H2O and Beyond

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, we explore the story of Tulare Lake — once the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi — and one of the most overlooked water systems in the United States.Joined by experts from the Tulare Basin Watershed Partnership, we dive into the history, science, and complexity of a lake that doesn’t behave like most others. Unlike permanent lakes, Tulare Lake has always been dynamic — rising and falling with storms, droughts, and human intervention. But over the past century, it’s been almost completely engineered, drained, and reshaped to support agriculture in California’s Central Valley.Timestamps:00:00 Intro – The lake that disappeared… and came back04:20 How the basin works (why water gets trapped)09:00 Why the lake constantly rises and falls13:20 Human engineering – levees, farming, and control19:05 Ecosystem overview – why this place was unique27:30 Wildlife + biodiversity of the lake34:10 Native communities and how they lived with the lake40:50 Modern challenges – agriculture, water demand, sustainability42:40 Hope for the future + closing thoughts🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2AResources: https://www.tularebasinwatershedpartnership.org/If you liked this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by historian Dr. Sarah Cameron to unpack the story of the Aral Sea — one of the greatest environmental catastrophes of the 20th century.How did a massive inland sea in Central Asia nearly disappear?What role did Soviet cotton production play?And what happens to communities when an entire ecosystem collapses?We dive into the Cold War politics behind the diversion of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, the rise of cotton as a “strategic crop,” and how irrigation infrastructure slowly strangled the sea. We also explore the human side of the crisis — from fishing communities forced to abandon their livelihoods to toxic dust storms that reshaped public health in the region.Timestamps: 0:00 Intro3:59 What is the Aral Sea?10:46 How did the sea affect the climate? 12:07 Why did the Soviets drain the sea?24:13 How were locals affected?28:41 Dust Storms31:54 What does the Aral Sea look like now?38:04 Revival Efforts45:41 Closing🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2AResources: https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501730436/the-hungry-steppe/#bookTabs=5https://decentarch.hypotheses.org/866https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/life-and-death-aral-sea-conversation-wilson-fellow-sarah-cameronIf you liked this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by Morgan Shimabuku from the Pacific Institute to break down how water becomes a trigger, casualty, and weapon in conflict. We explore what actually qualifies as a water conflict, why the term “water wars” can be misleading, and what global data reveals about where and how these conflicts are increasing.We discuss real-world examples from around the globe, including the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Ukraine, and Gaza—examining how water infrastructure is destroyed, shut off, or weaponized, and what that means for civilian populations.Timestamps: 00:00 Intro7:39 What are water conflicts?11:12 Trends in water conflicts17:30 Are water conflicts an issue in the developed world?22:04 How are water conflicts resolved?29:09 Conflicts in Gaza34:09 Other work at the Pacific Institute36:28 Closing🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2APacific Institute Resources: https://www.worldwater.org/water-conflict/https://www.worldwater.org/conflict/map/www.pacinst.org

In this Episode of H2O and Beyond, I'm joined by Mr. Regan Kwan, a research analyst from the Stimson Center as we talk about the unregulated rare earth mines of Southeast Asia. Rare earth elements are crucial to modern life. They’re in our phones, computers, electric vehicles, and renewable energy technologies. But the environmental cost of extracting them is often paid far from where these technologies are used.We examine how a technique known as in-situ leaching is devastating river systems, groundwater, ecosystems, and human health. While these mines may appear less destructive on the surface, the water impacts are severe: acidic wastewater pumped directly back into rivers, abandoned waste pools that overflow during monsoon seasons, and pollutants that infiltrate soil, crops, and drinking water. In Myanmar, there are over 800 unregulated rare earth mines!Timestamps: 0:00 Intro7:07 What are rare earth minerals?12:57 Why the sudden spike in interest?18:57 How are rare earth minerals mined?23:45 Myanmar's 800 unregulated mines33:07 Ecological impacts38:22 Should outsiders care about this issue?43:50 Just how big is the rare earth industry?45:39 How are these mines detected?47:14 New trends in the industry51:59 Role of the Stimson Center58:42 Closing🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2AStimson Center Links:https://www.stimson.org/2025/unregulated-mining-along-rivers-in-mainland-southeast-asia/https://www.stimson.org/2025/mining-in-mainland-southeast-asia-river-basins-dashboard/https://www.stimson.org/event/testing-the-waters-unregulated-mining-in-the-mekong-region/Some major media hits from the data release: Reuters: https://youtu.be/AezIFldj5uA?si=W3FNcClmCpdeFEaJ Mongabay: https://news.mongabay.com/2025/11/toxic-runoff-from-politically-linked-gold-mine-poisons-cambodian-rivers-communities/CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/25/asia/rare-earth-river-pollution-myanmar-china-intl-hnkTPBS: https://youtu.be/lV7NkSebOMU?si=hyDB0lTYMJgWyGhj CNA (with Regan): https://youtu.be/XPX9hqZOlXc?si=cDPK8i68kQ7ZecNn Korean OBS: https://youtube.com/shorts/2-XVqWNq0SA?si=ybmyTtT3hNMP9aB1If you liked this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

