The Water Online Show

Hosted by Travis Kennedy

Business Science

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Oct 2026

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About the show

The Water Online Show is a network of podcasts serving the water and wastewater treatment and engineering communities, delivering the latest in industry news, regulatory guidance, technology solutions, and management best practices. Produced by Water Online, the industry’s premier information resource, Water Online pods feature entertaining conversations with thought leaders, decision-makers, and innovators, helping you to stay on top of your profession and better protect the world’s most precious resource. Be sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss an episode.

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60 recent

November 4, 2026Episode 3830 min

Building The Utility Of The Future

Fresh off Silicon Valley Clean Water's recognition as a 2026 Utility of the Future Today honoree, General Manager Matt Zucca joins The Water Online Show to discuss the mindset behind innovation in the water sector. From biosolids reuse and energy neutrality to resource recovery and public trust, Zucca shares how SVCW is moving beyond compliance to build a more sustainable, resilient, and cost-effective utility model. He also offers practical lessons for utilities of any size looking to optimize operations and prepare for future challenges.

October 13, 2026Episode 3723 min

Can Powdered Activated Carbon Help Solve PFAS In Wastewater?

PFAS removal gets considerably more complicated once wastewater enters the equation. Carollo's Michelle Young joins The Water Online Show to discuss new Water Research Foundation research examining whether powdered activated carbon could give utilities a practical, cost-effective option for treating PFAS in wastewater effluent, and what the findings could mean for utilities weighing their next move.

October 6, 202610 min

The Water Online Show: On Location | WEFTEC 2026 Highlights

Tune into the latest episode of The Water Online Show: On Location to check in with Travis Kennedy and Angela Godwin as they walk the show floor at WEFTEC 2026. Hosted in New Orleans, WEFTEC showcased the latest technologies and solutions available to the water industry. Travis and Angela go over not just the intriguing technologies they witnessed, but also the hot topics of conversation on the show floor, from cybersecurity to the circular water economy.

September 15, 202625 min

Decoding Forced Localization: Navigating BABA, BAA, and US Infrastructure Funding

Navigating federal infrastructure funding feels like stepping into an alphabet soup of domestic content mandates. In this premiere episode of The Water Online Show , presented in collaboration with the Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association (WEMA), industry experts demystify forced localization rules—explaining why these regulations are reshaping water infrastructure projects and how manufacturers and utilities can stay compliant.

August 25, 202634 min

The Surprising Link Between Water And Profitability

What if water isn't a utility cost to be managed, but a strategic asset capable of driving productivity, profitability, and long-term business resilience? In this episode of The Water Online Show, Travis Kennedy and Kevin Westerling sit down with Ecolab Industry Fellow Dr. Geoff Townsend to explore why leading organizations are rethinking water's role in industrial operations. From the growing link between water security, energy performance, and business competitiveness to the promise of circular water strategies, digital decision-making, and advanced water management in sectors like semiconductors and data centers, Townsend makes a compelling case that the companies best positioned for the future will be those that recognize the full value of water. This conversation challenges conventional thinking and offers a forward-looking perspective on how water can become a powerful driver of operational success rather than just another line-item expense.

August 11, 202625 min

Crisis-Driven Innovation: How Shifting Demands Are Changing The Utility Playbook

Why do so many groundbreaking water and wastewater solutions get stuck in "pilot purgatory"? In this episode of The Water Online Show, hosts Travis Kennedy and Kevin Westerling are joined by global innovation expert Sivan Zamir from Xylem Innovation Labs to unpack why the water sector’s biggest challenge isn't inventing new technology, but scaling it. Zamir highlights how early-stage ecosystem collaboration, risk-sharing, and solid data foundations allow risk-averse utilities to adopt artificial intelligence, flood prediction, and advanced water reuse tools without compromising reliability. By shifting the industry's mindset from simply managing waste to actively mining resources, sector leaders can bridge the commercialization gap and transform promising pilots into infrastructure-critical reality.

July 28, 202630 min

Actionable Intelligence: Moving Beyond the Digital Transformation Buzz

Is "digital transformation" in the water sector a genuine revolution, or is it mostly high-level marketing buzz? In this episode of the Water Online Show, host Travis Kennedy and returning guest host Nadia Abboud welcome Bill Blank, Director of Global Marketing Communications for Badger Meter, to cut through the industry noise and get down to practical reality. Together, they unpack why many water utilities feel paralyzed by massive tech overhauls, how to move from passive data collection to proactive decision-making, and what the future of water management actually looks like.

July 22, 202617 min

Understanding the Limit of Detection

In this episode of The Water Online Show, host Travis Kennedy is joined by Mike Sadar of Lovibond to demystify two critical specifications often listed on instrument spec sheets: Limit of Detection (LOD) and Limit of Quantification (LOQ). While these terms are frequently overlooked, understanding what they actually represent is essential for water treatment operators — especially when configuring process turbidimeters to prevent filter breakthrough and maintain strict regulatory compliance.

July 6, 202615 min

On Location At ACE26 In D.C.

This episode of The Water Online Show: On Location captures the cutting-edge innovations and thought leadership defining the AWWA ACE 2026 conference. Hosts Travis Kennedy and Angela Godwin highlight the event’s central theme, "Water Heroes," celebrating the often-unsung workforce responsible for global public health, while diving into the technological turning points transforming the industry. Watch the full episode to learn more about game-changing AI advancements, and to find out Angela's show favorite for the year.

July 1, 202637 min

Why Innovation Still Struggles To Scale In Water

Tune into this episode for a wide-ranging conversation with Jim Good, Chairman and Founder of Parkview Advisors, that explores why progress in the water sector often moves more slowly than the technologies designed to advance it. Rather than focusing on any single solution, the discussion highlights the interplay between risk tolerance, operational realities, and the scale of the market itself, revealing how even strong ideas can struggle to gain traction. We also explore where meaningful change is beginning to surface — and why the path forward depends less on breakthrough moments and more on aligning practical needs with tools that actually fit how utilities operate day to day.