Turning lawns into water savings, rewriting city codes, and protecting forests upstream—these are just some of the ways communities are reimagining their water systems with help from the WaterNow Alliance.

In this conversation from the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C., Cynthia Koehler, Executive Director of the organization, shares how their Project Accelerator provides pro bono support to utilities ready to scale distributed, climate-resilient solutions.

From helping Golden, Colorado craft the state’s first graywater ordinance to guiding New Orleans through a citywide green infrastructure overhaul, Cynthia details how local leaders can make meaningful progress with the right technical, policy, and financial tools.

She explains how WaterNow tackles challenges like lead pipe replacement, equitable community outreach, and securing capital funding for projects traditionally seen as “non-infrastructure.”

The discussion also explores the growing role of forest restoration in source water protection and the need for utilities to communicate more clearly with the public about the true cost—and value—of water.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

What does a 21st-century water-powered economy look like?

In this conversation, Brett Walton of Circle of Blue discusses their new reporting series on the blue economy in the Great Lakes region—where water is being used to drive innovation, jobs, and sustainable growth.

The discussion explores how cities like Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Chicago are building a future around water tech, smart infrastructure, and workforce development.

Walton breaks down efforts to turn wastewater into wealth, attract global companies, and create testing hubs like Cleveland’s “smart watershed.” He also examines critical challenges covered in the series, from agriculture’s ongoing pollution pressures to eco-gentrification and the environmental toll of new data centers.

Amid shifting federal support and infrastructure strains, the Great Lakes region is positioning itself as a global model for how to build a thriving, water-centered economy without repeating the environmental mistakes of the past.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

EPA is moving forward with PFAS drinking water limits but delaying compliance deadlines and withdrawing a controversial hazard index. At the same time, the Trump White House has proposed about a 90% cut to the State Revolving Funds—raising serious concerns about how utilities will afford compliance and critical infrastructure upgrades.

In this episode of In The Newsroom, Bob Crossen, Editorial Director of WaterWorld and Wastewater Digest, explains the latest regulatory developments and what they mean for the water sector.

The conversation covers EPA’s updated PFAS strategy, potential legal challenges, and the “polluter pays” approach to liability. Bob also discusses how smaller utilities struggle to access SRF funding, the role of WIFIA, and what Congress might do next. With billions in water projects on the line, this episode provides a clear breakdown of major headlines shaping the future of drinking water and wastewater in the U.S.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.