Podcasts about water policy

Policy in Washington is in flux—and our clients had questions. Lots of them. Following Bluefield's recent client webcast, Uncertain Times: The State of Water Policy in Washington, podcast host Reese Tisdale and Senior Research Director Greg Goodwin reconvene to answer the questions they didn't have time to address live. In this episode, they unpack critical developments shaping the water sector—from funding volatility and regulatory shifts to cross-border tensions and infrastructure outlooks. Topics covered, questions answered: Is Bluefield's market sizing number across main verticals total or annualized? If the San Francisco vs. EPA court decision will lead to more niche requirements, will permitting get more complicated? Are Chicago's US$15B consent decree costs included in the municipal total? Underestimated? What does a second Trump administration mean for the digital water market? Will agencies like USGS be affected too? Can you break down the US$13B in impounded funding? Which programs were impacted? Project 2025 and Mandy Gunasekara's take on increased SRF funding—realistic or contradictory? With Russian gas returning, how does U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) outlook impact water markets? Is the Boundary Waters Treaty or International Joint Commission under threat? Are manufacturers reshoring due to political pressure? Has the federal share of water infrastructure funding declined—and where is it heading? If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven't already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen. If you'd like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday. Related Research & Analysis: Uncertain Times: The State of Water Policy in Washington U.S. & Canada Water Policy Review: Key Developments and Market Outlook, H1 2025

Authorities identify two deceased individuals in separate Mendocino and Humboldt County cases. The Mendocino Farm Bureau speaks up for farmers in Siskiyou over water regulations.

KVMR News correspondent Sherrie Cunningham brings us a story on the polarizing issue of California's state and federal water policies.

Keeli is the Water Policy Program Manager at Seminole County Government in Florida. In this episode we discussed her role in developing holistic water policies, current projects focusing on stakeholder engagement and internal water audits, and the challenges of limited staffing and funding.  Her career progression, emphasizing communication and collaboration skills honed through diverse experiences, including teaching and land management, was also highlighted, along with the importance of mentorship and proactive issue resolution. Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Professionals.

Amid the devastation of the Los Angeles wildfires, confusion and misinformation have surrounded the role of water resources. This episode clarifies key inaccuracies, highlighting how municipal water systems are designed to support localized firefighting efforts rather than large-scale wildfires fueled by extreme weather conditions. Kathryn Sorenson of Arizona State University's Kyl Center for Water Policy and Chad Seidel of Corona Environmental Consulting explore the limitations of current infrastructure and the evolving challenges posed by urban-wildland interface fires.Drawing on examples from Colorado and Arizona, they discuss the cascading impacts of wildfires, including how burned watersheds affect water quality and force expensive upgrades to treatment systems. They also share innovative strategies, from enhancing system resilience to improving emergency response, that can better prepare communities for the next wildfire. These insights underscore the urgent need for a proactive and collaborative approach to addressing the increasing risks of wildfire in a changing climate.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet.

Sydnie Wells, Jack Orlandi, and Luke Corniea from Barstool Outdoors join host Matt Harrison to share their exciting waterfowl hunts on the Great Salt Lake. From airboat rides to coffin blinds and black silhouettes, they dive into the unique experience of this incredible region. Midway through the episode, biologist Coryna Hebert and Dr. Mike Brasher provide expert conservation insights, including discussions about declining water levels of the Great Salt Lake and how DU is mobilizing millions of dollars to ensure the future health of this landscape for waterfowl, hunters, and other people.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

Kathryn Sorensen joins Bruce and Gaydos and explained why LA fire hydrants ran out of water while trying to combat LA wildfires.

Pres. Joe Biden says California has enough water to fight the fires burning and claims the reason fire hydrants didn't work in the Pacific Palisades is because electricity is cut. Broeske & Musson aren't buying it. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Broeske & Musson' on all platforms: --- The ‘Broeske & Musson Podcast’ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever else you listen to podcasts. --- ‘Broeske & Musson' Weekdays 9-11 AM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Facebook | Podcast| X | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pres.-elect Donald Trump blames California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state water policy for there being no water in LA fire hydrants. And analysts blame California forest management policies for fueling the fires. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Broeske & Musson' on all platforms: --- The ‘Broeske & Musson Podcast’ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever else you listen to podcasts. --- ‘Broeske & Musson' Weekdays 9-11 AM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Facebook | Podcast| X | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tuscan Water District was established to try to preserve groundwater resources for local agricultural landowners. But there is concern with how the district plans to engage in an experimental recharge strategy, which some say could harm small farmers and trees in Chico and Butte County.

