The Weekly Dive #2

/in /by

A wind-powered cargo ship set sail for the first time. RanMarine’s aquatic robot eats 1100lbs of plastic each day. Wave-powered desalination startup Oneka gets ready for Series A financing round. Scientists want to electrically charge clouds to make them rain. Google partners with South Florida Water Management to tackle water programs. Peter Ullrich is this week’s member of the HydroDAO team we are highlighting. Learn about his background and why he has decided to devote his life work to water.

Your weekly Bonus – Alpine’s Alpenglow is the coolest hydrogen-powered concept race car yet!

This week’s quote:

Love is but a song we sing
Fear’s the way we die
You can make the mountains ring
Or make the angels cry
Though the bird is on the wing
And you may not know why

Come on, people now
Smile on your water
Everybody get together
Try to love our water right now

Some may come and some may go
He will surely pass
When the one that left us here
Returns for us at last
We are but a moment’s sunlight
Fading in the grass

If you hear the song I sing
You will understand,
You hold the key to love and fear
All in your trembling hand
Just one key unlocks them both
It’s there at your command

Come on, people now
Smile on your water
Everybody get together
Try to love our water right now

What’s New with Water?

‘Wind Challenger’: World’s first partially wind-powered cargo ship successfully sailed

It is the first coal carrier to be powered by hard sail wind power propulsion technology.

A floating wind platform has been installed in Spain 50 meters into the water

According to a press release acquired by IE on Friday, a floating wind platform has been successfully installed at the PLOCAN test site in the Canary Islands of Spain.

Award-winning — plastic-eating robo-fish is finally here to rid our waters of waste 

“Water pollution, especially plastic pollution, is a huge problem. It’s not just the ocean which suffers but rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. This makes it a problem without a one-size-fits-all solution,” Eleanor Mackintosh, the contest winner, told New Atlas.

What’s New in the Industry?

This Aquatic Robot Is Making a Meal Out of Marine Waste

RanMarine can collect up to 500 kg of plastic waste and destructive biomass each day, harmoniously clearing up and monitoring our waters.

Oneka staffs up ahead of Series A funding round

Wave-powered desalination specialist Oneka Technologies has appointed sector veteran Shawn Meyer-Steele as its first chief commercial officer, ahead of a Can$35 million (US$25 million) funding round which is set to close early next year.

Google, South Florida Water Management partner to tackle critical water programs 

South Florida Water Management is the largest and oldest water district in Florida, overseeing water resources for more than nine million residents from Orlando to the Florida Keys.

What’s New in the Science?

Scientists electrically charge ‘constipated’ clouds to make them rain 

A new scientific experiment has proven that electrically charging clouds can change the size of the droplets in fog.

Research team develops aqueous rechargeable batteries based on zinc anodes 

Can we survive three minutes without air or three days without water? How about without batteries? Imagine not having a battery for three hours.

Novel waste treatment efficiently converts sewage to biogas 

A new method to treat sewage can efficiently convert leftover sludge to biogas, an advance that could help communities lower their waste treatment costs while helping the environment.

The HydroDAO Team: Peter Ullrich

Peter received his Master of Science in Global Health from Northwestern University in June 2022. The focus of his master’s was Water Sanitation Hygiene (WASH), and much of his research studied the interaction between climate change and the growing numbers of waterborne diseases.

Peter previously worked in research as a clinical research coordinator at Northwestern University where he led teams of doctors, residents, and medical students in dozens of research projects covering topics such as wound healing, medical device effectiveness, and access to surgical care. Peter also recently completed his work at Bridge to Health USA where he supported a project that teaches healthcare workers in Yemen to utilize point of care ultrasound for critical diagnoses.

For many years, Peter was determined to be a medical doctor, but the water and climate crisis has become too important to ignore. Therefore, he is devoting his career to connecting the water industry to accelerate innovative solutions.

Why Water?

“Water has always played a key part of my life. As a native Wisconsinite, I was always near freshwater: I grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan, spent summers on the northern lakes in the state, and went to college nuzzled between Lakes Mendota and Monona at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Life surrounded the water. Very few weeks went by without swimming, rowing, paddle boarding, fishing, skiing, or simply spending time around the water. And from an early age, my parents emphasized the value of water—they informed my siblings and me about the future wars that would be fought over the very water we used on a daily basis.