For thousands of years, Pacific Island communities survived rising seas, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and storms—without satellites, sensors, or climate models.In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I speak with Patrick Nunn, a geologist who has spent more than three decades working with Pacific Island communities, learning how traditional knowledge preserved real environmental history—and how colonization disrupted it.We explore how myths and legends are actually encoded memories of past disasters, why many Pacific Islanders historically avoided coastlines, and how modern climate adaptation efforts often fail when they ignore local knowledge. We also discuss why money alone won’t solve climate change, and why the future depends on combining Indigenous knowledge with Western science. This episode challenges the idea that vulnerable communities are helpless—and asks what we’ve lost by failing to listen.00:00 Intro06:10 Who are the Pacific Islanders?10:28 What is traditional knowledge?16:39 Current sea level rise in the Pacific Islands21:24 The problem with money-first climate aid24:12 When scientists ignore traditional knowledge29:00 Why money won’t solve climate change30:38 How have communities lost their traditional knowledge?33:00 Place-based knowledge vs global science35:51 Why has traditional knowledge been ignored in the past?43:04 How should aid communities go about helping?46:17 What role does religion play in educating pacific islanders?49:07 ClosingFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2A🔗 https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondLearn more about Dr. Nunn's work! https://patricknunn.org/

What happens when the people responsible for protecting public health become the ones doing the harm?In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by Dr. Marc Edwards, a Virginia Tech professor who was named to TIME’s 2016 TIME 100 for his role in helping expose the Flint water crisis. But this conversation goes far beyond Flint.Dr. Edwards breaks down how the Washington D.C. lead crisis unfolded, why he believes government agencies knowingly covered up dangerous lead exposure for years, and what happens to scientists who refuse to stay quiet. We talk about the real consequences of whistleblowing, the collapse of trust in institutions, and why fixing water infrastructure becomes almost impossible once the public believes the system is lying.We also dive into Flint—what was true, what got distorted, and why Dr. Edwards says the narrative around the crisis has sometimes caused harm of its own. Finally, he shares blunt advice for young scientists: how to stay honest in a system that rewards quantity over truth.Timestamps: 0:00 Intro5:19 The start of it all: Washington D.C9:37 Experiences testifying in Congress10:35 Bad scientists?12:06 How can the EPA get away with lying to the public?14:50 Why do most Americans not know about D.C?15:54 Why did the EPA cut Dr. Edwards funding?17:06 What kept Dr. Edwards pushing for the truth?18:29 Punishments for whistleblowing20:33 How bad was Flint, from a scientist’s perspective?25:20 Are the kids in Flint really that much behind developmentally?31:25 Why do scientists lie?33:32 How do you deal with defamation as a scientist?34:40 Problems with funding37:17 Why do we reward quantity over quality in science?41:09 Advice for young scientists42:26 How do we solve this broken system of science right now?🔗 Follow H2O and Beyond: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondDr. Edward's website: https://www.webapps.cee.vt.edu/index.php?category=people&pagetype=bio&do=getprofile&user=edwards.htmlhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10103158/

