The Water Zone

Nick Federoff, star of Things Green and host of Pet Life Radio, explains how he got into the water industry and how the pandemic has helped generate renewed interest in home gardening. Nick also provides insight on what it takes to produce a television show, his involvement with the Green Industry Hall of Fame, and the impact technological advances are having on the irrigation industry.

Podcast recorded on November 4, 2021

Guest host Travis Loop talks with Maureen Cunningham and Jessie Norriss of Environmental Policy Innovation Center about their program "A Prize Fight Against Lead" which focuses on the importance of removing lead pipe from our water systems. The organization is holding a national competition, the 2021 Water Data Prize, that will play a key role in cost-effective progress toward tackling the challenge.

Podcast recorded on October 28, 2021

Heather Turrentine, Water Resources & Conservation Coordinator for Gilbert, AZ, joins the show to discuss the city’s award winning Landscape Water Budget Program. Heather explains how a landscape budget for commercial property could significantly improve water use efficiency and provide insight for property owners with large turf and landscape areas. She also describes the specific training and activities that the city provides to customers including site audits, smart controller programming, and newly available water-saving technologies.  The Town of Gilbert’s efforts were recognized by the IA’s Smart Water Applications Technology awards for Outstanding Industry Partnership.

Podcast recorded on October 21, 2021

Rob Hunter, General Manager of Municipal Water District of Orange County, CA, talks about the seriousness of current drought conditions and the potential for a State of Emergency related to water shortages throughout the western region. Rob also provides insight on possible new mandates around water conservation for the state of California and the products and practices we can participate in to help mitigate the impact of this shortage in water resources.

Podcast recorded on October 14, 2021

Garden City, Kansas is the latest recipient of the EPA WaterSense Outstanding Public Engagement award. Fred Jones, Water Resource System Manager for Garden City,  joins the show to discuss the outstanding initiatives the organization developed to help keep customers informed and committed to water use efficiency. He details new on-line tools and rebates to empower customers and help them make an impact.

Podcast recorded on September 30, 2021

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