Water grew even more influential in my life as I spread roots outside of my watery home state. I spent considerable time in the Nordic countries, particularly Finland, where the sauna reigns supreme. My family adopted the healing rituals that accompanied sauna culture—from the steamy heat to the damp birch branch whippings (Look it up, if unfamiliar. It’s an interesting practice). We even started cutting a hole in frozen lakes during the deep, cold winters to plunge following a sauna session—the bravest would submerge in the frozen waters without first sitting in the sauna. Cold winters not only provided the frigid portal into those natural ice baths, they also brought the snow. This icy form of water always gripped my heart. It could fall softly in light flakes or consume the sky in heavy, wet storms. It was the medium for exploring new places on cross country skis or ripping down mountains on thick alpine skis. Over the years, we have seen less snow in hills of my home state and in the mountains of my current state, Colorado. This is one of the most distinct ways I have witnessed a drastic shift in the hydrological cycle our world is experiencing.

Water gradually spilled into my professional life. While pursuing my Master of Science in Global Health at Northwestern University, I developed an attention to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). An incredible non profit organization name One Shared World provided an avenue to collaborate with passionate young people to advocate for universal access to WASH while promoting its relationship to human health with the pandemic as a distinct example. Through our Water, Santiation, Hygeine, and Pandemic Protection (WASHPAP) campaign, we gathered 250+ youth voices from 40+ countries to create a mock United Nations resolution which we presented to at a summit attended by nearly 1.4 million people. Eventually, part of our resolution was adopted into a legitimate UN resolution, adopted unanimously in December 2021. Ever since, I have committed to being on the forefront of innovative water practices, and I am honored to help direct operations at HydroDAO.

We can all feel water’s revitalizing powers. Whether in the light snowflakes that fall in a winter evening or the comfortable rocking of a rolling ocean wave or the cool sip of water on a searing summer’s afternoon. These pleasant interactions highlight the beauty in water. However, we are often reminded of water’s ultimate power over us. A parched tongue in the blinding sun, a destructive flooding event that contaminates drinking water, or a drought that sparks wildfires across massive stretches of territory. The latter examples are occurring more frequently, and, after experiencing many treasured moments with water throughout my life, I plan to dedicate my efforts to help mitigate disastrous hydrological events. It will take relentless work, but I am optimistic that we can live in a joyful equilibrium.”

What’s in the Future?

These images show the coolest hydrogen-powered concept race car yet 

Alpine’s hydrogen-powered concept vehicle Alpenglow boasts an emission-free ride.

NASA’s Lunar Flashlight will use lasers to search for water ice at the Moon’s poles

NASA’s Lunar Flashlight, the size of a small briefcase, is scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida between November 9 and 15 with the Japanese Hakuto-R lander and a UAE’s rover.

The Weekly Dive #1

/in /by

The world’s largest floating wave energy device is launched. California passes funding for new Desalination plant. Pancopia turns astronauts’ pee into drinking water. Illegal fishing is destroying up to $50B in marine ecosystems. South African taps have run dry. Secret files show chemical giants knew about the health risks of weedkillers. Jesse Krieger is the first member of the HydroDAO team we are highlighting this week. Learn about his background and why he has decided to devote his life work to water.

Your weekly Bonus – What is life like in one of Philippines’ poorest slums? 

This week’s quote:

Love when we wake
And love when we rise
Love when we’re walking
And touching blue skies

Love when we’re silent
And love when we speak
Love when we know that
There’s nothing to seek

Love when we’re working
And love when we rest
Love when we wonder
“Have we done our best?’

Love when we’re watching
And love as we play
Love when we’re dancing
And finding our way

Love is the answer
To all questions asked
Love will transport you
To Now from the past

Love is the Beauty
And Love is the Peace
Love is the Joy
That brings sweet release

Love begins softly
In both home and heart
Love creates heaven on Earth
Right from the start

HydroDAO

A Community collaborating to accelerate Water Innovations, Investment, and Education 

HydroDAO is the first global community of its kind created for water leaders, innovators, artists, and scientists who value our relationship with water and hope to collaboratively support evolutionary water technologies.

Tech & Innovation

The ‘world’s largest capacity’ floating wave energy device will be tested in Scotland over the next four years 

Thanks to a $19.2 million collaboration co-funded by the European Union.

‘Fishless fish’: the next big trend in the seafood industry

‘Alternative seafood’ is having a moment, with the rise of companies like BlueNalu and Wildtype, which has the backing of Leonardo DiCaprio.

