TT090 – Biofilms in Focus: Impacts on Private and Public Water Supplies
Tap Talk
This week, we welcome a returning guest back to the show: Dr. Andrew Jacque, founder and chief scientist at . Andrew previously guested on episodes and along with his colleague Emily Hefty-Dieckhoff, where they covered the basics of biofilms and the impacts they have in household water systems. In Part 1 of this new two-part episode, Andrew dives even deeper into the water quality issues that biofilms cause in all kinds of water systems from private wells to public water supplies. Visit to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.
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TT089 – Outreach in Action: The Art of Making Septic Education Fun
Tap Talk
For Tap Talk's 89th episode, we were pleased to welcome on Gary Hawkins, a water resource management specialist at University of Georgia Extension! In this role, Gary spends a lot of his time conducting outreach and education programs for the citizens of Georgia to teach them more about their septic systems, private wells, and other water resources. In this episode, he dives deep with Steve and Jennifer on how he has built creative and engaging methods of delivering needed onsite wastewater education. Visit to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.
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TT088 - One in Three Wells: The Data Behind Massachusetts' Private Well Push
Tap Talk
This episode welcomes back Dr. Amie Shei of The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, joined by Jenna Day of RCAP Solutions, to share what's happened since we first discussed their private well project in . They explain how sampling hundreds of wells grew into a statewide coalition, a funded MassDEP study, and a bill that would require private well testing when a property is sold. Visit to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.
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TT087 – Growing Kentucky's Water Workforce Through Apprenticeship (Part 2)
Tap Talk
This week we continue talking with Heather Stevenson, the Director of Workforce Development for the . Last week, we discussed the development of Kentucky's rural water apprenticeship program. Here in Part 2, Heather, Steve, and Jennifer continue to discuss the current direction of the program, the use of VR as a training tool, the importance of on-the-job training, the necessity of building relationships in the water industry, and more. Visit to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.
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TT086 – Growing Kentucky's Water Workforce Through Apprenticeship (Part 1)
Tap Talk
This week for TT086, our guest is Heather Stevenson, the Director of Workforce Development for the . Kentucky is one of the 35 states that participates in the National Rural Water Association's , and Heather has overseen the building of Kentucky's program and the development of many successful apprentice graduates since 2019. In Part 1 of our conversation with her, Heather, Steve, and Jennifer discuss the requirements and basics of KRWA's program, its history, the advantages it offers to the industry, success stories from graduates, and more. Visit to learn more and find the full show...
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TT085 – The Industry Needs You: The Water Tower's Workforce Vision
Tap Talk
Welcome to Tap Talk Season 8! To kick off this new season, we welcome Courtney Lee to the show, who is the Director of Workforce Development at . The Water Tower is a nonprofit innovation hub striving to transform the future of water with research, workforce development, and industry collaboration programs. Courtney talks with Steve and Jennifer the unique approaches the organization is using to cultivate the next generation of water professionals. Visit to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.
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TT084 – Leadership in Drinking Water Regulation: Adapting to Modern Needs (Part 2)
Tap Talk
Today, we finish up Season 7 of Tap Talk with the final part of our conservation with Anthony DeRosa, the executive director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (). In this half of the conversation, Anthony discusses the changing approach of states to drinking water compliance and the challenges they face, the shifting culture of innovation and knowledge-sharing across the water sector, and some of the distinct difficulties that small systems deal with. Don't forget to listen to if you haven't yet. And keep your eyes peeled for Tap Talk Season 8! Visit to learn...
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TT083 – Leadership in Drinking Water Regulation: Adapting to Modern Needs (Part 1)
Tap Talk
To conclude Season 7 of Tap Talk, we bring you a two-part conversation with Anthony DeRosa, the executive director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (). In Part 1 of the episode, Anthony tells Steve and Jennifer about the work ASDWA does to support drinking water regulators, the evolution of the organization over the time he has worked there, and his approach to leadership in this changing technological age. Be sure to check back next week for Part 2 of the episode, which will be the final release of Season 7! Visit to learn more and find the full show notes for...
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TT082 – Understanding This Year's El Niño with the Illinois State Climatologist
Tap Talk
This week on Tap Talk, we are pleased to welcome to the show a colleague from the : Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford. Trent explains the weather phenomenon of El Niño to Steve & Jennifer, including the science behind the oscillation's mechanics, the likelihood of this year's El Niño becoming a "Super" El Niño, the expected impacts on regional climates around the world, and what these impacts can mean for water supplies and systems. Visit to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.
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TT081 – The Other Side of Vermont's Flash Drought: Stories from Public Water Systems
Tap Talk
This week's episode of Tap Talk is a direct follow-up to last week's show, "." In that episode, we primarily discussed the impact of flash drought to private well users in Vermont. This week, we hear about the challenges from the other side of 2025's water crisis: those experienced at public water systems. Sille Larsen, water resources program manager from the Vermont Department of Environment Conservation, tells Jennifer and Steve about the steps taken at the state's water systems and the value of collecting data for understanding longterm drought impacts. Visit to learn more and find the...
info_outlineFor the 80th episode of Tap Talk, we are pleased to talk with Tom DeBell, an environmental health engineer at the Vermont Department of Health. Tom tells Steve and Jennifer about the intense flash drought that Vermont (and other northeastern states) experienced in the summer of 2025, particularly how the drought impacted private well users in the state. They also discuss the steps that the health department took to help well owners maintain their wells and educate the public on obtaining adequate water supplies during the water crisis.
Visit drinkingwaterpodcast.org to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.