waterloop: exploring solutions Travis Loop

Many people in Oregon face significant water justice challenges, including affordability, accessibility, and quality. Addressing these issues requires place-based, community-specific solutions. In this episode, Alai Reyes-Santos, Associate Director of the PNW Just Futures Institute for Climate and Racial Justice, discusses her work in Oregon and what she has learned from her roots in Puerto Rico. She explains the diverse water justice issues in Oregon, such as distrust of water quality among communities of color, inadequate infrastructure in tribal areas, and the vulnerabilities of renters. Alai also highlights the efforts to build a Water Justice Network and a Water Justice Leadership Institute, aiming to empower communities and advocate for equitable water policies. waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. This episode is part of the Color Of Water series, a collaboration between waterloop and the Water Hub that features interviews with diverse experts from communities across the country.

Louisiana faces severe coastal erosion and land loss, making coastal restoration a critical challenge. One of the innovative solutions is the $2.9 billion Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project, which aims to restore about 20 square miles of wetlands and land. In this episode, Brad Barth, Diversions Program Manager from the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, discusses this massive engineering feat, which aims to harness the Mississippi River's natural sediment flow to rebuild the coast. Barth explains the multiple factors contributing to coastal erosion and how this project integrates with other restoration efforts. He details the design and functionality of the sediment diversion, highlighting its role in delivering sediment and nutrients to sustain marshlands. Additionally, Barth shares insights into the broader strategy of using nature-based solutions, such as barrier island reconstruction and marsh creation, to protect and restore Louisiana's coast. waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet. The Mississippi By Nature series is supported by the Walton Family Foundation and outfitted by Patagonia.

Urgent water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) challenges persist across the United States. Peer-to-peer support for utility professionals in these communities can make a positive difference. Anniestacia Denton, a Utility Advisor at Moonshot Missions, provides a look into these pressing issues, with a particular focus on her home state of Alabama.Bringing a unique perspective on the severe sanitation problems in the Black Belt region, Anniestacia shares her journey into the water industry and her active role in transformative initiatives like the UNLEASH Hack. She explains how she is dedicated to resolving funding and trust issues in underserved communities, advocating for equitable solutions, and implementing practical, impactful changes.waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. This episode is from a conversation at the Reservoir Center in Washington D.C. where waterloop is a media partner.

This episode features a series of rapid-fire questions with Alan Roberson of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, delving into some of the most pressing issues facing the drinking water industry today. The conversation tackles hot topics such as regionalization, Consumer Confidence Reports, the Lead and Copper Rule, PFAS, point-of-use filtration at homes, and the safety of bottled water. Alan provides expert insights into these critical areas, highlighting the latest developments and regulatory changes that impact public health and water quality across the United States.This episode is from a conversation at the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C. where waterloop is a media partner.

The South continues to experience rapid development and is now facing more intense rainfalls due to climate change. This makes stormwater management a more critical issue for the region. This episode delves into the challenges and solutions with Vinicius Taguchi, an Extension Associate at North Carolina State University. He highlights Wilson, North Carolina as an example of a community with stormwater problems exacerbated by a history of segregation and lack of investment in infrastructure, a situation found across the South. Vinny delves into management strategies, ranging from traditional stormwater ponds to green infrastructure solutions like bioretention and permeable pavement. He highlights technology's role, from low-cost sensors to smart control systems optimizing water levels based on forecasts.Vinny emphasizes the importance of collaboration across disciplines like civil engineering and urban planning. He also discusses pathways for students interested in stormwater, reflecting the field's multifaceted nature and opportunities for environmental stewardship.This episode is part of the Color Of Water series, a collaboration between waterloop and the Water Hub that features interviews with diverse experts from communities across the country.

This episode is part of a series Mississippi By Nature that explores how nature based solutions are helping the river and its communities. The Houma Nation has a deep-rooted history in southeastern Louisiana, where they have lived and thrived along the Mississippi River and its delta for centuries. Recently, they face escalating challenges as environmental degradation accelerates, pushing them ever closer to the coast and into the path of rising waters and land loss. In this episode, Chief Lora Ann Chaisson of the Houma Nation discusses the profound transformations in her community’s environment—from lush woodlands to waterlogged landscapes—and how these changes have forced shifts in traditional ways of life and economic livelihoods. Chief Chaisson also highlights the resilience of the Houma people as they navigate these turbulent changes, emphasizing the need for proper consultation and inclusion in environmental planning. This compelling account underscores the struggle for survival and cultural preservation against the relentless encroachment of water on their lands.waterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. The Mississippi By Nature series is supported by the Walton Family Foundation and outfitted by Patagonia.