In this episode Talking Under Water editors from other industry publications discuss how water serves as the invisible backbone of modern infrastructure, industry and technology, and what could happen if that resource suddenly disappeared. Featuring perspectives from across the Endeavor Business Media network, the conversation explores the critical role water plays in cooling data centers, supporting commercial buildings, and enabling manufacturing operations.

Data Center Frontier Editor-in-Chief Matt Vincent explains how water helps manage the enormous heat loads generated by AI and cloud computing infrastructure, and why water availability is becoming a major consideration for both operators and communities. Building Design+Construction Managing Editor Quinn Purcell highlights the dependence of hospitals, schools, multifamily housing, and other facilities on water for everything from sanitation to HVAC cooling systems. IndustryWeek Editor-in-Chief Tom Wilk details how manufacturing relies on water as a raw ingredient, a cleaning agent, a cooling medium, and a key component of production quality and safety.

Together, these perspectives reinforce the message behind Imagine a Day Without Water: water is far more than a utility. Whether powering digital services, maintaining comfortable buildings, or keeping factories running, its absence would create immediate and far-reaching consequences for businesses, communities, and everyday life.

Submit your Day Without Water story by emailing a voice memo to talkingunderwater@endeavorb2b.com.

00:00 – Introduction

00:52 – AI growth puts water and cooling in the spotlight

02:05 – Data centers, AI infrastructure, and the cost of losing cooling water

05:26 – How commercial buildings depend on water beyond the obvious uses

07:44 – What happens when buildings face a day without water

08:49 – Manufacturing's dependence on water for production, sanitation, and cooling

11:31 – Housekeeping

Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, stormwater and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing talkingunderwater@endeavorb2b.com engaging with them on X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.

In this episode Talking Under Water co-hosts discuss key takeaways from WEFTEC 2026, including the growing influence of artificial intelligence in the water sector, cybersecurity preparedness, utility financing, potable reuse, and the innovative technologies generating buzz on the show floor.

Recorded live from WEFTEC, Mandy Crispin and Bob Crossen reflect on the conference theme of innovation and curiosity, highlighting an inspiring keynote presentation focused on reframing challenges and embracing new ways of thinking. Much of the conversation centers on artificial intelligence, which emerged as one of the dominant topics of the event. The hosts discuss practical AI use cases, workforce concerns, governance strategies, and the importance of keeping humans and subject matter experts at the center of decision-making. They also explore how AI is shaping conversations around data centers, water demand, and utility operations.

Beyond AI, the episode covers lessons from sessions on utility bond ratings and financing, including strategies for maintaining strong financial health and accessing federal funding opportunities. Mandy shares updates from EPA sessions on cybersecurity, water workforce grants, and a new pilot initiative using AI-driven security testing. The hosts also spotlight emerging technologies, including a novel wastewater pump design and creative public outreach efforts supporting potable reuse projects. The episode concludes with a discussion on AI-generated public records requests and what they could mean for utilities moving forward.

WEFTEC 2026 Show Coverage

00:00 – Introduction

00:45 – WEFTEC keynote highlights: innovation, curiosity, and rethinking workplace challenges

05:02 – AI takes center stage at WEFTEC: opportunities, risks, and utility adoption

09:46 – Data centers, water demand, and the need for transparency in AI infrastructure

15:01 – Utility financing lessons: bond ratings, rate strategies, and WIFIA funding opportunities

20:06 – EPA update: cybersecurity, workforce grants, and Project Watershed 250

24:49 – New technologies and innovations from the show floor, including pumps and potable reuse outreach

34:25 – Housekeeping

About the Podcast

Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, stormwater and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing talkingunderwater@endeavorb2b.com engaging with them on X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.

In this episode Talking Under Water host Mandy Crispin discusses the upcoming water reuse regulatory guide, an effort led by the Water Reuse Association to help states develop or modernize water reuse regulations. Joined by Bruno Pigott, executive director of the association, and Tricia Kilgore of Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority, the conversation explores why the guide was created and how it can help states navigate the often complex process of adopting reuse regulations.

The guests explain that water reuse regulations vary widely across the United States, creating challenges for communities looking to expand reuse programs. Drawing from lessons learned during rulemaking efforts across multiple states, the guide provides flexible pathways that can be adapted to existing legal and regulatory frameworks rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all approach.

Kilgore shares South Carolina's experience pursuing expanded reuse opportunities and discusses how treated effluent should be viewed as a valuable resource rather than a waste product. The discussion also examines the importance of identifying local drivers for reuse, engaging regulators and stakeholders early, addressing fragmented regulatory authority, and building public understanding throughout the process.

The episode concludes with lessons from the guide's development involving more than 200 stakeholders, highlighting collaboration, public health protection, and long-term planning as essential ingredients for advancing water reuse projects and regulations nationwide.

WateReuse Symposium 2027

00:00 – Introduction

03:33 – Why the State Water Reuse Regulatory Guide was created

05:22 – Four regulatory pathways and how states can use the guide

06:56 – South Carolina's reuse challenges and treating effluent as a resource

11:09 – Starting with the “why” and engaging stakeholders early

12:24 – Major roadblocks to water reuse regulations and how to overcome them

16:31 – Building consensus through collaboration and public engagement

20:36 – Housekeeping

About the Podcast

Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, stormwater and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing talkingunderwater@endeavorb2b.com engaging with them on X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.