The Water Zone

A Conservation Conversation

Joined by special guest Chris Austin of Maven's Notebook, The Water Zone discusses the federal government’s effort to stop pollution of coastal waters caused by untreated sewage from the Tijuana River Valley. 

Brian Vinchesi, founder of Irrigation Consulting Inc., one of the most formidable irrigation design experts in the country, also joined the program to share his experience with a couple of notable projects – National Park in Washington D.C. and Central Park in New York City, in how he approached each design and installation. He also spoke about the differences in irrigation applications required in various parts of the country, and new irrigation technologies that help utilize water more efficiently. 

 (Podcast recorded on May 30, 2019)

May Rain Brings Water Sustain

Joined by special guest Chris Austin of Maven's Notebook, The Water Zone talks about a number of water issues ranging from the Central Valley Project, one of the nation's major water conservation developments, to an abandoned iron mine in the Joshua Tree National Park that could be repurposed as a hydroelectric power plant.

Also joining the show was Ted Sirkin, president of Valvette Systems, whose company designs flow regulators for irrigation sprinklers and in-home shower arms that can be retrofitted to help reduce water usage.

(Podcast recorded on May 23, 2019) 

Climb It

The Water Zone is joined by special guest, Jonathan Overpeck, Ph. D., a renowned climate scientist and researcher who co-authored a Nobel Prize winning report with former Vice President Al Gore. Overpeck currently serves as Dean of the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan. On the program, he discusses the various areas that are affected by climate change and stressed the importance of more water storage for the future – and, in some instances, enhanced flooding to help stimulate unwelcome algae bloom growth. His perspectives on the top causes of climate change include the burning of fossil fuels and carbon dioxide, and that the world needs to take these conditions seriously. He also believes that climate change will affect the future of agriculture and will significantly hurt the global economy.

(Podcast recorded on May 9, 2019)

Low Carbon

With guest Chris Austin of Maven's Notebook, The Water Zone talks about emerging contaminates that are showing up in California’s wastewater, drinking water and food products – along with discussion on a new trend of “carbon farmers” that are helping to combat climate change by growing plants that absorb carbon.

Also joining the program was featured guest Darren Gruner, principal of Totalscape Design and founder of Turf's Up Radio in Florida, to discuss all things turf and landscape design.

(Podcast recorded on May 2, 2019)

Consider Every Factor

The Water Zone discusses how California's Secretary of Natural Resources will take on the challenge of implementing an ambitious water agenda for the State – along with other water-related issues from recent wildfires to high concentrations of carbon dioxide blowing out to sea.

The program was also joined by Garry Fenton, president of Maximum H2O, to discuss his company's unique technology, called Hydrodynamic Magnetic Resonance.  Currently used in the agricultural, food and landscape industries, he describes how magnetic water treatment helps to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to water, and reduce the amount water and fertilizer used.

(Podcast recorded on April 25, 2019)

Defining Sustainable Landscapes

With guest Chris Austin of Maven's Notebook, The Water Zone discusses the California Water Commission’s proposal of using flood water for managed aquifer recharge with a focus in on-farm recharge. Also discussed is the drinking water trust legislation, as California seeks to arrange utility marriages, where larger water agencies can either merge or compete with smaller water agencies who cannot provide clean water to their customers.

Also joining the program is Mary Ann Dickinson and Maureen Erbeznick of The Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) to discuss the results of their recent study, "Landscape Transformation - What did the AWE find out?" Dickinson and Erbeznick help explain what is meant by sustainable landscape, and the various rebate and educational programs offered by various water agencies. They also comment on some industry barriers to making landscape transformations and irrigation efficiency happen faster.

(Podcast recorded on April 11, 2019)

Wetlands

With guest Chris Austin of Maven's Notebook, The Water Zone discusses recent changes by the California Water Board to the statewide wetland definition and procedures, which will help protect wetlands and other environmentally sensitive waterways throughout the state. More than 90% of California's wetlands have been lost to development and other human activity. 

Also joining the program is Matt Howard, VP of Water Stewardship for the Water Council of Greater Milwaukee and Director of the Alliance for Water Stewardship North America. He explains the new blue wave, which calls attention to the true value and importance of having and sustaining water resources. He discusses the mission of the Water Council and how they developed the Alliance for Water Stewardship operational standards, and shared those across industries. 

(Podcast recorded on April 4, 2019)

Backflow Systems and Why We Need Them

Joined by Richard Daigle from Irrigator Technical Training School, The Water Zone takes an in-depth look backflow prevention systems to protect portable water supplies. They discuss backflow product application and the steps necessary to qualify for testing with county water authorities and apply for local ABPA or AWWA certifications.