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by Ian Giancarlo, Oceans Advocate at Environment Oregon, to break down what’s really happening to salmon in the Pacific Northwest—and why dams on rivers like the Columbia and Snake are at the center of the crisis.For thousands of years, salmon have made one of the most demanding migrations on Earth. From the Pacific Ocean, they swim hundreds—sometimes thousands—of miles upstream to the exact rivers where they were born. But today, that journey is being cut short. Some salmon runs have declined by over 90%! ⏱️ Timestamps00:00 Intro 4:00 The great salmon migration12:49 Dam effects on salmon runs20:14 Salmon farms21:48 Resident orcas and starvation28:17 What would happen if we removed all dams?33:54 Run for salmon runs37:52 Arguments against dam removal40:06 Closing🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2ALearn more about Mr. Giancarlo's work!https://environmentamerica.org/oregon/center/updates/the-run-for-salmon-runs-crosses-the-finish-line/

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by Dr. Kevin Perry from the University of Utah to uncover the science behind one of the most urgent environmental issues in the American West: the shrinking Great Salt Lake and the dust it’s leaving behind.Dr. Perry spent years studying the exposed lakebed — even biking more than 2,300 miles around it — to map where dust originates and what’s actually in it. His research reveals surprising truths about arsenic levels, dust “hotspots,” and how only a small fraction of the lakebed is responsible for most dust emissions.We’ll also dig into his thoughts on the role of scientists in today’s society, and how important it is to maintain credibility as a researcher. 0:00 Intro6:15 Introduction to the Great Salt Lake8:25 Why is the lake shrinking?12:23 What happens when the lake shrinks?14:03 Research techniques utilized18:23 Elements of concern in the dust 24:19 Dust events in Utah28:41 Current efforts to save the lake34:49 Future of the lake38:10 Role of scientists in society42:58 Advice for listeners46:32 Closing🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2ALearn more about Dr. Perry’s work!https://gardner.utah.edu/great-salt-lake-strike-team/ (Great Salt Lake Strike Team)https://webapps.usgs.gov/gsl/ (USGS Hydromapper - GSL Data)https://greatsaltlake.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/Great-Salt-Lake-Strategic-Plan-1.pdf (GSL Strategic Plan)https://water.utah.gov/gsl-basin-integrated-plan/ (GSL Basin Integrated Plan)https://d1bbnjcim4wtri.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/10101816/GSL_Dust_Plumes_Final_Report_Complete_Document.pdf (GSL Dust Composition Report)

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by Dr. Michael McKibben from UC Riverside to explore and learn more about lithium, its environmental impacts, and the future of the lithium market in the US. Traditional lithium extraction is very harmful to the environment. In the case of the salars in South America, they pump brine from underground into these large ponds where the sun evaporates and concentrates lithium and other metal ions in the water. This depletes groundwater levels and harms surrounding ecosystems.The Salton Sea is seen as a potential hotspot for a more environmentally friendly method of lithium extraction called DLE (Direct Lithium Extraction) and if tapped into, could help the US become self-dependent in the lithium market. 0:00 Intro4:04 Introduction to lithium6:55 Where does lithium currently come from?9:16 Extraction methods12:26 Environmental concerns14:24 Community impacts15:28 Salton Sea and geothermal brine lithium extraction23:02 Importance of domestic lithium production25:32 Challenges of Salton Sea lithium extraction30:18 How far are we from seeing USA lithium take off?31:50 How much lithium is available in the USA?33:13 Environmental impacts of geothermal brine extraction36:24 Current research in the field38:13 Closing🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2ALearn more about Dr. McKibben’s work!https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mckibben-1012b69/

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by Dr. Mia Maltz, a professor of microbial biology and soil health from the University of Connecticut to discuss the health effects of the Salton Sea. The Salton Sea is California's largest lake. But the area surrounding it has some of the highest rates of pediatric asthma in the country. Why is that? The lake is currently shrinking, and the lakebed is currently being exposed. Winds are picking the dust up and residents of Imperial County California are now breathing it in. Stay tuned to learn more!0:00 Intro3:31 Overview of the Salton Sea4:54 Overview of research5:26 What is a microbiome?6:41 Experimental methodology10:22 Results11:59 Similarities to the Great Salt Lake14:22 What's actually causing the reactions to the dust?17:05 What do you do with this data?18:45 LPS (Lipopolysaccharides) and immune reactions 22:12 What's being done to protect the public? 22:57 Is it actually safe to visit the Salton Sea?23:23 How does this affect surrounding communities?25:16 Future of the Salton Sea26:16 Restoration projects28:43 Future research31:04 Closing🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2ALearn more about Dr. Maltz's work and the Salton Sea!https://www.miamaltz.com/https://psla.uconn.edu/person/mia-maltz/https://www.saltonseasummit.org/

