Talking Under Water Endeavor Business Media

In this episode of Talking Under Water, we touch on recent industry news, including the looming biosolids crisis in Maine following the state's ban on land application due to biosolids. Incinerators and landfills have limited what they will accept and the only state-run landfill expects to run out of capacity by 2028. We also touch on funding for the Chesapeake Bay as well as some news about cybersecurity and infrastructure investments.
We are trying something new and separating news into its own episode, so you won’t hear an interview today. We are doing this to give us more space to discuss the news in more depth. Since it is an experiment, be sure to let us know your thoughts!

On April 10, 2024, the EPA announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS contaminants. This is the first brand new Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) set by the EPA since arsenic was updated in 2001. In this episode, four industry professionals; Miles Menyhert,  liquid phase applications engineer at Jacobi Carbons; Ken Sansone, partner at SL Environmental; Kyle Thompson, national PFAS lead at Carollo Engineers and; Tom Muilenberg, chemical engineer and the global product manager at De Nora, discuss what this means for the water industry.  
Show Notes:   
EPA designates PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA
EPA announces final PFAS Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL)
Water industry responds to EPA's PFAS MCL ruling
Water Coalition Against PFAS applauds House introduction for PFAS liability

In this episode of Talking Under Water, the hosts discuss how the Water Coalition Against PFAS testified on Capitol Hill during a PFAS hearing; share news about California's Department of Water Resources completing a groundwater mapping project; and the White House’s plans to work with state administrations to address cyber risk in the water industry. Finally, this week's interview is with Andrew Ginter, vice president of industrial security for Waterfall Security Solutions. Ginter talks about cybersecurity risk and what utilities need to think about when upgrading systems to smart technology. 
Show Notes:   
Waterfall Security 2024 Threat Report 
Engineering-grade OT Security — A Manager’s Guide 
Cybersecurity for small water systems by Andrew Ginter  
Water coalition testifies before Congress on importance of PFAS exemption for utility comapnies
Timestamps:  
Host introductions | 1:05
Episode summary | 1:19
Water Coalition Against PFAS testifies in D.C.
California Department of Water Resources groundwater mapping project | 4:04
EPA invites governors to meeting about cybersecurity for water systems | 5:11
Interview begins | 6:28
WaterFall Securities Threat Report | 7:16
Cyberattacks in the water industry | 10:11
What is different now? | 11:32
What exactly is ransomware? | 15:50
Cybersecurity always carries a cost | 20:05
What poses the greatest threat to security? | 21:16
What is too risky to conduct in the cloud? | 26:13
Finding the balance between smart systems and security | 34:49
Housekeeping | 41:41
 

In this episode of Talking Under Water, get to know the new acting assistant administrator to the U.S. EPA Office of Water, Bruno Pigott. Pigott was promoted to this role in February, and in this interview with Co-host Bob Crossen, Pigott touches on his vision for the future of water; issues to tackle, such as PFAS; how he hopes his past experiences and professional relationships can help the industry tackle certain challenges; water funding and much more.  

In this episode of Talking Under Water, we share our final episode celebrating Women’s History Month. Co-host Bob Crossen interviews Kathy Romans, water and wastewater segment manager for the protective and marine coatings division of PPG for US and Canada. Romans was the first woman president of NASSCO where she played a vital role in influencing safety practices and industry standards; and is a chemist who has developed into a respected and notable business professional in water. Romans shares her career path, how more women have entered the industry over time and the impact that has had, as well as advice for aspiring young professionals. 

In this episode of Talking Under Water, the hosts discuss the recent leadership changes and movement in the EPA Office of Water, a letter from water leaders urging Congressional leaders to reinstate the complete funding of the SRF programs for drinking water and clean water, and Water Research Foundation's request for project pre-proposals.
Finally, our interview this episode features Amanda Jones, project manager for Tucson Water and founder of Womxn in Water. Amanda talks about being a woman in the water industry, finding Womxn in Water, her career and much more.
Show Notes:
EPA Office of Water appoints Bruno Pigott to lead office 
Radhika Fox appointed Senior Advisor at Xylem 
WRF seeks pre-proposals for One Water research projects 
Water leaders urge Congress to fully fund SRF programs for water 
Career beginnings with erosion: How it helped build relationships and shape my professional future