21st Century Water

• Farming, Methane, and Partnerships: The New Age of Wastewater with Matt Stouder

  In this episode of 21st Century Water, we sit down with Matt Stouder, Executive Officer of the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) in Oregon, to explore how his leadership is driving operational resilience, environmental stewardship, and innovative thinking in wastewater management. We begin by learning how Matt’s rural upbringing and early exposure to water chemistry inspired a lifelong commitment to environmental protection and public service. His path from stormwater engineering to leading a regional utility reflects a deep-rooted belief in stewardship, collaboration, and giving back to the community.We then dive into the scale and structure of MWMC, which serves about 275,000 residents across Eugene and Springfield. Despite owning over $500 million in assets and operating a major treatment plant with a peak capacity of 277 MGD, the commission itself has no employees and operates through intergovernmental agreements—Springfield handles the administration and capital projects, and Eugene manages the operations. Matt emphasizes how strategic coordination is key to balancing daily operations with long-term capital investments, especially as the infrastructure ages.We discuss MWMC’s shift from expansion to asset renewal, including a strong focus on asset management and funding strategies. Incremental rate increases and a rate stabilization fund have helped buffer financial volatility, allowing the utility to maintain steady investment without burdening ratepayers. Matt also shares MWMC’s approach to innovation through projects like the biocycle farm, where biosolids are applied to hybrid poplar trees for local reuse, and a renewable natural gas facility that generates new revenue streams while reducing emissions.Communication and education emerge as central themes. From community partnerships and public outreach at local fairs to an award-winning Clean Water University program for fifth graders, MWMC prioritizes transparency and awareness. Matt's engineering background doesn't limit his commitment to public engagement; instead, it reinforces it.As we shift to environmental goals, Matt outlines how MWMC embraces a circular economy mindset. Instead of costly infrastructure like chillers, the utility addresses thermal pollution by planting trees along the McKenzie River, effectively reducing river temperatures while supporting watershed health. He also highlights how climate change is affecting local precipitation patterns, forcing the utility to adjust infrastructure capacity and operational readiness.Looking ahead, Matt is focused on a $300 million infrastructure renewal plan, transforming biosolids into a higher-value Class A product, and potentially expanding MWMC’s services to nearby communities through regionalization. He views himself as a custodian of the system, aiming to leave the utility stronger than he found it and prepared for the next generation.More:Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC): https://www.mwmcpartners.orgOregon Association of Clean Water Agencies (ORACWA): https://oracwa.orgNorthwest Natural Gas (NW Natural): https://www.nwnatural.comWillamette Riverkeeper: https://www.willametteriverkeeper.orgNational Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA): https://www.nacwa.orgPacific Northwest Clean Water Association (PNCWA): https://www.pncwa.org Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

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• The Mid-Major Powerhouse of Wastewater Innovation - FRWRD's Eric Johnson

  In this episode of 21st Century Water, we sit down with Eric Johnson, Executive Director of the Fox River Water Reclamation District (FRWRD), to unpack a unique leadership journey and explore a forward-thinking approach to water management. Eric’s path to running a regional wastewater agency is anything but conventional. Starting in public service at age 19 while in college, he transitioned from political roles to township supervisor, then city manager, and eventually into the water sector. What stands out is how he’s brought a legal and administrative mindset into a highly technical domain, focusing on assembling expert teams rather than becoming the technical expert himself.We dive into the scale and complexity of FRWRD’s operations—three plants serving over 200,000 residents across multiple counties, with a $24 million operating budget and up to $20 million in annual capital projects. Eric walks us through a strategic pivot the agency is undergoing: its first-ever facility master plan. This includes initiatives like implementing a digital twin, improving asset management, and exploring plant consolidation to drive efficiency.We also talk about regionalization. Eric makes a strong case for consolidating smaller wastewater utilities into regional agencies to improve cost-effectiveness, compliance, and service quality. He cites examples from his own district and explains the political and institutional barriers to broader adoption, highlighting the need for leadership willing to set aside control for the greater good of the community.Financially, FRWRD recently completed a rate study, aiming to keep costs fair and predictable while balancing regulatory pressures and infrastructure needs. Eric shares how the utility is pursuing alternative revenue streams, including water reuse and solar energy, to reduce the financial burden on ratepayers. He also emphasizes the importance of public communication, using scale, continuity, visibility, and plain language to help people understand the unseen but essential role wastewater infrastructure plays.Operationally, FRWRD faces challenges with aging infrastructure, rising costs, and a tightening labor market. Eric outlines efforts to modernize the organization—from equipping staff with better technology to launching workforce development partnerships and emphasizing leadership training. His passion for building high-performing, collaborative teams is clear, and he sees talent development as central to his long-term vision.Eric closes with reflections on legacy. For him, success means advancing regionalization, fostering innovation, and creating an environment where employees thrive—even if that means they eventually move on to bigger roles. He hopes FRWRD becomes known as a forward-thinking, mid-sized agency that others look to for leadership, innovation, and talent.More:Fox River Water Reclamation District: https://www.frwrd.com/ Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

