Environmental Finance Center Network

00:21:17

Growing a Career in Wastewater

Environmental Finance Center Network ·

2026/09/28

Hosts: Anthony Craven, Eric Williams, & Dr. Jason Barrett, Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute (MWRRI)Guest: David Karr of Mitchell Technical ServicesFollowing their discussion on workforce challenges and opportunities, hosts Anthony Craven, Eric Williams, and Dr. Jason Barrett continue the conversation with wastewater veteran David Karr by exploring the personal side of career development in the industry. David shares practical advice for those entering the profession and offers

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00:21:57

Wastewater Workforce Wisdom

Environmental Finance Center Network ·

2026/09/25

Hosts: Anthony Craven, Eric Williams, & Dr. JasonBarrett of the Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute (MWRRI)Guest: David Karr of Mitchell Technical Services In "Wastewater Workforce Wisdom," hosts AnthonyCraven, Eric Williams, and Dr. Jason Barrett welcome wastewater veteran David Karr for a conversation about the people behind the profession. From recruiting and retaining operators to developing future leaders, this episode offers valuable insights for anyone committed to

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00:22:53

Preparing Water Utilities For An Aging Workforce

Environmental Finance Center Network ·

2026/09/24

Hosts: Anthony Craven & Eric Williams, Mississippi Water Resources Research InstituteGuest: David Karr of Mitchell Technical Services Water utilities nation wide are facing a critical workforce challenge as experienced operators, managers, and technicians approach retirement. In this episode of the Environmental Finance Center Network Podcast, Anthony Craven and Eric Williams of the Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute are joined by David Carr of Mitchell Technical Services to discuss

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00:25:18

PFAS Series, Part 4: Navigating PFAS Drinking Water...

Environmental Finance Center Network ·

2026/09/22

PFAS drinking water regulations present significant planning, financial, and operational considerations for local governments and water utilities. As requirements and timelines continue to develop, communities must understand not only what compliance may involve, but also what funding,policy, and treatment considerations should inform their preparations.In this podcast, GFOA is joined by Charlotte Mitchell Duyshart, Associate Legislative Director with the National Association of Counties, and Steve

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00:36:43

Clean Water SRF Series: Septic System Success in...

Environmental Finance Center Network ·

2026/09/15

Hosts: Eva Schwendimann & Shā Lager, Water Utility Trainer and Support Specialists, Southwest Environmental Finance Center Guest: Morgan Keeling, Associate Director of the Illinois River Watershed Partnership Episode Description: In recognition of EPA’s SepticSmart Week, we give you the first Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) podcast of a multi-episode series highlighting how innovative funding can help communities address failing septic systems and protect local water quality. We had the

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00:23:44

Aging Equipment: Repair, Upgrade, or Replace?

Environmental Finance Center Network ·

2026/08/28

Does your wastewater or water system have aging equipment? Looking for a way to continue operating safely and prepare for the future? Nick Willis with Wichita State University EFC, invites us to consider a few things as we evaluate the criticality, the risk, and probability of failure when it comes to systems with older equipment!Additional Resources:EFCN Blog Series | Turning Data into Action Part 1: Beyond the inventory – What Asset Management Planning Really MeansEFCN Blog Series | Turning Data

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00:14:13

Wastewater Funding: Fact or Fiction?

Environmental Finance Center Network ·

2026/08/25

Think you know how wastewater funding works? You might be surprised. In this episode, we’re playing Fact or Fiction and taking a closer look at some of the assumptions that can make funding seem more complicated than it is. From how the Clean Water State Revolving Fund actually works to what happens when a community has a project but isn’t sure where to turn... We’re separating some common misconceptions from what systems really need to know.Additional Resources:EFCN Funding TablesEFCN Animation |

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00:27:06

PFAS Series, Part 3: PFAS Treatment Technologies

Environmental Finance Center Network ·

2026/08/18

This episode focuses on the technologies used to treat PFAS. Dr. Li discusses the science behind granular activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange, reverse osmosis, and nanofiltration, comparing their performance, operational requirements, and cost considerations. The conversation also explores PFAS disposal after treatment, emerging remediation approaches, and key factors small water systems should consider when planning for PFAS treatment.Listen to Parts 1 and 2 of the PFAS Podcast Series Here:PFAS

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00:22:17

Wastewater Treatment Plant Types 101

Environmental Finance Center Network ·

2026/08/14

In this episode, join Dawn, AJ, and Mike of the Southwest Environmental Finance Center (SW EFC) to discuss the main types of wastewater treatment plants including their benefits, downsides, and best use cases for each plant type. The three main types of WWTPs discussed are:Lagoons - Facultative Lagoons- Aerated Lagoons- Anaerobic Lagoons- Polishing Ponds- Evaporative LagoonsFixed-Film Plants - Trickling Filters- Rotating Biological Contactors (RBCs)Suspended Growth Plants- Activated SludgeAt the

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00:20:24

Think Outside the Tank: How to reach out to your...