(Podcast recorded on March 28, 2019)

Super Flood

Joined by special guest Chris Austin of Maven's Notebook, The Water Zone discusses the Sierra Nevada snowpack, and concerns of warmer weather and the potential for flooding in California's Central Valley and the Reno, Nevada area. They also discuss California Governor Gavin Newsom's idea of favoring a single tunnel solution instead of twin tunnels to help distribute water in the state.

Featured guest, Kathy Nguyen, customer service manager for Cobb County Water in Georgia, shares how the organization won the 2018 EPA WaterSense Sustained Excellence Award.  Nguyen detailed the various and successful conservation programs that helped reduce water usage significantly in her district.  She contributes the overall success to her agency's educational programs, coupled with on-site irrigation audits provided to their constituents.  

(Podcast recorded on March 14, 2019)

Conservation That Works

With guest Joyce Warren, Water Resources Manager for the City of Frisco, Texas, The Water Zone discusses the agency’s recent award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Excellence in Outreach and Communications. They also discuss the various conservation activities, rebate programs and city legislation that has helped significantly reduce the city’s water consumption – in addition to their partnerships with area schools, Master Gardener programs and irrigation professionals to help educate on water-saving practices.

(Podcast recorded on March 7, 2019)

Water Matters

Special guest Chris Austin of Maven's Notebook discusses scoring the recent California storms, with factors like the atmospheric river reducing in size, flooding risk peaks, and the tricky task of snow maintenance. We also address the rising Russian River in the town of Guerneville, which has turned that area into an island by water levels rising 45 feet.

Hosts Chris Davey and Rob Starr help guide listeners to having a beautiful yard, discussing tips about planning an irrigation system and selecting proper components.  Reducing water use by following a few simple guidelines doesn't include replacing your entire yard, and can save you money.

(Podcast recorded on February 28, 2019)

Why Algae?

Special guest Rebecca White, vice president of operations for Qualitas Health, discusses how certain varieties of algae can help support food, nutrition growth, and recycling of brackish water while also creating a method for ingesting carbon dioxide out of our air.  Even further, algae assists with reducing water usage in various farming practices. 

 

(Podcast recorded on February 21, 2019)

 

How to be Water Smart

With guest Dr. Gregory Quist, Board of Director for Rincon del Diablo Water District, we discuss steps taken by Rincon to safely implement water efficiency into their curriculum. Quist, who also serves as president of the Urban Water Institute and CEO of SmartCover, Inc, shares on the Institute's mission and current activities, as well as the unique SmartCover technology.

(Podcast recorded on February 7, 2019)

Snow, Water and Energy

Featured guest, Chris Austin of Maven's Notebook, discusses the latest measurements of Sierra Nevada snowpack, a crucial source for California's water supply. Also discussed is the proposed California Twin Tunnel project and its potential impact on vital levees and other infrastructures by boring two, four-story tunnels in the California Delta.

Ryan Meres, program Director for RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network), also joins the program to talk about programs relating to water and energy standards. Ryan addresses the HERS H2O rating, and how complying has the potential to increase the value of your home.

(Podcast recorded on January 31, 2019)

Central Control Irrigation Controllers

Our featured guest, Scott Kyle, of The Toro Company, examines the purpose and capabilities of Central Irrigation Controllers. He helps define how these systems have the ability to program, monitor and adjust large irrigation systems, having control with hundreds of stations from one central location and/or with multiple sites spread over a large geographical distance. We have further discussion on different system configurations available utilizing a variety of communication methods and climatological sensors.

(Podcast recorded on January 17, 2019)

Water Recycling

Joined by Chris Austin of Maven’s Notebook, The Water Zone takes a look at recent water news from the Metropolitan Water District in drawing down water levels in Lake Mead, the California State Water Resources Board on urban water conservation, and whether California desalination could be a key to Arizona’s water solution. Thomas Kunetz of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago also joins the program to discuss the city’s water infrastructure, education programs and water treatment issues and successes.

(Podcast recorded on January 10, 2019)

The Future of Water

Our featured guest, Amanda Sheffield, who is the NOAA Regional Coordinator of the National Integrated Drought Information System (NDIS), explains how NOAA is tasked with building a national drought early warning system (DEWS) to help make better informed and more timely decisions before, during and after a drought. She also addresses what NDIS is doing to improve drought management practices regionally and across the country.

(Podcast recorded on December 13, 2018)

At the Irrigation Show & Education Conference “Wrap-Up”

Hosts Rob Starr, Inge Bisconer & Chris Davey discuss the success of the Show, and what new and interesting technologies were presented. In addition, they touched upon various key topics, such as poor water quality around the country, the true value of water, and the immense problem of discarded plastic water bottles found in our oceans.

(Podcast recorded on December 6, 2018)