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• How a Small District in Colorado is Leading The West in Water Innovation

  In this episode of 21st Century Water, we sit down with Andrea Cole, General Manager of Dominion Water & Sanitation District in Colorado. With a background in engineering and law, Andrea brings a multidimensional perspective to leading water, wastewater, and stormwater efforts in the fast-growing Sterling Ranch community. We begin by exploring her journey from a small town in Wyoming, where an early appreciation for natural resources sparked her passion for water. Her unique blend of technical knowledge and legal expertise has positioned her to address the regulatory, financial, and political challenges that utilities face today.We dive into Sterling Ranch’s model of sustainability, where renewable water is foundational—not an afterthought. Dominion, under Andrea's leadership, has helped position the community as a leader in water efficiency, achieving usage rates as low as 0.17 acre-feet per home annually. This mindset-first approach has shaped a culture where residents inherently value water as a finite resource. With only 10% of the community built out so far, Sterling Ranch is on track to grow to nearly 60,000 residents, with infrastructure in place to support long-term sustainability.We also look at Douglas County’s broader vision for growth, where Dominion plays a central role in establishing renewable water systems to support future economic development. A key highlight is the $34 million regional wastewater treatment plant set to break ground, which will treat reusable water and enable indirect potable reuse. This project also connects a nearby disadvantaged community to modern infrastructure and safe water, correcting long-standing issues with non-renewable, contaminated sources.Andrea emphasizes the importance of soft skills in leadership—stakeholder engagement, regulatory navigation, and political awareness—as often more critical than the technical engineering work itself. Her legal training enables her to view regulatory frameworks not as barriers but as tools for innovative problem-solving. We also discuss Dominion’s forward-thinking investment strategy, totaling over $70 million across wastewater, pump stations, and water pipeline projects in the coming years.Despite being a small and growing utility with only 11 employees, Dominion is leveraging its flexibility to adopt modern technology like GIS to enhance planning and operations. Workforce development is another key theme, with Andrea focusing on hiring people who thrive in dynamic environments and want to help shape the district’s future. She closes by expressing her vision for a legacy rooted in sustainability—a future where our great-grandchildren can enjoy water and nature just as we have.Links:Dominion Water & Sanitation District: https://www.dominionwsd.orgSterling Ranch Community: https://www.sterlingranchcolorado.comDouglas County Government: https://www.douglas.co.usAmerican Rescue Plan Act: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/state-and-local-fiscal-recovery-funds Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

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• Las Vegas'' Water Secret: How Southern Nevada Water Authority Manages Extreme Scarcity

