12 Water Podcasts for Industry Members
Over the last decade, podcasts have become increasingly popular—and you can find one for just about everything. In the United States, for example, almost half of Americans listened to a podcast in the last year. Worldwide, the number of listeners reached 546.7 million in 2024. They tune in for entertainment, education, and distraction while doing other activities such as driving, exercising, cooking, cleaning, and gardening.
Members of the water industry, from treatment plant operators to water test lab staff, are no exception—and there are a range of intriguing water podcasts from around the world to choose from. If you're looking for your next podcast, these twelve podcasts for water industry members are a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the medium and gain a new source of knowledge.
1. Water Online
Water Online serves the water and wastewater treatment and engineering communities. This podcast features entertaining conversations with thought leaders, decision-makers, and innovators, helping water workers stay on top of industry news, regulatory guidance, technology solutions, and management best practices. Recent episodes covered nutrient removal, PFAS, water quality and public trust, and utility uptake of innovation.
2. Water Talk
Described as a podcast for the water curious, Water Talk covers water science, policy, and history. The series is hosted by water experts from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Arizona State University, and the University of California, Davis, who explore water issues, including climate change, scarcity, and access. Recent issues covered wildfire and water infrastructure, water and housing instability, and disabled groundwater.
3. Water Values Podcast
The Water Values series considers water issues from a variety of perspectives with the goal of uncovering the true value of water. Each episode delves into one aspect, such as water utilities, water treatment, water resources, and water reuse. Recent episodes covered privately held English water utilities, algae-based wastewater treatment, and the year in water 2024.
4. Scaling UP! H2O
On Scaling UP! H2O, a weekly podcast for professionals in industrial water treatment, experts share their knowledge and stories. Every Friday, host Trace Blackmore, a Certified Water Technologist and former president of the Association of Water Technologies, provides information on technologies, methods, and career journeys. Recent episodes cover Legionella legislation, the science of serial dilution, and essential steps for new water treatment facilities and expansions.
5. Water Quality Association (WQA) Podcast
The WQA Radio episodes feature experts and members who comment on issues affecting residential, commercial, and industrial water quality and treatment. Recent episodes covered annual contaminant predictions for 2025 and an interview with a former WQA president.
6. Clean Water Works
If you're in the Lake Erie area—or even beyond—you may want to check out Clean Water Works, a podcast from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD). Donna Friedman and Mike Uva from the NEORSD hold a conversation on all topics related to clean water, wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and the people, projects, and programs serving Lake Erie and local waterways and communities. Recent episodes included discussions on advances in urban flood management and new media for water communications.
7. Tap Talk
Tap Talk: The Drinking Water in Rural America Podcast is a collaboration between the Rural Community Assistance Partnership and the University of Illinois hosted by Steve and Jennifer Wilson of the Illinois State Water Survey. The series connects professionals across the drinking water community to share ideas on improving water access and quality in rural areas. Recent episodes highlighted best practices for online operator training, resources for well and septic owners in Florida, and creating water stories that share successes and solutions.
8. The Water Break Podcast
Water Break from the Alliance of Indiana Rural Water is hosted by Heather Jennings, P.E., aiming to bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers. The series covers updates on water and wastewater legislation, funding, human resources, and other topics of concern in the industry. Recent episodes included wastewater lab testing, nasty contaminants in water, and anaerobic digestion.
9. Australian Water Association Podcast
The Accelerating Action Podcast brings insights from professionals in Australia's water industry discussing projects, research, and innovations. Recent episodes covered carbon credits in the water sector, an indigenous-led youth outreach initiative, and biosolids production and end-use statistics and trends.
10. Water Reuse Podcast
Water Reuse Europe explores technologies, people, and innovations driving water reuse across Europe, including in-depth discussions on sustainable water management. Episodes cover the continent, with presenters representing Spain, Belgium, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Greece, and the Netherlands.
11. Water World
Presented by the World Bank's Water Global Practice and the Global Water Security & Sanitation Partnership, the Water World series delves into issues essential for a water-secure and healthy world. The series recently covered subsidies for water supply and sanitation, the damaging impacts of poor water quality, and nature-based infrastructure projects.
12. Flowing Forward
Flowing Forward from the Global Commission on the Economics of Water explores the pivotal role of water in shaping the global future. The series has covered unexpected discoveries in water research, bridging generations for water justice, and pioneering solutions for water sustainability.
Give these podcasts a try to see which resonate with you. Then, the next time you're mowing the lawn or getting in your steps, you can also broaden your knowledge, spark new ideas, and make the time go by more quickly and productively.
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