a nonprofit news outlet
waterloop

EXPLORING SOLUTIONS

a nonprofit news outlet for sustainability and equity in water

winner of 2023 US Water Prize for Communications

Recent Episodes

Feb. 13, 2025

Restoring Rapids in the Grand River

Grand Rapids is restoring the namesake rapids of the Grand River, reversing decades of human intervention that removed natural rock formations and altered the river’s flow. The city’s River For All project is removing five l…
Feb. 3, 2025

Iowa's Oxbow Lake Revival By Restoration

Agriculture in Iowa is vital to feeding the world, but it poses challenges for water quality and flood management due to nutrient runoff and extreme weather. One innovative solution is the restoration of oxbow lakes—former r…
Jan. 27, 2025

Funding Lead Free Child Care In Cook County

The presence of 200,000 lead service lines in Cook County, Illinois poses a serious public health threat, especially to young children who are highly vulnerable to the effects of lead exposure. Addressing this issue requires…
Jan. 16, 2025

The Facts On Fighting Wildfires In L.A. And Beyond | Episode 251

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 s…
Jan. 13, 2025

Observing Patterns In Sustainable Solutions Across The U.S. | Episode 253

At the 2024 WaterSmart Innovations Conference in Las Vegas, waterloop founder Travis Loop shared key insights from his travels across the United States, documenting innovative water projects. He identified a number of common…
Jan. 13, 2025

A Blueprint For Community Based Partnerships | Episode 252

Since launching in 2014, the Clean Water Partnership in Prince George’s County, Maryland has provided a blueprint on how the government and a company can work together to simultaneously tackle environmental challenges and ac…
Jan. 7, 2025

Providing SAFER Water In California - With Adriana Renteria | Episode 250

About one million Californians face persistent challenges accessing safe, affordable drinking water, particularly in rural and disadvantaged communities. California’s SAFER program, led by the State Water Resources Control B…
Dec. 6, 2024

An Innovative Fund For Farms’ Environmental Outcomes | Episode 249

Excess nutrients from farms in Iowa and across the Midwest are a major challenge, polluting local waterways and ultimately impacting the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico. To address this, the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund…
Dec. 2, 2024

A Coalition To Fight Flooding | Episode 248

Flooding is impacting communities nationwide with both devastating and costly effects. The solution requires resilience planning, infrastructure adaptation, and community involvement to effectively address flood risk. In thi…
Nov. 18, 2024

Mississippi Mayors Mobilize For Resilience | Episode 247

The Mississippi River is essential to global agriculture and trade, but it is increasingly vulnerable to climate impacts, including severe droughts and floods, resulting in significant economic and environmental challenges. …
Nov. 11, 2024

Life Behind The Levee At Dogooth Bend | Episode 246

The ever-changing nature of the Mississippi River poses significant challenges for those living behind the levee at Dogtooth Bend in southern Illinois, where increased flooding and infrastructure strain can impact everyday e…
Nov. 4, 2024

Las Vegas’ Winning Bet On Water | Episode 245

Las Vegas faces unique challenges as a rapidly growing city with a small share of water from the Colorado River and an arid desert climate. To meet the demands of residents and 40 million annual visitors, Las Vegas implement…
Oct. 28, 2024

Infrastructure: Progress And Policy | Episode 244

The federal government's historic investment in water infrastructure has presented both opportunities and challenges. The solution lies in efficiently distributing funds, overcoming barriers like permitting and regulatory re…
Oct. 21, 2024

The Power Of Partnerships For Justice

Communities across the country are disproportionately impacted by environmental injustices like water pollution and inadequate infrastructure. The solution requires not only winning court battles but also building long-term,…

About the Host

Travis Loop Profile Photo

Travis Loop

Founder

waterloop founder Travis Loop began his career as a newspaper reporter and returned to his passion for journalism to launch and operate the platform. He brings more than 20 years of experience including as communications director at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Water Environment Federation, and Chesapeake Bay Program, as well as speechwriter for the Governor of Hawaii.

waterloop was awarded the US Water Prize for Communications in 2023. Learn more.

 

waterloop is an environmental partner in 1% for the Planet, a global network of businesses, individuals, and organizations tackling our planet's most pressing issues.