A group of top water experts is challenging one of the core assumptions behind U.S. drinking water policy—that chasing ever-smaller traces of contaminants is the best way to protect public health—and instead calling for a fundamental shift toward fixing pipes, strengthening systems, and prioritizing the risks that actually matter most.…
Innovation in water isn’t just about the next breakthrough technology—it’s about changing the system around it. Newsha Ajami of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory says the Aspen National Water Strategy challenges a common assumption: that innovation means new gadgets or tools. In reality, some of the biggest opportunities lie in policy,…
My spring break trip included an unexpected tour of a disaster zone. I was in the North Carolina mountains and it was stunning to see it like this a year and a half after Hurricane Helene. A hurricane hits Florida… and still ends up dumping up to 20 inches of…
For utilities replacing lead pipes, the work starts with knowing exactly what’s in the ground. In this segment, Yolanda McCollom of Ridgewood Water explains how a smaller system is tackling that challenge by building something essential: a single, reliable source of truth. Ridgewood serves about 20,000–22,000 service lines, with roughly…
A new federal incentive could accelerate one of the most practical solutions to water scarcity: reuse. Bruno Pigott of the WateReuse Association points to a proposed 30% tax credit for industries that install water reuse systems—a policy designed to make conservation financially viable at scale. The logic is straightforward. Industries—from…
Inside this brewery, water isn’t just used—it’s captured, treated, and put back to work. At Stone Brewing in Escondido, California, water efficiency, conservation, and reuse are built into the operation. The facility runs an on-site treatment and reclamation system—recovering close to 70% of its wastewater and putting it back to…
Abandoned cranberry bogs are becoming unlikely engines of ecological recovery in New England. Daniel Hayden of Restore America's Estuaries describes a growing effort to transform retired cranberry farms into functioning wetlands—reconnecting them to nearby estuaries, restoring natural water flow, and replanting native vegetation. These projects are not just land conversions—they’re…
Getting into homes has become one of the biggest hurdles in removing lead pipes. In this segment, Alex Wells of the Passaic Valley Water Commission explains how New Jersey’s lead service line replacement effort is confronting a practical reality: utilities can’t replace what they can’t access. In cities like Paterson,…
11 million gallons. 500 species. And almost zero water wasted. Inside the Georgia Aquarium, one of the largest aquatic facilities in the world, more than 99% of water is recycled and reused—a system designed to conserve millions of gallons every year. Advanced filtration technology from Xylem keeps massive exhibits like…
Use federal water funding to unlock state and local investment—that’s the shift at the center of the Aspen National Water Strategy. Martin Doyle of Duke University says the proposal is straightforward but underutilized: structure federal dollars to leverage and sequence spending across all levels of government. Instead of fragmented funding…
Oyster shells from restaurants are being turned into a tool for coastal restoration. Daniel Hayden of Restore America's Estuaries highlights a growing Gulf Coast initiative that partners with restaurants and hotels to recycle discarded oyster shells and return them to the water as reef material. These programs—active in places like…
Eight of the ten largest U.S. cities sit on estuaries—making the health of these waterways a frontline economic and infrastructure issue. Daniel Hayden of Restore America's Estuaries explains that these coastal zones—where rivers meet the ocean—help protect ports, support commerce, and buffer communities from environmental stress. They’re also critical to…
Truth travels better than spin — especially when the pressure is on. At Catalyst 2025, Mayor Cavalier Johnson of Milwaukee, offered a simple but powerful approach to handling media scrutiny: be prepared, anticipate the tough questions, and above all — tell the truth. In an era of constant headlines and…
The water in America’s cities begins far from the skyline. Martin Doyle of Duke University points to a core insight in the Aspen National Water Strategy: urban water security depends on the health of rural landscapes. The aquifers, rivers, and headwater streams that supply cities are rooted in rural communities—places…
Insurance companies are starting to redraw the map of where it’s safe—and affordable—to live. Newsha Ajami of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory says that reality shaped a key pillar of the Aspen National Water Strategy: communities are already facing limits on loans and insurance because of too much water or too…
Estuaries—places where rivers meet the ocean—are some of the most important ecosystems in the United States, supporting coastal economies, protecting communities, and serving as nurseries for much of the nation’s seafood. In this episode, Daniel Hayden, CEO of Restore America's Estuaries, explains why these places—from Chesapeake Bay to Puget Sound…
𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚’𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐞𝐫𝐚—𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞. A new report from the American Water Works Association, 𝘉𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘌𝘳𝘢, finds that the challenge is no longer just aging pipes. Utilities across the U.S. are facing a wave of compounding costs—from regulation…
Two lines and a mess of squiggles in the middle—that’s what was drawn on a whiteboard as a new vision for water governance in the Aspen National Water Strategy. Martin Doyle of Duke University says that simple sketch captured a big idea: set clear boundaries and goals, but allow flexibility…
Behind every lead pipe replacement is something you can’t see: data. In this segment, Kristin Epstein of CDM Smith reframes how to think about lead service line replacement. Despite the engineering involved, she makes it clear — these projects are fundamentally about logistics, data management, and customer coordination. Each service…
People forget that water powers the economy and underpins national security. Newsha Ajami of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory explains why the first pillar of the Aspen National Water Strategy calls for a major shift in how the U.S. thinks about water. It’s embedded in everything—from electricity and data centers to…
Water is emerging as a defining factor in U.S. economic growth and national security—from where data centers and energy projects can scale to how communities absorb the rising costs of floods, droughts, and insurance risk. In response, a new Aspen National Water Strategy has been released, laying out a plan…
Tide pools are nature’s laboratories — and for a few hours each day, the ocean pulls back the curtain. Along the rocky shoreline of Point Loma in San Diego, the outgoing tide reveals a remarkable intertidal ecosystem shaped by the gravitational pull of the moon. As billions of gallons of…
Replacing lead service lines isn’t just a construction project — it’s a communication challenge. Chris Casey of Boswell Inc shares insights from the front lines of New Jersey’s lead service line replacement work, where utilities are working to remove lead pipes under the state’s 10-year mandate. One of the biggest…
Since its launch in 2014, the Our Ocean Conference has become one of the world’s most influential platforms for turning ocean concerns into real commitments. Governments, nonprofits, companies, and civil society organizations gather to announce concrete actions — from policy reforms to research initiatives and conservation projects. According to the…