Space: the final frontier for water recycling?

Water purification company, Pancopia, has been awarded $350,000 to develop the NASA MAX System for efficient water recycling in space.

Offshore wind turbine prototype breaks world record; 359 megawatt-hours within 24 hours

The wind turbine can produce energy to drive 1.12 million miles in a mid-sized electric car.

Water & the Environment

Illegal fishing spurs billions in losses for developing countries, study says

Analysis finds global practice is a major driver of marine ecosystems’ destruction and is estimated to run up to $50bn.

As Baby Boomers Retire, The Water Workforce Faces Its Own Drought 

The industry group American Water Works Association lists retirements as a top concern, just behind water availability.

4 engineering reasons why South African cities have no water despite full dams 

In Johannesburg and Tshwane taps have run dry, with numerous areas experiencing intermittent supply while some areas have no water at all.

California approves desalination plant as historic drought hits water supplies

California regulators this week approved a $140 million desalination plant that could convert up to 5 million gallons of seawater each day.

PFAS & Water Pollution

Secret files suggest chemical giant feared weedkiller’s link to Parkinson’s disease 

Documents seen by Guardian detail effort to refute scientific research into paraquat and derail nomination of key EPA adviser.

US lawmakers call for more measures to protect against toxic lead in tap water

Senators make appeal to EPA after series of Guardian articles revealed that communities of color face high lead levels.

EPA launches civil rights investigation into Mississippi water crisis

EPA investigating whether state agencies discriminated against majority-Black city of Jackson by refusing to fund improvements.

Exposure to environmental toxins may be root of rise in neurological disorders

Doctors warn exposure to omnipresent yet poorly understood chemicals such as microplastics could play a role in dementia.

The HydroDAO Team: Jesse Krieger

Jesse stands at the intersection of publishing and Web3 – having signed publishing deals on two different continents and navigating the world of becoming a bestselling author twice. It has been his honor to work with 100+ authors from around the world to achieve their dreams of writing and publishing a book.

Jesse is the Managing Partner of The Publishing Consultants and the Associate Publisher for Morgan James Publishing. He has been featured on over 100 media outlets for his bestselling book Lifestyle Entrepreneur and entrepreneurial endeavors. He holds degrees from University of California, Berkeley, National Taiwan University and Beijing Normal University.

Why Water?

“Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I marveled at watching the fog roll in over the hills and spent countless hours on the Bay, whether that was kayaking, boating or simply splashing on the shore. At the same time, I grew up in a drought and was always mindful of shower times and turned off the faucet while brushing my teeth. I grew up with an appreciation for the value of water and magic of how water is integral to all aspects of human life.

For the last 7+ years I’ve lived in Las Vegas, the driest city in America, and while I love the sunny days and warm nights, it has brought my attention back to water. Las Vegas has one of the most advanced municipal water management systems in the country and all indoor water use is recycled. But now Lake Mead is dropping to historic lows, threatening to decrease the amount of hydroelectric power that can be generated and throwing into question whether the lake can continue to support 5+ states in the Southwest.

It is my view that water is not just a resource, but that it is Source and is the common denominator for all life on Earth. Therefore it is imperative to be conscious of our relationship with water and how we utilize it and for us to invest into the future of responsible water use, as well as technologies that support it.”

Slums & Pollution

Life in Happyland: the people living off Manila’s rubbish – in pictures 

Residents in one of the poorest slums of the Philippines – a country among the world’s biggest contributors to plastic pollution – earn money by picking through waste and selling what they find to the area’s recycling shops.

Dan Bena

/in /by

LinkedIn

Company: PepsiCo (previously)

Dan Bena founded his Corporate Purpose and ESG consultancy after a long career with PepsiCo, where he served in leadership roles as Corporate Water Steward, Head of Sustainable Development, Food Safety and Quality specialist, and Head of the company’s first-ever corporate function for Occupational Health and Safety. In addition, he is Senior Consultant for Antea Group USA, and Chair of their Strategic Advisory Board, Advisor to Grimley Capital, Honorary Professor for Glasgow Caledonian University, and Board Trustee of its New York College, which houses the Center for Social Impact and Innovation. Bena advocates for the power of the private sector as a force for good in society. He was recently Senior Advisor to Paul Newman’s charity, Safe Water Network, and serves/has served on the Water Leadership Group of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD); Steering Board of World Bank’s 2030 Water Resources Group; Steering Committee of the United Nations CEO Water Mandate; the Global Agenda Council on Water Security of the World Economic Forum; US Water Alliance; and Creative Visions Foundation, a non-profit whose signature program, Rock Your World, engages middle and high school students from over 70 countries in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

