waterloop

Nancy Stoner is the President of the Potomac Riverkeeper Network. In this episode Nancy describes how the health of the “Nation’s River” has significantly improved over the past several decades and how it is doing today. She discusses the continued sources of pollution to the Potomac River, which includes agriculture in the rural part of the watershed and stormwater in the urban areas, particularly the Washington, D.C. metro region. Nancy explains how the Potomac Riverkeeper Network is working to reduce contamination from coal ash ponds, use citizen science to monitor water quality, and grow freshwater mussels to filter water. This episode of waterloop is brought to you by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart, stylish choice for conserving water, energy, and money while enjoying an invigorating shower. Use promo code waterloop for 20 percent off at www.highsierrashowerheads.com

Tiffani Ashley Bell is the Executive Director of The Human Utility. In this episode Tiffani talks about the impacts on a person when their water is shut off and how The Human Utility pays water bills to restore service in Detroit and Baltimore. She explains how families, elderly, and those with health issues are among the priorities for assistance and the positive feeling when they can be helped. Tiffani also discusses how the moratoriums on water shut offs during the coronavirus pandemic are expected to be temporary. waterloop is brought to you by the Flume Smart Water Monitor. With Flume you can track your home's water use in real-time on a smartphone and receive alerts about excessive use and leaks. Use promo code waterloop for 15% off at https://flumetech.com/

Mathew Hauer is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Florida State University who studies the impacts of climate change on society. In this episode Mathew explains that an estimated 13 million Americans will need to move because of rising sea levels by the end of the century. He discusses how these climate refugees from coastal areas in states like Florida, Louisiana, the Carolinas, and Virginia will create a variety of pressures on local economies and society as they relocate to inland cities. Mathew also talks about his research on how climate change may decrease human fertility and increase human mortality in the coming decades. This episode of waterloop is brought to you by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart, stylish choice for conserving water, energy, and money while enjoying an invigorating shower. Use promo code waterloop for 20 percent off at www.highsierrashowerheads.com

Kara Meyer is the Managing Director of + POOL, a nonprofit working to build a swimming pool in the East River in New York City. In this episode Kara discusses the vision for + POOL including how it would filter river water and provide a recreational resource for New Yorkers. She explains the time-consuming process of gaining various approvals and building necessary support that is underway. Kara also talks about the public art installation of an illuminated plus sign in the river that changed colors based on water quality and raised public awareness about the project and the urban waterway’s health. waterloop is brought to you by the Flume Smart Water Monitor. With Flume you can track your home's water use in real-time on a smartphone and receive alerts about excessive use and leaks. Use promo code waterloop for 15% off at https://flumetech.com/

Vaughn Hagerty is the Public Information Officer for the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority in Wilmington, North Carolina. In this episode Vaughn discusses the discovery that GenX, a PFAS chemical, was dumped into the Cape Fear River for nearly 40 years by Chemours, a DuPont spin-off company, and ended up in local drinking water. He talks about the community’s response, the agreement reached with Chemours, and the $43 million the utility is spending to upgrade water treatment. Vaughn also explains his decision to join Cape Fear PUA after being a reporter that broke the story and how it has approached communication with customers in Wilmington. This episode of waterloop is brought to you by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart, stylish choice for conserving water, energy, and money while enjoying an invigorating shower. Use promo code waterloop for 20 percent off at www.highsierrashowerheads.com

La’Meshia Whittington-Kaminski is Deputy Political Director for Advance Carolina and Organizing Campaigns Director for the NC Black Alliance. In this episode La’Meshia explains how the environmental justice movement began in North Carolina and the disproportionate impacts that low-income communities and communities of color have faced in the state, including GenX in drinking water, pollution from factory farms, and hurricane damage. She discusses the role political maps - specifically gerrymandering - has played and why there is a lack of public awareness of environmental justice issues. La’Meshia says that organizations have improved situations for communities through partnerships, communication, and grassroots support. waterloop is brought to you by the Flume Smart Water Monitor. With Flume you can track your home's water use in real-time on a smartphone and receive alerts about excessive use and leaks. Use promo code waterloop for 15% off at https://flumetech.com/

Rob Bilott is an environmental attorney and author of Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle against DuPont. In this episode Rob details his two-decade legal fight to reveal the harm done by PFAS to people in Parkersburg, W.V. and to call widespread attention to the unique threat the “forever chemicals” pose to human health. He discusses how it feels to be the person most responsible for revealing the dangers of PFAS and the value of having the film Dark Waters and its star Mark Ruffalo highlight the story for the masses. Rob says that his work is not over and he is pursuing class-action status for everyone in the United States who has been exposed to PFAS. This episode of waterloop is brought to you by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart, stylish choice for conserving water, energy, and money while enjoying an invigorating shower. Use promo code waterloop for 20 percent off at www.highsierrashowerheads.com

