Color Of Water Series

Color of Water is a groundbreaking video podcast series by waterloop in collaboration with the Water Hub. This project amplifies the voices, expertise, and leadership of professionals who are driving change in the water sector and are featured in the Color of Water directory.

Through compelling conversations and in-depth storytelling, Color of Water highlights the people working on the front lines of water sustainability, environmental justice, infrastructure, and public policy. These are the innovators and advocates shaping a more equitable and resilient water future.

Why It Matters

Water impacts everyone—but not all voices are heard equally. Color of Water reshapes the narrative around who leads in water, elevating stories and solutions from historically marginalized communities. The series brings to light lived experiences that too often go untold in mainstream water media.

Since its launch, Color of Water has become an essential platform for building awareness and representation in the water space. The series helps ensure that conversations about climate resilience, clean water access, and infrastructure investments are inclusive, intersectional, and community-rooted.

Color of Water will continue to grow with new episodes and guests, featuring fresh perspectives and bold ideas. The series is committed to advancing equity in the water sector—one story, one voice, one solution at a time.

Watch the Episodes Below

Explore all Color of Water episodes and hear directly from the changemakers transforming the way we think about water. The episodes are also featured in a YouTube playlist.

Providing SAFER Water In California

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 Board, takes a holistic and proactive approach to address these inequities, providing funding, technical assistance, and regulatory tools to ensure clean water for all.

In this episode, Adriana Renteria, Director of the Office of Public Engagement, Equity, and Tribal Affairs, shares insights into her journey from a childhood shaped by water inequities to her leadership in driving solutions.

She discusses the SAFER program’s unique model, which prioritizes failing water systems through needs assessments, funds community engagement, and enforces solutions like water system consolidation. Adriana highlights the role of tribal partnerships, including innovative collaborations to fill gaps in federal funding and resources. She also emphasizes the importance of rebuilding trust and transparency with communities historically left out of water decision-making.

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, collaborative relationships with those affected on the ground.

In this episode, Julian Gonzalez, Senior Legislative Counsel of Earthjustice, shares insights into how the organization uses legal expertise and partnerships to protect vulnerable communities.

He highlights Earthjustice’s evolution from primarily representing large environmental groups to working closely with local communities, tribal nations, and grassroots organizations. Julian discusses the importance of trust-building, listening without judgment, and ensuring that legal victories translate into real-world change.

Cultivating Future Water Leaders In Colorado

As the need for sustainable water management becomes increasingly critical, developing the next generation of leaders is paramount. One promising solution is the Colorado Water Fellows Program, which connects students with water issues and equips them with practical experience.

In this episode, Jessica Thrasher, Water Equity Programs Leader at the Colorado Water Center, discusses bringing together students from various majors to gain a holistic understanding of water management.

She highlights the importance of diversity in backgrounds and perspectives in addressing water challenges, and the role of hands-on experiences and internships in preparing students for careers in the water sector. Jessica also covers the program's expansion and its contributions to a more equitable and informed water workforce.

Empowering Oregon To Achieve Water Justice

Many people in Oregon face significant water justice challenges, including affordability, accessibility, and quality. Addressing these issues requires place-based, community-specific solutions.

In this episode, Alai Reyes-Santos, Associate Director of the PNW Just Futures Institute for Climate and Racial Justice, discusses her work in Oregon and what she has learned from her roots in Puerto Rico.

She explains the diverse water justice issues in Oregon, such as distrust of water quality among communities of color, inadequate infrastructure in tribal areas, and the vulnerabilities of renters. Alai also highlights the efforts to build a Water Justice Network and a Water Justice Leadership Institute, aiming to empower communities and advocate for equitable water policies.

Stormwater Solutions For Southern Communities

The South continues to experience rapid development and is now facing more intense rainfalls due to climate change. This makes stormwater management a more critical issue for the region. This episode delves into the challenges and solutions with Vinicius Taguchi, an Extension Associate at North Carolina State University. 

He highlights Wilson, North Carolina as an example of a community with stormwater problems exacerbated by a history of segregation and lack of investment in infrastructure, a situation found across the South. Vinny delves into management strategies, ranging from traditional stormwater ponds to green infrastructure solutions like bioretention and permeable pavement. He highlights technology's role, from low-cost sensors to smart control systems optimizing water levels based on forecasts.

Vinny emphasizes the importance of collaboration across disciplines like civil engineering and urban planning. He also discusses pathways for students interested in stormwater, reflecting the field's multifaceted nature and opportunities for environmental stewardship.

Charles River In A Changing Climate

The iconic Charles River, central to Boston's suburbs and urban landscape, faces significant environmental challenges, including the impacts of climate change. The problems such as flooding hit hardest in downstream areas that are often disadvantaged communities.

Dira Johanif, with her roots in the diverse environments of Malaysia—from bustling cities to the lush rainforests of Borneo—brings a unique perspective to her role as a Senior Climate Resilience Associate at the Charles River Watershed Association in Massachusetts. Her international experiences have shaped her approach to water stewardship and environmental justice in the U.S.

Dira's work centers on implementing nature-based solutions and spearheading collaborative initiatives like the Charles River Climate Compact, which demonstrates the essential role of regional cooperation in building climate resilience. To communicate the river’s issues to diverse audiences across the Boston region, Dira leverages storytelling and community engagement.

Resilience To Change The Coast

Growing up with a strong fear of water doesn’t typically lead someone to a career in coastal issues. However, after grappling with this fear during childhood in India, Vidya Balasubramanyam found the courage to pursue a career in coastal resilience and environmental advocacy in the U.S.

In this episode, Vidya shares her personal journey and professional perspective. She discusses various options for building resilient shorelines in places like Illinois and New Hampshire. Vidya also delves into the impacts on communities of color and disadvantaged populations in coastal areas, along with strategies for bolstering their resilience.

Vidya currently serves at the Coastal States Organization, and although she is not representing it in this interview, she provides insights into the organization's role in advancing resilience and offering solutions for vulnerable communities on the coast.

Changing The Color Of Water

Analysis has shown a significant lack of diversity in the sources cited in media coverage. This means failing to include Black, Latino, and Indigenous water experts and to present the stories of people within impacted communities. 

The Color of Water platform was created to counter this trend. It’s an online directory that journalists can use to connect with a diverse set of experts, as discussed in this episode with Jose Aranda, Relationships Manager for the Water Hub. 

Jose explains how the Color of Water is training these experts to bolster their skills, sharing where they appear in media coverage, and aiming to add their voices to policy discussions and professional gatherings.