Policy expert and climate scientist Anna Farro Henderson explores how science is done, discussed, legislated, and imagined in her new book, Core Samples: A Climate Scientist's Experiments in Politics and Motherhood. Grounded in her experience as an environmental policy advisor to Minnesota Senator Al Franken and Governor Mark Dayton, Henderson brings readers behind the closed doors of discovery and debate—and illuminates the messy, contradictory humanity of our scientific and political institutions. Here, Henderson is joined in conversation with Tenzin Dolkar and Roberta Downing on getting your voice heard in politics.Anna Farro Henderson is an award-winning writer, PhD scientist, and environmental policy expert. She is a fellow at the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota, teaches at the Loft Literary Center, and works in climate advocacy. She lives with her family in St. Paul, where she makes daily visits to the Mississippi River.Tenzin Dolkar has more than 15 years of experience in policy development, advocacy, community organizing, and management with state and local governments. Dolkar is a council member on the Metropolitan Council, and has previously served as the State of Minnesota's Rail Director and as a policy advisor on transportation, agriculture, and rural issues for Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton.Roberta Downing is a public policy professional with more than 20 years of experience. Downing held a congressional fellowship administered by the American Association for the Advancement of Science and served on the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions under Senator Edward M. Kennedy; has held several academic and policy-focused positions, including for the offices of US Senator Sherrod Brown and DC Mayor Muriel E. Bowser; and is principal and co-founder of Harper Downing LLC, a Minnesota-based government affairs consulting firm.Praise for the book:“Honest and immersive, this book offers a behind-the-scenes look at how culture (and who crafts it) shapes everything from the sediment the narrator studies to the policies that define climate action today.”—Elizabeth Rush, author of The Quickening“Anna Farro Henderson's deep encounters with Big Science and Big Bureaucracy will help you understand why progress on matters of life and death can be so maddeningly slow; her encounters with herself may help you figure out how to live your own life.”—Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature“With fierce intelligence and wild exuberance, Anna Farro Henderson throws herself headlong into the biggest challenges of our time: how to love fully, create abundantly, and stop the ruin of the precious ecosystems that sustain us.”—Lia Purpura, author of All the Fierce Tethers“Some books are so good I want to shout about them to the rooftops. Core Samples is one of those.”—Vick Mickunas, Dayton Daily NewsCore Samples: A Climate Scientist's Experiments in Politics and Motherhood by Anna Farro Henderson is available from University of Minnesota Press.

In this episode of the Food Tech Junkies podcast, host Sharon Cittone engages with Jack Bobo—renowned expert, author, and futurist—to discuss the future of food systems. From the rising influence of GLP-1 drugs on diets and nutrition to the environmental and agricultural shifts driven by innovation, this conversation dives into the critical intersections of science, policy, and sustainability. Explore the evolving dynamics between livestock and alternative proteins, the role of behavioral science in consumer choices, and the urgent need for climate action in food production. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion on tackling obesity, advancing sustainable agriculture, and leveraging technology to create a healthier, more equitable food future. About Jack Bobo Jack Bobo is a renowned expert in sustainable food systems, recently appointed as the inaugural Executive Director of the UCLA Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies.  With a background in international law, environmental policy, and behavioral science, he has held pivotal roles, including Director of the University of Nottingham's Food Systems Institute, Director of Global Food and Water Policy at The Nature Conservancy, CEO of Futurity, a food foresight company and as a Senior Advisor for Food Policy at the U.S. State Department. Jack is also the author of Why Smart People Make Bad Food Choices and has been recognized by Scientific American as one of the 100 most influential people in biotechnology.  Timestamps 00:00 Preview 00:49 Meet Jack Bobo: Food Systems Expert and Author 03:22 How GLP-1 Drugs are Changing Food and Health 09:08 Agricultural and Environmental Implications of Innovation 19:34 The Role of Livestock and Alternative Proteins in Food Systems 26:40 Policy, Regulation, and Food System Innovation 36:36 Behavioral Science and Consumer Psychology in Food Choices 44:55 Addressing Climate Change and Achieving Net Zero Targets 52:42 Future Food Technologies: Opportunities and Challenges 54:31 Final Thoughts: Jack Bobo's Vision for Food Systems

Dan Egan is a Journalist in Residence at the Center for Water Policy in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's School of Freshwater Sciences. Egan is an environmental journalist and author of the Death and Life of the Great Lakes and The Devil's Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance. Egan was a reporter with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, covering the Great Lakes from 2002 until 2021. He has twice been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and he has won the Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award, John B. Oakes Award, AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award, and J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Award. Egan is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the Columbia School of Journalism.https://www.daneganauthor.com/

The US Water Infrastructure is crumbling - and it may be time for Policy to effectively jump in. Let's discuss how and why with: ➡️ Mae Stevens (the highly praised water lobbyist who wrote the Bill in response to the Flint Crisis - and SO much more): https://www.linkedin.com/in/maestevens/ ➡️ Melisa Logan (Mayor of Blytheville, Arkansas): https://www.mrcti.org/meet-our-mayors ➡️ Aurélie Rodzynek (Program Coordinator at the Columbia Water Center): https://www.linkedin.com/in/aurelie-rodzynek/ & a short "BlueField on Tap" segment with Reese Tisdale (President & CEO of BlueField) More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/

Aliyah Formont joins Ariana Guajardo to chat TikTok cruise drama and drop new information on Texas' emerging water crisis - things are about to get real dry, real quick if we don't act!

