Make Water Work Podcast

Megan Glover & Isaac Pellerin

Make Water Work is a podcast dedicated to the people shaping the future of our most precious resource.

  1. Chris Sosnowski: Navigating Data Quality in Water Management | Make Water Work 021

    5 DAYS AGO

    Chris Sosnowski: Navigating Data Quality in Water Management | Make Water Work 021

    In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, hosts Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover talk with Chris Sosnowski, founder and CEO of Waterly. They discuss the critical importance of data quality in water management, the evolution of Waterly, and the challenges faced by public water systems. Chris shares insights from his journey in the water industry, emphasizing the need for human validation in data management and the significant role of cybersecurity in ensuring the safety and reliability of water systems. The conversation highlights the importance of staying connected to customers, learning from their experiences, and the ongoing need for innovation in the water sector. Takeaways • Data quality is crucial for effective water management. • Human validation is necessary for accurate water quality data. • Waterly was born from the need for affordable software solutions. • The water industry is slow to adopt new technologies due to fear of change. • Cybersecurity is a significant concern for water systems. • Operators need to be proactive in managing cybersecurity risks. • Standardization of data is essential for effective water management. • Engaging with customers is key to understanding their needs. • The majority of data in water management is still entered by humans. • Continuous learning and humility are vital for entrepreneurs.

    45 min
  2. Michelle Stockness: The Power of Collaboration in Water Management | Make Water Work 020

    5 FEB

    Michelle Stockness: The Power of Collaboration in Water Management | Make Water Work 020

    Summary In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, hosts Megan Glover and Isaac Pellerin speaks with Michelle Stockness, an influential leader in the water sector. They discuss the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, the challenges of funding infrastructure, and the role of Freshwater in promoting water research and policy. Michelle shares her journey in the water industry, emphasizing the need for effective communication and engagement to address pressing water issues, including the controversial topic of data centers. The conversation highlights the significance of workforce development and the vision for a sustainable water future. Takeaways • Listening to stakeholders is crucial for project success. • Collaboration can bridge gaps in the water industry. • Data centers present both challenges and opportunities. • Effective communication is key to stakeholder engagement. • Funding for infrastructure requires innovative strategies. • Workforce development is essential for the future of water. • Community engagement can lead to better water solutions. • Freshwater aims to support underserved communities. • Understanding local needs is vital for effective policy. • Optimism and collaboration can drive positive change.

    35 min
  3. Chad Seidel: The Future of Water Quality | Make Water Work 019

    29 JAN

    Chad Seidel: The Future of Water Quality | Make Water Work 019

    Summary: In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover engage with Chad Seidel, president of Corona Environmental Consulting, to discuss the challenges and innovations in the water industry. They explore the importance of accountability in water systems, the journey of Chad in the water quality field, and the founding of Corona to fill gaps in the industry. The conversation delves into the pressing issues facing water utilities, the need for prioritization of resources, and the impact of waterborne diseases compared to contaminants like PFAS. They also discuss the role of the Water Health Advisory Council in bridging policy and operational challenges, and the importance of community support for water initiatives. Takeaways • Water systems must ensure disinfectant residuals for public health. • Chad Seidel's journey reflects the intersection of policy and technical expertise. • Corona Environmental Consulting was founded to address niche needs in water quality. • Water utilities face significant challenges due to resource constraints. • There is a need to prioritize addressing water quality issues. • Raising the floor for water quality standards is essential. • Waterborne diseases pose immediate public health risks. • The Water Health Advisory Council aims to provide unbiased technical information. • Legislative measures often overlook the operational realities of water utilities. • Community support is crucial for sustainable water initiatives.

    42 min
  4. Stacy Jones: The Complex World of Water Management | Make Water Work 018

    22 JAN

    Stacy Jones: The Complex World of Water Management | Make Water Work 018

    In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, hosts Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover engage with Stacy Jones from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. They discuss the complexities of water regulations, the evolution of regulatory processes, and the challenges faced by water administrators. Stacy shares her journey in the water industry, the importance of effective communication in regulatory roles, and the future of water management. The conversation highlights the need for new talent in the field and the inspiration drawn from mentors in the industry. Takeaways • New federal regulations will require implementation in the next decade. • Regulatory processes involve federal and state levels. • Implementing new regulations can take years. • Lead and copper regulations are particularly complex. • Communication is key in regulatory roles. • The future of water management is evolving rapidly. • Mentorship plays a crucial role in professional development. • New talent is needed in the water management field.