  In this episode of 21st Century Water, we sit down with John J. Entsminger, General Manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) and the Las Vegas Valley Water District. John oversees the water supply for 2.5 million residents and 40 million visitors annually in one of the most water-stressed regions of the United States. He shares his journey from environmental law to leading a major water utility and highlights the pivotal moments that shaped his approach to water management, including the 2002 Colorado River drought and the 2007-2009 recession.John explains the vast scale of SNWA’s infrastructure, from its 250 miles of massive pipelines to the 7,000 miles of distribution lines in the Las Vegas Valley Water District. With climate change and cybersecurity as the biggest challenges facing water utilities, he emphasizes how SNWA has aggressively tackled conservation. Through innovative measures like removing non-functional turf, enforcing watering schedules, and deploying water enforcement officers, Southern Nevada has added 800,000 people since 2002 while reducing total water consumption by 35-40%.We discuss the importance of strategic investments, including a $1.5 billion low-lake-level pumping station at Lake Mead, designed purely for redundancy to secure supply. John also shares insights into international and interstate water negotiations, where he has played a key role in agreements involving the seven Colorado River Basin states and Mexico. He highlights the delicate balance of ensuring every party “loses” just enough to reach a compromise that sustains long-term water management.A key advantage for Las Vegas is its ability to recycle nearly 100% of indoor water use. Thanks to its unique geography, all wastewater is treated and returned to Lake Mead, allowing for legal return flow credits. The city’s only significant water losses come from outdoor irrigation, evaporative cooling, and septic systems, which SNWA is actively addressing. John also discusses their use of innovative leak detection technology, AI-powered predictive maintenance, and automated metering to enhance efficiency.One remarkable case study is how SNWA worked with Formula 1 to make the Las Vegas Grand Prix the first net-positive water race in history. By offsetting race-related water use with an atmospheric water generator installed at MGM, the event saved more water than it consumed. John sees AI playing an increasing role in optimizing pipeline maintenance and customer leak detection, making conservation even more effective.Another is the building 54 weirs, which are erosion-controlled structures to slow down the water. And over the last 20 years, the number one source of materials for those weirs is imploded old casinos.As we wrap up, John reflects on his legacy, emphasizing pragmatism and the importance of speaking truth to power. His leadership has positioned Southern Nevada as a global model for water conservation and resilience, proving that even in the face of extreme scarcity, strategic planning and innovation can secure a sustainable water future.More: Las Vegas Valley Water District: https://www.lvvwd.com/Southern Nevada Water Authority: https://www.snwa.com/ Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

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• Fort Wayne Water Systems: Matthew Wirtz Discusses Infrastructure, Technology, and Sustainability

  In this episode of 21st Century Water, we sit down with Matthew Wirtz, Deputy Director and Chief Engineer at Fort Wayne City Utilities. With over 25 years of experience, Matt has played a crucial role in shaping the city’s water infrastructure, addressing challenges like flood prevention, stormwater management, and sustainability. Coming from a farming background, Matt’s early exposure to water management laid the foundation for his career in civil engineering.We explore Fort Wayne’s ambitious efforts to modernize its water systems while balancing economic growth and environmental responsibility. Matt discusses the city’s 18-year-long control plan to separate sewer and stormwater systems, a major initiative aimed at reducing overflows by over 95%. Now in its final year, this project marks a significant milestone in Fort Wayne’s water management history. The city has also been investing heavily—up to $135 million annually—in infrastructure improvements, including lead pipe replacement, asset management, and innovative energy solutions.One of Fort Wayne’s standout achievements is its microgrid system, which integrates solar power, battery storage, and methane-powered engines to enhance power resiliency at its water and wastewater treatment facilities. This setup provides 40-80% of the city’s energy needs daily while ensuring backup power during critical events. Matt emphasizes how this model not only supports sustainability but also enhances operational reliability.We also discuss how Fort Wayne is leveraging technology and innovation to optimize utility operations. The city is adopting machine learning for sewer inspections, implementing advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) to improve water management, and exploring AI-driven tools for asset management and customer service. Additionally, Fort Wayne is addressing workforce challenges by growing its in-house engineering team, recruiting interns, and investing in professional development to build a strong talent pipeline.Looking ahead, sustainability remains a key focus. Fort Wayne is developing large-scale green infrastructure projects, such as converting a 140-acre former golf course into a wetland for flood mitigation and water quality improvement. The city is also working toward a more integrated approach by breaking down traditional utility silos, fostering collaboration between engineering and operations teams.Matt shares his leadership philosophy, emphasizing work-life balance, mental well-being, and a people-first approach to management. His goal is to leave behind a utility that is not only technologically advanced but also a great place to work.This conversation highlights Fort Wayne’s forward-thinking strategies in water management, blending innovation, sustainability, and resilience to create a model for the future.Fort Wayne Public Works Website: https://www.cityoffortwayne.org/public-works-departments/board-of-public-works.html Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/

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