Phosphorus is an element that wears many faces. Its overuse as a fertilizer has polluted freshwater ecosystems, transforming rivers and lakes from thriving communities to lethal zones devoid of life. Its role as an explosive has brought fiery death and suffering to many during times of war. And its dwindling global supply poses an existential threat to humanity. Because phosphorus is not just a destructive force - it is essential for all of life on this planet. In The Devil's Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance, author Dan Egan explores the multi-faceted nature of phosphorus and the surprising ways this element has shaped our world. Egan, Journalist in Residence at the Center for Water Policy in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's School of Freshwater Sciences, transports readers from the guano-covered islands off the coast of Peru to the fertile fields of the American Midwest, from the 17th century laboratories reeking of boiled urine to our tenuous future as the demand for this element outpaces its supply. Tune in to learn about this powerful yet underappreciated element. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Winter temperature records fall across SA after an exceptionally hot August weekend, calls for water policy to be updated under predictions of less water to allocate from the Murray-Darling Basin, and a push for buffel grass to be declared a weed nationally before it spreads further.

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Something Arizonans hear a lot is that we're running out of water. While the state has enough water to not induce complete panic yet, conservation methods are being put into place and Arizona's long-term water supply is being considered more often by policymakers. The state's water supply comes from three sources: surface water, reclaimed water and groundwater. These sources are then broken down into three sectors: municipal, industrial and agricultural. Municipal goes toward homes, business buildings and is mainly drinking water. Industrial helps supply things like dairy, mining and golf courses. And agriculture, using about 72% of the water allocation, is used for farming. But if water is such a precious resource in Arizona, is it really a smart idea to use it to grow marijuana? This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we talk with Sarah Porter, director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University, to give us a sense of where our water is being used. Then, Jake Ritter of Aeriz, a cannabis brand, shares how their grow is using as little water as possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a Text Message.This week on the podcast we have one of the fantastic winners of the 2024 Zanda McDonald Award, Tessa Chartres, to discuss her career, how she manages her work-life balance and much more.Tessa grew up on a farm in Bathurst. She became an accountant, specialising in agribusiness and farming, and later moved to Deniliquin to be with her husband. There, she joined Murray Irrigation, where she is now the General Manager of Business Development. With Muray Irrigation providing irrigation for 740,000 hectares of farmland, Tessa's role is certainly diverse.“The thing I love about irrigation is I get to be a part of so many different industries across the ag sector. I see so many different crops or livestock or dairies or any of those things,” she explains. “Being part of the water sector means I get to have an influence on all of those parts and enable all of those different strains of the ag sector to exist in our footprint.”Tessa sees irrigation as the lifeblood of the region and believes that Murray Irrigation is vital in ensuring the growth and sustainability of the region. With that comes a huge responsibility, particularly in light of climate change, environmental impacts and the concept of water as a tradable commodity. “What has been interesting about it, has been how people have adapted to the change in water availability, both from water being removed through mechanisms for the environment and just with climate change,” Tessa explains. “What I see is often people adapting to those in really interesting and different ways within their business models. Concepts around permanent and temporary water and how people can structure their businesses to suit the commodity that they're producing is something that, from my business mind, I've found that interesting.”Tessa and Mark also discuss work-life balance, the importance of good employers, a lively community and how she made all of this happen with two young twins! Tessa's story is a great example of a mutually successful career trajectory and personal life.Head Shepherd is brought to you by neXtgen Agri International Limited, we help livestock farmers get the most out of the genetics they farm with. Get in touch with us if you would like to hear more about how we can help you do what you do best - info@nextgenagri.com.Thanks to our sponsors at MSD Animal Health and Allflex, and Heiniger Australia and New Zealand.These companies are leaders in their respective fields and it is a privilege to have them supporting the Head Shepherd Podcast. Please consider them when making product choices, as they are instrumental in enabling us to bring you this podcast each week.Check out Heiniger's product range HERECheck out the MSD range HERECheck out Allflex products HERE

We are joined by friend of the show, John Farner, executive director of the Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy, a center at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. John provides insight on the center's activities and objectives. He also details the history and importance of the Colorado River Basin and why the center started its work there. He addresses the biggest challenges facing the basin and highlights some key programs relevant to overall global water challenges. Podcast Recorded on May 2, 2024

The Labour Party is crying foul over Auckland's new government agreement separating council finances from its water provider. Labour's local government spokesperson Kieran McAnulty spoke to Corin Dann.

In 1970, an environmental movement unfolded and it resulted in calls for action. We meet several people who were part of what would be a pivotal environmental event.

Producers raise concerns over proposed changes to Livestock SA's constitution and committee structure, a new study finds inconsistent laws between states is making it more difficult to prevent water theft from the Murray Darling Basin, and the safety and maintenance of thousands of dams dotted across the Adelaide Hills the focus of a new project.

