WEF Podcasts Explore Water in Cities

Hear insights from water-sector leaders with the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) “Words on Water” podcast series.

Stream online podcast episodes and download audio files on iTunes and the Android Words on Water app. In recent episodes:

• Manon Fisher, San Francisco Public Utility Commission (SFPUC) resource recovery specialist, explains the role biosolids have in addressing climate change and increasing a community’s understanding of environmental issues. She also recounts SFPUC’s path to developing high-class biosolids.
• Tim Thomure, director of Tucson (Ariz.) Water, talks about how reusing water in the desert has helped recharge local aquifers, how green infrastructure in Tucson has grown in popularity, and efforts to develop a regulatory framework for direct potable reuse in Arizona.
• John Willis, vice president of wastewater solutions at Brown and Caldwell (Walnut Creek, Calif.), describes biogas generation by the water sector, the value of biosolids and the need to regularly discuss that value with the public, as well as the potential of anaerobic primary treatment to drive water utilities to net-zero energy use.
• Mike McGill, president of WaterPIO (Hampstead, N.C.), shares insight into the presence of the chemical GenX in the Cape Fear River, drinking water in Wilmington, N.C., and crisis communications for utilities to address emerging contaminants.
• Britt Sheinbaum, water conflict specialist and head of the East Coast Technology Approval Group for Isle Utilities (London), shares her view on water conflict, the tension-building role water scarcity plays in such places as Syria, and opportunities for conflict resolution.
• Travis Loop, WEF director of communications and public outreach, discusses water assets of the five cities that courted basketball icon Lebron James before he signed a new contract with the Los Angeles Lakers — Cleveland, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Houston, and Boston.