waterloop

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. waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. Visit www.waterloop.org

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the U.S. by American Rivers, with the organization citing the challenges it faces from the impacts of climate change, outdated water management practices, overallocation of resources, and a failure to manage the river equitably.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

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.orgListeners 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.orgwaterloop 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.orgwaterloop 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

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/thewaterloopwaterloop 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