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by Brian Eyler, Director of the Energy, Water & Sustainability Program at The Stimson Center, to explore one of the most important rivers in the world: the Mekong.Over 70 million people rely on this river for food, income, and transportation — but its future is changing fast. From hydropower dams and rare earth mining, to flood pulse disruption and climate-driven storms, the Mekong is becoming one of the most engineered and pressured rivers on the planet.0:00 Intro5: 11 Geography of the Mekong6:39 Why is the Mekong "Mighty"? 10:10 Rare Earth Mining on the Mekong14:10 Effects of damming the Mekong15:05 What is the Mekong "Flood Pulse"?20:00 Dams in China23:06 Why does China feel a need to build such large dams? 26:11 Geopolitics of the region31:17 Who feels the effects of these changes in the Mekong?35:10 Climate change and its effects on the Mekong38:07 What are the solutions to climate change along the Mekong?43:22 US diplomatic relations in the region47:00 Future of the Mekong51:17 Closing🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2AFollow the Stimson Center Socials!X: @mekongmonitorX: @stimsoncenterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mekongdammonitorFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/stimsoncenter

Did you know that sea otters were almost hunted to extinction for their fur? In this Episode of H2O and Beyond, I'm joined by Mr. Ian Giancarlo from Environment Oregon to discuss the importance of Sea Otters in the ecosystem! We'll talk about the history of sea otters, the exact role they play in maintaining kelp forests, what threats they face today, and future plans to help stabilize their populations. We'll even share some fun facts about sea otters that may surprise you! Did you know that sea otters have the densest fur out of any mammal on earth?0:00 Intro4:38 What are Sea Otters?7:36 What is a keystone species? 8:40 Why were they almost hunted to extinction?10:21 Failed reintroduction of sea otters13:10 Historical attempts to help save sea otters14:35 What happens to an ecosystem without otters?18:49 Kelp Forests for oxygen production 22:15 How else do otters contribute to the ecosystem?25:12 Biggest challenges otters face in today's world29:48 Orcas eating sea otters32:42 What's being done today to save the otters?42:20 Closing Remarks🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2AFollow the Environment Oregon Socials!Instagram :@environmentoregonFacebook: @enviroregonX: @enviroregonIf you liked this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I'm joined by Ms. Cassandra VanDyne from California State Parks to learn about the Salton Sea. It was once a desert oasis! Millions would flock here in the 1960s and 70s to swim, fish, boat, and even hold speedboat competitions!However, once a desert paradise, it's turned into a public health and ecological disaster. All the fish inside have died out through mass extinction events and toxic dust is kicking up from the lake bed and causing residents in the surrounding area to fall ill. So what can be done to save it?0:00 Intro1:25 What is the Salton Sea?6:13 Formation of the sea12:30 Ecosystem of the sea17:02 Why is the Salton Sea salty?20:15 Pre-1970s Salton Sea Oasis21:43 Decline of the sea25:00 Fish Extinctions28:55 Saving the Salton Sea34:42 Closing Remarks🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2AFollow the Salton Sea Socials!https://www.facebook.com/SaltonSeaSRAhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/Regions/6/Salton-Sea-Program/Backgroundhttps://water.ca.gov/saltonsea/If you liked this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

Did you know that it only takes less than 1/20th of an inch of rain in New York City to overwhelm the sewer system and cause raw sewage to flow out into the surrounding bodies of water?In this episode of H2O and Beyond, we dive into the hidden power of stormwater - something many of us at home never think about. We'll discuss how cities are combating CSO's, or Combined Sewer Overflows. We'll also talk about Green Infrastructure, and how cities are implementing smart strategies to combat the growing risk of heavy rains. 0:00 Intro1:02 What happens when it rains?1:43 Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO)4:46 What is Green Infrastructure?6:47 Major Cities Implementing these Strategies8:15 Sponginess Rankings10:41 Ending🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2AIf you liked this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

