S16 E10: Risk-Averse, Future Ready: Engineers, AI, and the Next Wave of Water & Wastewater Innovation

In this episode of the Smells Like Money Podcast, we continue a timely and critical conversation on innovation, risk management, and the future of water and wastewater infrastructure. As pressures on public systems intensify—from aging facilities and workforce shortages to emerging contaminants and energy constraints—this discussion explores how engineers, utilities, and public agencies can responsibly adopt new technologies without compromising public health, safety, or trust.We examine how long-standing “orthodox beliefs” within engineering and infrastructure decision-making can unintentionally slow progress and limit innovation. The episode challenges the industry to rethink who has a seat at the table and why interdisciplinary collaboration—across engineering, technology, energy, remediation, and environmental restoration—is becoming essential to solving today’s most complex infrastructure problems.The conversation dives into real-world challenges facing water and wastewater systems, including landlocked treatment facilities, oversized plants, PFAS treatment complexities, and increasing infrastructure demands driven by data centers and energy use. Rather than defaulting to costly “build it bigger” solutions, we explore how modular treatment systems, pilot testing, treatability studies, batch processing, and public-private partnerships can offer smarter, more adaptable paths forward.We also discuss how workforce shortages are accelerating the need for automation, AI, and data-driven decision-making—and how these tools can support engineers rather than replace professional judgment. Drawing on examples from adjacent industries, the episode highlights how cross-industry thinking has already delivered measurable outcomes, including cleaner waterways, restored ecosystems, improved system efficiency, and long-term operational resilience.This episode closes with a clear call to action: innovation in water and civil infrastructure is no longer a future consideration—it is a present-day responsibility. Progress happens when the industry shifts from asking why we can’t to how we can, using technology as a tool to enhance resilience, sustainability, and system optimization while maintaining public confidence.earn more about ASCE at asce.orgConnect With Ken Mika, PE:Tetra TechEmail: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethrmika/Website:asce.orgI hope you find this episode as informative and as exciting as we have.Please let us know your thoughts about the episode!Connect with Suzan Chin-Taylor, host of The DooDoo Diva's Smells Like Money Podcast:Website: www.creativeraven.com | https://thetuitgroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/creativeraven/Email: [email protected] Telephone: +1 760-217-8010Listen and subscribe here to your favorite platform:Apple Podcast - Google Podcast - Cast Box - Overcast - Pocket Casts - YouTube - Spotifyhttps://creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast/ Subscribe to the Podcast:https://creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast/Be a guest on our show:https://calendly.com/thetuitgroup/be-a-podcast-guestCheck Out my NEW Digital Marketing E-Course & Coaching Program just for Wastewater Pros:https://store.thetuitgroup.com/diy-digital-marketing-playbook-for-wastewater-pros#InfrastructureInnovation #WaterTech #EnergySolutions #CivilEngineering #WastewaterManagement #Sustainability #EnvironmentalEngineering #TechnologyInEngineering #SmartInfrastructure #FutureOfWater #EngineeringSolutions #PublicHealthSafety #CleanWater #InnovationInAction #SustainableSystems