waterloop

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​​​

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​​​

There have been lofty expectations for how sensors, remote monitoring, data, and the Internet of Things would impact the operation of water infrastructure. In many ways the digital tools are beginning to live up to the hype and allowing water managers to have unprecedented and important control of systems, as discussed in this episode with Jamail Carter, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Varuna. Jamail also talks about the opportunities to more fully embrace the power of technology, radically reinvent water infrastructure, and utilize expected federal funding to drive the transformation needed in the 21st century. 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​​​

Philadelphia has embraced the use of arts and culture - from murals and music to superheroes - as a way to communicate with the community about water. The effort has especially focused on educating African-American, Latino, and low-income neighborhoods about the safety of drinking tap water. The use of art as the messenger is discussed in this episode with Tiffany Ledesma and Maura Jarvis of the Philadelphia Water Department. They talk about how artists turn into ambassadors for water, the role of Water Woman in public engagement, and collaborating with Philadelphia poet laureate. 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​​​

With climate change putting the West into a permanent drought and water levels in Lake Mead dropping to the lowest levels since Hoover Dam was built in the 1930s, the time is right for the oasis in the desert known as Las Vegas to take a big step toward reducing water consumption. Recently a ban was placed on non-functional grass - the unused grass found at commercial buildings, within shopping centers, along sidewalks, and in road medians. If these 4,000 acres of grass are converted to native landscapes it will reduce water use in the area by 10 percent, as explained in this episode with Bronson Mack, Public Outreach Manager with the Southern Nevada Water Authority. Bronson also discusses public and business support for water conservation, investments made in Lake Mead, and the substantial decline of overall water use even as Las Vegas boomed the past 20 years. 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​​​

Advancements in technology and computers have allowed scientists to develop a detailed look at the coastal land margin, the dynamic area where the land and ocean interface. The high resolution models are used to better understand the coastal environment and predict where the water goes during storm surge and floods. This science is important for protecting ecosystems and preparing communities, as discussed in this episode with Scott Hagen, Director of the Center for Coastal Resiliency and Louisiana State University. Scott also talks about lessons learned from the computer models, including the ability of marshes to migrate from sea level rise, the value of nature based solutions for adaptation, and embracing the coast as an ever-changing place. 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% off at highsierrashowerheads.com

When water quality tests are conducted at the beach to determine safety for swimming it typically takes 24 hours for results, which isn’t helpful for protecting public health in real-time. But a rapid method of testing can provide information about bacteria levels at the beach in just an hour or two, as discussed in this episode by its developer Dr. Rachel Noble, a Professor at the Institute of Marine Sciences at the University of North Carolina. Rachel explains that most states have not adopted the rapid testing for beach water quality and calls on the federal government to provide more funding for state monitoring programs, particularly because of the role of beaches as economic drivers. She also talks about further evolutions in water quality testing, including the use of autonomous vehicles to monitor water conditions. 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​​​

Many environmental problems stem from behavior problems. So over the past decade the environmental field has intensified its use of psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science to understand how people’s brains operate and how to design programs to change behavior. The trend is explored in this episode with Katie Williamson, Senior Associate at Rare, and Philipe Bujold, Behavior Scientist at Rare. They discuss types of behavior, the levers for triggering change, and examples of initiatives in the water space including conservation efforts in California and Cape Town. 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​​​

During the past year of challenges and upheaval in society, many people turned to nature and water in particular for exercise, adventure, escape, and healing. The unique ability for water to elevate well-being - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually - is discussed in this episode with Wallace J Nichols, author of Blue Mind, and Jaimal Yogis, author of Saltwater Buddha, The Fear Project, and All Our Waves Are Water. J and Jaimal share the role of water in some of their personal experiences of the last year, discuss the host’s first time in a float tank, and talk about surfing as medicine. 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​​​