Micah Ragland is a native of Flint, Michigan and served as a public outreach official in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency during the Obama Administration. in this episode Micah describes the history and people of Flint, as well as his experience growing up in the city. He explains how the Flint drinking water crisis unfolded for him, beginning with texts from relatives and then spending 11 months in the community as a central part of EPA’s response. Micah talks about the current situation in Flint and the remaining work to address the lead problem. waterloop is brought to you by the Flume Smart Water Monitor. With Flume you can track your home's water use in real-time on a smartphone and receive alerts about excessive use and leaks. Use promo code waterloop for 15% off at https://flumetech.com/

Luke Runyon is a reporter at KUNC in Colorado and produces stories focused on water for a network of NPR stations throughout the Southwest. In this episode Luke describes the iconic Colorado River, including the perspective from his flight over its course, from mountains to the Pacific Ocean, which its waters fail to reach. He explains how states negotiate water allocations, and how the river is strained by demand and climate change. Luke shares examples of water as a unifying force and touches on a variety of stories such as cloud seeding and sports gambling to fund water projects. This episode of waterloop is brought to you by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart, stylish choice for conserving water, energy, and money while enjoying an invigorating shower. Use promo code waterloop for 20% off at https://www.highsierrashowerheads.com/

Eric Adler is the CEO of Flume. In this episode Eric explains how in the era of residential water conservation and wired homes the Flume Smart Water Monitor allows people to track their house's water use in real-time on a smartphone and provides alerts about excessive use and leaks. He says a few years ago the severe California drought and water restrictions led him to create Flume as a project at Cal Poly University. Eric discusses how utilities want to encourage customers to conserve water and help them understand water bills so many are offering rebates for Flume. waterloop is brought to you by the Flume Smart Water Monitor. With Flume you can track your home's water use in real-time on a smartphone and receive alerts about excessive use and leaks. Use promo code waterloop for 15% off at https://flumetech.com/

Emma Robbins is Director of the Navajo Water Project. In this episode Emma talks about the Navajo Nation and how Navajo are 67 times more likely than other Americans to live without running water, with one in three families hauling water home every day. She explains that the Navajo Water Project is a community-managed utility alternative that brings hot and cold running water to homes without access to water or sewer lines. Emma discusses success stories and the powerful impact of seeing people gain running water for the first time. waterloop is brought to you by the Flume Smart Water Monitor. With Flume you can track your home's water use in real-time on a smartphone and receive alerts about excessive use and leaks. Use promo code waterloop for 15% off at https://flumetech.com/

Seth Siegel is the author of Troubled Water: What’s Wrong With What We Drink. In this episode Seth discusses why he opened the book with the story of PFAS pollution in Hoosick Falls, the concept that chemicals are considered innocent to public health until proven guilty, and the state of drinking water science. He explains the problems with EPA’s oversight of drinking water quality and the Safe Drinking Water Act. Seth talks about a variety of ways to improve drinking water including a technology leap, an improvement fund, and vouchers for low-income people. This episode of waterloop is brought to you by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart, stylish choice for conserving water, energy, and money while enjoying an invigorating shower. Use promo code waterloop for 20 percent off at www.highsierrashowerheads.com

Jane Gilbert is the Chief Resilience Officer for the City of Miami. In this episode Jane explains how climate change is impacting Miami, including through increased heat, sea level rise, and stronger storms. She explains the new Miami Forever Climate Ready plan and how the city is adapting with infrastructure, land use codes, and green space. Jane talks about the role of community involvement, partnership with state and federal government, and lessons learned from other cities around the world. waterloop is brought to you by the Flume Smart Water Monitor. With Flume you can track your home's water use in real-time on a smartphone and receive alerts about excessive use and leaks. Use promo code waterloop for 15% off at https://flumetech.com/

Dr. John Burns is an Assistant Professor at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. In this episode John explains the critical importance of coral reefs to the ocean ecosystem and coastal communities. He talks about the health of coral reefs in Hawaii and globally, as well as what changes in reefs reveal about the health of the ocean and planet. John also discusses the science behind Hawaii’s ban on sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate and how these chemicals may impact coral reefs.

Apryl Boyle is the Founder and Executive Director of El Porto Shark. In this episode Apryl discusses misconceptions about sharks, the importance of changing public opinion, ways to raise awareness, and the role of partnerships in protection. She talks about aggregation of shark conservation data and forecasting marine life populations. Apryl also explains the role of sharks in climate change adaptation.

Earl Swift is author of Chesapeake Requiem: A Year with the Watermen of Vanishing Tangier Island. In this episode Earl explains how the unique community in the Chesapeake Bay is struggling as the island disappears through a combination of erosion, subsidence, and rising seas from climate change. He talks about his time living on Tangier Island, the life of a watermen, and the iconic blue crab. Earl also discusses the reaction to his book and the difficult decisions around saving communities from climate change.

Sean Swentek is Executive Director of A Walk On Water and a member of the Board of Directors for the International Surf Therapy Organization. In this episode Sean discusses the use of surfing as therapy for a wide range of issues including children with special needs, individuals with disabilities, veterans coping with PTSD, and people with mental health challenges. He explains how surf therapy also positively impacts family and friends that attend, as well as the volunteers themselves. Sean talks about the existing research on the benefits of surf therapy and efforts to expand the science.