice, Director of the Southwest Region for American Rivers. Matt also talks about how to respond to the challenges, including through funding from the new infrastructure act, expansion of a wide range of water efficiency measures, and by fully involving tribes in decisions and management.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet focused on solutions and science. Visit https://www.waterloop.org

Tremendous attention is paid to decisions, dollars, and officials at the federal and state levels, but local government is arguably the key cog in water management. Local leaders and staff are the ones ultimately spending funds, setting policy, and implementing programs that directly impact water resources and people’s daily lives.

That’s why it is vital to listen to and assist those at the local level, as explained in this episode with Cynthia Koehler, Executive Director of the WaterNow Alliance. She talks about top challenges and current trends for local government in the areas of finance, equity and affordability, and adoption of innovation, as well as how water utilities are becoming anchor institutions in the community.

Find all content at www.waterloop.org

Milwaukee is tackling the challenge of urban stormwater management through an innovative community-based public-private partnership.

The Fresh Coast Protection Partnership is expanding green infrastructure, enhancing neighborhood quality, and developing the local workforce.

In this episode, Bre Plier from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and Kurt Farrell of CIS delve into the intricacies of scaling these efforts, benefits of collaboration, and impactful results seen so far, such as capturing millions of gallons of stormwater and revitalizing urban spaces.

They also highlight the importance of designing with maintenance in mind, engaging community stakeholders, and fostering small, minority, and women-owned businesses.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet.

This episode is made possible by CIS, who is working with community visionaries to lead some of the nation's largest urban infrastructure programs to create resilient cities. Visit cisolutions.com

In many parts of the U.S., political partisanship and climate change pose challenges for environmental progress. Meanwhile, the Great Lakes have shown to be a place for rare bipartisan support for investing in clean water and healthy communities. Also, climate change could offer silver linings for the region, such as a longer growing season for agriculture and as a refuge for people migrating from impacts like drought or sea level rise.

These opportunities are discussed in this episode with Joel Brammeier, President and CEO of the Alliance for the Great Lakes. Joel also talks about progress in cleaning up highly polluted areas, combating invasive species like Asian Carp, and engaging communities in shaping water projects.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet focused on solutions and science. Visit https://www.waterloop.org

The relationship between water and conflict has a long history. Sometimes a fight arises over water resources. Other times water is used as a weapon during war. In other cases water is collateral damage. The history is detailed in the Water and Conflict Chronology and discussed in this episode with Peter Gleick, President Emeritus and a Senior Fellow at the Pacific Institute.

Peter also talks about examples from the chronology such as the first entry from 2400 B.C. in Mesopotamia, the destruction of a water system in New York City during the Revolutionary War, and the involvement of water in the current invasion of Ukraine.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet focused on solutions and science. Visit https://www.waterloop.org

Water is a rather simple chemical compound, with two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Yet this seemingly basic substance is necessary for all known forms of life, comprises two-thirds of the human body, and covers 70 percent of the Earth. Water also displays a wide range of unique behaviors, such as how it sticks to itself, goes against gravity, and dissolves many other substances.

The wonder and weirdness of water is discussed in this episode with Alok Jha, author of The Water Book. He talks about water’s strange properties, cosmic origins, arrival on this planet, and presence throughout the universe. Alok says that although water is arguably the most studied substance in history, it is also one of the most mysterious.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet focused on solutions and science. Visit https://www.waterloop.org

Before Hurricane Katrina, the work to protect and restore Louisiana’s coast was fragmented among various government agencies with limited budgets and little coordination. The devastation of the storm and continued catastrophic loss of land and wetlands spurred the formation of a central agency to coordinate all activities and funds as the state recommitted to saving the coast.

The efforts of that government agency and the 50-year, $50 billion plan it spearheads is discussed in this episode with Chip Kline, Chairman of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority for Louisiana. Chip also talks about following the best science, specific projects to bolster hurricane protection and coastal restoration, and the need for both traditional infrastructure and natural buffers.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet focused on solutions and science. Visit https://www.waterloop.org

Utah is one of the driest states in the U.S. and the strain on water resources is growing as its population booms and climate change fuels aridification across the American West. But instead of aggressively advancing water conservation as other states are doing, Utah is brazenly rejecting that approach and pursuing costly infrastructure projects like pipelines, a situation covered by Mark Olalde, a reporter for ProPublica. In this episode, Mark discusses his story, the outsized influence of water districts and lobbyists on state policy, and examples of how Utah has shunned conservation measures such as demand management, native landscaping, and water loss tracking.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet, made possible in part by a grant from Spring Point Partners. Find all content at waterloop.org

Listeners can support waterloop and get exclusive opportunities through Patreon.