The Great Salt Lake is the largest endorheic in the Western Hemisphere - but it's dying fast. Join Mr. Micah Safsten, the Great Salt Lake Water Coordinator for the State of Utah as we uncover the story behind the lake. We'll talk about the important ecosystem and industry it supports - like sea monkeys and brine flies! We'll also discuss the causes and effects of declining water levels and what it means for the residents of Utah. 0:00 Intro2:12 What is the Great Salt Lake?4:45 North arm vs. south arm11:36 Snowpack and lake levels14:34 Ecosystem of the lake18:39 Sea Monkeys20:53 Lake's effect on the climate22:15 Recreation on the lake26:05 Shrinking of the lake28:44 Mineral Extraction30:50 Quantifying drops in lake levels36:30 Toxic Dust as a result of the exposed lakebed40:27 Solutions to help save the lake48:54 How can residents help out?53:32 Optimism for the lake55:28 Closing🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2AUtah Department of Natural Resources linkshttps://www.instagram.com/utah_dnr/https://www.youtube.com/c/UtahDepartmentofNaturalResourceshttps://www.facebook.com/UtahDNR/https://twitter.com/utahdnrIf you liked this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

Will Texas survive long enough to surpass its 200th birthday? In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I'm joined by Mr. Jeremy Mazur from Texas 2036 - a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that uses data to draft effective policies regarding Texas’s future.Don’t worry if you know nothing about public policy - We’ll walk you through all the jargon that commonly confuses people. By the end of the episode, you’ll understand how organizations like Texas 2036 are able to turn ideas into real policies that benefit residents!We’ll discuss some recent wins at Texas’s 2025 legislative session, some bills that residents will vote on in November, and future plans for the organization! 0:00 Intro3:14 What does Texas 2036 do?5:24 How do they manage to work with multiple political parties?8:54 What is a legislative session and what happens at one116:16 Policy examples20:24 Process of making a bill26:17 HB7, SB7, Proposition 4 - VOTING IN NOVEMBER 202533:23 What else is Texas 2036 doing in the interim?41:30 How can residents get involved?44:13 Jeremy Mazur's most interesting project46:52 Last words and ending🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2ATexas 2036 Resources!X: https://twitter.com/texas2036FB: https://www.facebook.com/Texas2036IG: https://www.instagram.com/texas2036LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/texas2036YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQhzkVXvq0kNmsoLAe9kfiwIf you liked this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

In this Episode of H2O and Beyond, I'm joined by Dr. Kathryn Sorensen from the Kyl Center for Water Policy at ASU to discuss Arizona's fight for water! We'll discuss some of the most pressing issues happening to the state, such as its worst drought in over 1200 years, an influx of new residents, and a need to shift away from groundwater. We'll even discuss the logistics of how semiconductor manufacturers like TSMC get their water from when their new factory is located in the middle of the desert!0:00 Intro1:36 Why is water in Arizona such a unique problem?4:34 Arizona's large groundwater supply11:30 Agriculture in the state14:25 Other sources of water15:26 Nuclear power17:15 TSMC and big tech in Arizona19:37 Which regions are suffering the most?22:01 1980 Groundwater Management Act27:03 What about the native Americans?33:49 How do you convince residents to save water?39:54 Farmers and the changing water landscape43:35 Future of Arizona's water48:40 Closing 🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2AFollow the Kyl Water Center socials!BlueSky: @kylcenterwater.bsky.socialLinkedIn: @Kyl Center for Water Policy at Morrison InstituteX/Twitter: @KylCenterIf you liked this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

