21st Century Water

This episode of 21st Century Water features a dynamic conversation with Ghassan Korban, Executive Director of the Sewage & Water Board of New Orleans. Korban shares insights from his six-year tenure, focusing on the challenges and transformative solutions for New Orleans’ water infrastructure, a system vital to a city below sea level. The episode dives into the critical steps taken to modernize the city’s systems, sustain its population, and adapt to increasing environmental challenges.Korban reflects on transitioning to New Orleans after 31 years in Milwaukee, driven by his passion for solving complex engineering problems. He recounts inheriting a system struggling with aging infrastructure and a battered reputation following significant flooding in 2017. Korban emphasizes the importance of prioritizing efforts, starting with stabilizing critical systems while pursuing long-term, future-proof solutions.A major milestone for the city has been the development of a new power generation complex, ensuring reliable energy for drainage operations—essential for keeping the city dry during rain events. This new system transitions from antiquated, failure-prone turbines to a robust mix of external power supply and backup gas turbines, designed to serve the city for decades. Korban also highlights the successful rollout of smart meters (AMI), addressing billing inaccuracies and modernizing customer service, with over half the population now transitioned to the new system.The discussion explores innovative funding strategies, including New Orleans’ unique “fair share” agreement, which channels tourism-generated tax revenue into water infrastructure projects. With the Super Bowl around the corner and Mardi Gras to follow, Korban explains New Orleans' unique position as a city with more tourists than residents. This effort, alongside loans and grants from programs like WIFIA and SRF, has helped fund critical improvements while reducing the financial burden on residents. Korban underscores the importance of earning trust through effective execution, ensuring future funding access.Korban also describes the intricacies of New Orleans’ drainage system, consisting of 24 strategically placed pumping stations with nearly 100 pumps. These systems often activate up to 20 times a year, often during heavy rains, to prevent flooding. Additionally, Korban shares the city’s response to new threats like saltwater intrusion in the Mississippi River, driven by drought and climate change, which jeopardizes the city's raw water supply.The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of workforce development and legacy building. Korban expresses confidence in the team he has cultivated and their ability to carry forward a culture of innovation, responsibility, and resilience. He also emphasizes the urgency of addressing talent gaps and sustaining investment in infrastructure to meet the evolving demands of a changing environment.Korban’s work exemplifies leadership through prioritization, execution, and adaptability. His focus on sustainable, resilient systems and creative funding solutions serves as a model for cities grappling with aging infrastructure and climate challenges.New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board: https://www.swbno.org Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

In today's episode of the 21st Century Water Podcast, we engage in an insightful conversation with Greg Eyerly, Director of Houston Water. Greg's journey through the water industry spans three decades, and his career trajectory is a testament to his willingness to take risks and make bold decisions. He started in the laboratory and transitioned to operations, a move that laid the foundation for his eventual rise to leadership. His experiences in both the private and public sectors, including significant roles in Clackamas County and the city of Salem, have equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of water management challenges and solutions.Greg shares some pivotal moments in his career, such as his transition from a comfortable laboratory position to becoming a wastewater operator, and later advancing to management roles after earning an MBA. His role in the flood recovery of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, highlights his ability to handle large-scale crises, demonstrating his leadership and problem-solving skills. His move to Houston Water, driven by a desire to make a greater impact, underscores his commitment to addressing the city's unique water challenges.Houston Water, the largest city-run water utility in the U.S., faces several strengths and weaknesses. Greg points out the city's strong water rights and proximity to abundant water sources as significant advantages. However, the aging infrastructure, lack of redundancy, and susceptibility to natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, and even ice events pose substantial challenges. Houston's rapid population growth also adds pressure to the water infrastructure.Greg emphasizes the importance of raising awareness among elected officials and community partners about the risks and consequences of infrastructure failures. He discusses the ongoing efforts to comply with a $9 billion consent decree aimed at improving wastewater systems, alongside the critical need to address water leaks and aging pipes. Innovative use of AI technology significantly improves efficiency in inspecting and maintaining sewer systems, saving thousands of staff hours and reducing sanitary sewer overflows.Looking ahead, Greg outlines major investment priorities, including the construction of a new oxygen plant, the rehabilitation of the East Water Purification Plant, and the replacement of deteriorating waterlines. These efforts are crucial to reducing water loss and ensuring the resilience of Houston's water infrastructure. He also highlights the importance of exploring governance models to better manage the utility's extensive responsibilities and improve regional collaboration.Greg's leadership philosophy emphasizes flexibility, openness to opportunities, and the importance of building teams with subject matter experts. His vision for the future includes embracing circular economy principles, such as water reuse and recovery, and leveraging advanced technologies like digital twins to optimize operations.In summary, Greg Eyerly's leadership at Houston Water is marked by a proactive approach to addressing infrastructure challenges, a commitment to innovation, and a dedication to improving water management for the benefit of the community and beyond. We look forward to seeing the continued progress and impact of his work in Houston.More:Houston Public Works: https://www.houstonpublicworks.org/ Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

