Talking Under Water

Talking Under Water is a One Water podcast for the water industry. Editors from Endeavor’s Water Group highlight news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts. Topics covered include water and wastewater treatment, stormwater and erosion control, diversity, regulations/legislation, flooding, circular water economy, water scarcity, small systems, emerging contaminants, smart water and more.

Talking Under Water is a business podcast hosted by Endeavor Business Media, with 176 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Endeavor Business Media hosts Talking Under Water, a business show with 176 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #168

  AI and Innovation at WEFTEC 2026: Shaping the Future of Water Utilities

  Oct 2, 202635 min

  In this episode Talking Under Water co-hosts discuss key takeaways from WEFTEC 2026, including the growing influence of artificial intelligence in the water sector, cybersecurity preparedness, utility financing, potable reuse, and the innovative technologies generating buzz on the show floor. Recorded live from WEFTEC, Mandy Crispin and Bob Crossen reflect on the conference theme of innovation and curiosity, highlighting an inspiring keynote presentation focused on reframing challenges and embracing new ways of thinking. Much of the conversation centers on artificial intelligence, which emerged as one of the dominant topics of the event. The hosts discuss practical AI use cases, workforce concerns, governance strategies, and the importance of keeping humans and subject matter experts at the center of decision-making. They also explore how AI is shaping conversations around data centers, water demand, and utility operations. Beyond AI, the episode covers lessons from sessions on utility bond ratings and financing, including strategies for maintaining strong financial health and accessing federal funding opportunities. Mandy shares updates from EPA sessions on cybersecurity, water workforce grants, and a new pilot initiative using AI-driven security testing. The hosts also spotlight emerging technologies, including a novel wastewater pump design and creative public outreach efforts supporting potable reuse projects. The episode concludes with a discussion on AI-generated public records requests and what they could mean for utilities moving forward. Show notes WEFTEC 2026 Show Coverage Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 00:45 – WEFTEC keynote highlights: innovation, curiosity, and rethinking workplace challenges 05:02 – AI takes center stage at WEFTEC: opportunities, risks, and utility adoption 09:46 – Data centers, water demand, and the need for transparency in AI infrastructure 15:01 – Utility financing lessons: bond ratings, rate strategies, and WIFIA funding opportunities 20:06 – EPA update: cybersecurity, workforce grants, and Project Watershed 250 24:49 – New technologies and innovations from the show floor, including pumps and potable reuse outreach 34:25 – Housekeeping About the Podcast Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, stormwater and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com. Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing talkingunderwater@endeavorb2b.com engaging with them on X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #167

  From patchwork to progress: advancing water reuse regulations

  Sep 18, 202622 min

  In this episode Talking Under Water host Mandy Crispin discusses the upcoming water reuse regulatory guide, an effort led by the Water Reuse Association to help states develop or modernize water reuse regulations. Joined by Bruno Pigott, executive director of the association, and Tricia Kilgore of Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority, the conversation explores why the guide was created and how it can help states navigate the often complex process of adopting reuse regulations. The guests explain that water reuse regulations vary widely across the United States, creating challenges for communities looking to expand reuse programs. Drawing from lessons learned during rulemaking efforts across multiple states, the guide provides flexible pathways that can be adapted to existing legal and regulatory frameworks rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all approach. Kilgore shares South Carolina's experience pursuing expanded reuse opportunities and discusses how treated effluent should be viewed as a valuable resource rather than a waste product. The discussion also examines the importance of identifying local drivers for reuse, engaging regulators and stakeholders early, addressing fragmented regulatory authority, and building public understanding throughout the process. The episode concludes with lessons from the guide's development involving more than 200 stakeholders, highlighting collaboration, public health protection, and long-term planning as essential ingredients for advancing water reuse projects and regulations nationwide. Show notes WateReuse Symposium 2027 Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 03:33 – Why the State Water Reuse Regulatory Guide was created 05:22 – Four regulatory pathways and how states can use the guide 06:56 – South Carolina's reuse challenges and treating effluent as a resource 11:09 – Starting with the “why” and engaging stakeholders early 12:24 – Major roadblocks to water reuse regulations and how to overcome them 16:31 – Building consensus through collaboration and public engagement 20:36 – Housekeeping About the Podcast Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, stormwater and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com. Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing talkingunderwater@endeavorb2b.com engaging with them on X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #166