TIMESTAMPS BELOW 👇In this Episode of H2O and Beyond, join Mr. Dick Lanyon, former executive director of the Chicago MWRD, as we talk about how Chicago managed to reverse the flow of its river! In the mid-late 1800s, the Chicago River, heavily polluted with human waste, flowed into Lake Michigan, the only water source for residents at the time. Waste began to accumulate in Lake Michigan, and so Ellis Chesbrough, the chief engineer of the city, devised a radical plan to reverse the flow of the river to divert the waste away. 0:00 Intro2:10 What was happening in Chicago in the 1800s?6:52 Consideration of possible solutions8:01 Logistics of reversing the river14:18 Construction begins20:03 Role of immigrants in construction24:38 What changed for Chicago?29:28 Consequences on the communities downstream32:24 Invasive species infiltrating the river37:38 State of the river today43:25 Closing🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2AFollow the MWRD socials!https://mwrd.org/https://www.instagram.com/mwrd_of_greater_chicago/?hl=enIf you liked this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

TIMESTAMPS BELOW 👇In this Episode of H2O and Beyond, I'm joined by Mr. Michael Turco from the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District. We'll discuss the subsidence, or sinking, that's happening in Houston as a result of excessive groundwater withdrawal, methods of data collection, and what can be done to slow down and prevent further sinking!0:00 Intro2:08 What is Subsidence?8:20 Subsidence in the Houston Area16:00 How is Subsidence Monitored?23:09 Solutions for Subsidence29:10 Communication of issues31:07 What defines success in slowing down subsidence?35:28 Future challenges37:53 Closing remarks38:57 Ending🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2AFollow the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District socials!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarrisGalvestonSubsidenceDistrict/X/Twitter: https://x.com/hg_subsidenceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/harris---galveston-subsidence-district/Website: https://hgsubsidence.org/If you liked this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

TIMESTAMPS BELOW 👇In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by Bronson Mack from the Southern Nevada Water Authority to explore how Las Vegas became one of the most water-efficient cities in the world. From turf removal programs to water police, Las Vegas has turned its desert location into a model of conservation. 0:00 Intro1:44 About the SNWA5:50 Where does Las Vegas get its water from?7:35 Effects of climate change on Las Vegas12:33: Industries that use water in Las Vegas15:44 What makes Las Vegas's water conservation efforts unique?17:55 Potable reuse system21:50 Outdoor water use24:03 Where do the casinos get all their water from?28:48 Water Police32:12 Custom car community and their take on car washing37:26 Automatic sprinkler systems installed in every house42:52 How does SNWA communicate with residents?44:54 New policies and future plans46:31 Pool size limitations47:59 Evaporative cooling bans50:54 Lessons from the desert56:11 Ending🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2AFollow the SNWA socials!YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/user/snwavideoFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/thesnwa/#X - https://x.com/SNWA_H2OInstagram -https://www.instagram.com/southernnevadawaterauthorityLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-nevada-water-authorityThumbnail background image by Ken Lund, originally posted on https://flickr.com/photos/75683070@N00/49927772768, under CC-BY-SA-2.0, no modifications.If you liked this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

TIMESTAMPS BELOW 👇In this Episode of H2O and Beyond, we dive into the ins-and-outs of the Colorado River. We'll talk about the laws that govern it, the crisis that's happening to it right now, and much more - including who gets their water cut off first if the situation escalates. 0:00 Intro3:41 What makes the Colorado River so important?5:45 Colorado River Compact and the laws surrounding the river13:58 Minorities and the Colorado River Compact17:01 Can the rules of the compact be changed?20:07 Who enforces the compact?23:37 What is happening to the Colorado today?26:15 What is a snowpack?30:13 Effects of aridification on its surroundings35:30 Infrastructure problems36:40 Nuclear power plants along the Colorado40:24 Who gets their water cut first in a drought?44:30 Native Americans and senior water rights47:15 Biggest challenges for the Colorado River in the future 53:38 How to save the Colorado57:11 Ending🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2AFollow the Colorado Water Center socials!https://www.instagram.com/coloradowatercenter/If you liked this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

TIMESTAMPS BELOW 👇In this episode of H2O and Beyond, we dive into the hidden world of water leaks — a costly problem that wastes billions of gallons every year. We’ll uncover how aging infrastructure, environmental factors, and unnoticed drips add up to massive losses. From cutting-edge detection technology to simple prevention tips, learn how communities are fighting back to save water and money.0:00 Intro0:53 Defining water leaks1:43 Causes of leaks4:17 Why fixing leaks should be a top priority5:47 What are cities doing about water leaks?7:55 AI's role in leak detection10:22 Ending🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2AIf you liked this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