He serves on the Board of the United Nations Association Westchester Chapter, and on the Advisory Boards for Conrad Challenge, SuperYou Fundation, Artistic Circles, Environmental Leader publications group, and the journal, Water Security. Bena was selected as a mentor for the ThreeDotDash.org Global Teen Leader program; a judge for the University of Notre Dame Corporate Adaptation Prize; and the Penn State Sustainability Case Challenge. He delivered the keynote address at the Swedish Royal Gala, the Our Food, Our Future Summit, in Dublin, Ireland, provided testimony to the US Senate, spoke at the United Nations NGO Conference, “”Sustainable Societies; Responsive Citizens,” and keynoted the United Nations Youth Assembly to over 1,000 youth delegates from over 100 countries. He received the Light Up the Night Award for youth advocacy and engagement, was honored to have October 24th proclaimed “Dan Bena Day” in New York State; and was recently named a “Global Goals Local Leader” by the UN Association for his role in the partnerships which have provided over 55 million people with access to safe water.

Learn more: www.Linktree.com/danbena and www.danbena.com

Robert Bowcock

/in /by

LinkedIn

Company: Integrated Resource Management

Founded Integrated Resource Management, LLC in 1997 after serving as a Water Utility Manager in Azusa (1991-97) and Huntington Park (1987-91), California. Prior to that, Mr. Bowcock worked for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (1982-87), and as a U.S. Army Civil Affairs Team Leader designed and constructed water treatment and distribution systems for various federal branches of government in Southeast Asia and South America. Mr. Bowcock has been appointed to serve on several Watermaster Boards by California Superior Courts since 1990. He is a licensed California Grade V Water Treatment Operator and maintains various other water industry licenses. He routinely provides expert witness work to legal firms in the specific area of water resource management.

Stuart Rudick

/in /by

LinkedIn

Stuart Rudick has been a top performing investment manager for four decades, “making money making a difference.” His ability to identify emerging market trends has led Stuart to invest in first mover market leaders in their early days, reflecting past returns of 5x on investment and an IRR of 20%. He is currently the founder and CEO of HydroDAO, which invests in global entrepreneurs creating our future leading water innovations. He was most recently founding Partner of the Mindfull Investors Venture Fund, investing in the new breed of entrepreneurs creating sustainably focused health and wellness companies. In 2015, he launched Mindfull Crowd, the first crowdfunding platform enabling accredited investors to invest in innovative businesses providing health focused solutions to the most pressing issues in our lives. He is dedicating his life as a steward, honoring Water and its key role to all life and our well being.

He was the Founding Partner at Mindful Investors, LLC, a pioneering Private Equity fund focused on investments in healthy and sustainable consumer products companies including Seventh Generation and Organic Girl. In 1993, Stuart founded, Mindful Partners, one of the first hedge funds, generating a 20% IRR to investors over 9 years. In the 1980’s, he served as Partner at Shearson, Lehman and Associate Director at Bear Stearns. Notable investments that Stuart has been involved with over the course of his career have included: Earthlink (IPO), Saba Software (IPO), Connor Medsystems (acquired by Johnson & Johnson for $3B), Savacor Inc. (acquired by St. Jude Medical for $200M)

Mr. Rudick earned a BS in Business Administration from the University of Colorado and attended the University of Lancaster, UK and MBA program at Golden Gate University.

Stuart’s sustainable industry Board involvement includes past Board Member of Blue Planet Network and past Chairman of Baykeeper of Northern California. He has been actively involved with B Corporation, Environmental Entrepreneurs, Cradle to Cradle Institute, Global Impact Investing Network, NRDC, Greenpeace and Rainforest Action Network.

Stuart’s daily practice includes paddle boarding, biking, Qigong and mindful living.

D.L. ‘West’ Marrin

/in /by

LinkedIn

West is an applied scientist and educator, as well as a co-founder of an NGO, two private firms, a multimedia forum and a consultancy that assists environmental, entrepreneurial and educational groups with water-related issues. He has authored three books about the science and uniqueness of water, as well as a range of scientific journal articles addressing water pollution/remediation, aquatic chemistry/ecology, resource allocation, and the water-energy-food nexus. He lectures on the topics of global water quality, local water footprints, sustainable water technologies, hydromimicry, and collaborations among scientists, artists, designers and engineers in recognizing, communicating and addressing water challenges. His recent work focuses on the application of systems theory, emergence and pattern recognition in perceiving and describing water resource properties and watershed functions.