“Forever chemicals” in California's drinking water are raising concerns. Also, the CapRadio Endowment Board discusses its dispute with the public radio station and Sac State. Finally, helping the planet with “Climate Country Radio.” Forever Chemicals  “Forever chemicals" in California's drinking water have raised critical questions about the implications for our communities. CalMatters' Water Policy reporter, Rachel Becker, sheds light on the complex challenges faced by water agencies and the potential impacts on consumers following the EPA's new limits on these chemicals in drinking water.  We'll learn more about the urgency of addressing contamination issues, regulatory standards, and financial burdens. CapRadio Endowment CapRadio and an independent financial backer of the NPR member station are at odds over the recent donation of one of its broadcasting towers. The Capital Public Radio Endowment Board - which shares the station's name but is a separate philanthropic organization - donated the tower to PBS affiliate KVIE earlier this month, without CapRadio or Sacramento State's knowledge. Sac State holds the station's news and music licenses. At Wednesday's public board meeting, CapRadio management said it can definitively show the public radio station owns the tower. The tower is a symptom of a larger back and forth that has played out publicly over the past month with the endowment board. Dan Brunner is the chair and Buzz Wiesenfeld is the treasurer of the Capital Public Radio Endowment Board and join us with their perspective. CapRadio and Sacramento State were invited to discuss this issue, but canceled a planned interview. KVIE declined to be on the show.  Disclosure: This story was produced by Vicki Gonzalez and edited by Digital Editor Claire Morgan and Chris Hagan. Following NPR's protocol for reporting on itself, no CapRadio corporate official or news executive reviewed this conversation beforehand. You can keep up to date with CapRadio's finances, here. Climate Country Radio Climate change and how it can impact our daily lives is the theme behind new public service announcements by the California Council of the Arts. The state agency provided a grant to come up with a creative way to get the word out about the environment, public health and disaster preparedness by teaming up with Davis songwriter and performer Rita Hosking. She joins us to talk about the vision behind the so-called “public service songs” called Climate Country Radio and how she hopes to make a difference.

Joining the PigX Podcast this month is Jack Bobo, the director of Global Food and Water Policy at one of the world's largest conservation organizations, the Nature Conservancy. Jack will be discussing his Iowa Swine Day presentation that covered the future of animal agriculture. In the second half of this episode, Dan Bussieres, who is the co-founder of and swine nutritionist for Group Ceres Inc., joins to chat about the topic of the Canadian pork production system, which he highlighted at Iowa Swine Day.

A new report from ASU's Kyl Center for Water Policy warns the groundwater supply in the Phoenix area faces some major threats in the years ahead. Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake is asking a court to swiftly determine what damages she owes in a defamation suit brought by Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer rather than take the case to trial. Phoenix will require contractors with employees working outside to follow measures intended to prevent heat injury and illness following a City Council vote Tuesday. Plus the latest tribal natural resources, metro Phoenix, education and Fronteras Desk news.

Sponsor: Remove your personal information from the web at JoinDeleteMe.com/FP20 and use code FP20 for 20% offDeleteMe international Plans: https://international.joindeleteme.com======Episode 4: Augustus Doricko isn't trying to play God with his weather-modification company, Rainmaker, but he does admit that quelling hurricanes or creating atmospheric rivers would be pretty based. By using cheap drones to disperse ice nucleation agents, Augustus will literally make it rain — and save the American West in the process.======(00:00) - Intro(00:41) - What Rainmaker Technology is Building(01:27) - Augustus' Background(03:58) - Why Cloud Seeding and Water Scarcity are Important Problems(07:07) - The Dialectic on How to Solve Water Scarcity (10:08) - How Weather Modification and Cloud Seeding Work(13:20) - How Rainmaker Identifies Suitable Clouds for Seeding(17:27) - How Rainmaker Delivers Seeding Agents to Clouds(20:12) - Rainmaker's Nucleation Agent Dispersion Mechanism (23:05) - Rainmaker's Search for Alternative Nucleation Agents(26:37) - Attribution of Precipitation to Cloud Seeding (31:10) - Rainmaker's Initial Target Market and Value Proposition(37:14) - Extending Rainfall Benefits with Cloud Seeding (41:37) - Rainmaker's Pricing Model(44:49) - Government Interest and Spending on Weather Modification(47:53) - China's Leadership in Weather Modification   (50:51) - The Need for Pro-Human, Pro-Environment Climate Engineering(52:52) - Technical and Business Challenges for Rainmaker(54:49) - Advice for Aspiring Engineers in Weather Modification(57:22) - Positive Sum Aspects of Cloud Seeding(01:01:27) - Government Contracting Potential for Rainmaker(01:04:02) - Identifying Easy vs. Challenging Components of Rainmaker's System(01:07:07) - Conclusion and Advice for Aspiring Weather Modification Engineers======Links:Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyleAugustus Doricko – https://twitter.com/ADorickoRainmaker – https://www.makerain.com/First Principles:Ice Nucleation – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_nucleusDrainage basins – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drainage_basinNucleation via Drone – https://asr.science.energy.gov/news/program-news/post/14630Weather Modification – https://libguides.library.noaa.gov/weather-climate/weather-modification-project-reports======Production and marketing by The Deep View (https://thedeepview.co). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm======Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9

