Category: Water - BWTL

Episode 45 - Looking back at 2017

12/20/2017

Listen to "Episode 45 - Looking back at 2017" on Spreaker.

Episode Highlights:

[4:10] Congress passes tax bill - A process discussion about the latest activity.
- The bill now goes to the president's desk.
[8:40] The Birthday Game
- Rob Portman
- Jonah Hill
- Sonny Perdue
- Ted Cruz
[11:50] Recapping some top water stories - As 2017 comes to a close, we discuss some highlights.
- Dakota Access Pipeline.
- California's water infrastructure issues.
[17:20] Looking Ahead - Infrastructure focus in 2018.
- We'll be discussing water infrastructure issues in places like California and Colorado during 2018.
- Water availability vs water needs.
- [24:10] What will an infrastructure bill look like? How will it be paid for?
[35:55] Some lessons from 2017 - It's not a tip of the week, but Kristin shares a good tip for those looking to set New Year's resolutions.

Episode 41 - WaterSmart Innovations 2017

10/17/2017

Listen to "Episode 41 - WaterSmart Innovations 2017" on Spreaker.

Episode Highlights:

[1:50] 10th anniversary of WaterSmart Innovations - the conference was created to bring people together who are interested in water availability to share ideas about water efficient practices for a landscape setting.
[7:50] Why attend the conference? - everyone offers their favorite part of the conference that they most look forward to each year and what they have taken away.
[12:05] Time well spent in Las Vegas - the team discusses their experiences during their Las Vegas trip and the unique water challenges the area encounters.
[17:00] Kudos! - thank you to the Southern Nevada Water Authority for a well organized and accommodating conference.
[17:30] Brent's tip of the day - some words of wisdom for the listeners to chew on until next time.

Episode 38 - Disaster Response

9/1/2017

Episode Highlights:

[1:26] Podcast Birthday! - The Bringing Water to Life podcast turns 1 in September.
[4:08] The Birthday Game - Play along.
- Warren Buffet
- Lewis Black
- John McCain
- Tom Ridge
[6:00] Hurricane Harvey and excess water - We've all seen the devastation this week.
- Harvey has unloaded 24.5 trillion gallons of water. Cannot manage this amount of water and it is honestly hard to comprehend.
- Washington Post article provides graphics to try to give some perspective to this devastating natural disaster.
- Another article showing what 500-year flooding could look like in five cities.
- After damage is assessed and rebuilding can begin, the irrigation industry will see how best to help.
- Some current efforts in Texas:
  - Resources from Texas Nursery and Landscape Association: http://www.tnlaonline.org/huricane-harvey-information.html
  - Texas Farm Bureau Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund for Agriculture: http://texasfarmbureau.org/texas-farm-bureau-hurricane-harvey-relief-effort/
- City of Beaumont, TX, dealing withloss of its water supply. After flooding near a pump station and loss of secondary water source, the city of 120,000 people does not have access to clean drinking water.
[20:50] The Politics of Disasters - With Congress back in session in September, there will be a response to this disaster.
- Hurricane relief bill will likely be worked on in September.
- Congress also needs to finish FY 2018 funding bills in order for the government to state open passed September 30.