The Water Online Show

Top 5 Thoughts Of The Month For May 2026

Each month, host Travis Kennedy and co-host Kevin Westerling break down the top issues on the minds of engineers, operators, and utilities across the industry. In this kickoff episode, the two cover five pressing topics — from energy costs and AI adoption to workforce development and customer satisfaction — making the case that the water sector is at a turning point that will require utilities to adapt financially, digitally, and culturally to meet the challenges ahead.

Turning Water Investment Into Impact

In this segment of The Water Online Show, hosts Travis Kennedy and Kevin Westerling sit down with Karine Rougé, Executive Vice President of Strategic Transformations and Chairwoman of Regulated Water for North America at Veolia, and Rob Powelson, President and CEO of the National Association of Water Companies, to unpack a growing shift in the U.S. water sector: treating water infrastructure as an economic imperative, not just a utility function. Grounded in a new white paper authored by the two guests, the conversation explores what that shift really means for utilities, policymakers, and the broader market — and why translating momentum into measurable progress remains a complex challenge.

Return On Investment By Modernizing Utility Operations

In the latest episode of The Water Online Show, host Travis Kennedy sits down with Bobby Barker, Senior Director of Global Utility at Geospace, to explain why the humble water valve is being reimagined as a powerhouse of ROI. The most immediate drain on a utility’s budget often isn't a pipe leak—it's the vehicle. Barker reveals that a single manual disconnect and reconnect cycle can cost between $200 and $300 when accounting for labor, fuel, and safety risks. By automating this process, smart valves eliminate "windshield time" and allow staff to focus on more critical tasks. While most infrastructure projects are measured in decades, Barker asserts that a targeted deployment of smart valves can achieve a full return on investment in as little as two to three months, a timeline he describes as a "nothing burger" compared to traditional lifecycle costs.

Engineering Resilience Through Localized Manufacturing

As global supply chains grow more unpredictable, the water industry is rethinking how and where critical technology gets made. In this episode, Kamstrup’s James Salisbury reveals how localized manufacturing—bringing key suppliers closer to home—is transforming resilience, quality, and responsiveness. From Georgia-based production hubs to in-house supplier integration, discover how smart meter innovation is becoming faster, more reliable, and built to withstand disruption, without sacrificing precision or performance.

Inside The Furnace: How Thermal Reactivation Is Reshaping Municipal Water Treatment

In this episode of the Water Online Show, host Travis Kennedy sits down with Elisa Meyerberger of Calgon Carbon to explore the growing importance of thermal reactivation in water treatment.