Posts

Showing posts from 2025

Every time you flush the toilet, you may be inadvertently contributing to a global environmental crisis: wastewater pollution. Eighty percent of the world's wastewater enters our waterways without adequate treatment — and the repercussions are critical for both human and ecological health.

Tune in to waste(d)water, a first-of-its-kind podcast from The Nature Conservancy, to hear from experts across disciplines and geographies, so we can unpack wastewater pollution and learn about the solutions to tackle it. From resource recovery to nature-based solutions, we can reshape how we perceive and manage wastewater.

Listen to the podcast on your favorite streaming platforms:

EPISODE SEVEN: SHOW NOTES

   

Why aren't we collaborating? Silos, sewage & solutions

 Featuring Maria Cristina De La Paz, Kate Harawa, Kelly Latham and Haleemah Qureshi


LISTEN ON:     Apple Podcasts    ◦    Spotify    ◦    YouTube



DESCRIPTION
Why are public health and ecological health protection efforts so siloed — and do cross-sector wastewater management solutions exist? In this episode of The Nature Conservancy’s waste(d)water podcast, host Sydney Bezanson explores how WASH and conservation sectors can collaborate on wastewater management for the health of both people and nature. Experts share insights on enabling conditions, financing strategies, and innovative models like water funds that unite stakeholders for resilient water systems. We hear from Kate Harawa and Kelly Latham from the non-profit Water for People, Haleemah Qureshi from the non-profit Aquaya and Maria Cristina De La Paz from The Nature Conservancy.


KEY WORDS
wastewater pollution, sanitation, cholera, climate change, public health, ecology, collaboration, water management, water funds, sustainable solutions, sustainable development


AT A GLANCE

  • 80% of the world's wastewater enters the environment untreated.
  • Cholera outbreaks are linked to climate change and inadequate sanitation.
  • Nearly 4 billion people lack access to safe sanitation.
  • Public health and ecological health efforts are often siloed.
  • Common goals and accountability measures are essential for collaboration.
  • Investment is needed to improve water quality, treatment and supply.
  • Water funds are effective multi-stakeholder partnerships for conservation.
  • Collaboration across sectors is crucial for sustainable solutions.
  • Protecting nature can also safeguard human health.
  • Nature-based wastewater strategies align with climate adaptation goals.


GUEST BIOS

Kate Harawa is the Malawi Director of Influence & Scale at Water For People, where she leads strategic advocacy and partnerships to advance climate-resilient water and sanitation services. With extensive experience in WASH and community development, Kate works closely with government ministries, NGOs, and global partners to drive sustainable solutions.  

Kelly Latham is Global Advisor for Climate & Water Resource Management at Water For People, where she brings deep expertise in integrating climate resilience into water and sanitation strategies, working across sectors to advance sustainable WASH solutions. With a background in environmental engineering and watershed science, Kelly focuses on bridging gaps between public health and conservation goals.  

Haleemah Qureshi is Senior Research Manager at Aquaya, where she leads research on WASH systems in low-resource urban settings. She manages the Urban WASH Project, a USAID-funded initiative focused on identifying enabling conditions for equitable water and sanitation services. With expertise in city planning and civil engineering, Haleemah brings valuable insights on sustainable infrastructure management, affordable service delivery, and improving quality of life for vulnerable communities.  

Maria Cristina De La Paz is the former Coordinator of the Resilient Watershed Program at The Nature Conservancy in Ecuador where she led initiatives to strengthen water security through integrated watershed management, focusing on nature-based solutions and multi-stakeholder collaboration. With expertise in climate resilience and sustainable water governance, Maria Cristina works to scale innovative models like water funds to address water stress, wastewater pollution, and ecosystem protection.  


CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Wastewater Challenges
01:40 Cholera Outbreak and Climate Change Impact
03:09 Siloed Approaches in Public Health and Ecology
06:13 Barriers to Collaboration in Wastewater Management
10:35 Case Studies: Successful Water Management Strategies
14:43 Financing Sustainable Sanitation Solutions
21:04 Water Funds: A Collaborative Approach
27:03 Building Partnerships Across Sectors
29:25 Hope for Collaborative Solutions


EPISODE RESOURCES

Cholera: Malawi – Disease Outbreak News
World Health Organization, 2023

Helping Malawians bring water, sanitation, and hygiene to their communities
Water for People

Aquaya Institute
Aquaya

The Enabling Environment for Citywide Water Service Provision: Insights from Six Successful Cities 
Trimmer et al., 2023

Resilient Watersheds Toolbox
The Nature Conservancy

Ecuador Water Funds 
The Nature Conservancy



CREDITS
Post-production services for waste(d)water provided by Two Aspen Audio. A special thank you to The Nature Conservancy Coda Fellows Sydney Bezanson and Juan Sebastián Gómez Gutiérrez for their contributions.