He is a former Adjunct Professor at San Diego State University and holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in the biological and environmental sciences from the University of California, as well as a Ph.D. in water resources from the University of Arizona. His interest in water is also related to a lifetime of experiential endeavors such as surfing, SCUBA diving, paddling and exploring natural waters worldwide.

Why Water?

I was born in Southern California and spent much of my early life along the beaches of north San Diego County. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of the ocean and its various sounds, rhythms, flow forms and, eventually, the waves that propelled my surfboard. As my parents were both school teachers, there was never much doubt about my pursuing university degrees—the only question was what I would choose to study. In keeping with my childhood interests, I chose to study the oceans, water, and the natural world. I was especially interested in travel and field research, which led me to both freshwater and seawater in places as diverse as the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Channel Islands of California. While I enjoyed conducting research and interacting with other scientists, I was also drawn to communicating theories and revelations about water and nature through writing and lecturing. As a result, I taught classes in several university programs and co-founded a small firm that specialized in presenting scientific concepts to non-technical audiences.

Just prior to the millennium, I decided to take a break from my conventional work and moved to the remote north shore of the Hawaiian Island of Kauai, where I resided for the better part of a decade. Surfing, swimming and kayaking, as well as hiking along mountain streams and traveling throughout Oceania, were the backdrop for my writing three books and focusing on how our perceptions of water may underlie to our largely self-created challenges with water. I believe that many of today’s environmental and water-related crises are a function of how we’ve been taught about the natural world and how the resulting perceptions have been translated into our actions and decisions. Much of my work during the last decade has been offering different views of water, including the ways that scientists interpret datasets, that managers/users evaluate conservation measures, and that innovators develop technologies.

In an effort to introduce the science and mystery of water to a wider cross section of people, I began collaborating with artists, graphic designers and storytellers who provided unique ways of incorporating and presenting water science, as well as providing their own perspectives on water that have influenced my research and understandings. My professional and personal relationships with water have taught me that a genuine appreciation of it cannot be confined to a single or even a few perspectives, experiences, or understandings. Instead, a combination of diverse viewpoints is essential to realizing the countless ways in which water influences health, climate, food, and all of our human institutions. My particular interests have been in water quality, hydromimicry, and the water-energy-food nexus; however, I am totally dependent on the research, visions, and inputs of countless others who have shared their diverse knowledge base—however it may have been acquired. 

Dr Peter Williams

/in /by

LinkedIn

Dr Peter Williams has over 35 years’ experience in helping businesses and governments adapt to, and make the most of, new technology. By background a strategy and process consultant, he was formerly the CTO of IBM’s “Big Green Innovations” unit, where he played a major role in the development of IBM’s “smarter planet” businesses in the areas of environmental management, water management, smart cities and disaster resilience: these focused on on the applications of technology to public infrastructure and public services. In focusing on disaster resilience, he was the lead author of the UN City Disaster Resilience Scorecard, now used by over 350 cities globally.

Having retired from IBM in 2018, Peter now leads the US Network of ARISE, the UN DRR’s vehicle for enabling public-private collaboration in disaster risk reduction. In this role he has expanded membership significantly and led or participated in numerous projects such as creating a community toolkit for wildfire risk reduction; a critical asset management tool; and action guides for cities trying to become disaster resilient. He also led the creation of a further UN Scorecard for the resilience of industrial and commercial real estate.

Peter was accorded the honor of being named an IBM Distinguished Engineer in 2009, and he also lectured at Stanford University for several years on Smart Cities and Communities. In addition to leading ARISE, he is also an independent consultant working on the application of information and data technologies to water, smart cities and disaster resilience with governments, vendors and NGOs; he is a regular judge on VC competitions; and he advises several start-ups. A native of the UK, he has lived in the US since 1999, and is married with three adult children. His PhD was awarded from the University of Bath, England.

Jesse Krieger

/in /by

LinkedIn

Jesse sits squarely at the intersection of publishing and Web3 – having signed publishing deals on two different continents and navigating the world of becoming a bestselling author twice. It has been his honor to work with 100+ authors from around the world to achieve their dreams of writing and publishing a book.

