The Water Zone

Hosted by The Toro Company

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Apr 2026

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About the show

The award-winning Water Zone podcast brings together various perspectives from industry experts, government leaders, authors, environmentalists and others to discuss today’s water challenges and explore opportunities for sustaining one of our most vital resources. Sponsored and supported by The Toro Company.

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60 recent

April 14, 2026Episode 30154 min

Magnetic Water Technology and the Future of Efficiency

Ed Mathieu, president of ODI‑Solutions, discusses Aquabus, an innovative magnetic water technology delivering measurable efficiency and cost‑saving benefits. Ed explains how Aquabus significantly reduces water use by altering the molecular structure of water, allowing it to penetrate soil more quickly while minimizing runoff and waste. Backed by independent university studies, the technology helps plants maintain optimal moisture levels while improving overall plant health and productivity. The conversation explores real‑world applications across commercial, residential, and agricultural installations, highlighting Aquabus as a practical solution for smarter water management. Podcast Recorded on April 9, 2026

April 13, 2026Episode 30055 min

Designing Smarter Irrigation Systems for Peak Performance

Steve Moore, CEO of Moore Water Management, presents a Master Class on selecting and maximizing smart irrigation systems. Steve explains how irrigation components are chosen based on landscape design and how elements like pipe sizing, pressure, and irrigation type—drip, spray, or rotor—must work together as a complete system. He dives into advanced smart controller management, outlining the environmental data required for accurate programming, including vegetation type, climate conditions, and evaporation rates. The episode concludes with the importance of conducting a water audit to evaluate distribution uniformity and make system adjustments that drive peak performance. Podcast Recorded on April 2, 2026

March 30, 2026Episode 29954 min

Regenerative Agriculture: Building Soil, Strengthening Farms, and Protecting Water

Guest Gabe Brown, principal of Understanding Ag, LLC, shares his expertise in regenerative agriculture and the work his consulting group does with farmers and ranchers around the world. Gabe defines the core principles of regenerative agriculture, emphasizing that soil‑building practices must be adapted to geography, crop type, and individual farm context. He explains how regenerative agriculture offers one of the greatest opportunities to improve human and climate health while strengthening the long‑term financial well‑being of farmers. Gabe also addresses common assumptions around conventional practices, outlining how regenerative approaches can deliver strong yields, sound economics, and improved water management without reliance on monocropping or heavy chemical inputs. Podcast Recorded on March 26, 2026

March 18, 2026Episode 29854 min

Clean Water, Clearly Explained

Cydian Kauffman, founder of Pure Water–Northwest, explores his mission-driven approach to demystifying clean water. Cydian shares how his business cuts through industry confusion to deliver real, science‑backed water solutions, while also tackling fringe topics like structured and hydrogenated water to separate fact from fiction. He discusses how Pure Water–Northwest designs custom solutions for challenges such as industrial runoff, high iron levels, bacterial contamination, arsenic, PFAS, fluoride, and hidden household toxins linked to health concerns. Listeners also learn about Cydian’s educational YouTube videos and the free water‑education webinars he offers to help consumers better understand what’s really in their water. Podcast Recorded on March 12, 2026

March 11, 2026Episode 29754 min

A Career Shaped by Water: Chris Davey on Irrigation, Innovation, and Impact

Chris Davey, a retired leader from The Toro Company’s Precision Irrigation Division, reflects on a career dedicated to the landscape and irrigation industry. A proud graduate of Cal Poly Pomona and the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University, Chris shares how his curiosity in irrigation hydraulics shaped a journey spanning product management and senior leadership roles. He also discusses his time as a former co‑host of the award‑winning The Water Zone radio show and his induction into the Green Industry Hall of Fame. Throughout the conversation, Chris emphasizes how meeting people, exploring emerging technologies, and engaging with water legislation and science have made his career both meaningful and humbling. Podcast Recorded on March 5, 2026

February 25, 2026Episode 29654 min

Technology That Feeds the World: The Future of Irrigation with Valmont

Tyler Fields, Sr. Director of Water Solutions at Valmont Industries, a global leader in infrastructure and agricultural irrigation products shares insights from his role as a newly appointed member of the Irrigation Association’s Board of Directors, explaining how his technical background and industry experience will help support the organization’s long-term success. As an agricultural engineer, he discusses Valmont’s commitment to advancing ag technology and water sustainability through high-performing, environmentally responsible solutions. The conversation highlights Valmont’s newest irrigation software innovations and how they are helping growers use water more efficiently while boosting productivity to help feed the world. Podcast Recorded on February 19, 2026

February 16, 2026Episode 29554 min

ResNet Standards Explained: Energy Ratings, Certification, and the Mortgage Connection

Paulette McGhie, programs manager at ResNet, and Michel Matthews, program engagement specialist, discuss how ResNet standards differ from other energy efficiency programs and how those standards are developed and updated. They explain the important role ResNet standards play in the mortgage industry, including how a ResNet‑certified home may qualify buyers for special mortgage financing tied to new home purchases or upgrades. Michel highlights how the standards ensure accuracy and consistency in home energy ratings, building confidence for lenders and homeowners alike. The conversation also addresses what happens after certification, with Paulette noting that ResNet currently does not enforce ongoing compliance when a certified home is later sold. Podcast Recorded on February 12, 2026

February 10, 2026Episode 29455 min

Magnesium at Scale: Clean Technology Meets Critical Demand

Alex Grant, CEO of Magrathea Metals, discusses a breakthrough approach to producing carbon‑neutral magnesium metal from seawater and brines. He outlines the major global challenges facing magnesium production, noting that Russia and China currently dominate supply, creating economic and national security risks for the United States. Grant shares how Magrathea Metals is partnering with the U.S. military and Tetra Technologies to rebuild a domestic magnesium supply through a new project launching in Arkansas. He also explains the company’s innovative chloride electrolyzer technology, which significantly lowers processing costs while enabling clean, scalable magnesium production for critical industries including automotive, aerospace, and defense. Podcast Recorded on February 5, 2026

February 10, 2026Episode 29355 min

From Waste to Resource: Unlocking Critical Minerals in Produced Water

Mike Hightower, PhD, director of the New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium, and Kyle Murray, PhD, principal scientist at GeoConsulting LLC, explore the growing opportunity to recover critical minerals from produced water in oil and gas operations. They explain how characterizing produced water allows researchers to identify valuable elements such as lithium, magnesium, iodine, bromide, and others that can create new revenue streams. The conversation highlights current projects focused on mineral recovery and outlines the pathway from water characterization to commercial-scale extraction. The episode also identifies U.S. oil and gas basins with the greatest potential for economically viable recovery of critical minerals from produced water. Podcast Recorded on January 29, 2026

January 26, 2026Episode 29254 min

Transforming Scarcity: Doug Bennett on Reuse, Resilience & Regional Demand

Doug Bennett, conservation manager for the Washington County Water Conservancy District in St. George, Utah, discusses the region’s most pressing conservation and sustainability challenges. He explains how the district is implementing buy‑back programming to improve drought resilience and stretch limited water supplies amid severe future availability forecasts. Doug highlights projections showing water demand may increase by up to 200% by 2060. To address these long‑term needs, the district is investing in a billion‑dollar water reuse system that will treat and reuse wastewater while adding new supporting infrastructure. Podcast Recorded on January 26, 2026