The Growing Role of Private Water Utilities

The Growing Role of Private Water Utilities

Private water utilities are becoming an increasingly important part of the water industry as communities work to address aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, and growing regulatory demands. In this episode of The Flow of Innovation: Advancing Waterworks, host Ben Miller sits down with Zach Martin, Director of Private Water at Ferguson, to talk about the evolving private water landscape. Zach explains the different types of private water providers, how they approach long-term infrastructure planning, and why scale has become such an important advantage. He also shares his perspective on industry consolidation, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and what's driving growth in the private water sector. Listen in for a practical conversation about where private water is today and where it's headed next. Follow Us * Facebook @FergusonOfficial [https://www.facebook.com/FergusonOfficial] * Instagram @FergusonEnterprises [https://www.instagram.com/fergusonenterprises/] * LinkedIn @Ferguson-Enterprises [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ferguson-enterprises/] Have Questions or Feedback? Reach out at Podcasts@Ferguson.com [Podcasts@Ferguson.com] Presented by Ferguson Waterworks www.Ferguson.com [http://www.ferguson.com] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Innovation as Infrastructure: How HRSD Is Redefining Water Management

Innovation in water utilities is no longer optional, it plays a direct role in affordability, sustainability, and long-term infrastructure planning. In this episode, Ben Miller speaks with Jay Bernas, General Manager and CEO of Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD), about how his organization is approaching innovation in a practical and measurable way. Jay shares how HRSD has built a culture that encourages experimentation, supports ideas from across the organization, and treats research and development as a core function. With over 30 active research projects, the team focuses on solving real operational challenges while delivering cost-effective outcomes for ratepayers. The conversation also explores SWIFT (Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow), the largest water reuse project of its kind in the world. Jay explains how the initiative works, the regulatory and technical hurdles involved, and its broader impact on water sustainability, economic development, and environmental resilience in Eastern Virginia. From building an innovation ecosystem to balancing risk with reliability, this episode highlights how forward-thinking utilities can turn ideas into scalable, real-world solutions. Follow Us * Facebook @FergusonOfficial [https://www.facebook.com/FergusonOfficial] * Instagram @FergusonEnterprises [https://www.instagram.com/fergusonenterprises/] * LinkedIn @Ferguson-Enterprises [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ferguson-enterprises/] Have Questions or Feedback? Reach out at Podcasts@Ferguson.com [Podcasts@Ferguson.com] Presented by Ferguson Fire & Fabrication www.Ferguson.com [http://www.ferguson.com] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Smarter Wastewater Monitoring: From Reactive to Predictive Operations

Wastewater systems are critical but often overlooked. As infrastructure ages and demand grows, utilities are under more pressure to prevent overflows, stay compliant, and protect public health. In this episode of The Flow of Innovation: Advancing Waterworks, Ben Miller is joined by Kerry Hoffman, Director of Municipal Technology Solutions at Ferguson Waterworks, to talk about how smarter monitoring is helping utilities manage their systems more effectively. They walk through the differences between CSO and SSO events, what causes overflows, and why inflow and infiltration (I&I) continues to be a common issue. They also discuss how real-time data helps utilities respond faster, especially during heavy rain and storm events. If you're dealing with aging systems or just trying to get a clearer picture of what’s happening in your network, this episode is a good place to start. Follow Us * Facebook @FergusonOfficial [https://www.facebook.com/FergusonOfficial] * Instagram @FergusonEnterprises [https://www.instagram.com/fergusonenterprises/] * LinkedIn @Ferguson-Enterprises [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ferguson-enterprises/] Have Questions or Feedback? Reach out at Podcasts@Ferguson.com [Podcasts@Ferguson.com] Presented by Ferguson Waterworks www.Ferguson.com [http://www.ferguson.com] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ferguson Process Solutions

Water and wastewater utilities are facing growing challenges, from PFAS contamination to drought pressure, population growth, and aging infrastructure. In this episode of The Flow of Innovation: Advancing Waterworks, host Ben Miller speaks with Dave Williams, Director of Process Solutions for the Southeast region at Templeton & Associates, part of Ferguson Process Solutions. With more than 30 years in the water industry and a background as a licensed professional engineer, Dave shares insights on emerging treatment solutions. They discuss PFAS treatment, membrane technologies, densified wastewater processes, and the increasing role of indirect potable reuse. Tune in to hear how industry experts are helping communities address today’s toughest water challenges. Follow Us * Facebook @FergusonOfficial [https://www.facebook.com/FergusonOfficial] * Instagram @FergusonEnterprises [https://www.instagram.com/fergusonenterprises/] * LinkedIn @Ferguson-Enterprises [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ferguson-enterprises/] Have Questions or Feedback? Reach out at Podcasts@Ferguson.com [Podcasts@Ferguson.com] Presented by Ferguson Waterworks www.Ferguson.com [http://www.ferguson.com] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Getting It Right Early: Collaborative Delivery and Best-Value Infrastructure Projects

Early decisions shape everything from project speed and cost to risk and team dynamics. In this episode of The Flow of Innovation: Advancing Waterworks, host Ben Miller is joined by Dave Hill, Senior Director of Business Development at Ferguson, for a candid conversation about collaborative delivery and what it really takes to get it right from the start. Dave brings over 30 years of experience in water and wastewater infrastructure and shares how the industry is moving toward team-first models like progressive design-build and CMAR. He breaks down how early engagement helps reduce risk, align priorities, and produce better long-term results. They also talk about the overlooked role of suppliers and manufacturers, the importance of training, and how to avoid the common pitfalls that stall success. Whether you're a utility owner, engineer, contractor, or project partner, this episode offers a practical look at what’s working and why collaboration isn’t just a buzzword anymore. Follow Us * Facebook @FergusonOfficial [https://www.facebook.com/FergusonOfficial] * Instagram @FergusonEnterprises [https://www.instagram.com/fergusonenterprises/] * LinkedIn @Ferguson-Enterprises [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ferguson-enterprises/] Have Questions or Feedback? Reach out at Podcasts@Ferguson.com [Podcasts@Ferguson.com] Presented by Ferguson Waterworks www.Ferguson.com [http://www.ferguson.com] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.