In the "21st Century Water" podcast episode hosted by Mahesh Lunani, listeners are introduced to Kishia Powell, the General Manager and CEO of WSSC Water, which is recognized as the eighth-largest water utility in the United States. With a career spanning over 25 years, Powell has significantly contributed to the water sector, focusing on the provision of essential services, the economic implications of water, and the maintenance and operation of water and wastewater infrastructure.Powell shares her journey within the water sector, starting from her education in civil engineering to her various leadership roles across different cities and utilities. She emphasizes the importance of water beyond its basic consumption purposes, highlighting its role in public health, economic development, and job creation. Her internships and early career decisions were motivated by the perennial demand for water and wastewater services, ensuring job security and a pathway to impact communities positively.During her tenure in various capacities, including her significant roles in Baltimore and as COO at DC Water, Powell was instrumental in developing operations and maintenance plans, emphasizing the need for practical, hands-on solutions for system maintenance and improvement. She also initiated customer assistance programs aimed at addressing affordability and access to water services, reflecting on personal experiences to advocate for equitable water policies.Looking ahead, Powell outlines her vision for the future of water infrastructure over the next decade, focusing on the resilience and maintenance of the $9 billion in infrastructure assets under her purview. She discusses the challenges of securing adequate funding and the importance of leveraging technology and operational efficiency to mitigate costs and enhance service delivery. Powell is keen on investing in the workforce, acknowledging that technology advancements and operational needs must balance with human resource development.At WSSC Water, Powell embarked on a strategic planning process involving a transition team to identify key priorities and actions for improvement. This approach aimed at engaging employees across the organization, fostering a culture of trust, communication, and inclusion. Financial stewardship, service delivery, operational reliability, and resilience were identified as key focus areas, alongside a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice.Powell also addresses the challenges facing the water sector, including regulatory changes, funding gaps, and the need for affordable water services amidst rising costs. Her advocacy efforts extend to seeking more federal support and fostering community engagement to ensure equitable access to water services.Innovation and technology play a significant role in Powell’s strategy for advancing water utility management. She highlights initiatives such as smart water technologies, data analytics, and sustainable practices aimed at improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing water quality. These efforts are part of a broader "Smart One Water Initiative," reflecting a commitment to embracing digital transformation and innovation within the sector.Leadership and community engagement emerge as recurring themes in Powell’s narrative. She expresses a desire for her legacy to be defined not by specific projects or accomplishments but by a positive cultural shift within WSSC Water and the broader community. Powell emphasizes the importance of building a supportive work environment, engaging with the community, and ensuring that water utility management remains focused on serving the public good.This episode provides a comprehensive overview of Kishia Powell’s contributions to the water sector, her vision for the future, and her strategic approach to leadership, innovation, and community engagement in water utility management.More on Kishia:Bio on NACWA Website: https://www.nacwa.org/about-us/board-of-directors/kishia-powellWSSC Water Website: https://www.wsscwater.com/person/kishia-l-powell Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

