Episode 39: Seizing Water’s Moment

In this episode of Talking Under Water, One Water, One Podcast, hosts Lauren Del Ciello, Katie Johns and Bob Crossen discuss how the recently announced American Jobs Plan may impact the water sector before diving into two industry expert interviews regarding the current legislative landscape for water infrastructure priorities. The interviews this month are with Nathan Ohle, CEO for the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) and Shellie Chard, water quality division director for the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. Ohle and Chard testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works March 17, highlighting the need for investment in water and infrastructure. Both represent different facets of the water industry yet stress the need for collaboration. Show Notes: Does the American Jobs Plan Affect the Water Industry? Industry Associations Respond to American Jobs Plan Fact Sheet: The American Jobs Plan’ Industry Organizations Testify on Water Infrastructure for Senate EPW Committee Timestamps: Cold Open: (0:00) This episode is sponsored by Central Life Sciences: (0:38) Host introduction: (0:55) The American Jobs Plan as it relates to one water: (1:10) Introducing Nathan Ohle interview: (3:54) What is RCAP?: (5:34) Handling growth during a time of increased public awareness: (6:49) The challenges rural and tribal communities face: (7:33) Understanding the volume of small community water systems in the U.S.: (9:27) Testifying for the Senate EPW Committee & the future of water: (12:19) The importance of low-income protections for water access: (14:35) How to be a champion for change in the industry:(16:58) Introducing Shellie Chard interview: (20:43) Gauging the climate on water infrastructure in Washington, D.C.: (21:34) The three greatest priorities for water in discussions in D.C.: (25:53) A fourth bonus priority for water: (29:45) The emphasis on funding and financing programs in the AJP proposal: (31:59) How to communicate water’s value to Congressional leaders: (38:11) The importance of the volume of voices calling Congressional leaders: (43:03) How can we create a unified message on water nation-wide?: (43:57) Housekeeping: (48:51) End: (51:22) Events: The Scranton Gillette Communications Water Group, which includes Water & Wastes Digest and Storm Water Solutions, is bringing a Water Pavillion to The UtilityExpo Sept. 28 to 30, 2021 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Send us your abstracts!: bit.ly/WaterPavilionAbstracts SWS, WWD & WQP are partnering once again with Global Water Works to bring you a new webinar series. The third and final part of the series will take place April 27 at 1 p.m. CT and will discuss smart strategies for facilities to ensure the health and safety of tenants and the continuity of operations. You can register at bit.ly/GWWSeries3 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 Water & Wastes Digest (WWD), Water Quality Products (WQP) 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. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com. Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing [email protected] or engaging with them on Twitter @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.