The water industry functions better when the workforce has a diverse blend of backgrounds and perspectives. This includes having individuals that bring experience in public administration and a mindset of service to others.

In this episode, Amanda Jones, Founder of Womxn in Water, discusses how her journey in government and focus on helping people were beneficial at the water department in Marana, Arizona. Amanda talks about applying public administration skills at a water utility, making customer service more about assisting the community, why affordability is a forefront issue, and launching an organization to support women in water.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet focused on solutions and science. Visit waterloop.org

The amount of plastic - trillions of pieces and millions of tons - in the ocean is one of the planet’s most daunting environmental challenges. But many people are undeterred and drawn to projects to address the pollution, some even traveling thousands of miles across the ocean to study the problem and starting organizations dedicated to solutions.

That’s the personal journey discussed in this episode with Bonnie Monteleone, Founder and Executive Director of the Plastic Ocean Project. Bonnie talks about the use of art in public outreach, enlisting businesses to reduce plastic, the enthusiasm of young people for tackling the pollution, and working on the issue from the North Carolina coast.

Visit https://www.waterloop.org

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet, made possible in part by a grant from Spring Point Partners.

Listeners can support waterloop and get exclusive opportunities through Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/thewaterloop

The water challenges are serious for Navajo Nation, including one in three families lacking running water, impacts of climate change straining the land, and legacy pollution tainting some sources. But a spirit of resilience and leadership from within are steadily leading Navajo Nation toward a more sustainable water future.

A focus on solutions instead of obstacles is also key, as discussed in this Pass The Mic episode, which is guest hosted by Emma Robbins, Executive Director of the Navajo Water Project at DigDeep.

Emma speaks with Crystal Tulley-Cordova, Principal Hydrologist at the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources, about her experience growing up in a home without running water, her journey as a woman in science and government, her belief in collaboration and partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to helping her community.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet, made possible in part by a grant from Spring Point Partners.

Listeners can support waterloop and get exclusive opportunities through Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/thewaterloop

Five decades ago, Cleveland was infamous for major water problems, including the Cuyahoga River catching on fire and Lake Erie being proclaimed dead. But the challenges attracted attention, resources, businesses, and problem-solvers. 50 years later, the city is an epicenter for water innovation and technology, as discussed in this episode by Bryan Stubbs, President and Executive Director of the Cleveland Water Alliance. Bryan talks about the effort to make Erie a smart lake, solutions emerging from the Erie Hack, creation of a testbed for tech, and Cleveland’s thriving water community.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet, made possible in part by a grant from Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by Hydraloop, the innovative water recycling system for homes and businesses. Use water twice with Hydraloop. Learn more at hydraloop.com

Listeners can support waterloop and get exclusive opportunities through Patreon at patreon.com/thewaterloop

In 2014, a toxic algae bloom in Lake Erie forced the shutdown of Toledo’s drinking water system, cutting off the vital service for 400,000 people. In the years since, the City of Toledo responded by forging partnerships to monitor conditions in the lake, investing in upgrades to infrastructure and water treatment, and communicating in a transparent and comprehensive manner with the public. The lessons learned and level of preparedness is discussed in this episode with Patekka Bannister, Commissioner of Operations for the City of Toledo Department of Public Utilities. Patekka also explains how water managers from around the country and world often consult Toledo about how to deal with toxic algae blooms and how the experiences shaped her perspective as a water leader.

Find more content at waterloop.org

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet, made possible in part by a grant from Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by Hydraloop, the innovative water recycling system for homes and businesses. Use water twice with Hydraloop. Learn more at hydraloop.com

Listeners can support waterloop and get exclusive opportunities through Patreon at patreon.com/thewaterloop

Developing and recognizing emerging leaders in the water sector is crucial for addressing current and future challenges. The WaterNow Alliance’s Emerging Leaders program plays a vital role in this effort by identifying and supporting professionals who are driving positive change in their communities.

This episode presents brief interviews with the seven individuals recognized this year, along with Caroline Koch of the WaterNow Alliance, discussing their impactful work in areas like lead line replacement, green stormwater infrastructure, and fostering diversity and equity within utilities.

