Talking H2Onestly

The latest episode focuses on the use of wastewater surveillance information in the water industry and its implications for public health. The podcast discusses how water utilities, public health organizations, and technology companies are working together to utilize wastewater surveillance data for more informed decision-making. Key topics include how this data has been utilized and shared with the public at both regional and national levels. Although the use of wastewater surveillance grew rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the guests also explore how its application has evolved and continues to benefit utilities, schools, and public health organizations. Additionally, the discussion covers how this information is communicated to the public across the United States and how other countries are leveraging this technology to inform public health decisions.The panel featured a distinguished group of leaders in the water industry and public health, including:·         Dr. Rachel West, Senior Scientist, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Wastewater Surveillance System·         Dr. Rochelle Holm, Associate Professor, University of Louisville; Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, School of Medicine·         Jennings Heussner, Government Partnerships Consultant, Biobot ·         Scott Broski, Superintendent of Environmental Services, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD)Links and Other Resourceshttps://louisvillemsd.org/disease-detectionhttps://www.cdc.gov/wastewater/about/index.htmlhttps://centers.louisville.edu/envirome/centers-programs/center-healthy-air-water-soil/chaws-research/healthy-water/wastewater-monitoringhttps://biobot.io/https://healthtracking.ky.gov/Topics/KYWSSRespiratoryVirusTracking/Pages/default.aspxBackgroundTalking H2Onestly is produced by Ms. Zonetta English, Strategic Initiatives and Project Delivery Director at MSD and the Community Leadership Council Chair for Resilience for WEF, with the support of Mr. James A. Parrott, Executive Director and CEO of MSD. Talking H2Onestly’s mission is to develop content to help utilities across the United States solve their water challenges and share their expertise. This podcast will provide all utilities with access to vital information, enabling them to maximize their funding and staffing resources. In addition, these conversations will provide an avenue for rate payers to gain insight into the intricate and complicated issues utilities face in providing critical services to our communities and introduce the audience to a variety of dedicated water professionals.

The latest episode features a panel discussion that was held on the campus of Howard University in April 2025. The panel included a group of exceptional leaders in the water industry to discuss the importance of a career in the water industry with students who are close to entering the workforce. The discussion also provided strategies to students to transition into the water profession and the importance of mentors and networking to succeed in their careers.The panelists shared why a career in water is vital, and the discussion encouraged students to explore the different career paths and internship possibilities in the water industry. Students connected with the panelists, asked questions, and discovered exciting opportunities with water.Our accomplished panelists included:Zonetta English, Strategic Initiatives and Project Delivery Director, Louisville MSDKishia Powell, General Manager/CEO, WSSC WaterCathy Bailey, Interim Assistant City Manager, City of CincinnatiIfetayo Venner, Senior Vice President, Arcadis U.S.Hugh-Berk Sinclair, Vice President, Arcadis U.S.Our discussion moderators included:Anne Musiime, Assistant Engineer II, HazenJamie Decker, Senior Associate, Hazen

This episode of the Talking H2Onestly podcast is focused on the State of Diversity, Inclusion, and Identity (DE&I) in the water industry.  The podcast examines current issues, strategies, and approaches around DE&I that utilities, organizations and private firms are using in the water industry.  The discussion included different perspectives from across the water industry, including from leading utilities, national water organizations and private sector firms.  In particular, the discussion focused on understanding the current legal and legislative perspectives for DE&I in the industry, how these programs can affect supplier diversity and affordability programs, as well as impacts on workforce development, recruitment and retaining talent in the water industry. The panel included a group of exceptional leaders in the water industry including:Kellie Watson, General Counsel and Legal Director, Louisville MSDSteve Hamai, Senior Director of Culture and Belonging, WEFTerrence Jennings, Utility Policy Manager, City of Baltimore, Public WorksGary Haubner, Vice President, Regional Manager, and Director of Employee Engagement, Hazen and SawyerTalking H2Onestly is produced by Ms. Zonetta English, Strategic Initiatives and Project Delivery Director at MSD and the Community Leadership Council Chair for Resilience for WEF, with the support of Mr. James A. Parrott, Executive Director and CEO of MSD. Talking H2Onestly’s mission is to develop content to help utilities across the United States solve their water challenges and share their expertise. This podcast will provide all utilities with access to vital information, enabling them to maximize their funding and staffing resources. In addition, these conversations will provide an avenue for rate payers to gain insight into the intricate and complicated issues utilities face in providing critical services to our communities and introduce the audience to a variety of dedicated water professionals.

This episode highlights a panel discussion that was recently held on the campus of Howard University.  The panel included a group of exceptional leaders in the water industry to discuss the importance of a career in the water industry with students who are close to entering the workforce. The panelist shared why a career in Water is vital, offering the opportunity to impact public health, sustainability, and global access to clean water.The discussion was also to encourage students to explore the different career paths and internship possibilities in the water industry.  The event also allowed the students to connect with leaders, ask questions, and discover exciting opportunities in this dynamic field!Our esteemed panelist includes:Zonetta English, Strategic Initiatives and Project Delivery Director, Louisville MSDKishia Powell, General Manager / CEO, WSSC WaterDr. Andrew D. Sawyers, Director of the Office Wastewater Management, US EPACarlton S. Serrette, Senior Vice President, Arcadis U.S., Inc.

This episode takes a closer look at one of the major challenges that all water and wastewater utilities are facing right now in the country – affordability.  While utilities must continue to focus on how to address aging infrastructure, meet all regulatory requirements, and develop their capabilities to meet future regulatory requirements, utilities also need to balance those important items with how to keep cost to their customers and to their communities affordable. The podcast examines the context of issues that are driving increased costs in our communities, such as Federal Consent Decrees and new regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act.  These drivers are really putting the burden on local ratepayers.  Mr. Parrott said, “As utilities, we must come up with innovative approaches to address affordability.  Whether we're looking at long-term investment strategies, policy changes, customer assistance programs, alternative funding, low interest loans or other programs; we need to understand how we as utilities can help reduce the burden on our local rate payers.” Along with the insights and experience from Louisville MSD, the podcast also includes water industry leaders from WSSC Water (Maryland.), NEORSD (Ohio), and the City of Fort Wayne (Indiana).

This episode takes a closer look at a very serious issue that impacts not just the Louisville metropolitan area but water and wastewater utilities across America - the issue of odors. This discussion provided an opportunity for utility leaders from around the country to discuss the different approaches that are used to address odors both within combined sewer systems (systems that carry wastewater and stormwater at the same time), and in separate sanitary sewer systems that serve so many communities across America.  Participants in this episode include Tony Parrott and Zonetta English (Louisville MSD), Eyasu Wilma and Shawna Martinelli Gill (DC Water), Charlie Martin (Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government), and Patrick Obenauf and Bill Graffin (Milwaukee MSD). The episode is hosted by Jamie Decker (Hazen and Sawyer).The discussion also examines how best to communicate with the public and inform them of the improvements and the odor mitigation strategies that are being put in place.  Mr. Parrott said, “As utility professionals, we have the ability to not only educate the public, but to inform them of all the progress that we are making in terms of best practices for treating odors in combined sewer systems and separate sanitary sewer systems.”