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.

Summary

In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, hosts Megan Glover and Isaac Pellerin speaks with Michelle Stockness, an influential leader in the water sector. They discuss the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, the challenges of funding infrastructure, and the role of Freshwater in promoting water research and policy. Michelle shares her journey in the water industry, emphasizing the need for effective communication and engagement to address pressing water issues, including the controversial topic of data centers. The conversation highlights the significance of workforce development and the vision for a sustainable water future.

Takeaways

• Listening to stakeholders is crucial for project success.

• Collaboration can bridge gaps in the water industry.

• Data centers present both challenges and opportunities.

• Effective communication is key to stakeholder engagement.

• Funding for infrastructure requires innovative strategies.

• Workforce development is essential for the future of water.

• Community engagement can lead to better water solutions.

• Freshwater aims to support underserved communities.

• Understanding local needs is vital for effective policy.

• Optimism and collaboration can drive positive change.

Summary:

In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover engage with Chad Seidel, president of Corona Environmental Consulting, to discuss the challenges and innovations in the water industry.

They explore the importance of accountability in water systems, the journey of Chad in the water quality field, and the founding of Corona to fill gaps in the industry. The conversation delves into the pressing issues facing water utilities, the need for prioritization of resources, and the impact of waterborne diseases compared to contaminants like PFAS. They also discuss the role of the Water Health Advisory Council in bridging policy and operational challenges, and the importance of community support for water initiatives.

Takeaways

• Water systems must ensure disinfectant residuals for public health.

• Chad Seidel's journey reflects the intersection of policy and technical expertise.

• Corona Environmental Consulting was founded to address niche needs in water quality.

• Water utilities face significant challenges due to resource constraints.

• There is a need to prioritize addressing water quality issues.

• Raising the floor for water quality standards is essential.

• Waterborne diseases pose immediate public health risks.

• The Water Health Advisory Council aims to provide unbiased technical information.

• Legislative measures often overlook the operational realities of water utilities.

• Community support is crucial for sustainable water initiatives.

In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, hosts Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover engage with Stacy Jones from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. They discuss the complexities of water regulations, the evolution of regulatory processes, and the challenges faced by water administrators. Stacy shares her journey in the water industry, the importance of effective communication in regulatory roles, and the future of water management. The conversation highlights the need for new talent in the field and the inspiration drawn from mentors in the industry.

Takeaways

• New federal regulations will require implementation in the next decade.

• Regulatory processes involve federal and state levels.

• Implementing new regulations can take years.

• Lead and copper regulations are particularly complex.

• Communication is key in regulatory roles.

• The future of water management is evolving rapidly.

• Mentorship plays a crucial role in professional development.

• New talent is needed in the water management field.

In this episode of Make Water Work, hosts Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover sit down with Christy Harowski, founder of HCB Strategies and former Chief of Staff at the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans and Value of Water Campaign Director at US Water Alliance.

Christy shares how water professionals can move beyond pipes, pumps, and projects to clearly communicate why water matters, who it impacts, and how to make the case for investment. Drawing from her experience in utilities, policy, and national advocacy, she explains how authentic communication, coalition-building, and storytelling turn infrastructure spending into real community impact.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• Why water is a nonpartisan issue and how to communicate it that way

• How utilities can fund major projects without relying solely on rate increases

• The role of partnerships, tourism, and local economies in water investment

• Why authentic leadership and owning your voice matters in advocacy

• How better communication builds trust with policymakers and the public

Whether you work in a utility, policy, engineering, or water innovation, this episode offers practical insight on making the value of water visible.

Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of water.

#MakeWaterWork #WaterLeadership #ValueOfWater #WaterInfrastructure #UtilityLeadership #WaterPolicy #PublicTrust #WaterInvestment

In this episode of the Make Water Work Podcast, Megan Glover and Isaac Pellerin sit down with the former GM of DC Water and current founder of Moonshot Missions, George Hawkins, for a fast-moving conversation about what it really takes to modernize utilities, especially the ones with the fewest resources.

George shares how a childhood moment in Cleveland, including seeing a polluted river that later caught fire, shaped his life in water and why he believes the “health of a place” is written in its water. From there, he dives into the hard, practical truth: we cannot fund our way out of the water crisis without changing how utilities operate.

You will hear George break down:

• Why innovation is a “how” problem, not a “what” problem

• How utilities can use the balance sheet to fund progress through savings, not just rate increases

• The shocking cost of “transaction friction” and what he cut at DC Water, including reducing the cost to collect a dollar

• Why procurement can stall progress for a year and what needs to change

• How to build internal systems that drive continuous improvement, including incentives that reward teams for saving money

• Why Moonshot Missions exists to help small and under-resourced utilities implement the same kinds of performance upgrades

This is a masterclass in leadership, storytelling, and systems thinking from someone who has lived the problem from the inside and is now building a path forward for the rest of the sector.