The leaders featured include David Fielder II (Detroit Water and Sewerage Department), Tiffany Diaz (City of Georgetown, Texas), Dom Bennett (Lee’s Summit Water Utilities, Missouri), Christopher Lang (City of New Orleans), Grace Vogel Sanders (Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans), Xochitl Coronado-Vargas (Tucson Water, Arizona), and Amanda Jones (Tucson Water, Arizona).

Their efforts demonstrate the transformative potential of emerging leadership in water management.

Illinois is the state with the most lead service lines for drinking water in the country, estimated to be between 700,000 and 1.4 million, with a large number of those found in Chicago. But in 2021, the efforts of a diverse coalition of stakeholders led to passage of landmark legislation that made Illinois one of only two states to require replacement of all lead service lines. An inside look at the Illinois legislation is provided in this Pass The Mic episode, which is guest hosted by Jeremy Orr, an environmental attorney specializing in Safe Drinking Water Act enforcement who previously worked at the Natural Resources Defense Council and now is at Earthjustice. Jeremy talks with Justin Williams of the Metropolitan Planning Council in Chicago about the problem of lead service lines, the disproportionate impact on communities of color, the extensive work it took to pass legislation, and expected benefits for people and the economy.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet, made possible in part by a grant from Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by Hydraloop, the innovative water recycling system for homes and businesses. Use water twice with Hydraloop. Learn more at https://www.hydraloop.com

Listeners can support waterloop and get exclusive opportunities through Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/thewaterloop

Wilmington, North Carolina is home to the USS North Carolina, a retired World War II battleship that is open as a museum that draws over a quarter of a million visitors each year and serves as a memorial to the North Carolinians who died in the war. But now this special piece of American history faces an unlikely challenge - water. That’s because blue sky flooding, made increasingly frequent by sea level rise, is impacting visitor access to the battleship. The path forward is a Living With Water approach that will convert flooded parking lots into wetland, capture stormwater from the remaining parking area, and restore a natural shoreline.

The Battleship North Carolina project is discussed by Captain Terry Bragg, Executive Director of the Battleship North Carolina; Dawn York, Senior Coastal Scientist at Moffatt and Nichol; Jenny Davis, Research Ecologist at NOAA National Ocean Service; and Rami Diaz, Senior Project Designer at Waggonner & Ball.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet, made possible in part by a grant from Spring Point Partners.

Listeners can support waterloop and get exclusive opportunities through Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/thewaterloop

waterloop is sponsored by Hydraloop, the innovative water recycling system for homes and businesses. Use water twice with Hydraloop. Learn more at https://www.hydraloop.com

The Great Lakes are the largest freshwater ecosystem in the world, containing over 20 percent of Earth’s surface freshwater. This makes the Great Lakes an incredibly unique and critical place for water research, including in the areas of invasive species, microplastics, emerging contaminants, and climate change. The opportunities to learn and devise solutions for water challenges is discussed in this episode with Rebecca Klaper, the Vice Dean of the School of Freshwater Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Rebecca also talks about how the university attracts students from a wide range of backgrounds who then go into a diversity of fields after graduation, highlighting the cross-disciplinary nature of water.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet, made possible in part by a grant from Spring Point Partners.

Listeners can support waterloop and get exclusive access through Patreon at patreon.com/thewaterloop

waterloop is sponsored by Hydraloop, the innovative water recycling system for homes and businesses. Use water twice with Hydraloop. Learn more at hydraloop.com

Healthy and resilient coastlines depend on action by states to properly manage development and prepare for climate change. While the Surfrider Foundation’s 2021 State of the Beach report found only two-thirds of states performing at poor to adequate levels, nine states did improve their scores from last year. The highest scoring states had strong policies for coastal building setbacks, restrictions on coastal armoring, limits on development in harm’s way, and progressive sea level rise policies, as discussed in this episode with Stefanie Sekich-Quinn, Coastal Preservation Manager at the Surfrider Foundation. Stefanie also explains why Gulf Coast and Great Lakes states have low grades, the role of the federal government in state actions, and how advocates can use the report to drive change.

Support waterloop on Patreon at patreon.com/thewaterloop

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by Hydraloop, the innovative water recycling system for homes and businesses. Use water twice with Hydraloop. Learn more at hydraloop.com

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com

Local government officials and staff responsible for water management often have limited resources and must avoid risk, putting them on the constant search for proven solutions that work for their peers. Enter The Atlas, an online community where they can browse case studies, follow topics, and crowdsource ideas and advice, as discussed in this episode with Ellory Monks, Co-Founder of The Atlas. Ellory explains that water content has always been extremely popular on the platform and that lead, green infrastructure, data and technology, and sea level rise are leading categories of case studies.