TIMESTAMPS BELOW 👇In this Episode of H2O and Beyond, we head to the world-famous research and innovation hub known as the Water Tower located in Buford , Georgia. We explore how this facility is transforming the future of water through research, technology, and workforce development .0:00 Intro1:30 What is the Water Tower?3:55 Demo areas6:30 Research at the Water Tower9:12 Surprising discoveries10:08 Uniqueness of the Water Tower11:06 Workforce development programs12:33 Education in schools14:00 Events at the Water Tower17:37 New things happening19:11 Ending🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2AFollow the Water Tower socials!https://www.instagram.com/theh2otower/https://www.theh2otower.org/If you liked this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, we head to Orange County California — home to one of the world’s most largest and most advanced water potable reuse systems called the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS). Join me as I explore how wastewater is transformed into clean, safe drinking water to be injected into their aquifers. We'll break down the science of potable reuse, take a look at how Orange County has managed to address public perception, and hear firsthand from experts who are leading the charge in sustainable water innovation. Timestamps below 👇0:00 Intro1:16 About Orange County2:32 What is potable reuse?4:35 Regulations/limitations on potable reuse8:46 What prompted Orange County to pursue potable reuse?11:46 What makes the Orange County potable reuse system unique?14:03 Cost comparisons18:14 Public perceptions and challenges23:29 How successful is Orange County's potable reuse system?24:21 How potable reuse helps with climate resilience25:44 Research at Orange County27:10 What can other communities learn from Orange County?28:40 Where is potable reuse heading in the future?29:50 Reuse is actually happening everywhere!32:23 Ending🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2AFollow the OCWD socials!https://www.ocwd.com/https://www.instagram.com/ocwaterdistrict/?hl=enIf you liked this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

What happens after you flush? In this episode of H2O and Beyond, we go deep inside the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant—the largest wastewater treatment facility on Earth—serving millions across Chicago every day. From massive aeration tanks to advanced biosolid recovery, we break down how this engineering marvel treats over 1.4 billion gallons of wastewater daily. With Stickney's large size, some interesting things have happened - like finding a family of possums and 100$ in the wastewater! There are also some interesting things that go on in their laboratory, such as using the temperature of sludge to heat and cool buildings! Timestamps Below 👇0:00 Intro1:09 What is the Chicago Metropolitan Water Reclamation District?2:51 How is wastewater treated at Stickney?5:09 Interesting objects that have been found in the wastewater6:06 (continued) How is wastewater treated at Stickney?20:38 What is sludge, and how is it dealt with?23:20 Toxins inside the sludge30:25 Interesting jobs people have at the Stickney 30:50 Microbiologist called in to save dead bacteria?!32:09 (continued) Interesting jobs at the Stickney 33:45 Interesting buildings/parts of Stickney35:53 Effects of climate change on Stickney43:17 Cool research at the Stickney laboratories45:03 Using sludge to cool and heat buildings??46:53 Closing Remarks🎧 Listen to more episodes & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyondFeedback Form: https://forms.gle/RNjdFLY2wSrk7PW2AFollow the Stickney Socials!https://mwrd.org/https://www.instagram.com/mwrd_of_greater_chicago/?hl=enIf you liked this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

Every 90 seconds, a child dies from a water-related disease — yet many of us barely think twice about the water we drink, cook with, and flush away. In this opening episode of H2O and Beyond, we explore the global water crisis happening in plain sight. From contaminated tap water in Flint Michigan to the growing threat of PFAS and microplastics, this episode breaks down why clean water is far from guaranteed — even in wealthy nations. Learn what "clean" water really means, why many treatment systems are falling short, and how climate change, aging infrastructure, and underinvestment are pushing systems to the brink. Plus, we spotlight global innovation bringing hope — from Paris’ stormwater basins to green infrastructure in U.S. cities.Whether you’re new to water issues or just thirsty for solutions, this episode will change how you see the water running through your life.Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/Ei3P5355xVfeqy3V8Follow the H2O and Beyond Socials! (psst we have a Youtube where we post Video Podcasts as well)https://linktr.ee/h2oandbeyond