Drinkable water is a precious commodity. But as population growth, aging infrastructure, drought, and climate change pose challenges to freshwater quality and quantity in America, the safety and amount of water in parts of the U.S. is in question. With more than 140,000 separate public water systems in the country, how can federal, state, and local governments, along with the various water authorities, take on this challenge alone? In this episode we hear from global water and natural resources expert Barton “Buzz” Thompson, about this new book Liquid Asset: How Business and Government Can Partner to Solve the Freshwater Crisis —and his recommendations for how to solve the freshwater crisis in the U.S.Connect:Episode Transcripts >>> Stanford Legal Podcast WebsiteStanford Legal Podcast >>> LinkedIn PageRich Ford >>>  Twitter/XPam Karlan >>> Stanford Law School PageStanford Law School >>> Twitter/XStanford  Law Magazine >>> Twitter/XLinks:Buzz Thompson >>> Stanford Law School PageLiquid Assets: How Business and Government Can Partner to Solve the Freshwater Crisis.Paul Milgrom & Auction TheoryChapter Timestamps:(00:00:00) Introduction & Water's Scarcity Hosts Rich Ford and Pam Karlan introduce guest, Buzz Thompson, an expert in water law and author of Liquid Assets(00:01:18) Water Challenges TodayThe scarcity of fresh water globally, and the multiple crises facing water resources: uneven distribution, climate change and the depletion of groundwater resources.(00:04:30) Water Infrastructure What is water infrastructure in the United States, the current state of it, and the repairs and upgrades required and being undertaken.(00:07:14) Updating Infrastructure & 21st-Century Technology Examples of modern wastewater treatment methods, advocating for resource recovery centers and outlining their potential benefits by adopting 21st century technology.(00:09:08) Fragmented Water Systems The complexity of water systems, & the challenges created by small water systems (00:12:00) Water Rights & Legal Structures The current legal structure of water rights in the USA,and defining the goals of both protecting water as a public resource, and a private commodity.(00:16:25) Private Sector's Role & Future Solutions Buzz discusses water markets internationally, and the private sector's role in innovation, technology, and financing to bridge the gap in water management. (00:18:59) Challenges with Outdated Water Rights Rich & Buzz  discuss the challenges created by the current water rights model, and the necessity, possibilities, and challenges for legal reform.(00:21:18) Proposal for Tradeable Water Rights The concept of converting existing water rights into more easily transferable ones similar to real property, in order to eliminate the current challenges.(00:25:49) Changing a System of Water RightsAustralia's successful reform in the Murray-Darling Basin, where water rights were revamped for better tradeability and how they safeguarded the environment.(00:27:31) Conclusion

Seven states are up against the clock to get a water deal reached over the Colorado River and who gets what allotment. As the 2026 deadline approaches, the food versus cities debate simmers over the precious resource. Kathryn Sorensen is the director of the Kyle Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University and gives us perspective on the issue.

On June 4 of this year, The Washington Post penned an article with the headline, Arizona and southwest states grapple with water shortages, drought. With the understanding that the American southwest is parched. What are experts in the field doing to combat this issue? And is it true that all states such as Arizona are affected by water shortages? Sarah Porter, the head of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University, explains the ambitious $5 billion proposal by an Israeli company to transport ocean water from the Gulf of California to Arizona through a pipeline. Sarah examines the advantages and disadvantages of this plan, shedding light on the water issues in the Southwest and providing valuable perspectives on the matter.  Join us as we get rebelliously curious.   Watch the YouTube video of this interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dmhzZ-_NSs&t=1s   Follow Chrissy Newton: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM32gjHqMnYl_MOHZetC8Eg  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingchrissynewton/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/chrissynewton?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingChrissyNewton  Chrissy Newton's Website: https://chrissynewton.com/

The Senate has passed the Federal Government's changes to extend the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, a grazing family in the far north hope a trial on their property could see more virtual fencing allowed in South Australia, and the Riverland cherry season has arrived this year much earlier than usual.

Jim Holway, who retired as director of the Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy this summer, reflects on decades of trying to solve the puzzle of sustainable water resources in the West, and looks to what the future may hold.

Warmer and dryer conditions throughout spring means the coming Fire Danger Season will start early in six of South Australia's Fire Ban Districts, South Australia's Water Minister says she's working on a scheme to minimise negative impacts to communities from any water buybacks out of the Murray Darling Basin, and a South Australian business has begun manufacturing recycled plastic fence droppers after requests from farmers unable to source traditional hardwood timber ones.

We tend to talk about very local issues on this podcast, a very on the ground view of being a drinking water provider. But there is a huge amount of discussion at the national level about drinking water policy that will affect SCWA customers. In today's episode we sit down with AMWA CEO Tom dobbins to discuss drinking water on a national level.