Find more content at waterloop.org

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by Hydraloop, the innovative water recycling system for homes and businesses. Use water twice with Hydraloop. Learn more at hydraloop.com

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com

Over time many property owners in New Orleans have replaced green spaces in favor of concrete and other impervious surfaces in order to gain more parking and reduce yard maintenance. The amount of hard surfaces contributed to serious flooding problems across the city. Now a program incentivizes homeowners to replace the pavement with grass and other permeable materials to allow rain to soak into the ground and reduce stormwater runoff.

The Front Yard Initiative is explained in this episode with Dana Eness, Executive Director of The Urban Conservancy. Dana discusses how the process empowers property owners to design their front yard, the growing understanding of green solutions among New Orleans residents, and the success of the program, which captures 2 million gallons of water per year.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by Hydraloop, the innovative water recycling system for homes and businesses. Use water twice with Hydraloop. Learn more at hydraloop.com

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

Managing water in New Orleans is a challenge because of the city’s unique hydrology, system of pipes and pumps, and intense rainfall events. Instead of relying only on traditional gray infrastructure, the city is embracing the use of green infrastructure to contain water, reduce flooding, transform public spaces, and beautify neighborhoods. The approach is discussed in this episode with Meagan Williams, Stormwater Program Manager for the City of New Orleans Department of Public Works.

Meagan also shares her own journey, from being motivated to help find solutions after Hurricane Katrina devastated her city as a teenager to becoming an engineer in college and now an advocate for green approaches. She talks about the Pontilly Neighborhood Stormwater Network project that reduces flood risk and beautifies green spaces in the Pontchartrain Park and Gentilly Woods neighborhoods.

waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. Learn more at waterloop.org

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by Hydraloop, the innovative water recycling system for homes and businesses. Use water twice with Hydraloop. Learn more at hydraloop.com

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

Growing up and working in water in Puerto Rico, Yajaira Morphonios saw people who didn’t have access to clean drinking water and she gained a unique understanding of the essential nature of water services to the well-being of a community. Since relocating to Kentucky and continuing to work in the water industry, she holds onto her Puerto Rico experiences and believes utilities and infrastructure projects can lift people up, support local businesses, and have an impact on quality of life, even in modern U.S. cities. This episode explores the journey and perspective of Yajaira, an emerging water leader who is Capital Programs Control Manager at Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District. She also discusses the value that diverse voices and different backgrounds can bring to an organization and the benefits she gained from Duke University’s Water Innovation Leadership Development program.

Find all episodes at waterloop.org

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by Hydraloop, the innovative water recycling system for homes and businesses. Use water twice with Hydraloop. Learn more at hydraloop.com

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

Coastal communities need accurate, reliable, and accessible information on tides, particularly as they confront rising sea levels and need to adapt to flooding events. But federal gauges are spread out on the U.S. coastline, which leaves extensive areas in between without precise predictions and real-world tracking of tides. That vital information gap can be closed using low-cost sensors, as discussed in this episode with Brian Glazer and Nicole Elko, Co-Founders of Hohonu. They explain that work to restore ancient Hawaiian fishponds revealed the need for ultra-precise tidal data and how it led to a network of sensors being established across the Southeast coastline. Brian and Nicole also talk about the accuracy provided during recent King Tides, the variety of people that can benefit from improved tidal predictions, and the broader push to democratize access to ocean data.

Visit waterloop.org

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by Hydraloop, the innovative water recycling system for homes and businesses. Use water twice with Hydraloop. Learn more at hydraloop.com

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

Resilience is one of the words frequently heard in discussions about water resources. But what does it actually mean? It’s important to have a common understanding of resilience, particularly as climate change accelerates water challenges and resilience becomes a critical goal, according to the Pacific Institute’s Jason Morrison, President, and Heather Cooley, Director of Research. In this episode they discuss the organization’s new definition of resilience as the ability of water systems to function so that nature and people, including those on the frontlines and disproportionately impacted, thrive under shocks, stresses, and change. Jason and Heather also talk about dimensions of resilience, the difference from sustainability and security, and ways that communities should take action.

Find all episodes at waterloop.org

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by Hydraloop, the innovative water recycling system for homes and businesses. Use water twice with Hydraloop. Learn more at hydraloop.com

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

Managing water resources effectively is crucial, especially in regions facing scarcity and drought. The OpenET platform, developed through collaboration between NASA, the Environmental Defense Fund, and other partners, offers a groundbreaking solution by leveraging satellite data to measure evapotranspiration.