    35 min
  5. Christy Harowski: Infrastructure to Impact & Making the Value of Water Visible | Make Water Work 017

    15 JAN

    Christy Harowski: Infrastructure to Impact & Making the Value of Water Visible | Make Water Work 017

    In this episode of Make Water Work, hosts Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover sit down with Christy Harowski, founder of HCB Strategies and former Chief of Staff at the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans and Value of Water Campaign Director at US Water Alliance.   Christy shares how water professionals can move beyond pipes, pumps, and projects to clearly communicate why water matters, who it impacts, and how to make the case for investment. Drawing from her experience in utilities, policy, and national advocacy, she explains how authentic communication, coalition-building, and storytelling turn infrastructure spending into real community impact.   In this conversation, you’ll learn:   • Why water is a nonpartisan issue and how to communicate it that way • How utilities can fund major projects without relying solely on rate increases • The role of partnerships, tourism, and local economies in water investment • Why authentic leadership and owning your voice matters in advocacy • How better communication builds trust with policymakers and the public   Whether you work in a utility, policy, engineering, or water innovation, this episode offers practical insight on making the value of water visible.   Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of water.   #MakeWaterWork #WaterLeadership #ValueOfWater #WaterInfrastructure #UtilityLeadership #WaterPolicy #PublicTrust #WaterInvestment

    38 min
  6. George Hawkins: The Moonshot Mindset | Make Water Work 016

    8 JAN

    George Hawkins: The Moonshot Mindset | Make Water Work 016

    In this episode of the Make Water Work Podcast, Megan Glover and Isaac Pellerin sit down with the former GM of DC Water and current founder of Moonshot Missions, George Hawkins, for a fast-moving conversation about what it really takes to modernize utilities, especially the ones with the fewest resources. George shares how a childhood moment in Cleveland, including seeing a polluted river that later caught fire, shaped his life in water and why he believes the “health of a place” is written in its water. From there, he dives into the hard, practical truth: we cannot fund our way out of the water crisis without changing how utilities operate. You will hear George break down: • Why innovation is a “how” problem, not a “what” problem • How utilities can use the balance sheet to fund progress through savings, not just rate increases • The shocking cost of “transaction friction” and what he cut at DC Water, including reducing the cost to collect a dollar • Why procurement can stall progress for a year and what needs to change • How to build internal systems that drive continuous improvement, including incentives that reward teams for saving money • Why Moonshot Missions exists to help small and under-resourced utilities implement the same kinds of performance upgrades This is a masterclass in leadership, storytelling, and systems thinking from someone who has lived the problem from the inside and is now building a path forward for the rest of the sector.

    53 min
  7. Annyse Balkwill: De-Robotizing Water and Unlocking Creativity | Make Water Work 015

    18/12/2025

    Annyse Balkwill: De-Robotizing Water and Unlocking Creativity | Make Water Work 015

    In this episode of Make Water Work, hosts Megan Glover and Isaac Pellerin sit down with Annyse Balkwill, founder of LuminUS Group and host of Meaningful Conversations with Annyse. Together, they explore what it means to “de-robotize” water organizations and create the conditions for real transformation. Annyse shares her journey from chemical engineer at GE Water to global facilitator helping water leaders unlock creativity, trust, and collaboration. She explains why psychological safety matters, how silos form and dissolve, and why sitting in a circle might be more powerful than another leadership training. This conversation covers: • How water found Annyse and why she stayed for 20+ years • Why most organizations are optimized, not transformed • What “de-robotizing” work actually looks like in practice • The role of psychological safety, creativity, and trust in innovation • Why meaningful conversations are essential for the future of water • How elevating women’s voices strengthens the entire industry • If you care about leadership, culture, and making water work better for people and communities, this episode is for you.

    42 min
  8. Tom Ferguson: The Next Wave of Water Innovation | Make Water Work 014

    11/12/2025

    Tom Ferguson: The Next Wave of Water Innovation | Make Water Work 014

    In this episode of Make Water Work, Megan Glover and Isaac Pellerin sit down with Tom Ferguson, managing partner and founder of Burnt Island Ventures, for a fast-moving conversation on AI, founder market fit, and why water is one of the most overlooked opportunities in climate tech. Tom shares how a pro bono project in London pulled him into water, how Imagine H2O shaped his view of startups, and what led him to launch a dedicated early stage fund focused on water. He explains why public data for water is often “crap,” why that matters for generalized AI, and why the real opportunity sits in small, vertical language models built on proprietary utility data. From portfolio strategy to predictions for 2026, Tom talks about what makes a great water founder, why fundraising is also advocacy for water, and where he believes the next wave of value will be created. In this episode, you will learn: How water “found” Tom through the first water disclosure report for the Carbon Disclosure Project Why the gap between water’s importance and how much people care became his life’s work The path from Imagine H2O to founding Burnt Island Ventures and closing a first fund in a wild market Why water is a $1.6 trillion and growing market, and how entrepreneurs can “lift up legacy spend and put it somewhere new” How Burnt Island thinks about founder market fit and what separates ideas from real businesses Why water is not uniquely “hard,” and what founders must understand about building in any complex market How AI will change water: small language models, proprietary data, and why Google cannot build this without utility data Why utilities are finally building real data lakes and what that unlocks for AI tools How Burnt Island builds a diversified portfolio across geographies, sectors, and business models in water Tom’s predictions for “winners” by 2026, including data platforms, incumbents, and emerging blue bond financing Why fundraising is a form of evangelism for water and why every dollar into the sector matters

    40 min
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About

Make Water Work is a podcast dedicated to the people shaping the future of our most precious resource.

Information

  • Creator
    Megan Glover & Isaac Pellerin
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Make Water Work Podcast

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