Iowa farmer Mark Schleisman is taking tile drainage to the next level—capturing and reusing nutrient-rich water instead of letting it flow downstream. Unlike traditional conservation practices like saturated buffers or bioreactors, tile drain water recycling removes nitrogen and returns it to the field, boosting crop growth and sustainability. “It’s a…
Capturing and reusing tile drainage water isn’t just about irrigation—it’s dramatically reducing nitrogen pollution. At some sites, this system has slashed nitrogen loads by over 90%, keeping thousands of pounds of harmful runoff from flowing downstream. Chris Hay of Hay Water Solutions breaks down the impact of this innovative approach…
Farmers rely on tile drainage to keep their soil healthy and productive, ensuring roots have the right balance of moisture and oxygen. Without proper drainage, roots suffocate, and crops struggle. “If we buy a farm, the first thing we do is tile it,” says Iowa farmer Mark Schleisman, explaining how…
💧 H2O INTRO 🤝 Meet Oscar Vasquez of the City of Hialeah A long-standing sewer moratorium in Miami was blocking development, preventing homeowners and businesses from upgrading properties. Regulators assumed nighttime flows were due to infiltration—but what if they weren’t? Oscar Vasquez, Deputy Public Works Director for Hialeah, led an…
Instead of letting nutrient-rich tile drainage water flow away, innovative farmers are capturing it in reservoirs and reusing it for irrigation—boosting yields while cutting runoff. Some are even using tile lines themselves to return water directly to crops. Chris Hay of Hay Water Solutions explains how this approach transforms waste…
Nutrient runoff from tile drainage systems on Iowa farms is a significant challenge, affecting local waterways and the Mississippi River. Tile drain water recycling offers an innovative solution by capturing nutrient-rich drainage water, storing it in reservoirs, and reusing it for irrigation. This approach reduces nitrogen runoff while providing farmers…
Drought and overpumping have put immense pressure on the Edwards Aquifer, but innovative water management strategies are helping keep Barton Springs in Austin flowing. Through science-driven permitting systems, the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District has implemented a tiered approach to groundwater use—requiring greater reductions in pumping during severe drought to…
For the Coahuiltecan people, Texas’ Four Fountain Springs—Barton Springs, San Marcos Springs, Comal Springs, and San Pedro Springs—are more than water sources. Before colonization, these springs surged skyward, connecting earth and sky in a breathtaking display of nature’s power. Maria Rocha of the Indigenous Cultures Institute shares how these sacred…
Protecting Texas springs starts with education. In Wimberley, every student visits local water sources like Jacob’s Well to learn firsthand about aquifers and conservation. Even the schools reflect this deep connection—Jacob’s Well Elementary and Blue Hole Primary are named after iconic local springs. “The things we do today will impact…
💧 H2O INTRO 🤝 Meet Terence Byrd of Jackson Water In 2022, the Jackson, Mississippi water crisis left tens of thousands without drinking water for weeks, exposing deep infrastructure challenges. Now, the city is taking bold steps to ensure history doesn’t repeat itself. Terence Byrd, Chief Water Operations Officer for…
Finding the right executive talent, including for the water industry, isn’t just about filling a role—it’s about driving business success. Bo Burch, CEO of Human Capital Solutions, has redefined executive search by shifting the focus from volume to precision. Instead of simply sourcing candidates, his team helps companies identify the…
The key to saving Texas springs? Pumping limits and land conservation. Without sustainable groundwater management, iconic springs like Jacob’s Well will continue to decline. David Baker of the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association explains how setting pumping caps and protecting aquifer recharge land are critical solutions. Cities like Austin and San…
Texas’ iconic springs are drying up at an alarming rate—three times as many have disappeared in the last 50 years. As groundwater pumping increases, spring flows decline, serving as a warning sign for unsustainable water use. "When a spring goes dry, that’s a clear signal we’re pumping too much," says…
Beneath the surface of Texas, limestone aquifers act as natural filters and reservoirs, feeding the state’s iconic springs. These springs do more than offer a place to swim—they sustain ecosystems, provide drinking water, and keep rivers flowing. "Nearly half of Texas' water supply depends on spring flow," says Vanessa Puig-Williams…
💧H2O Minute News ⏰ Shawn Kerachsky of Community Infrastructure Partners: A Wisconsin city of 40,000 people needed a new approach to replacing lead service lines—and a public-private partnership made it happen. Faced with funding challenges, a small contractor base, and slow replacement rates, the city leveraged community partnerships with local…
💧 H2O INTRO 💧 Meet Andrea Yang of Greater Cincinnati Water Works A trust gap in water quality perception is creating barriers to critical programs in Cincinnati. While trust in water quality is over 70% among white and high-income residents, it's in the mid-40s for Black and low-income communities. This…
Barton Springs isn’t just a place to cool off—it’s a vital piece of Texas’ water future. Fed by the Edwards Aquifer, this spring provides water to millions, making sustainable groundwater management more critical than ever. As urban growth accelerates, how can we ensure Texas’ springs keep flowing? Watch the full…
Texas' iconic springs are facing growing pressure from urban development, groundwater pumping, and climate change, threatening the lifeline of both ecosystems and communities. But through sustainable aquifer management, conservation easements, and innovative policies, there is hope for keeping these vital waters flowing. This episode features conversations with Vanessa Puig Williams…
What if changing how we farm could cut flooding by 25%? Data from Iowa shows that shifting from conventional farming to relay cropping slows runoff, keeps more water in the soil, and reduces chemical use. "We know farmers using relay cropping are applying less synthetic fertilizer and cutting out pesticides…
How can farming impact flooding? The Iowa Flood Center is finding out by comparing hydro weather stations on regenerative and conventional farms. These stations collect real-time data on rainfall, wind, and soil moisture at multiple depths to reveal how different practices affect water retention and runoff. "We’re gathering critical data…
Iowa farmer Loran Steinlage noticed something different—his tile lines weren’t running nearly as much as his neighbors’. Data confirmed what he suspected: his relay cropping and regenerative practices were improving water infiltration, holding more moisture in the soil, and reducing runoff. "To me, the big picture is that's how we're…
💧 H2O INTRO 💧 Meet Crystal Tulley-Cordova of the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources The Navajo Nation is 67 times more likely than other Americans to live without running water, making water access a critical challenge for the largest land-based Native American tribe. Crystal Tulley-Cordova, Principal Hydrologist for the…
A new approach to farming in Iowa is tackling flooding and water pollution. Relay cropping keeps living roots in the soil year-round by planting a cereal grain in the fall, which then hands off to soybeans in the spring. This method reduces runoff, improves water retention, and boosts resilience against…
Flooding and water quality degradation are significant challenges in Iowa's agricultural watersheds, driven by intensive farming practices and increasingly extreme weather events. Relay cropping, a regenerative farming practice, offers a solution by keeping soil covered and living roots in the ground year-round to reduce runoff and improve soil health. Plus…