People in the lower Colorado River basin are now witnessing drastic cuts to their allotments. In many cases, developers find alternate sources of water by drilling into underground aquifers. But in places like Pinal County, Arizona, that groundwater is already becoming scarce. We hear from Stephen Q. Miller, who sits on both the Pinal County Board of Supervisors and the board for the Central Arizona Pipeline. Without sufficient water for crops, and facing some of the highest temperatures on record, he says farmers in his area will fallow up to 70 per cent of their land this year.   As Phoenix and its outlying suburbs start limiting development because of water shortages, those who stay put rely increasingly on wells and groundwater.   Arizona State University professor Kathryn Sorensen explains why consuming water from deeper wells is one solution – but it's not ideal. The ancient freshwater underneath much of Arizona will never be replenished during our lifetimes. With high-tech cloud computing centers and some of the world's biggest microchip manufacturers expanding their reach — and water use — we look at the desert future of the southwest.    With increasing water scarcity across the lower Colorado River basin states, we look at the technology of the future – and the role of cloud computing centers. How much water do they consume, and what does that mean for people in water-stressed areas? Amazon Web Services has set a goal to become water-positive by the year 2030, and we hear how the company is recycling and re-using water, with Will Hewes, AWS' Global Lead on Water Sustainability.    Outside Phoenix, Intel Corporation has been a presence for more than four decades, with two recent expansions of its 700-acre campus in the desert. Those expansions allow Intel to manufacture more of the microchips that we rely on in modern life, powering everything from cell phones to automobiles. We hear from Intel vice-president and chief sustainability officer Todd Brady. He says the public-private partnership Intel struck years ago with the city of Chandler, AZ means a more sustainable, predictable supply of recycled water.    Water scarcity is also having a profound effect on the desert south's political landscape. In this episode, we hear from Kathleen Ferris, a senior research fellow at ASU's Kyl Center for Water Policy, and we check in with Patrick Adams, water policy advisor to Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs.    Our last word in this episode goes to the University of Arizona's Kathy Jacobs, director of the Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions.   

Arizona recently announced new constraints on housing development in the areas around Phoenix. At issue is water rights and scarcity, which have been a challenge for the US Southwest for as long as people have been living there. That being said, the region is currently in the midst of a 25-year megadrought and when you combine that with booming growth, difficult choices may have to be made. But how do water rights get divided? Who holds them? How much is water worth to the housing developers, farmers and semiconductor manufacturers that have flocked to the state? To learn more, we speak with Kathryn Sorensen, director of research at the Kyl Center for Water Policy at the Morrison Institute for Public Policy at Arizona State University. We discuss both current and past water management practices in the state.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The meat and dairy industries are some of the biggest water users in the American West, thanks to one of cows' favorite foods – alfalfa. As aridification continues across the American southwest, water is becoming far more scarce on the Colorado River. A critical source of water for roughly 40 million Americans, we look at why so much of the Colorado River's freshwater goes toward growing water-intensive hay crops, and at what can be done to significantly scale back consumptive use in the future.   In this episode, we hear from people who've traveled from around the world to see the Hoover Dam. With white bathtub rings marking a long-past high water mark, Lake Mead is severely overdrawn. Together with Lake Powell, America's two biggest man-made reservoirs are losing water faster than ever as cities, towns and farms withdraw their legal allocations.   To find out why farmers in this region keep growing such water-intensive crops, our producer Megan Myscofski meets up with alfalfa farmer Larry Cox. They tour his farmland near Brawley, in California's Imperial Valley. With no potable water, Cox's home, farm and livelihood depend entirely on his farmland's senior water rights from the Colorado River. Leaving the fields fallow is not an option.   Jay then sits down with Dan Putnam, an expert on alfalfa and other forage crops at the University of California, Davis, and Sarah Porter, director of Arizona State University's Kyl Center for Water Policy. They discuss why it's so difficult legally and economically to uproot water-intensive crops such as alfalfa, and they bring up solutions to get ‘more crop out of each drop'. They also discuss what cities and urban areas will have to do, to ensure there's enough water to support everyone in the lower Colorado River basin. 