In this episode, we hear from Forrest Melton of NASA and Robyn Grimm, formerly of the Environmental Defense Fund, who explain the science behind OpenET and its diverse applications.

The episode also features insights from various users across the water sector, including farmers and water managers, who discuss how OpenET is transforming their approach to water use and conservation.

From supporting regulatory compliance to optimizing irrigation, OpenET is proving to be a critical tool for ensuring sustainable water management in the face of climate challenges.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet.

While precipitation like rain and snow get all the attention, the amount of evapotranspiration - water transferred from land and planets to the atmosphere - is also critical to water management. But there hasn’t been an effective tool for farmers, communities, and other water stakeholders to track evapotranspiration. Enter OpenET, a powerful platform that provides easily accessible satellite-based estimates and allows users to explore data down to a quarter-acre resolution or at a broader scale for millions of fields. The development and uses of OpenET is discussed in this episode with Robyn Grimm, Director of Climate Resilient Water Information Systems at the Environmental Defense Fund, and Forrest Melton, Research Scientist at California State University Monterey Bay. Robyn and Forrest talk about building OpenET through a massive partnership, which involves NASA, Google, EDF, the Desert Research Institute, and a variety of federal agencies and universities. They also discuss pilot projects across Western states and how the tool can support irrigation efficiency, groundwater management, and trading programs.

Find all episodes at https://www.waterloop.org

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at https://www.highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

Historically the water industry preferred to be reactive in communications, especially in dealing with the media. That approach left utilities to play defense and often end up on the losing side of public relations. Now the winning strategy is to embrace proactive communications, build productive relationships with the media, and connect with customers, as discussed in this episode with Mike McGill, President of WaterPIO. Mike talks about positive opportunities the water industry has for storytelling, some examples of utilities he sees as comms leaders, and how an organization should conduct a SWOT analysis.

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waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

An estimated 2.2 million people in America lack clean water and proper sanitation. These individuals are found all across the country - in indigenous communities, California’s Central Valley, the U.S.-Mexico border, Appalachia, the Deep South, and in urban neighborhoods. In this episode George McGraw, Founder and CEO of DigDeep, says it’s time for an international-style WASH sector to form in the U.S. and that’s why a new database lists organizations that work on the issues. George also talks about the community focused approach that DigDeep takes, how a lack of running water worsened the COVID pandemic for Navajo Nation, and rebuilding infrastructure in West Virginia.

Find all episodes at waterloop.org

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

An estimated 2.2 million people in America lack clean water and proper sanitation. These individuals are found all across the country - in indigenous communities, California’s Central Valley, the U.S.-Mexico border, Appalachia, the Deep South, and in urban neighborhoods. In this episode George McGraw, Founder and CEO of DigDeep, says it’s time for an international-style WASH sector to form in the U.S. and that’s why a new database lists organizations that work on the issues. George also talks about the community focused approach that DigDeep takes, how a lack of running water worsened the COVID pandemic for Navajo Nation, and rebuilding infrastructure in West Virginia.

Find all episodes at waterloop.org

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

For decades, advocates and activists have worked relentlessly to elevate water issues and drive policy changes and government funding. Now it seems water has risen to be a top priority, in large part because of those years of advocacy, crumbling water infrastructure, high-profile crises such as Flint, and the impacts of climate change like drought, flooding, and storms. The opportunity on water has arrived, as discussed in this episode with Nicole Lampe, Managing Director of the Water Hub. Nicole talks about a report on how to meet this moment for water, which features results of public polling and recommendations for policymakers, funders, and advocates.

Find all episodes at waterloop.org

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

Polling shows that large majorities of Latinos feel that outdoor activities involving water are a way of life, that protecting water is vital to their culture and the economy, and that the government should combat water pollution. Historically large environmental organizations haven’t represented the Latino community and that has led to the rise of groups like GreenLatinos that give them a voice, as discussed in this episode with Mariana Del Valle Prieto Cervantes, Water Equity and Ocean Program Manager for GreenLatinos. Mariana talks about the challenges and work to address issues including environmental justice, water affordability, and access to coasts and oceans.

See all episodes at waterloop.org

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

The scope of waters covered by the federal Clean Water Act - called Waters of the U.S. - is one of the most complex, controversial, and contentious issues in environmental policy. Waters of the U.S. has been the focus of Supreme Court rulings, lobbying and litigation by stakeholders, and rulemakings by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Obama and Trump administrations. The history is explained in this episode with Ken Kopocis, the head of water at EPA under President Obama, and Dave Ross, the head of water at EPA under President Trump and now a partner at Troutman Pepper.

