The Water Zone

Florence Cassel-Sharmasarkar, assistant director of the Center for Irrigation Technology at Fresno State University is the winner of the 2021 Irrigation Association Excellence in Education Award. She joins us to discusses her research on water reduction in agriculture and its impact on the industry. She also speaks about the importance of water management education and the increase of women in the water industry.

Podcast recorded on August 23, 2021

Deborah Hamlin, Irrigation Association CEO, joins to share her journey and discuss the impact she’s had on redefining the organization’s mission. She outlines some of the key achievements that the IA helped spear-headed over the span of her career and shares the challenges and opportunities that faced the industry and the association.

Podcast recorded on September 9, 2021

Katie Wallace, New Belgium Brewing Director for Social and Environmental Impact explores the impact climate change will have on the way we brew beer. She details how New Belgium Brewing became the first brewery in the nation to be certified as "carbon neutral" and discusses various processes that can be altered to help use water more efficiently in the brewing and hops growing process.

Podcast record on September 2, 2021

Featured guests Mary Conely Eggert and Frank Slovenec, co-founders of the Global Water Works community, discuss the impetus to create a global community to unite efforts and information about water conservation around the globe. The organization which began from humble beginnings, now consists of over 1,800 members representing over 80 countries. They share the various water conservation and education programs they sponsor to help launch and distribute transformational technologies around the world, particularly in impoverished communities.

Podcast recorded on August 26, 2021

There’s a lot you can tell from the waste water we generate. Guests Bronson Mack, Dan Gerrity and Katerina Papp of Southern Nevada Water Authority uncover how scientists monitor waste water to detect viral pathogens and variants like Covid-19 and illegal narcotics.  Their monitoring system can help pin-point hot spots that help keep track of potentially serious conditions. They also monitor aquifers and recycled water systems to assure the public of clean drinking water.

Podcast recorded on August 19, 2021

President of Irrigator Tech School, Richard Daigle talks about the Covid-19 pandemic’s affect on workers and continuing education throughout the industry.  He also shares his vision for the future of the landscaping industry and offers advice on landscape professionals that offer technical training on irrigation installation, repair and advanced hydraulics to improve career opportunity in the industry.

Podcast recorded on August 12, 2021

Bronson Mack of the Southern Nevada Water Authority joins us to explore innovative state water laws that have been enacted to significantly limit non-traditional turf and lawns for residential and commercial properties. He discusses the stiff regulations and motivations behind the laws that will go into effect in the spring.

Podcast recorded on August 5, 2021

The Irrigation Association’s Coleman Garrison, Director of Government Affairs & Public Outreach provides insight to the special activities and training conducted in observance of July Smart Irrigation Month. He also shares a sneak peek at what to expect at the upcoming Irrigation Association Show & Education Week in December.

Podcast recorded on July 29, 2021

Cassi Toves of IDC Precision Irrigation joins us to discuss Substrate Agriculture and her role in implementing the new technology to allow berry growers a longer more bountiful season.

Podcast recorded on July 22, 2021

Special guest host Travis Loop talks with Bronson Mack, Public Outreach Manager for Southern Nevada Water Authority. Bronson speaks about the latest in Nevada laws that will significantly impact lawns and non-traditional turf. With Lake Mead at its lowest level since opening in 1930, he also shares an update on available water in Nevada and the Colorado River Basin.

Podcast recorded on July 1, 2021

Featured guest Mike Read, Director of Golf Sales & Marketing for The Toro Company describes the critical factors required to help golf courses and superintendents maintain pristine conditions, especially for PGA Tournaments. He also addresses the latest in irrigation technologies and how smart systems equip superintendents with real-time data and provide the ability to control an entire system from a mobile device.

Podcast recorded on June 10, 2021

Principle of AZ Sports Field, Inc., Andy Slack shares a day in the life of today's water manager and reminisces about some of his greatest challenges and fun projects like the Annenberg Family Trust facility in Palm Springs. Then President & CEO of California Water Data Consortium, Tara Moran addresses the need for standardized data reporting and access for local and state water agencies to enable real-time critical decisions about current water availability.

Podcast recorded on June 3, 2021

Guests Rob Hunter, Municipal Water District of Orange County, discusses the critical need for significant investment in water storage and the delicate balance of water for urban living, agriculture and the environment. Then guest, Jackson Madnick of Pearl's Premium Grass Seed Co., discusses turf innovations including a unique breed that utilizes very little water and grows roots to three feet!

Podcast recorded on May 6, 2021

Featured guest Mark Dalley, Director of Water Management for DLC Resources, describes his responsibilities in managing numerous HOA developments in Arizona. He also offers insight around how useful specialized training in the latest smart irrigation products and water management practices can be in significantly increasing water efficiency while maintaining beautiful curb appeal.

Podcast recorded on June 17, 2021

In a throwback to the early days of the Water Zone Radio Show, host Chris Davey welcomes back one of the show’s original hosts, Mike Baron, for a reprise at the microphone. In the episode, Chris and Mike take a retro look at how the industry has changed over the last 5 years through Mike’s new perspective as a ‘lay-person’. Topics include history, current and future prospects for water agency efficiency and outreach programs like rebates, turf removal, and native garden planting. The Mike and Rob also compare the 2015 drought, which was the shows impetus, and the possible drought affecting the southwest today.

Podcast recorded on July 15, 2021

Special guest host John Farner, Industry Development Director for the Irrigation Association, takes a look inside the make-up of an irrigation system and the maintenance required to ensure the efficient use of water for landscapes.  In addition, guests Julius Duncan, EPA environmental engineer, and Debra Burden, Citrus County Department of Water Resources conservation manager, provide insight on the EPAs water conservation program, WaterSense, and how businesses and homeowners can benefit.

Podcast recorded on April 22, 2021

Guest host and interviewer Travis Loop, producer of Water Loop podcast interviews Laura Paskus, author of "At the Precipice: New Mexico's Changing Climate” about the status of the Rio Grande River and the importance of the locals’ perspective on the state efforts to better control ground water use.

(Podcast recorded on April 8, 2021)

The Water Zone hosts a full house of guests, including world renowned marine artist Wyland, Steve Creech, Wyland Foundation President, Dr. Patti Filino from Tuttle Elementary School, and Darren Gruner, Executive Producer of Turfs Up Radio. All were on hand to discuss the National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation, celebrating its 10 year anniversary. Wyland described the motivation behind the creation of the annual event that has grown to over 3,600 city participants across the nation. Steve Creech provides details on various conservation activities the foundation produces every year for communities and schools. Dr. Filino addresses why her school was selected to host of the kick-off event for 2021 with local, county and state officials. Guest host Darren Gruner joins the conversation.

(Podcast recorded on April 1, 2021)