With the sensationalized

Kathryn Sorensen joins Mike to discuss the new deal on Colorado River cuts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the second part of our two-part Earth Day episode, Water is More Important!?, we're exploring the vital role that water plays in sustaining life on Earth and beyond. Our special guest is none other than Sandra Postel, director of the Global Water Policy Project. She will share her insights with us into the importance of this precious resource.[[So. I'm sitting here on my bachelor pad, and you have me wondering. How did it all get here? The water, I mean. It seems Earth has an awful lot of it. I mean, blue planet, and all that rot.]]Sandra Postel appears on The Cosmic Companion for Earth Day, 22 April 2023. Creative Commons 4.0 Attribution 2023 The Cosmic Companion.It turns out that no one is quite sure how or why water formed in such great quantities on Earth. Certainly, being at the right distance from the Sun, and having a thick atmosphere, allowing water to pool on its surface helps. But, how did water first arise on our world?Researchers have been puzzling over this question for years, and there are a few major ideas which have emerged.One theory is that water arrived on Earth through comets and asteroids. These space-borne clumps of rock and ice collided with our planet billions of years ago in large numbers, potentially bringing water with them. This theory is supported by the fact that the ratio of heavy to regular water on Earth is very similar to that found in comets, suggesting comets may have played a major role in forming the oceans of Earth.Another possibility is that water was present on Earth from the very beginning, during the formation of our planet. This theory suggests that water was present in the gas and dust cloud that eventually coalesced to form Earth. As the planet cooled and solidified, the water vapor condensed into liquid, forming oceans.[Cool water]A third theory is that water was created by the reactions that took place within the Earth's mantle. This idea suggests that high pressures and temperatures within the mantle caused the formation of water molecules from the elements present in the layers of our nascent planet.And, it is also possible that each of these sources played a role in creating the aquatic environment of our water world. Today, water covers more than 70 percent of our planet, supporting millions of species of life. And, water around the planet, together with the life which depends on it, are threatened by global climate change, driven by human activity.Next up, we talk with Sandra Postel, director of the Global Water Policy Project.The Blue Marble on which we live is more than oceans, lakes, ponds and rivers. Water is also found in the atmosphere, aquifers, and life itself, including you and me.Heat from the Sun drives evaporation from oceans and other bodies of water, lifting water into the air. [wooooah!] Once in the atmosphere, this water vapor condenses into clouds, eventually releasing their moisture as precipitation, such as rain or snow, back onto the land and water.Moisture which falls onto land can either seep into the ground and become groundwater, or flow back into rivers, lakes, and oceans, restarting the cycle. The process is also influenced by factors like wind, temperature, and topography, which help determine the amount of precipitation that falls in different areas.This water cycle ensures that water is constantly moving and being redistributed throughout the planet, providing us with this essential resource that we all need to survive.[[Some desert plants only need water once every couple weeks under most conditions. Those ever-resilient tardigrades can last decades between drinks of water. And, some bacteria also use very little water, although their metabolism still depends on this vital liquid. The rest of us really need the stuff!]]There are several ways people can help conserve and protect this precious resource. Homeowners can seek out efficient appliances with the WaterSense label, and repair water leaks as soon as possible after they are discovered. Rainwater harvesting collects water which would have simply rolled off roofs, making it accessible for gardens and outdoor cleaning.Watering gardens during mornings and evenings reduces evaporation and water use. Shorter showers can also play a role in conserving water. Every little bit helps when we look to preserve the health of lifeforms on Earth.[[Water is more important? Not much. I'm Poseidon, so… I'm right.]]Next week on The Cosmic Companion, we will be Pondering Panspermia — the idea that life here on Earth may have started from ingredients from space, delivered by comets and asteroids. We will be talking with Brian Selznick, the author of Big Tree. Make sure to join us starting on 29 April, at TheCosmic Companion.net. Sign up for our newsletter at TheCosmic Companion.com and never miss an episode.If you enjoyed this episode of The Cosmic Companion, please tell your friends about the show, comment, share, you know the spiel.Clear skies!JamesThe Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Start writing today. Use the button below to create your Substack and connect your publication with The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard Get full access to The Cosmic Companion w/ James Maynard at thecosmiccompanion.substack.com/subscribe

In the last episode of the season, Brett sits down with limnologist, business owner and two-time water management district executive director – Ann Shortelle. They talk about building a family and career in Florida; being one of only three people to serve as executive director of two different water management districts; how she wants young women and girls to embrace math and science more; Notre Dame super fandom; and how she became a “Lake Doctor”. To learn more about the North Florida Regional Water Supply Partnership, go here: https://northfloridawater.com To learn more about the Central Florida Water Initiative, check here: https://cfwiwater.com and here: https://floridadep.gov/water-policy/water-policy/content/central-florida-water-initiative-cfwi To find out more about DEP's Office of Water Policy and Ecosystems Restoration, head here: https://floridadep.gov/water-policy To see what they're up to at the Suwannee River Water Management District these days, check out their website here: https://www.mysuwanneeriver.com To wade through the Wikipedia page on the Rodman Dam and Reservoir, go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodman_Reservoir You can email Ann directly here: abshortelle@gmail.com Our theme song is “Doing Work For Free”, by Bo Spring Band (Apple Music) (Spotify) (Pandora)

Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Jim Bradbury, founder of James D. Bradbury, PLLC, about water policy issues related to agriculture and landowner rights.  After practicing with some of the largest law firms in Texas, Bradbury formed his own firm to serve his clients more directly. James D. Bradbury, PLLC, serves Austin, Fort Worth, and Montana. He has practiced for over three decades, representing clients in litigation of all types: real estate, water law, conservation, and eminent domain. Bradbury has extensive trial experience and has served as counsel in many trials. He is admitted to practice before courts in Texas, Arkansas, and Montana as well as the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Fifth and Eighth Circuits and the U.S. Supreme Court. His approach to client problems is straightforward and direct.