Ken and Dave discuss the difficulty of defining Waters of the U.S., misconceptions and distortions of their respective rulemakings, their approach to working with stakeholders, the influence of politics on the issue, and if there could ever be a compromise.

Find all episodes at waterloop.org

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

Brewers are seeing the impacts of climate change on essential ingredients for beer. Unusual temperatures and precipitation are damaging crops like barley and hops while water resources are stressed by drought or polluted by algae blooms and wildfires, as explained in this episode with Katie Wallace, Director of Social and Environmental Impact at New Belgium Brewing. This led New Belgium to brew Torched Earth, a take on how bad beer could taste in a future with unchecked climate change. Katie also talks about Fat Tire becoming the first carbon neutral beer in North America, consumer demand for sustainability, and ways that brewers are improving water efficiency and engaging in stewardship in watersheds.

Find all episodes at waterloop.org

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

As the world’s largest freshwater ecosystem, the Great Lakes benefit from massive financial investment in restoration and protection activities each year. Yet one unique entity acts as a force multiplier, not by contributing the most dollars, but by targeting funds to emerging and innovative ideas that can yield exponential returns and transformative impacts. That’s the approach of the Great Lakes Protection Fund, as discussed in this episode with David Rankin, it’s Executive Director. David explains how the governors of the Great Lakes states launched the Fund in 1989 as the first private endowment dedicated to an ecosystem. He also talks about notable accomplishments including reducing the influx of invasive species, developing standards for sustainable forestry, and reestablishing natural flows after dam removals.

Find all episodes at waterloop.org

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

Water management has long been an essential part of operations for beverage companies, but in an increasingly water-stressed world the industry is focused on finding ways to reduce risk, help at the community level, and benefit the bottom line. This includes a constant drive to improve water efficiency at facilities and contribute to stewardship in watersheds. Global competitors are even becoming collaborators on water sustainability, as discussed in this episode with Nick Martin, Executive DIrector of the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable, and Andre Fourie, Global Director of Water Sustainability at AB InBev. Nick and Andre talk about the perspectives and pressures from consumers and investors, the difference between greenwashing and authentic action, and the positive potential for technology and water reuse in the beverage industry.

Find all episodes at waterloop.org

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

Marine conservation and the preservation of the U.S.'s most cherished underwater environments are critically important issues.

National Marine Sanctuaries provide a solution by protecting these vital ecosystems.

Shannon Colbert of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation shares insights into the significance of these sanctuaries, which range from vibrant kelp forests and coral reefs to historic shipwrecks and cultural sites.

The discussion delves into the establishment and expansion of sanctuaries, the importance of community involvement, and the multifaceted benefits of these protected areas.

Shannon highlights ongoing efforts in marine debris removal, restoration work, and educational initiatives to foster a deeper connection and stewardship among the public.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet. This episode is from a conversation at the Reservoir Center in Washington DC where waterloop is a media partner.

Intense rainfall driven by climate change, impervious surfaces like concrete and asphalt, and aging water infrastructure are part of the formula causing communities across the country to face increased flooding and stormwater runoff. Many municipalities need assistance with planning, management, and funding. Navigate the Flood is a new step-by-step guide and list of technical and financial resources to help tackle flooding and stormwater challenges, as discussed in this episode with Erica Depalma, Research Program Coordinator at the Water Center at Penn, and Caroline Koch, Water Policy Director at the WaterNow Alliance. Erica and Caroline explain that the guide is useful for officials and staff in local government, it outlines five steps to increase resilience, and has helpful examples from communities such as New Orleans; Sheboygan, Wis.; San Mateo, Calif.; and Camden, N.J.

Find all episodes at https://www.waterloop.org

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at https://www.highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

Find all episodes at waterloop.org

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

As farms in California face another extreme drought this summer, the hope is that lessons learned and policies and tools developed from the last drought can help with water management this time. During drought farms significantly increase use of groundwater and now California is focusing on monitoring, management, and recharge of this foundational water source. The impacts and actions of agriculture during drought are discussed in this episode with Heather Cooley, Director of Research at the Pacific Institute, and Ruth Dahlquist-Willard, Farm Advisor at the University of California Cooperative Extension. They discuss the variety of choices California farms will make during drought, including where to get water, how much to water crops, what crops to fallow, how to improve water efficiency, and even whether to stay in business.

Find all episodes at waterloop.org

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com​​​