Tap Talk

Illinois State Water Survey
  • 4.8 (4)
  • NATURAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Everyone has a role to play in protecting public health. Tap Talk, the Drinking Water in Rural America Podcast, connects professionals across the drinking water community with ideas to extend and enhance our work.

  1. 5D AGO

    TT069 – Diving Into Biofilms With Water Quality Investigations (Part 1)

    In the first episode of a two-part series, we explore the world of biofilms in drinking water systems with guests Andrew Jacque and Emily Hefty-Dieckhoff of Water Quality Investigations. Andrew and Emily explain to Jennifer and Steve the fundamentals of what biofilms are, where they can be found both in water systems and naturally, and the health issues they can cause. Be sure to return for Part 2, which will delve even further into the complexities of biofilms! Visit drinkingwaterpodcast.org to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.

    37 min

  2. OCT 30

    TT068 – How the Be Well Informed Tool Educates Well Owners

    In Tap Talk's 68th episode, Steve and Jennifer chat with Kurt Rakouskas — a project manager at the Environmental Council of the States — about the organization's cross-disciplinary work and its stewardship of the Be Well Informed tool. This free tool helps well users understand the results of water tests performed on their wells by translating the scientific and technical notation into plain language. This helps make clear if there is a problem indicated by the results, what the risks of any present contaminants are, and what the next steps should be for the well owner.  Visit drinkingwaterpodcast.org to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.

    34 min

  3. OCT 23

    TT067 – The Value of Well Data in Serving Well Owners

    This week on Tap Talk we are pleased to welcome guest Erin Ling, a senior extension specialist at Virginia Tech University who coordinates the Virginia Household Water Quality Program (VAHWQP). The unique program provides a wealth of services to well owners in Virginia, including affordable testing, educational programming & workshops, water quality data collection & publication, and youth outreach for high school students. In particular, Erin emphasizes the value of the program's data on Virginia's private wells, and discusses with Steve and Jennifer how other states might learn from Virginia's model.  Visit drinkingwaterpodcast.org to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.

    50 min

  4. OCT 16

    TT066 - Understanding PFAS and Private Wells (Part 2)

    In this episode we're concluding a two-part series exploring PFAS and their impact on private well users. Our conversation with Dr. Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson and Jennifer Hoponick Redmon dives further into their research efforts and potential applications. Together these episodes offer important foundational understanding as well as new insight on PFAS exposure via well water. Visit drinkingwaterpodcast.org to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.

    41 min

  5. OCT 9

    TT065 - Understanding PFAS and Private Wells (Part 1)

    In this episode we're kicking off a two-part series exploring PFAS—also known as "forever chemicals"—and their impact on private well users. Jennifer and Steve are joined by Dr. Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson and Jennifer Hoponick Redmon, two leading experts in environmental health and water quality. Together, they break down the science behind PFAS, discuss how these chemicals enter our water supplies, and share new research on exposure risks for private well users. Our conversation explores the challenges, health implications, and ongoing efforts to protect drinking water in rural communities. Visit drinkingwaterpodcast.org to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.

    32 min

  6. OCT 2

    TT064 – Lessons from RCAP's Private Well Technical Assistance Network

    In TT064, we bring you another private well-focused episode. Our guest is Cindy Brookes, a seasoned technical assistance provider at the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership, a division of RCAP. In this role, Cindy has assessed over 300 private wells and counseled well owners on how to proceed with their well challenges, and made significant use of the Private Well and Spring Assessment Tool that our team developed in conjunction with RCAP. Cindy tells Jennifer and Steve about the ins and outs of the job, as well as the importance of these assessments in the quest to more widely educate well owners. Visit drinkingwaterpodcast.org to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.

    35 min

  7. SEP 25

    TT063 – Empowering Well Owners at the Private Well Class Help Center

    This week on Tap Talk, we are beyond pleased to welcome two of our colleagues on our Water & Public Health team at the Illinois State Water Survey to the show: Sallie Dolan and Erin Huggett, who are the main forces behind running our Private Well Class Help Center and phone hotline. Launched in the spring of 2024, these services have assisted over 65,000 well owners in finding answers to their well questions or solutions for well problems. As Sallie and Erin discuss, our team looks forward to helping many more as the program grows and develops! Visit drinkingwaterpodcast.org to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.

    42 min

  8. SEP 18

    TT062 – The Olympics of Water Quality: WEFTEC's Operations Challenge

    If you've ever been to WEFTEC, you know about Operations Challenge. The annual showcase of the top operations teams in the country is the Olympics of the industry, and it's impossible to miss in WEFTEC's exhibit hall. WEFTEC 2025 is just around the corner, and to mark the return of the world's largest water quality exhibition to Chicago, we welcomed Steve Harrison and Jeff Sober to the podcast. Steve, a WEF senior manager, and Jeff, Director of Water Services at Garver, are both members of the Operations Challenge Community. Their passion for the event makes clear its singular value to the industry! Visit drinkingwaterpodcast.org to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.

    39 min
See All (69)

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Everyone has a role to play in protecting public health. Tap Talk, the Drinking Water in Rural America Podcast, connects professionals across the drinking water community with ideas to extend and enhance our work.

Information

  • Creator
    Illinois State Water Survey
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2025
  • Episodes
    69
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Tap Talk

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