In this episode of the 21st Century Water podcast, we delve into the visionary leadership and innovative mindset of Roger Bailey, the General Manager of the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District. With a distinguished career that has spanned across the United States, Bailey shares his extensive experience and the transformative journey in the water industry, from his early days in Antigua and various roles in the U.S. to his current position, where he oversees water services for half a million residents in the East San Francisco Bay Area.Bailey emphasizes the importance of learning, implementation, and transformation in the water sector. He details his approach to taking organizations he has been a part of and positively transforming them, focusing on the "before and after" effect of his leadership. Throughout his career, Bailey has been instrumental in spearheading major projects and initiatives aimed at improving water management and sustainability. He highlights his role in San Diego's "Pure Water" program, an ambitious project to purify treated wastewater for potable use, which is set to supply 50% of San Diego's water by 2040.Central to Bailey's vision is the collaboration between wastewater and water agencies to address regional water supply challenges. He outlines innovative concepts such as water exchange programs with local refineries to conserve and repurpose water, showcasing his forward-thinking approach to resource management and sustainability.Bailey also discusses his priorities at Central Contra Costa, focusing on public health, environmental protection, customer service, and regional water issues. He stresses the need for public agencies to be proactive and agile in implementing big ideas, overcoming inertia, and leveraging technology and data to enhance efficiency and decision-making.In conclusion, Bailey's conversation underscores the critical role of visionary leadership in transforming water management practices. He advocates for dreaming big, acting decisively, and working collaboratively to address the pressing water challenges of the 21st century, leaving a legacy of positive change and innovation in the water industry.Central San Website: https://www.centralsan.org/Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/ Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

We dive into the heart of water infrastructure challenges and innovations in our latest podcast episode. Our guest, Troy Hayes, brings over two decades of experience from the City of Phoenix, where he oversees a vast utilities operation. His journey from engineering to operations highlights pivotal shifts towards managing one of the largest utilities in the U.S., emphasizing the generational legacy and the evolution of water systems from his father's time to now.Troy's narrative underscores the critical balance between maintaining existing infrastructure and innovating for future demands. He shares insights on transitioning a mothballed water treatment plant to meet growing needs, showcasing a proactive approach to resource management and sustainability. The conversation also touches on the complexities of operating within a political landscape, where long-term planning must align with shorter electoral cycles, stressing the importance of foresight in utility management.The dialogue further explores the challenges of workforce development, community engagement, and leveraging data for operational efficiency. Troy's focus on education and adapting to technological advancements reflects a broader vision for the water industry, aiming to ensure reliability, safety, and sustainability for future generations. His leadership philosophy, rooted in building upon the groundwork laid by predecessors and pushing the envelope on water resource management, encapsulates the essence of stewarding vital public utilities through times of change.In wrapping up, the discussion highlights the significance of storytelling in public utility management, advocating for clear, compelling narratives to engage communities and stakeholders. Troy's ambition to leave a lasting impact through strategic infrastructure and resource planning, coupled with innovative approaches to water reuse, sets a forward-thinking agenda for addressing the pressing needs of urban water systems in the 21st century.City of Phoenix Water Website: https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicesAquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/ Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

Today, Aquasight's Mahesh Lunani welcomes Andrew Lee, CEO of Seattle Public Utilities. He currently manages about 1,400 employees, and has previously worked in Bellevue, San Franscisco, and various consulting firms.First and foremost to Andrew is a desire to serve people. Yes, in Seattle they service large corporations like Microsoft and Amazon, but Andrew takes pride in serving the most vulnerable and underserved communities. This means more than infrastructure - it also means wealth building and jobs. Today's guest works at the intersection of service, faith, and engineering and technical skills.Overall, SPU provides water to 1.5 million people and drainage/wastewater servivces to abourt 800,000 on an annual budget of $1.4 billion.While investments in the future are primarily driven by regulatory compliance and asset management, SPU is also looking at improvements for frontline workers, and even AI -which Andrew sees as a tool to be implemented, not feared. And it can be used to educate customers.Andrew believes in partnering with residents and customers. Cutting down on waste can be helped by reducing consumption. In fact, SPU's vision statement is "community-centered, one water, zero waste." Public perception often focuses on rates. But when customers are invited in to see all the work Seattle Public Utilities are doing, the focus often shifts from rates to awe, with regard to everything SPU is tackling.Andrew wants to battle the "silver tsunami" in our industry by promoting the purpose of jobs in the water sector, as well as reaching out to underserved communities with job opportunities. In fact, he wants his legacy to be turning the tide of long-held practices and policies that have disavantaged certain communities.More:Seattle Publc Utilities website: https://www.seattle.gov/utilities/Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/ Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

