Explosive growth in data centers, semiconductors, and power generation is driving unprecedented industrial water demand, pushing reuse from niche to necessity across the U.S.

In this episode, Bruno Pigott of the WateReuse Association, Courtney Tripp of Grundfos, and Jim Oliver of Black & Veatch unpack their joint report, Accelerating Industrial Reuse, spotlighting proven and sustainable strategies to meet that demand.

They highlight how existing technologies enable up to 75–90% water savings through fit-for-purpose treatment—treating water only to the quality needed for its next use while minimizing energy and costs. Landmark projects illustrate the impact, from Intel’s Arizona campus recovering nearly all water and brine to support thousands of jobs, Chevron’s California public-private partnership conserving potable supplies for tens of thousands of homes, and Koch Industries’ Oklahoma plant treating municipal effluent to preserve freshwater for community growth.

The experts point to low-hanging fruit like operational tweaks for quick gains, alongside rising water rates, bipartisan tax incentives, and progressive state frameworks that are turning reuse into a business and resilience imperative. Looking ahead, they envision widespread adoption nationwide through industrial symbiosis, better salt management, and collaborative models that transform water constraints into economic and environmental opportunities.

Access the report Accelerating Industrial Reuse

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

What happens when laws designed to protect water fail — and what legal action does it take to set things right?

For decades, the health of the Chesapeake Bay has struggled because of three major pollution sources: stormwater, wastewater, and agriculture. These pressures send nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment into streams and rivers that flow into the Bay, where they harm water quality and the environment broadly.

While there have been many solutions implemented and tremendous progress made across the watershed, there are still challenges that sometimes require a legal approach.

In this episode, David Reed of the Chesapeake Legal Alliance shares a look at these three major pollution challenges through the lens of local riverkeepers in Maryland.

The story begins with Gunpowder Riverkeeper Theaux Le Gardeur, who explains how unchecked development and failing stormwater controls allowed sediment to smother vital habitat. Next is Alice Volpitta, the Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper at Blue Water Baltimore, who shares how two of Maryland’s largest wastewater treatment plants fell into disrepair. Finally, Taylor Swanson of the Assateague Coastal Trust talks about the Eastern Shore, where industrial poultry facilities have created unregulated ammonia pollution.

They each share how legal action was the last line of defense for the Chesapeake Bay and local waterways.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

Green infrastructure is reshaping how communities manage stormwater by blending natural processes with modern engineering to improve water quality, reduce flooding, and fit into increasingly dense urban spaces.

In this episode, Christian Hennessy of Oldcastle Infrastructure breaks down what makes a system truly “green,” from mimicking pre-development hydrology to using engineered soils, media amendments, and carefully selected plants to target pollutants like nutrients and metals.

He covers how green infrastructure has evolved from simple rain gardens into high-performance, small-footprint systems that combine green and gray infrastructure through precast structures, filtration media, and controlled detention.

Hennessy also explains how performance is measured through rigorous field testing and lab validation, ensuring these systems deliver real water quality results. Looking ahead, he discusses hybrid approaches, digital monitoring, and climate-driven design as essential tools for making stormwater infrastructure more resilient and effective in a changing world.

Learn more about Oldcastle Infrastructure water solutions.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.