In this episode of Talking Underwater, Stormwater Solutions Head of Content Sarah Kominek speaks with Manuel Parra of Xylem Vue about how digital tools are changing the way municipalities prepare for and respond to flooding. The conversation explores how communities can use existing infrastructure more effectively, why high-quality data matters as much as data collection, and how predictive analytics, modeling, and AI can support faster, smarter decisions during wet weather events. Parra also shares real-world examples from Houston and Buffalo to show how practical, scalable flood-control technology can help reduce risk, improve operations, and protect lives.

• 00:00 - Episode introduction and overview of why flood prediction is becoming more urgent
• 01:54 - How digital flood-control applications help municipalities respond to severe weather events
• 03:11 - Tools emergency managers use today, from sensors and rain gauges to models and AI
• 04:24 - Why data quality, not just data quantity, is critical for effective flood response
• 06:25 - Houston example: underpass flood detection and public alerts using existing infrastructure
• 08:05 - Buffalo example: preemptive system management that helped reduce combined sewer overflows
• 10:12 - What integrating digital technology with existing stormwater infrastructure looks like in practice
• 11:35 - The role of predictive analytics and AI in supporting operator decisions
• 13:16 - How climate variability changes the baseline and why models must keep evolving
• 14:32 - Regulatory and liability considerations tied to better infrastructure management
• 15:34 - How smaller or under-resourced communities can adopt lower-cost, right-sized solutions
• 17:34 - Typical lead times for flood prediction and why every minute counts
• 18:35 - Final takeaway: flood technology does not have to be overly complex to make a major impact

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 the co-hosts discuss the addition of microplastics to the EPA’s Sixth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL6), enforcement fallout from the Potomac interceptor sewer collapse, industrial wastewater sampling tied to a Tesla facility in Texas, and recent stormwater headlines across the U.S.

How EPA Regulates Drinking Water Contaminants

CCL 6 Frequent Questions

Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List 6-Draft

Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List 6 (CCL 6) Docket Folder

Water Research Foundation Project 5155 (Consumer messaging guidance, microplastics)

Understanding microplastics in water: Fact vs. fiction (Brent Alspach video interview)

WaterWorld subscription

EPA, DOJ sue DC Water over Potomac Interceptor collapse

Lab analysis details wastewater characteristics at Tesla-linked site in Texas

Poll: Which wastewater process area will you focus on this year?

Charleston seeks $4.6 million to replace flood-prone homes with rain gardens, retention ponds

Grand Canyon eases water restrictions as aging system challenges persist

L.A. County captures record 120 billion gallons of stormwater, boosting local supply

00:00 Cold open 00:48 Introduction 01:27 EPA/HHS joint initiative announced to address microplastics 02:13 What the CCL is and how EPA uses it 02:39 How EPA decides whether to regulate (three criteria) 04:02 Draft CCL6 overview (chemicals, microbes, and groups) 05:01 Public comment process + key deadline 05:54 STOMP program explained 09:02 Potomac interceptor collapse 11:05 Tesla-linked wastewater characteristics 13:03 Douglas County, NV stormwater utility and rate proposals 14:33 Charleston, SC buyouts + rain gardens/retention 15:34 Grand Canyon National Park water system update 16:05 LA County stormwater capture numbers 17:07 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 Storm Water 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-host Bob Crossen discusses Water Week 2026 where key figures recorded messages from the event. The episode features firsthand perspectives from water sector leaders who gathered in Washington, D.C., for the annual Water Policy Fly‑In to advocate for national water priorities.

Through voice memos from leaders at the Water Environment Federation, American Water Works Association, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, and utility representatives from across the country, listeners hear a consistent message: federal investment in water infrastructure is critical. Speakers point to concerns around declining State Revolving Fund support, the need for long‑term affordability, and the growing financial and regulatory pressures of PFAS management.

Utility leaders explain how tools like SRF loans help keep water affordable for customers, especially as infrastructure ages and compliance costs rise. Crossen also reflects on related conversations with utility directors beyond Capitol Hill, tying Water Week priorities to broader operational challenges such as biosolids management, inflow and infiltration, and emerging technology needs.

Together, these insights illustrate why coordinated advocacy and sustained federal support remain essential to the health, resilience, and affordability of water and wastewater systems nationwide.

• 00:00 – Introduction
• 00:21 – Water Week 2026 overview and purpose of the DC Fly‑In
• 00:51 – Overview of expert voice memos from WEF and AWWA
• 01:28 – Steve Dye (WEF) on energy, momentum, and advocacy on Capitol Hill
• 02:49 – Danielle Cloutier (NACWA) on record turnout and engagement with Congress
• 03:41 – Joint water sector priorities highlighted in the Water Week press release
• 03:47 – Key policy issues: infrastructure funding, PFAS, affordability, and “Do Not Flush” labels
• 04:53 – Cynthia Lane (AWWA) on building relationships and advancing legislation
• 05:59 – SRF, WIFIA, and growing funding tension for utilities
• 06:55 – Cynthia Lane post‑meeting recap from Capitol Hill
• 07:43 – Liesel Gross on infrastructure funding and PFAS
• 08:38 – Jason Barrett on aging infrastructure needs
• 09:14 – SRF funding, affordability, and economies of scale
• 11:07 – Connecting Water Week themes to PFAS, biosolids, and geopolitics
• 12:25 – Inflow and infiltration as a growing national challenge
• 12:44 – Emerging technologies, SCADA integration, and AI interest
• 13:19 – Why federal policy decisions matter for local utilities
• 13:53 – Closing thanks to WEF and AWWA contributors
• 14:12 – Housekeeping

• Use code WWD15 to get 15% off your attendee pass when you register at StormCon.com.

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 Storm Water 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.