Post a Comment
Read more

EPISODE SIX: SHOW NOTES

   

Making the case for nature-based wastewater solutions
(A Reef Exchanges special episode)

 Featuring Dr. Rob McDonald


LISTEN ON:     Apple Podcasts    ◦    Spotify    ◦    YouTube



DESCRIPTION
Can green infrastructure play a vital role in improving wastewater management solutions? In this segment of waste(d)water, we feature a special episode from Reef Exchanges, a podcast produced by The Nature Conservancy’s Reef Resilience Network. Each edition of Reef Exchanges features an in-depth discussion around the latest developments in marine science and management, linking strategies and insights to concrete actions and useful tools. In this episode, hosts Henry Borrebach and Kristen Maize speak with Dr. Rob McDonald, Lead Scientist for Nature-based Solutions at The Nature Conservancy. They introduce nature-based solutions (NbS) as an alternative — and sometimes compliment — to traditional gray infrastructure through use of natural processes to capture and treat contaminated water before discharge into waterways. They also share suggestions for how marine managers can build support for NbS to advance implementation of low-cost, long-term solutions with multiple benefits.

Explore other episodes of the Reef Exchanges podcast here.


KEY WORDS
nature-based solutions, green infrastructure, wastewater management, ecosystem services, climate resilience, urban water planning, sustainable development


AT A GLANCE

  • Nature-based solutions can enhance wastewater management and resilience.
  • Green infrastructure offers co-benefits for ecosystems and communities.
  • Wetlands and green spaces can be designed for added treatment.
  • Scientific modeling supports strategic wastewater planning.
  • Policy and funding frameworks are key to scaling nature-based approaches.
  • Practical tools are available to guide implementation.
  • Collaboration across sectors strengthens wastewater solutions.
  • Education and outreach help build support for green infrastructure.
  • Nature-based wastewater strategies align with climate adaptation goals.

GUEST BIO

Dr. Rob McDonald is the Lead Scientist for Nature-based Solutions for The Nature Conservancy where he conducts research on the impact and dependencies of communities on the natural world, studying how nature can increase resilience in the face of climate change and improve human health and well-being. He received his Ph.D. in Ecology from Duke University and has expertise in ecosystem services, biodiversity preservation and urban planning.  



EPISODE RESOURCES

Using Nature for Water Sanitation
ICRA 

Find Your Nature-based Solution
ICRA

Urban Water Blueprint The Nature Conservancy

Wastewater: Turning Problem to Solution 
United Nations, 2023



CREDITS
Post-production services for waste(d)water provided by Two Aspen Audio. A special thank you to The Nature Conservancy Coda Fellows Sydney Bezanson and Juan Sebastián Gómez Gutiérrez for their contributions.
Post a Comment
Read more

EPISODE FIVE: SHOW NOTES

  

Liquid assets: The rise of recycled water

 Featuring Kerry Kates, Lynn Spivey & Garrett Wallace


LISTEN ON:     Apple Podcasts    ◦    Spotify    ◦    YouTube



DESCRIPTION
Could wastewater become our most valuable water source? In this episode of The Nature Conservancy’s waste(d)water podcast, host Kassie Morton explores how Florida is leading the way in recycling wastewater to combat water scarcity, protect ecosystems, and support agriculture. Featuring insights from experts in utilities, conservation, and agriculture, guests Kerry Kates (Orange County Utilities), Lynn Spivey (City of Plant City, FL), and Garrett Wallace (The Nature Conservancy in Florida) dive into the science, safety, and public perception of water reuse —including potable applications. Discover how wastewater is being transformed from a problem into a resource, by reshaping infrastructure, policy, and community engagement and providing a key solution for climate resilience.


KEY WORDS
wastewater recycling, Florida, water management, sustainability, public health, environmental protection, potable reuse, water scarcity, conservation


AT A GLANCE

  • Wastewater can be treated and reused for various purposes.
  • Florida is a leader in wastewater recycling efforts.
  • Public perception is a significant barrier to acceptance.
  • Regulatory frameworks are evolving to support water reuse.
  • Education and outreach are crucial for public acceptance.
  • Economic considerations play a vital role in water management.
  • Collaboration among stakeholders is essential for success.
  • Innovative technologies can effectively treat wastewater.
  • Sustainable water management is critical for future generations.
  • Wastewater recycling can help alleviate water scarcity issues.

