TT084 – Leadership in Drinking Water Regulation: Adapting to Modern Needs (Part 2)
Release Date: 07/09/2026
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...
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TT080 – What We Can Learn from Vermont's Flash Drought
Tap Talk
For 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 to learn more and find the full show notes for this...
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TT079 - The Septage Catch-22: When Better Maintenance Creates Bigger Problems
Tap Talk
The more people maintain their septic systems, the more septage gets generated. But, there's increasingly no where for it to go. Sara Heger, a decentralized wastewater expert with NOWRA, is back on the show to break down why septage disposal is becoming a bigger headache, what PFAS and other contaminants have to do with it, and what it might actually take to fix this challenge. Visit to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.
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TT078 – Building the Future Workforce with Rural Water Apprentices
Tap Talk
Next up on Tap Talk, we are welcoming Shannan Walton, the 's Director of Workforce Development, to the show. At NRWA, Shannan has been integral in running the organization's successful NRWA for training new operators across the country. Listen to her conversation with Steve and Jennifer to learn all about the history, development, and the future of this program, as well as Shannan's thoughts on what else we can do to bring young people into the water industry. Visit to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.
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TT077 – Discussing the History and Impact of the National Ground Water Monitoring Network (Part 2)
Tap Talk
This week on Tap Talk we finish our two-part series with Bob Schreiber! In this episode, Bob (a water resources engineer at and long-time member) continues to discuss the development and importance of the with Steve and Jennifer. They also discuss the links between Bob's advocacy work for both groundwater and bladder cancer awareness, as well as the importance of well testing and the need for greater understanding of the impacts of groundwater contaminants on health outcomes. Visit to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.
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TT076 – Discussing the History and Impact of the National Ground Water Monitoring Network (Part 1)
Tap Talk
Our newest Tap Talk episode is a two-parter! Today, we welcome Bob Schreiber, a water resources engineer at and long-time member, to the show to discuss the development and importance of the . Be sure to tune back in next week for Part 2 with Bob! Visit to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.
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TT075 – Raising Your Hand: The Value of Industry Involvement
Tap Talk
For Tap Talk's landmark 75th episode, we welcomed on Hunter Adams, the Water Source & Purification Superintendent for the City of Wichita Falls, Texas. With Jennifer & Steve, Hunter discusses the importance of getting involved with the water industry and giving back to the water community. Hunter also explains the story behind the series of "What Operators Need to Know" articles he writes and edits for the American Water Works Association's magazine. Visit to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.
info_outlineToday, 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 (ASDWA). 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 Part 1 of this episode if you haven't yet. And keep your eyes peeled for Tap Talk Season 8!
Visit drinkingwaterpodcast.org to learn more and find the full show notes for this episode.