Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Water Sector

In this episode of Talking Under Water the hosts discuss U.S. EPA’s latest proposal to add nine PFAS to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act as hazardous substances, a public draft testing method for detecting 6PPD-quinone in stormwater and updates to the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements including public comments that were submitted. Additionally, this week’s interview features Ifetayo Venner, senior vice president for Arcadis and immediate past president of Water Environment Federation.  Co-host Mandy Crispin spoke with Venner about the important of diversity, equity and inclusion in the water sector.       Show Notes:    EPA develops 6PPD-quinone testing method for stormwater, surface waters  Is Superfund the Future for PFAS? https://www.wwdmag.com/wastewater-treatment/article/21024076/what-is-the-future-of-pfas-regulation  Water Associations Share Final Comments on PFAS CERCLA Proposal https://www.wwdmag.com/compliance-and-regulations/news/21437708/water-associations-share-final-comments-pfas-cercla-proposal  EPA proposed to add nine PFAS to RCRAs hazardous constituents https://www.wwdmag.com/compliance-and-regulations/article/33036439/epa-proposed-to-add-nine-pfas-to-rcras-hazardous-constituents  Common RCRA violations for wastewater professionals https://www.wwdmag.com/utility-management/video/33001983/common-rcra-violations-for-wastewater-professionals LCRI Proposal https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/12/06/2023-26148/national-primary-drinking-water-regulations-for-lead-and-copper-improvements-lcri  Public Comments on LCRI https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0801-0036/comment   Timestamps:    Host introductions and summary | 0:16 U.S. EPA's proposal to add 9 PFAS to RCRA | 1:12 Draft testing method for 6PPD-quinone | 2:24 A summary of LCRI public comments | 3:13 Interview with Ifetayo Venner begins | 6:02 Defining DEI | 6:19 Why DEI is important to the water sector | 8:18 How roles and job titles tie into diversity efforts | 11:36 How Ifetayo has influenced DEI initiatives in her career | 12:34 Advice for water professionals | 18:10 What initiatives are still needed in water? | 22:27 How to build a DEI culture | 24:02 The value of design thinking for perspective | 25:12 How Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) relates to diversity efforts | 27:24 What do people not realize about DEI? | 30:50 Housekeeping | 32:30 About the Podcast    Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Storm Water Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, point of use, point of entry, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and on-site interviews with experts for WWD, WQP and SWS. New episodes of the podcast are released on the third Friday of every month. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.    Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing [email protected]  engaging with them on Twitter @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.