The Water Zone

Eric Anderson, president of Valley Soil, returns to the show to share Valley Soil’s mission and how they got started. Valley Soil has become known throughout Southern California as the “go-to” company among water purveyors for education and installation of water efficient irrigation products like smart controllers, efficient spray nozzles and drip systems. Eric also shared his vision for the future of water and discusses potential new products that could be developed to increase water savings.

Podcast Recorded on July 6, 2023

Nathan Bowen of the Irrigation Association details events and activities around Smart Irrigation Month kicking off on July 1^st, including ways that everyone can participate. Then Wall Street Journal reporters Ryan Knutson & Jim Carlton provide a detailed history of the  Colorado River and events that led up to its recent condition and the explains the water rights of its various users.

Podcast Recorded on June 29, 2023

Greg Steele, director of SiteOne Green Tech discusses his introduction to the irrigation industry while attending California State Polytechnic University Pomona, in Pomona, CA. Greg goes on to describe the services that SiteOne Green Tech provides, like educational training, product configuration, installation and warranty services. As well as, examples of installation and product performance challenges that he and the team face daily.

Podcast Recorded on June 22, 2023

Featured guest Brett Sanders PhD., professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California in Irvine, addresses the creation of a deep analysis software model to help estimate the risk of flooding in California due to recent increased atmospheric river conditions.  His work is extremely important for the pre-identification and location of serious flooding and in providing an early warning system for the state's emergency workers and the public.

Podcast Recorded on March 23, 2023

Did you know that much like fine wines water can be defined and rated? There are various kinds of bottled water such as glacier, carbonated, oxygenated, spring, re-processed and others. Michael Masha and Elena Burke describe their journey to create a training institute for classifying fine water. Michael and Elena set out to develop a methodology to objectively list water type and quality for the restaurant industry. They share just how this is done and their conviction that bottled water should be treated with as much respect as fine wine.

Podcast Recorded on June 15, 2023

Justin Richards, also known as social media’s "Sprinkler Dude", joins the show to talk about how homeowners and commercial property owners are adopting new irrigation technologies and the ways various water districts are promoting conservation, outreach, education and rebates. Justin also shares insights from his work with Conserva Irrigation, a irrigation contractor company who specialize in water smart irrigation technology, product application, and efficient irrigation management.

Podcast Recorded on June 8, 2023

Special guest Dave Langendorff of Irrigation Consultants, Inc., one of the country’s respective irrigation design company, speaks about the work and activities of the ASIC (American Society of Irrigation Consultants). He provides information on how ASIC professionals work with government agencies, water districts and customers to design water distribution systems for that highlights water use efficiency. David shares his experience successfully resolving issues on properties with significant irrigation challenges and his thoughts on mandates related to irrigation training and education.

Podcast Recorded on June 1, 2023

Irrigation & Lighting Editor in Chief, Kyle Brown, joins the show to promote the magazine’s Changing the Landscape Awards. This annual event celebrates and recognizes the outstanding work done by irrigation and lighting professionals throughout the year. The program highlights the best and most impressive examples of irrigation and lighting work. Last year's winners participated in a vast smart controller upgrade project that improved water use efficiency for hundreds of homeowners, as well as a landscape lighting installation that required precise drilling expertise.

Podcast Recorded on May 25, 2023

Featured guest Chris Keating, district sales manager for Toro's Irrigation & Lighting business, walks us through his journey in the water industry and details his outstanding involvement with contractor an distributor training. He shares his take on the difference between irrigation and sprinklers, the industry's disproportionate focus with product, and the important difference between "dirt plumbers" and those who focus on efficiency and distribution.

Podcast Recorded on May 18, 2023

Brian Vinchesi, of Irrigation Consulting, Inc. and president of the American Institute of Irrigation Consultants discusses his very interesting journey to becoming one of the irrigation industry's most respected leaders. He also reveals some of the unique opportunities and challenges presented to him throughout his career. Brian shares his thoughts on the future of water and water management, as well as his vision for the American Institute of Irrigation Consultants.

Podcast Recorded on May 11, 2023

Newsha Ajami, director of Urban Water Policy at Stanford University’s Water in the West initiative describes how the past century's approach to water management was based upon controlling nature and a fragmented infrastructure. Today’s approach to water management revolves around water scarcity, technology and science. This has all come together to help boost critical data gathering that is used to formulate new methods that enhance water management practices. 

Podcast Recorded April 13, 2023

A solid relationship is one of the most important factors customers consider when entering a long-term relationship with a manufacturer. Toro Director of Irrigation Services, Inger Nordby, joins the show to explain how the company’s National Service Network (NSN) builds relationships through 24/7 support, extended warranty and digital support tools. She also explains the ways in which her team partners with end users, the distribution network, order fulfillment, product management and engineering to immediately help resolve field issues as well as test new products.   

Podcast Recorded on April 6, 2023

Water districts spend millions on efforts to educate customers on water use efficiency. Fiona Sanchez, director of water conservation from Irvine Ranch Water District, describes their latest efforts to Making Conservation a California Way of Life.  Fiona shares the opportunities and challenges that her water district faces to meet new government mandates, as well as, the  differences between agencies in trying to set new standards of excellence for the California's conservation goals. 

Podcast Recorded on March 30, 2023

Premier landscape water management presents a multitude of challenges and requires a unique approach to develop or corrected issues to ensure efficient water use. Tom Raden, director of water management at Par 3 Landscape Management  Co. in Las Vegas, NV, walks us through the strategy. His expertise has created water savings in excess of 700 million gallons in landscape water use and saved his customers more than $2 million.

Podcast Recorded on March 16, 2023

City of Houston and Wyland Foundation representatives join the show to celebrate the city’s National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation win! The team shares details on what makes Houston, TX a standout representative of water conservation in our country and informs listeners about the specific challenges and the positive public engagement their citizens achieved.

Podcast Recorded on March 9, 2023

Guests Seth Bangerter and Bryan Brittain of Thrive Smart Systems discuss the EVO 4-station wireless transmitter and receiver. EVO is Thrive’s newest product introduction. The device is an add-on accessory for irrigation controllers that enables wireless communication to valves when the existing wire path is lost beyond repair. EVO allows users to take advantage of the benefits of smart irrigation control for valves added to an existing system during repair or expansion.

Podcast Recorded on March 2, 2023

The critical factors in establishing long-term client relationships are: carefully listening to needs, providing detailed information about how irrigation equipment can provide better water management results, staying connected for the long run and forming a trusted relationship. Special guest Brian Witcher of The Toro Company takes us through how these factors play into a day in the life of an irrigation specification manager. Brian also reviews critical steps in working with water managers and landscape designers to select the appropriate irrigation equipment and the latest available technology for upcoming projects.

Podcast Recorded on February 23, 2023

Dr. Kevin Winter and Dr. Michelle Constant from University of Cape Town’s Future Water Institute, join the show to reveal how they incorporate IoT (the Internet of Things) into their systems to more effectively collect, monitor and implement data to control the delivery and quality of water throughout Australia. They also share success stories and the ways in which this technology improves decision-making capabilities for water purveyors and conservationist.

Podcast Recorded on February 16, 2023