In this episode of The Water Online Show, hosts Travis Kennedy and Kevin Westerling explore the complex interplay of tariffs, regulations, and industry trends with Saurabh Singh and Jacob Steele from BlueTech Research, offering insights and recommendations for stakeholders in the water and wastewater sector.

In particular, the discussion focuses on the potential impacts of tariffs on different industry segments and activities, the commodities used therein, and the cost of operations — for example, how the price of pipes, pumps, valves, membranes, and treatment chemicals could be affected.

Singh, BlueTech’s Vice President of Advisory Services, and Steele, a Senior Research Analyst, also provide mitigation strategies for avoiding, as best as possible, high costs that could trickle down to ratepayers.

The current state of and tariffs’ effect on American manufacturing is considered, as are the trajectories of sustainability goals and smart-water initiatives. The panel also discusses the potential fate of regulations, including rules around per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Get the experts' take on this fast-moving situation by tuning in.

In this episode of The Water Online Show, hosts Travis Kennedy and Kevin Westerling engage in a critical discussion with Claudio Ternieden, Executive Director of the Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association (WWEMA), concerning the tumultuous landscape of changing U.S. policies and their implications for the water and wastewater industry. The discussion centers on the rapid and often unpredictable actions of the new presidential administration, specifically focusing on tariffs, federal budget reviews, and regulatory changes under President Donald Trump that are creating a sense of uncertainty for both manufacturers and utilities.

In this episode of The Water Online Show, hosts Travis Kennedy and Kevin Westerling dive into one of the most pressing issues in the water and wastewater industry: PFAS contamination. With the recent release of the U.S. EPA’s draft risk assessment on PFAS in biosolids, the conversation is more relevant than ever. To shed light on the findings, implications, and potential regulatory future, the hosts are joined by Rashi Gupta, National Wastewater Practice Director at Carollo Engineers. The discussion covers the widespread presence of PFAS, which affects over 90% of the U.S. population, and how these chemicals, long present in various sources, have only recently been detected in biosolids used in agriculture. The EPA’s draft risk assessment models the impact of PFAS on a hypothetical “farm family” consuming food, water, and animal products from contaminated land, revealing that even at low concentrations, the risk in some scenarios exceeds acceptable levels.

The episode also delves into the implications of potential regulatory changes, urging utilities and agricultural partners to prepare for new compliance requirements. While biosolids serve as cost-effective fertilizers with essential nutrients, concerns over PFAS contamination pose long-term environmental and health risks. The public has until March 17, 2025, to comment on the EPA’s draft, after which risk management strategies and regulations may follow. Utilities are advised to assess PFAS levels, manage industrial sources, and engage transparently with agricultural partners while considering diversification in biosolids management. As regulatory changes could bring financial burdens, stakeholders must balance costs with the overarching goal of public health and environmental protection. This episode highlights the complexity of PFAS contamination and the proactive measures needed to navigate the evolving landscape.

Tune in to The Water Online Show to hear all of Rashi Gupta’s expert advice.

In this episode of The Water Online Show, Joe Ball from Kamstrup returns for another discussion with host Travis Kennedy. Listen in to hear Travis and Joe's conversation about quality in the water industry, why it's not as easy to quantify, and Kamstrup's quality campaign launching in 2025.

This episode of The Water Online Show's In The Flow podcast addresses the persistent challenge of nutrient removal in wastewater treatment. Hosts Travis Kennedy and Kevin Westerling and guest Jose Jimenez, VP of Wastewater Treatment at Brown and Caldwell, discuss the ongoing impact of excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which fuel harmful algal blooms and degrade water quality.

Jimenez highlights the need for municipalities to balance environmental protection with economic realities, finding solutions that address both nutrients and emerging contaminants. He explains that algal blooms are likely worsening due to increased nutrient pollution, climate change (warmer waters and increased rainfall), and other factors like urbanization.

The discussion covers regulatory nutrient limits and the technologies available for efficient removal. While biological nutrient removal (BNR) is common, newer methodologies like aerobic granular sludge (AGS), membrane aerated biofilm reactors (MABRs), and mobile organic biofilm (MOB) offer process intensification — maximizing treatment with fewer resources. Optimization, cost effectiveness, and nutrient recovery are key talking points as well.

Learn more by listening to the full interview.

In the latest episode of The Water Online Show, BioLargo's Dennis Calvert dives deep into the pressing issue of PFAS, a subject currently at the forefront of environmental and public health discussions. He highlights the urgent need to address these harmful chemicals with both speed and caution. Calvert shares BioLargo’s innovative approach to tackling PFAS contamination, emphasizing the importance of developing safe, efficient treatment solutions. As a new administration takes office, he explores potential policy shifts and what changes we can expect in the ongoing battle against PFAS. He also touches on the status of BioLargo's exciting new project in New Jersey, revealing how the company is pushing forward in the fight against these pervasive pollutants. Despite growing awareness, Calvert reminds us that we still have a limited understanding of the full scope of PFAS's negative impacts, underscoring the urgency for continued research and action.

This episode of The Water Online Show dives into the importance of safe drinking water and the role NSF plays in ensuring it. Hosts Travis Kennedy and Kevin Westerling chat with Kyle Postmus, Global Senior Manager of the Drinking Water Treatment Unit Certification Program at NSF.

Key points of discussion include:

•Water quality concerns, highlighting public concerns about contaminants like lead, PFAS, microplastics, and emerging threats.
•NSF certification, ensuring that water filters and other products meet strict NSF standards and effectively remove contaminants.
•The importance of collaboration to address regional water quality issues and share knowledge about new technologies.
•Public health priority and the need for effective solutions during emergencies.

Ultimately, the episode emphasizes the shared responsibility of safeguarding public health. By working together and leveraging expertise from diverse sectors, the water industry can effectively address challenges and ensure access to clean and safe drinking water for all.

Travis Kennedy welcomes Yariv Abramovich from Atlantium Technologies to The Water Online Show for an insightful conversation about essential equipment. Yariv explains that being a supplier of essential equipment extends far beyond sales – it’s just as important to ensure you are also supplying performance. This means ensuring products are reliable, systems are sized correctly, and customers will never be stuck without essential spare parts.
Tune in to hear the rest of the conversation, where Travis and Yariv also touch on evaluating customers more efficiently, and what might be needed to face the global water crisis.