Jesse is the Managing Partner of The Publishing Consultants and the Associate Publisher for Morgan James Publishing. He has been featured on over 100 media outlets for his bestselling book Lifestyle Entrepreneur and entrepreneurial endeavors. He also holds degrees from University of California, Berkeley, as well as National Taiwan University and Beijing Normal University.

Why Water?

Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I marveled at watching the fog roll in over the hills and spent countless hours on the Bay, whether that was kayaking, boating or simply splashing on the shore. At the same time, I grew up in a drought and was always mindful of shower times and turned off the faucet while brushing my teeth. I grew up with an appreciation for the value of water and magic of how water is integral to all aspects of human life.

For the last 7+ years I’ve lived in Las Vegas, the driest city in America, and while I love the sunny days and warm nights, it has brought my attention to water back to the fore. Las Vegas has one of the most advanced municipal water management systems in the country and all indoor water use is recycled. But now Lake Mead is dropping to historic lows, threatening to decrease the amount of hydroelectric power that can be generated and throwing into question whether the lake can continue to support 5+ states in the Southwest.

It is my view that water is not just a resource, but that it is Source and is the common denominator for all life on Earth. Therefore it is imperative to be conscious of how we utilize water and invest into the future of responsible water use, as well as technologies that support it.

Ting Kelly

/in /by

LinkedIn

Ting Kelly is an oracular designer, writer and network weaver who walks the path between Silicon Valley and the East, the ancient world of temple arts and the new jedi leadership schools. Growing up in the living room of Wired magazine and roaming the Playa of Burning Man starting at the age of 6, to traveling the world with her anthro-futurist family photographing indigenous craft and ceremony. Ting imprinted her cellular memory of the ancient with her bi-lingual international education in Silicon Valley giving her the rigor and discipline to ground big ideas into the present future. After a 10-year career as an innovation consultant, experience designer and ecosystem researcher, starting with her first company when she was 10, to consulting city governments, foundations and family offices, Fortune 100 executives, and startup founders, she founded Ritual Collective to weave wisdom practitioners with the conscious leaders to create the foundation for a new paradigm of school system devoted to the Sacred for all stages of life. They have hosted over 25 immersive retreats, gatherings and workshops around the world, designed several online courses, and partnered with countless practitioners to translate their teachings for the modern medium. An avid world traveler, her roots permeate deep on the coast of California, where she lives devoting her ritual practices to integral studies, calligraphy and cacao. She serves on several advisory boards doing real good work in the world: Long Now Foundation, UN DP Innovation Accelerator, TACT Agora, Water Innovation Advisors and School for Traditions.

Kevin Fisher

/in /by

Kevin served as the Chief Technology Advisor for WaterStart (A Water Technology Accelerator). He has over 35 years of experience in the water industry, including five years in the geothermal and nuclear industries. During this tenure at the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), Kevin served as the Director of Water Quality and Treatment, Director of the Las Vegas Valley Water District’s Operations and Facilities groups.  During this period Kevin was instrumental in the development of the Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD) Emergency Response initiatives and innovative SCADA control strategy which balances improvements in water quality with energy management. During his service at LVVWD, maintenance and asset management practices were documented as being leading edge for the water utility industry.  Kevin also directed the filter improvements contracts for the Southern Nevada Water Agency’s two regional water treatment facilities. 

Why Water?

When looking back, it seems that my best memories occurred around water.  Whether it’s water skiing, fishing, family baptisms or hiking in the mountains; water has been the backdrop for many of my most joyous times.  I recall exploring Lake Powell within its narrow canyons and marveling at the light beams shooting though the blue depths of the clear water.  I remember hiking in the Sierra Nevada’s and pulling fresh clean water from a snowmelt fed stream!  It is pretty obvious to me that water has played a SUBSTANTIAL role in my physical, mental and spiritual well-being!

Our WATER, something that we have all taken for granted at one time or another, is in jeopardy.  Due to climate change, over use, waste and contamination, our fresh water is becoming scarce and our oceans are being assaulted.  The one thing on this earth that brings so much joy and wellbeing is quickly being changed or even leaving our grasp.

I’m serving within the HydroDAO group to make a difference.  Essentially, to be part of a larger machine, which will effectively address many of the issues our precious water is facing and to stem the tide of bad news.  It is no secret that I want my children’s children to experience the same joys through water that I recall.