  The road to 2030: building proactive, data-driven smart water utilities

  Sep 14, 202631 min

  In this episode, Talking Under Water co-host Bob Crossen discusses advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), data management, utility modernization, stakeholder buy-in, and the future of smart water utilities with Kamstrup Solutions Engineer Jake Waidmann. The conversation explores how utilities exist across a wide spectrum of metering technology adoption, from manual meter reading to next-generation AMI systems, and why technology decisions should be driven by operational challenges rather than by features alone. Jake explains how utilities can identify the right data to collect, use metering information to reduce non-revenue water, improve leak detection, and justify investments through measurable return on investment. The discussion also examines the growing volume of utility data and the importance of retaining, organizing, and applying that information to support rate studies, conservation initiatives, and long-term planning. Jake highlights the need to involve a broad range of stakeholders, including operators, customer service teams, managers, executives, consultants, and governing boards, when implementing new technologies. He emphasizes that successful adoption depends on building trust in both the data and the systems generating it. Looking ahead, Jake shares his vision for the smart water utility of 2030, centered on three key pillars: proactive operations, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement. Together, these principles can help utilities maximize system performance, improve customer service, and make more informed infrastructure investments. Show notes Kamstrup Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – Meeting utilities where they are on the AMR-to-AMI journey 05:02 – Why solving problems matters more than collecting more data 08:15 – Managing, storing, and using utility data effectively 13:40 – Building trust and managing organizational change during AMI adoption 19:18 – Gaining buy-in from operators, managers, executives, and boards 23:47 – The future of smart water utilities: proactive, data-driven, continuous improvement 28:48 – Housekeeping About the Podcast Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, stormwater and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com. Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing talkingunderwater@endeavorb2b.com engaging with them on X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #165

  Water News Roundup: Colorado River Lawsuit, Cyber Threats and StormCon Takeaways

  Sep 4, 202627 min

  In this episode of Talking Under Water, Mandy Crispin, head of content for WaterWorld, shares how local news outlets in four Colorado River Basin states, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado and Utah, are framing Nevada's lawsuit against the federal government over Colorado River management. Sarah Kominek, head of content for Stormwater Solutions covers flash flooding at the Grand Canyon and in Utah, a corruption investigation into flood control projects in the Philippines, and a stormwater project breaking ground in Pittsburgh. Alex Cossin, associate editor for the Water Group follows with cybersecurity developments in the water sector, including new EPA funding, a federal pilot program in Texas, and a joint agency warning on PLC vulnerabilities. The episode closes with Alex and Sarah recapping StormCon 2026 in Minneapolis. Show notes Stormwater Solutions: Southwest monsoon fuels flash floods, road and utility damage in Arizona, Utah Stormwater Solutions: Record flooding exposes gaps in Philippines' flood control system amid fraud investigation Stormwater Solutions: Pittsburgh breaks ground on $6.8M stormwater project Wastewater Digest: Federal agencies warn of active cyber threat to Siemens PLCs Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction 0:59 – How news outlets are covering the Colorado river lawsuit 15:36 – Flooding news and stormwater project funding 18:05 – Cybersecurity for water utilities 19:58 – StormCon highlights 24:55 – Housekeeping About the Podcast Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, stormwater and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com. Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing talkingunderwater@endeavorb2b.com engaging with them on X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #164

  Navigating Microplastics in Drinking Water: The Challenges of Potential Regulations

  Aug 21, 202617 min

  In this episode Talking Under Water co-host Mandy Crispin speaks with Brent Alspach, Vice President and Director of Applied Research at Arcadis, about the evolving science of microplastics in drinking water and the challenges facing future regulation. Recorded at ACE26, the conversation explores what has changed over the past year in the industry's understanding of microplastics and why policymakers, utilities, and researchers are still searching for answers. Brent explains why defining microplastics for regulatory purposes is far more complex than defining traditional contaminants, given the wide range of particle sizes, polymer types, and characteristics involved. He also discusses concerns that public and political pressure could outpace the scientific research needed to support effective regulations. The discussion covers the many hurdles that remain before any federal drinking water standard could be developed, including the lack of standardized sampling methods, testing protocols, and health effects data. Mandy and Brent also examine how regulators might determine whether drinking water is a significant source of human exposure compared to food or air. Finally, Brent shares insights into how existing treatment processes perform, where knowledge gaps still exist, and what utility leaders should be doing today to prepare for a future in which microplastics receive greater regulatory attention. Show notes WaterWorld AWWA ACE26 Show Coverage Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 01:41 – What qualifies as a microplastic and why terminology matters 02:24 – Why science must catch up before regulation advances 04:03 – The challenge of defining microplastics for regulatory purposes 07:47 – Determining whether drinking water is a meaningful exposure source 09:38 – How far away meaningful regulation may be and the hurdles that remain 11:30 – Can current drinking water treatment processes remove microplastics? 15:51 – Housekeeping About the Podcast Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, stormwater and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com. Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing talkingunderwater@endeavorb2b.com engaging with them on X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on Talking Under Water. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.