GUEST BIOS

Kerry Kates is the Deputy Director of Alternative Water Supply, Intergovernmental Affairs, and Solid Waste at Orange County Utilities. He received B.S. degrees in Civil Engineering and Geology from University of Florida. Kerry is a licensed civil engineer and LEED-accredited professional passionate about water-resource management, water stewardship, sustainability, and cross-sector collaborations. He has extensive experience in federal and Florida water law and environmental policy pertaining to water-supply planning, water-quality requirements, legislative rule-making, consumptive-use permitting, environmental-resource permitting, water and land conservation, and sustainability initiatives.

Lynn Spivey is the Director of Utilities for Plant City, Florida. She received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of South Florida and has extensive design experience related to the project management, design and permitting of water and wastewater treatment systems and plant startup. Lynn has extensive background in Florida regulatory requirements, with vast experience in water and wastewater permitting through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Agency, Florida Water Management Districts, and local County and City Building Development Departments. 

Garrett Wallace is the Southern Division Government Relations Director with The Nature Conservancy. He holds an M.B.A. from University of Phoenix and a B.A. in Journalism from Southern Illinois University. Garrett works at the nexus of policy and conservation issues working with Federal, State, non-profits, and corporate entities. He has worked extensively with Federal interests throughout his career securing the funding to preserve over 40,000 acres of Florida Ranchland into the USDA Wetland Reserve Program, and served as the Director of Federal and Tribal Affairs for the South Florida Water Management District, representing Everglades Restoration in Washington D.C.


CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Wastewater and Its Potential

02:40 The Importance of Wastewater Recycling

05:38 Florida's Leadership in Wastewater Reclamation

08:26 The Process of Wastewater Treatment

11:29 Regulatory Framework and Public Perception

14:20 Public Engagement and Education

17:16 Economic Considerations of Water Reuse

20:10 Future of Water Management in Florida

23:28 Conclusion and Call to Action



EPISODE RESOURCES

Wastewater: Turning Problem to Solution 
United Nations Environment Programme, 2023 

UN World Water Development Report
United Nations, 2019 

Global Issues: Water United Nations 

Brief: Resource Recovery from Domestic Wastewater Ocean Sewage Alliance

Water Recovery 
Ocean Sewage Alliance - Knowledge Hub 

Sewage: The Most Urgent Threat to Oceans You’ve Never Heard Of 
The Nature Conservancy, 2019

Florida’s Reuse Program
Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Potable Reuse FAQs
Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Profiles in Reuse: Florida WateReuse Association, 2023 

National Water Reuse Action Plan
United States EPA, 2020 

History and Current Status of Reclaimed Water Use in Florida
Toor and Rainey, 2009 

Recycled Water: The Facts 
Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2021
Florida Agriculture Overview and Statistics Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 

Verification of Irrigated Agricultural Land Acreage in 55 counties in Florida, 2013-21
Marella and Dixon, 2022 

California drought: San Jose's new high-tech water purification plant to expand recycled water use
The Mercury News, 2016 

Wastewater Irrigation: The State of Play 
Hamilton et al., 2007 

Water in Agriculture 
World Bank Group, 2023 


CREDITS
Post-production services for waste(d)water provided by Two Aspen Audio. A special thank you to The Nature Conservancy Coda Fellows Sydney Bezanson and Juan Sebastián Gómez Gutiérrez for their contributions.
Post a Comment
Read more

EPISODE FOUR: SHOW NOTES

 

Burden or benefit? Recovering resources from wastewater

 Featuring Dr. Sasha Kramer, Maile Lono-Batura & Dr. Daniel Yeh


LISTEN ON:     Apple Podcasts    ◦    Spotify    ◦    YouTube



DESCRIPTION
What if wastewater could fuel our homes and feed our crops? In this episode of waste(d)water, host Kassie Morton dives into the transformative potential of domestic wastewater. Joined by Dr. Sasha Kramer (SOIL Haiti), Maile Lono-Batura (California Association of Sanitation Agencies), and Dr. Daniel Yeh (University of South Florida), we explore how biosolids and biogas can become renewable energy, sustainable fertilizer, and climate solutions. From cutting-edge tech like the NEWgenerator to community-led models in Haiti, discover how circular sanitation can protect ecosystems, boost food security, and reduce emissions — while confronting challenges like PFAS contamination, financing, and public perception.


