Talking Under Water

In this episode of Talking Underwater, co-hosts Mandy Crispin and Bob Crossen explore the forces shaping the water and wastewater sector as the industry looks ahead to 2026.  The conversation opens with insights into new research on the growing water demands of data centers in Texas. Drawing from a recent white paper by the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), Crispin outlines how existing and planned data center development could significantly strain drinking water supplies if water planning and policy fail to keep pace with rapid growth.  Crossen then shares insights from a January poll on wastewater capital spending priorities. Results show utilities are primarily focused on treatment process upgrades and collection system improvements, while resilience and emergency preparedness rank surprisingly low.  The episode wraps with a broader look at 2026 industry forecasts from the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). Key themes include workforce development, the rise of the circular water economy, policy efforts around PFAS and the “polluter pays” principle, funding through state revolving funds, and affordability programs such as LIHWAP. Together, these perspectives suggest a shift from big‑picture concepts toward practical action as utilities confront emerging challenges and opportunities in the year ahead. Show Notes Thirsty Data and the Lone Star State: The Impact of Data Center Growth on Texas’ Water Supply What is perchlorate in drinking water? Poll results: 2026 wastewater capital spending priorities Looking forward: WEF’s strategics priorities and collective action for the wastewater sector NACWA’s clean water initiatives focus on liability, affordability and infrastructure AWWA outlines federal priorities for water and wastewater utilities in the 119th Congress Poll: What is your biggest workforce challenge in 2026? WWD Emerging Leaders submissions WW Emerging Leaders submissions StormCon 2026 registration Timestamps 00:28 – Introduction 01:05 – Overview of HARC white paper on Texas data centers and water use 01:42 – Projections for data center water demand by 2030 04:13 – Policy recommendations 06:23 – January capital spending poll overview 07:55 – 2026 WEF priorities 09:15 – 2026 NACWA policy and legislative focus 09:34 – State Revolving Fund reauthorization 10:08 – Low‑Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) 11:15 – Housekeeping announcements and closing reminders About the Podcast   Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld (WW) and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

In this episode Talking Under Water co-host Bob Crossen speaks with Gabriel Collins, the Baker Botts Fellow in Energy and Environmental Regulatory Affairs at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, about the evolving pressures on industrial water use and the widening implications of the AI boom. Drawing from his cross-sector expertise, Collins unpacks why water is an inherently hyper‑local resource and how industries — ranging from semiconductor fabrication to refineries and petrochemical plants — are adapting to shrinking supplies and rising costs. The conversation explores how data centers are straining municipal systems and, in some cases, driving new water‑reuse investments. Collins shares real‑world examples illustrating how creative contracting and industrial partnerships can help utilities upgrade critical infrastructure. He also highlights the increasing viability of air‑cooling technology as an alternative in water‑scarce regions. Shifting to oil and gas, Collins explains how produced water, seismicity concerns, and disposal challenges are prompting operators to rethink water management strategies. Throughout the discussion, he stresses the importance of “fit‑for‑purpose” water use and the opportunities for circular water practices that avoid mixing contaminated and freshwater streams. The episode closes with a look at the logistical and economic barriers that still limit a truly integrated one‑water approach. Show Notes Gabriel Collins, Baker Institute for Public Policy Gabriel Collins on LinkedIn The Sinews of Civilization Substack WWD Emerging Leaders submissions WW Emerging Leaders submissions StormCon 2026 registration Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 01:39 – Industrial Water Use in 2026 03:04 – Blind Spots vs. Barriers 05:07 – Water Reuse, Recycling, and Sector Differences 06:34 – Fit‑for‑Purpose Water & Evolving Standards 09:02 – Costs, Margins, and Sensitivity to Water Price 11:03 – Data Centers & Municipal Pressure 14:25 – Policy Levers & Infrastructure Investment 17:34 – Oil & Gas: Produced Water, Disposal, and Seismicity 20:19 – One Water & Virtual Water Displacement 22:08 – Barriers to Circular Water 26:35 – Housekeeping About the Podcast   Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld (WW) and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

In this episode of Talking Under Water, Mandy Crispin and Bob Crossen discuss the EPA’s proposal to establish a national primary drinking water regulation for perchlorate under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The hosts break down the proposed rule, monitoring requirements, cost implications, and what utilities should prepare for, plus give updates on PFAS treatment research and recent wastewater spills. Show Notes EPA proposes national drinking water rule for perchlorate Federal Register: Proposed national primary drinking water regulation for perchlorate What do the new PFAS MCLs mean for the water industry? Steps water systems can take to address perchlorate in drinking water (2020 EPA guidance document) New copper-aluminum layered double hydroxide technology offers sustainable PFAS remediation Georgetown isolates 42-inch wastewater line failure after San Gabriel River spill Houston reports wastewater spill exceeding 100,000 gallons following collection system failure Timestamps 00:00 – Cold open 00:54 – Introduction to episode and overview 01:32 – EPA proposal for perchlorate regulation explained 03:49 – Comparing perchlorate MCLs to PFAS standards 05:00 – Binning approach for monitoring frequency 07:21 – Waiver process for reduced monitoring 09:41 – Initial monitoring requirements and costs 10:02 – Public comment deadline and hearing details 11:04 – PFAS treatment research update 12:23 – Wastewater spill reports 15:29 – Housekeeping About the Podcast   Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld (WW) and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

In this episode of Talking Under Water, the hosts discuss the state of the industry surveys from each water brand — Wastewater Digest and WaterWorld — with some data points. The hosts provide some analysis of the results, including what some of the biggest challenges and trends are moving into 2026.   Show Notes:    2025 State of the One Water Industry 2024 State of the One Water Industry Timestamps:    Cold open | 0:00 Episode summary | 1:01 Financial trends | 6:29 Organizational health | 9:45 Key industry issues | 32:05 Housekeeping | 40:24  Resources:  WWD Videos WW Magazine Subscription StormCon Registration About the Podcast       Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Storm Water Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, storm water and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and on-site interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.       Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing [email protected] engaging with them on Twitter @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.  

In this episode of Talking Under Water as Kaitlin Spiridellis shares insights from her year-long global fellowship exploring water challenges and solutions across five continents. From Europe’s luxury water market and Vienna’s century-old gravity-fed system to sanitation campaigns in Indonesia, equity efforts for First Nations in Australia, and innovative partnerships in Africa, this episode uncovers surprising patterns in water stress and highlights emerging technologies shaping the future of “One Water” management. Kaitlin also reflects on the emotional impact of her journey and her optimism for global collaboration in building resilient, equitable water systems.  Show Notes:  World of water landing page The Water Chronicles: A Journey to Understand the World’s Water Disparities Timestamps: Cold open - 0:00 Host introduction and episode summary - 0:53 Europe segment - 2:04 Australia - 15:04 Africa - 19:00 Global themes &  future outlook- 22:44 Personal reflection - 33:00 Housekeeping - 36:55 About the Podcast       Talking Under Water, a production of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B, is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest(WWD), WaterWorld and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, stormwater and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.       Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing [email protected] engaging with them on X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.