Environmental Finance Center Network ·

2026/08/11

We know you are passionate about water, but is there something else you love to do? If so, how can you tap into that to reach your community? Meet Marissa! She invites us to think "outside the tank" and make connections with everyone!Additional Information: Oscoda Citizens For Clean Water | Pirates and Mermaids FestivalEFCN Blog | Understanding Public Notice Requirements and Communicating Water Issues to Your CommunityEFCN Blog | Building Community Support for Wastewater Projects

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00:16:16

How the EPA Creates Wastewater Regulations and What...

Environmental Finance Center Network ·

2026/08/07

Small systems do not need to be caught off guard when it comes to new regulations! Listen in on this conversation where the whole process is explained and what small systems can do to stay in the knowAdditional Information:EPA | National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)EFCN Blog | Big Picture: EPA Regulations and NPDES Permits

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00:17:38

Design Strategies for Green Schoolyards

Environmental Finance Center Network ·

2026/08/04

Learn about the myriad considerations for green schoolyard design from a landscape architect's perspective. Adam De Foor-White, PLA, ASLA shares his insights and experience for those who may be considering a green schoolyard for their school. This podcast is a companion to our three-part webinar series Green Schoolyards as a Stormwater and Community Resilience Strategy, which covers funding strategies and considerations for green schoolyards.Watch the Environmental Finance Center Network’s,

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00:25:00

Cleaning Our Waterways: Green Infrastructure...

Environmental Finance Center Network ·

2026/07/31

Every time it rains, water washing off roads and highways carries pollutants into nearby streams, rivers, and estuaries. One of the most concerning pollutants is 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ), a chemical byproduct of a common tire rubber additive that is among the most toxic substances known to aquatic life. This podcast introduces 6PPDQ to planners and technical staff who may be encountering it for the first time and shows what communities can do about it. Speakers from Washington State DOT, Herrera Inc,

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00:19:42

Smoke Testing 101: It’s  Not a Pipe Dream!

Environmental Finance Center Network ·

2026/07/28

In this episode, Eva Schwendimann from the SW EFC discusses the basics of sewer smoke testing in sanitary sewer systems with Mike Rivera. Mike is a Water and Wastewater Utility Specialist at the SW EFC and has a background of working with Water and Wastewater in New Mexico systems for over 20 years. This episode walks listeners through why and how a smoke test is conducted, the equipment needed, best case weather conditions for testing, and how to collect and manage data from a smoke test. Episode

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00:19:53

Cybersecurity: How to Start

Environmental Finance Center Network ·

2026/07/21

Learn why cybersecurity matters for every water and wastewater utility and how leaders can take simple, proactive steps to safeguard their operations and the communities they serve.Additional Resources:Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)EFCN | Request Assistance with Cybersecurity or Request a Cybersecurity Training

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00:48:45

Preparing a Small Utility for Capital Improvements

Environmental Finance Center Network ·

2026/07/14

In this episode James Markham from the Southwest Environmental Finance Center interviews Angelina Grey, Associate Planner at the Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments in New Mexico about guidance for small utilities that are looking for help with capital improvement planning, with a focus on what needs to be done to get ready for the process. Getting your regulatory and financial house in order are the biggest items to complete when doing capital improvement planning.

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00:24:47

Clean Water Act: Costs, Compliance, and Long-Term...

Environmental Finance Center Network ·

2026/07/07

More than 50 years after the passage of the Clean Water Act, what can we learn from its impact on small communities? In this episode, Dr. Rhiannon Jerch discusses how the Clean Water Act shaped municipal finances, improved water quality, and influenced long-term community growth. We explore how small municipalities financed major wastewater infrastructure investments, the role of user fees and federal funding, and what these findings can teach today's communities as they plan for future water

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00:39:32

Backflow Prevention and Beyond: Lessons from Mount...

Environmental Finance Center Network ·

2026/06/30

Cross-connection and backflow risks may not always be obvious, but they can pose serious threats to drinking water systems and public health when left unaddressed. In this episode, Alice Kilkelly from the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center speaks with Elizabeth Belezaire, Water Quality Analyst at the Board of Water Supply for the City of Mount Vernon, New York, about the city’s efforts to strengthen its cross-connection control program. Over the past year, Mount Vernon has worked to

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00:20:29

Navigating Federal Funding for Small Water Systems

Environmental Finance Center Network ·

2026/06/23

Small water systems face many of the same regulatory requirements and financing complexities as larger utilities, but with fewer staff and resources to manage them. In this episode, we examine how finance professionals can effectively navigate the landscape of federal funding opportunities available to small water systems.Joined by finance expert Kevin Wachtel, Senior Manager at GFOA, the discussion addresses key funding sources including federal grants and loan programs as well as critical

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00:30:48

PFAS Series, Part 2: Understanding PFAS Risks and...

Environmental Finance Center Network ·

2026/06/09

PFAS are increasingly being detected in drinking water systems across the country. In this episode, Dr. Li explains what PFAS are, how they enter our water supplies, current regulations, risks to communities and private well owners as well as actionable measures individuals can implement within their households to mitigate the presence of these pollutants.

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