Water is one of the most pressing issues in Arizona today! Join us this week as we dive deep into the water issues Arizona is facing with two of the most knowledgeable experts in the field - Kathryn Sorensen and Gary Hix! We'll be discussing the current water issues/shortages, dispelling any myths and misconceptions in the news, and uncovering some solutions the state is taking to ensure a sustainable water future. Get ready for an informative, thought-provoking, and stimulating conversation with two of the most knowledgeable experts on the subject. We have so many great notes and photos from today's show be sure to check out our 'Show Extras' tab for more! Listen & Learn: 1:30 - Rebecca intro Gary & Kathryn 3:56 - Article on AZ groundwater all spoken for 6:16 - Hobbs calls for updates on the Arizona Groundwater Management Act 8:01 - How is the eastside in regards to water 10:00 - Rules for water use - Farmers vs. Builders 13:17 - Gary & Kathryn's suggestions for change on the Act 15:43 - Are the headlines about the Colorado River true? 17:45 - Photos of the lift station on the Colorado River 19:00 - Addressing agriculture when it comes to solving Colorado River problems 21:01 - Advantages of being lowest in priority when it comes to Colorado River use 25:22 - What is happening in Kingman, AZ? 27:24 - What is fossil groundwater and the issue with depleting it 27:50 - What is an INA & fissure? 29:50 - What is going on with Rio Verde? 32:51 - Gary's senior thesis on water wells in Strawberry/Pine, AZ 34:40 - The water situation in Strawberry/Pine, AZ 37:20 - Rebecca's water district meeting video 41:52 - Gary's solutions for Strawberry/Pine 43:20 - Kathryn's solutions for water shortages 46:03 - Gary's final thoughts 49:03 - Rebecca's final thoughts Special Guests: Kathryn Sorensen - Director of Research at Kyl Center for Water Policy at Morrison Institute: Kathryn served for many years as Director of Phoenix Water Services as well as Director of the City of Mesa Water Resources Department. In these roles, she was responsible for the delivery of safe, clean, reliable water for millions of Arizonans, and significantly advanced the sustainable management of water resources in Arizona and the Colorado River basin. She earned a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Michigan. In her position at Arizona State University, she oversees the research efforts of the Kyl Center for Water Policy, serves as a Professor of Practice at the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, and contributes to the Global Futures Laboratory. Phone: 602-496-1799 Email: kathryn.sorensen@asu.edu Website: https://morrisoninstitute.asu.edu/leadership/kathryn-sorensen Gary Hix - Certified Well Driller and Pump Installer, Registered Professional Geologist, & Certifed Real Estate Instructor: Gary Hix has worked in the groundwater industry for over 40 years. He is the owner of In2Wells and now spends his time in Arizona, occasionally consulting to private well owners, lawyers, realtors and well drilling pump installing businesses. For many years Gary was actively involved with the National Groundwater Association, where he was a Contributing Editor to their Water Well Journal magazine, a frequent workshop instructor and nominated as the Groundwater Foundations' McEllhiney Distinguished Lecturer for 2019. His years of experience in many different areas surrounding water wells, well drilling, pump installing, real estate transactions of properties with wells, shared water wells, construction defects and environmental issues has prepared him for him to provide expert witness services when needed. His full Resume' can be found here: https://in2wells.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Resume-Gary-Hix.pdf Website: https://in2wells.com/ Email: gary.hix@cox.net

Texas Water Journal and Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Jeremy Mazur, Senior Policy Advisor for Texas 2036, about water policy priorities in Texas. Mazur directs Texas 2036's work in the area of natural resources, which includes water, oil and gas, and energy.  Since joining Texas 2036 in September 2021, Mazur has played a leading role in Texas 2036's energy expansion project, charting an energy future that includes cleaner oil and gas and renewable sources of energy.  Mazur also directs research and policy development in water.  His current projects include a study on water markets, developing a strategic implementation plan for recent federal water legislation, and improving the state's infrastructure and resilience to extreme weather. Drawing on over 20 years of experience working in the Texas legislature and critical state agencies, Mazur works directly with state and legislative leaders on policy changes needed for Texas' energy and water future. Before coming to Texas 2036, his legislative career began in the late 20th century as a policy analyst with the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission. From there, he served as a Chief of Staff for Texas State Representative Bill Callegari and as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for Texas State Senator Van Taylor.  He also served as Director of Governmental Relations for two state agencies essential to Texas' future: the Texas Water Development Board and, more recently, the Railroad Commission, Texas' leading oil and gas, pipeline safety, and surface mining regulator.

Sarah Porter explains how bad Arizona's water crisis is getting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you heard the news??

Water policy shapes how we live in the West, and for years, we've carried on, changing very little in our water consumption, even in the face of megadroughts, increasing population density and shrinking lakes and rivers.

Irrigators in Southern Oregon and Northern California are facing another year of drought. The Klamath Water Users Association, an organization that represents farmers and ranchers, has teamed up with Ducks Unlimited, an organization that works on wetland conservation, to handle water issues. The groups aim to recycle water in the region and envision pump stations that can manage water more efficiently. We hear more about the plan from Moss Driscoll, the Director of Water Policy for the Klamath Water Users Association, and Jeff McCreary, the Western Region director of operations for Ducks Unlimited.

We're speaking with California-based reporter Gabrielle Canon about all things mega-drought: how droughts impact wildfires (and the prep we can do for those), how early water policy was crafted in the West, and superstar city solutions to mitigate and adapt to the water-climate crisis. Find me on: Instagram @ecochicpodcast + @lauraediez, on Facebook, Twitter, and now TikTok. Audio Player Thanks to our sponsors! Wren.co/ECOCHIC HelloFresh.com/ECOCHIC16 www.ecampus.oregonstate.edu/ecochic