The latest episode is about the Circular Water Economy and its importance to utilities and our communities. The Circular Water Economy promotes treating water as a renewable resource by using advanced technologies, reducing pollution, and closing water loops within industrial, agricultural, and municipal systems. The podcast discussion focuses on how utilities and their communities can practically implement these strategies. The panel shares successful case studies of how communities have implemented these strategies to help save utilities money as well as to help protect the environment and partner with local industries. In addition, the panel provides several resources for people to learn more. While many of these strategies are not new, the Circular Water Economy is providing a common framework, definitions, and resources for all utilities to leverage in their communities.

The panel features a distinguished group of leaders in the water industry and public health, including:

· Fidan Karimova - Water Environment Federation, Senior Director – Circular Water Economy; AWWA – Circular Water Economy SIT Group Chair

· Nikki Holloway – Beaver Water District, Lab Supervisor; AWWA – Circular Water Economy SIT Group Chair, Water Quality Lab Committee Chair

Links and Other Resources

Resource Website: https://www.wef.org/circularwatereconomy

WEF On-Demand Course: https://learn.wef.org/local/catalog/view/product.php?productid=283

White Paper: https://go.wef.org/WC-2025-07-22-CWE-White-Paper_LP-2025-CWE-White-paper.html

Circular Water Economy 101 Book: https://www.wef.org/publications/publications/books/circular-water-economy-101-closing-the-loop---pre-order/

Slideshow Presentation: https://www.wef.org/link/6abddf450e854330828fb3cb4121f1d9.aspx

Background

Talking H2Onestly is produced by Ms. Zonetta English, Strategic Initiatives and Project Delivery Director at MSD and the Community Leadership Council Chair for Resilience for WEF, with the support of Mr. James A. Parrott, Executive Director and CEO of MSD. Talking H2Onestly’s mission is to develop content to help utilities across the United States solve their water challenges and share their expertise. This podcast will provide all utilities with access to vital information, enabling them to maximize their funding and staffing resources. In addition, these conversations will provide an avenue for ratepayers to gain insight into the intricate and complicated issues utilities face in providing critical services to our communities and introduce the audience to a variety of dedicated water professionals.

The latest episode focuses on the use of wastewater surveillance information in the water industry and its implications for public health. The podcast discusses how water utilities, public health organizations, and technology companies are working together to utilize wastewater surveillance data for more informed decision-making. Key topics include how this data has been utilized and shared with the public at both regional and national levels. Although the use of wastewater surveillance grew rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the guests also explore how its application has evolved and continues to benefit utilities, schools, and public health organizations. Additionally, the discussion covers how this information is communicated to the public across the United States and how other countries are leveraging this technology to inform public health decisions.

The panel featured a distinguished group of leaders in the water industry and public health, including:

· Dr. Rachel West, Senior Scientist, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Wastewater Surveillance System

· Dr. Rochelle Holm, Associate Professor, University of Louisville; Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, School of Medicine

· Jennings Heussner, Government Partnerships Consultant, Biobot

· Scott Broski, Superintendent of Environmental Services, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD)

Links and Other Resources

https://louisvillemsd.org/disease-detection

https://www.cdc.gov/wastewater/about/index.html

https://centers.louisville.edu/envirome/centers-programs/center-healthy-air-water-soil/chaws-research/healthy-water/wastewater-monitoring

https://biobot.io/

https://healthtracking.ky.gov/Topics/KYWSSRespiratoryVirusTracking/Pages/default.aspx

Background

Talking H2Onestly is produced by Ms. Zonetta English, Strategic Initiatives and Project Delivery Director at MSD and the Community Leadership Council Chair for Resilience for WEF, with the support of Mr. James A. Parrott, Executive Director and CEO of MSD. Talking H2Onestly’s mission is to develop content to help utilities across the United States solve their water challenges and share their expertise. This podcast will provide all utilities with access to vital information, enabling them to maximize their funding and staffing resources. In addition, these conversations will provide an avenue for rate payers to gain insight into the intricate and complicated issues utilities face in providing critical services to our communities and introduce the audience to a variety of dedicated water professionals.

The latest episode features a panel discussion that was held on the campus of Howard University in April 2025. The panel included a group of exceptional leaders in the water industry to discuss the importance of a career in the water industry with students who are close to entering the workforce. The discussion also provided strategies to students to transition into the water profession and the importance of mentors and networking to succeed in their careers.

The panelists shared why a career in water is vital, and the discussion encouraged students to explore the different career paths and internship possibilities in the water industry. Students connected with the panelists, asked questions, and discovered exciting opportunities with water.

Our accomplished panelists included:

• Zonetta English, Strategic Initiatives and Project Delivery Director, Louisville MSD
• Kishia Powell, General Manager/CEO, WSSC Water
• Cathy Bailey, Interim Assistant City Manager, City of Cincinnati
• Ifetayo Venner, Senior Vice President, Arcadis U.S.
• Hugh-Berk Sinclair, Vice President, Arcadis U.S.

Our discussion moderators included:

• Anne Musiime, Assistant Engineer II, Hazen
• Jamie Decker, Senior Associate, Hazen