In this episode of Make Water Work, hosts Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover sit down with Melissa Meeker, CEO of The Water Tower, to talk about the biggest issue facing the water industry that no one is talking about enough: workforce.

While the industry focuses on PFAS, AI, lead service lines and climate resilience, Melissa is focused on something even more fundamental...people.

💧 How do we attract the next generation into water careers?

💧 How do we train operators differently?

💧 How do we create opportunity for nontraditional and underserved communities?

💧 And how do we scale workforce innovation from 5 states to all 50?

The Water Tower in Gwinnett County, Georgia is redefining what water innovation looks like. Not just through technology, but through hands-on workforce training, operator certification programs, and ecosystem building that connects utilities, engineers and entrepreneurs.

If you care about the future of water, this conversation is a must-watch.

Summary

In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover welcome Anthony DeRosa, the executive director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASWDA). They discuss Anthony's journey in the water management sector, the challenges and innovations in modernizing water management, the importance of data management, and the impact of regulatory changes on water utilities. The conversation also touches on workforce challenges, future trends in water management, and the role of data centers in water use. Anthony emphasizes the need for leveraging technology and data to improve water management practices and shares insights on the future initiatives of ASWDA.

Takeaways

• Modernizing water management is crucial for efficiency.

• Data management practices in the water sector are still immature.

• Regulatory uncertainty is a significant concern for state regulators.

• The Safe Drinking Water Act may need to be revisited.

• Workforce challenges persist in attracting young talent to the water sector.

• Data centers have a growing impact on water use and management.

• ASDWA is focused on making data more accessible for its members.

In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, hosts Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover talk with Chris Sosnowski, founder and CEO of Waterly. They discuss the critical importance of data quality in water management, the evolution of Waterly, and the challenges faced by public water systems. Chris shares insights from his journey in the water industry, emphasizing the need for human validation in data management and the significant role of cybersecurity in ensuring the safety and reliability of water systems. The conversation highlights the importance of staying connected to customers, learning from their experiences, and the ongoing need for innovation in the water sector.

Takeaways

• Data quality is crucial for effective water management.

• Human validation is necessary for accurate water quality data.

• Waterly was born from the need for affordable software solutions.

• The water industry is slow to adopt new technologies due to fear of change.

• Cybersecurity is a significant concern for water systems.

• Operators need to be proactive in managing cybersecurity risks.

• Standardization of data is essential for effective water management.

• Engaging with customers is key to understanding their needs.

• The majority of data in water management is still entered by humans.

• Continuous learning and humility are vital for entrepreneurs.