KEY WORDS
wastewater management, biosolids, sustainable agriculture, resource recovery, sanitation technology, circular economy, environmental health, SOIL Haiti, NEWgenerator, PFAS


AT A GLANCE

  • Waste can be a valuable resource if managed properly.
  • Biosolids can contribute to sustainable agriculture.
  • Innovative technologies are transforming wastewater treatment.
  • Haiti faces significant sanitation challenges due to poor infrastructure.
  • SOIL Haiti is a model for sustainable sanitation practices.
  • Regulatory frameworks need to adapt to emerging contaminants.
  • Collaboration is key to solving wastewater issues.
  • Public awareness of wastewater's value is essential.
  • Future innovations in wastewater management are promising.

GUEST BIOS

Dr. Sasha Kramer is the Co-founder and Executive Director of SOIL Haiti. She’s an ecologist and human rights advocate who has been living and working in Haiti since 2004. She received her Ph.D. in Ecology from Stanford University in 2006 and co-founded SOIL that same year. Sasha is also a global advocate for the recycling of nutrients in human waste, helping others implement sustainable sanitation projects and inspiring people around the world to participate in the sanitation revolution. 

Maile Lono-Batura is the Director of Renewable Resources with the California Association of Sanitation Agencies, and prior to this was the Director of Sustainable Biosolids Programs at the Water Environment Federation after serving as Executive Director of Northwest Biosolids for 22 years. She holds a B.A. in Community & Environmental Planning with an Environmental Studies Minor from the University of Washington, received her Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University, and is a Certified Compost Facility Operator through the Washington Organic Recycling Council and a Board-Certified Environmental Scientist with the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists Board (AAEES). 

Dr. Daniel Yeh is a Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of South Florida where he leads the Membrane Biotechnology Laboratory, focused on the research and development of innovative wastewater treatment and resource recovery technologies. He is a LEED green building accredited professional, a registered professional engineer, and a board-certified environmental engineer. He is also a Visiting Professor at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in the area of regenerative water purification for space. One of Daniel’s most impactful inventions is the NEWgenerator a portable and self-contained solar-powered toilet system that converts the collected waste into renewable energy, fertilizer nutrients, and clean water that can be used for irrigation of crops.


CHAPTERS

00:00 The Value of Waste: A New Perspective on Human Excrement

02:48 Wastewater as a Resource: Exploring Circular Economy Solutions

05:47 Innovative Technologies in Wastewater Treatment

11:30 Real-World Applications: Success Stories in Waste Recycling

17:51 Challenges and Opportunities in Sustainable Sanitation

23:24 Regulatory Landscape: Navigating Biosolids Management

29:26 Emerging Contaminants: The PFAS Challenge

35:35 Future Directions: Scaling Up Resource Recovery Programs

41:28 Collaboration for Change: Building a Sustainable Future



EPISODE RESOURCES

Brief: Resource Recovery from Domestic Wastewater Ocean Sewage Alliance

Solution Space: Fertilizer Recovery
Ocean Sewage Alliance
Explore the solution

Solution Space: Resource Recovery
Ocean Sewage Alliance
Explore the Knowledge Hub

Wastewater: Turning Problem to Solution 
United Nations Environment Programme, 2023 

SOIL Haiti 
Sustainable Sanitation in Haiti 

Bill Gates Wants to Reinvent the Toilet The Daily Show, 2019 (Interview with Daniel Yeh) 

Bill Gates Drinks Water That Had Been Poop Just Minutes Before 
Time, 2015 

Biosolids Communication Toolkit 
Water Environment Federation

Phosphate Fertilizer Crisis Threatens World Food Supply 
The Guardian, 2019

Foodscapes: Toward Food System Transition The Nature Conservancy / IIASA / SystemiQ, 2021 

As Prices Soar, Japan Returns to Human Waste Fertilizer Phys Org, 2023 

Understanding Food Loss and Waste
Ishangulyyev et al., 2019 

How and Who Regulates the Use of Biosolids? 
School of Plant & Animal Science, Virginia Tech, 2011 

A History of Human Waste as Fertilizer 
Zeldovich, 2019
Treatment Technologies for PFAS in Biosolids Garg et al., 2022 

PFAS Substances in Biosolids 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2021-2024 

Forever Chemicals Are Everywhere. Here’s How to Limit Your Exposure 
Wirecutter , 2024 

Something’s Poisoning America’s Land. Farmers Fear ‘Forever’ Chemicals 
New York Times, 2024 

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 

Risk Assessment of Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for PFOA and PFOS 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

FAQ: Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for PFOA and PFOS U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 


CREDITS
Post-production services for waste(d)water provided by Two Aspen Audio. A special thank you to The Nature Conservancy Coda Fellows Sydney Bezanson and Juan Sebastián Gómez Gutiérrez for their contributions.
Post a Comment
Read more