With the ocean and coastal waters under a variety of stressors including pollution and climate change it is vital to gather more scientific data. Rapid advancements in technology have led to a proliferation of sensors for studying the coast and made these tools operable and affordable for a wider group. The use of sensors is discussed in this episode with Phil Bresnahan, an Assistant Professor of Oceanography at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Phil also talks about the need for scientists to improve communication, his invention called Smartfin that is a sensor for surfboards and paddleboards, and why surfers are excellent citizen scientists. 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​​​

Historically the relationship between the agriculture sector and conservation community could be described as unproductive, tense, and even adversarial. But a significant shift toward cooperation during the last 20 years was driven by mutual concerns such as drought, urbanization, and sustainability. Forging personal connections and building trust made it possible, as discussed in this episode with Dan Keppen, Executive Director of the Family Farm Alliance, and Taylor Hawes, Colorado River Program Director for The Nature Conservancy. Dan and Taylor talk about a variety of collaborative projects between agriculture and conservation throughout the Colorado River Basin, the role of the Farm Bill in water management, and the pressure that lies ahead from increasing water scarcity. 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​​​

Religion is a very prevalent part of life in New Orleans and southern Louisiana, leading conservation organizations to build relationships with local faith leaders and to educate them on environmental issues. Faith leaders often believe that as God’s creation it is important to be stewards of nature and they carry this message to their congregations. The role of the faith community in conservation is discussed in this episode by Helen Rose Patterson, Senior Outreach Coordinator for the Gulf Program at the National Wildlife Federation, and Cory Sparks, Assistant Pastor at Bethany United Methodist Church in New Orleans. Helen Rose and Cory talk about field trips to see coastal problems and projects, training in advocacy for faith leaders, and the impact they have by writing op-eds, speaking at public meetings, and talking to elected officials. 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​​​

A plan to route an oil pipeline through predominantly black neighborhoods in Memphis is an example of how minority communities across the country are overburdened by pollution and subjected to environmental racism, say Chandra Taylor, Senior Attorney and Leader of the Environmental Justice Initiative at the Southern Environmental Law Center, and Marquita Bradshaw, Executive Director of Sowing Justice. They discuss how the cumulative impacts of pollution in communities like southwest Memphis must be considered when proposals such as the pipeline arise. Chandra and Marquita explain how to respond to projects that pose a pollution and public health threat to a community, including the critical need for grassroots mobilization and exploration of all options at the local, state, and federal levels. See all podcasts 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​​​

In the Chesapeake Bay watershed, cutting-edge technology is powering the practice of precision conservation, the use of advanced data and imagery for efficient decision making in environmental management. Tools like aerial imagery, LiDAR elevation data, spatial analysis, geomorphology, and machine learning are helping projects to achieve greater impact on the ground. In this episode, Emily Mills, Geospatial Technology Manager, and Adrienne Gemberling, Senior Project Manager, of the Chesapeake Conservancy discuss how the organization has heavily invested in this technology, hired a large and skilled staff, and created the Conservation Innovation Center. Emily and Adrienne talk about the power of the tools, providing information for partners in conservation, and examples of projects to improve stream health in Pennsylvania. 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​​​​

For five generations Paul Bruchez’s family has ranched in Colorado, giving him an intimate understanding of water and the Colorado River. As climate change and development strain water resources to the breaking point, agriculture is facing tremendous pressure, pushing to improve water conservation, and collaborating with other stakeholders to find solutions. In this episode with Paul, an owner of the Reeder Creek Ranch and a fly-fishing guide, he discusses demand management and remote sensing projects, the role of agriculture in carbon sequestration, and restoring habitat for fish. 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​​​

During last decade’s severe drought the State of California passed the Open and Transparent Water Data Act in recognition of the critical role of data in water management. That led to the formation of the California Water Data Consortium, a nonprofit that works with the state, local water agencies, farmers, NGOs, and others to improve organization, access, and use of data. In this episode Tara Moran, President and CEO of the California Water Data Consortium, discusses the progress and pilot projects involving lidar, groundwater, urban water, and agriculture. 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​