As GM of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Marty Adams is in a very unique position in the water world. Not only does he oversee a combined department of water and power, he's doing it for the second largest city in the country, along with all the climate challenges faced by the state of California. Having worked at LADWP for 39 years, Marty has seen the department through many difficult events in Los Angeles' history - from the LA riots to the 1994 earthquake and more. He frames those challenging moments as learning opportunities, seeing how the entity could adapt and change. Environmental concerns and regulations have also changed during Marty's tenure, and consumers are more actively concerned. Marty talks about how this has affected his perspective as he prepares LADWP for the coming decades and longer. While LA has seen many droughts, they recently had one of their wettest years on record. We talk about evolving technology to save and store excess water, trying to cut down on the "yo-yo effect" on customers. We also spend a fair amount of time on Marty's efforts to use more resources inside LA County, and the benefits of the circular economy. Replacing aging infrastructure is also a priority - while decreasing the average lifespan of pipes is important, it's also critical to use technology to assess pipe quality - age shouldn't be the only consideration. Marty talks about idea sharing on an international level. LADWP has imported innovative ideas from high-tech solutions to black balls sitting on top of the reservoir. And they've worked with other countries across the world to share ideas. This collaboration will come in handy as Los Angeles prepares to host the Olympic Games in 2028. Diversity, equity, and inclusion is important on two fronts for LADWP. Los Angeles has some of the richest residents in the country, but 40% of the population live below the poverty line. How can the department continue to generate revenue but not exclude anyone? Also, as we see a shortage in future workers, how do we reach out to underserved communities and make them aware of the career opportunities in this field? You may be surprised to hear what some high schoolers told Marty and his team. More: LADWP Website: https://www.ladwp.com/Marty Adams Bio: https://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/faces/ladwp/aboutus/a-whoweare/a-wwa-ourteam/a-wwa-ot-gmAquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/ Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

Today, Mahesh Lunani talks to Kamuron Gurol, Director of the King County Wastewater Treatment Division, Washington State (including Seattle). Prior to taking on this role, Kamuron was a Corridor Development Director at a 116-mile rail system connecting greater Seattle area. Kamuron was also the City Manager at City of Burien, a community of 50,000 with hundreds of businesses.In his current role, Gurol oversees 5 treatment plants, 400 miles of interceptor pipes, 48 pump stations, 39 CSO outfalls, and 25 regulator stations- an asset base worth billions.In a wide ranging conversation we talk about the future of water, including how we treat everything to wastewater to hot water, to PFAS, medication residue in waste, and more. He believes the circular economy can be not cradle to grave, but rather cradle to cradle.Kamuron looks at the job of building the third generation of King County infrastructure like fixing up an hold house. It may have good "bones," but it needs to be worked on.We look at ESG - too long, loud or "smelly' plants have gone into poor neighborhoods. What can we do to work with our neighbors instead of dictating to them?Today's guest as a perspective on recruiting the next generation of water workers that we haven't had before. If we are looking to find young people fresh out of school, we might be looking in the wrong place.Use all of your senses, and not just your brain. Kamuron explains what that advice means.More:King County Wastewater Treatment Division Website: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/dnrp/wtd.aspxKamuron Bio: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/dnrp/wtd/about/agency/wtd-director.aspxAquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/ Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/