Water Talk

Making good on the Human Right to Water

A conversation with Susana De Anda (Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Community Water Center) about the gaps between legislating and enacting the Human Right to Water including accountability, affordability, and leveraging related water policies. Released December 12, 2025.

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Groundwater depletion, sea level rise, and satellites

A conversation with Jay Famiglietti (Global Futures Professor at Arizona State University and Director of the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative) about groundwater depletion, sea level rise, mega-drying regions, and increasing public awareness of groundwater. Released December 5, 2025.

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The Imperial Valley—winter produce basket and living border

A conversation with University of California Desert Research and Extension Center Director Dr. Jairo Diaz about water, agriculture, and border dynamics in the Imperial Valley spanning California, Arizona, and Mexico. Re-released on November 26, 2025 with original interview from April 16, 2021.

Disasters and Emergency Management

A conversation with Professor Samantha Montano (Massachusetts Maritime Academy, author of Disasterology) about the stages of emergency management, needs following different types of disasters, and the changing emergency management landscape across the United States. Released November 21, 2025.

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Inside the Working Cranberry Marsh

A conversation with Professors Leslie Holland and Amaya Atucha (University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension) about cranberry production, water use, recycling, and enjoyment. Released November 14, 2025.

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Environmental justice tactics, strategies, and institutions

A conversation with Professor Tracy Perkins (Arizona State University) about the history of the environmental justice movement in California and different types of environmental action and activism. Released November 7, 2025.

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Water budgeting and bankruptcy

A conversation with Brian Richter (Sustainable Waters) about budgeting water for the environment and water accounting for the future. Released October 31, 2025.

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Irrigation, Evapotranspiration, and Climate

A conversation with Professor Sonali McDermid (New York University) about irrigation, evapotranspiration, and impacts on climate systems. Released October 24, 2025.

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Tribal and Transboundary Issues in the Colorado River Basin

A conversation with Cora Tso (Senior Research Fellow, Tribal Water Policy, Kyl Center for Water Policy, Arizona State University) and Prof. Sam Sandoval (University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, UC Davis, Water Talk podcast co-host) about the complex system of water use agreements with Tribes and Mexico. Released October 17, 2025.

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Reimagining Flood Risk and Insurance

A conversation with Dr. Kathleen Schaefer about flood risk and new approaches for community-based flood insurance. Released October 10, 2025.

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A Blueprint for Community Organizing around Data Centers

A conversation with Professor Michael Bogan (University of Arizona School of Natural Resources and the Environment) about data center water use, the concept of water neutral development, and community mobilization. Released October 3, 2025.

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Water Footprint of AI Data Centers

A conversation with Professor Melissa Scanlan (UW–Milwaukee Center for Water Policy and School of Freshwater Sciences) about data center water use, growth, and policy considerations. Released September 26, 2025.

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Season 6 Teaser

Welcome to the sixth season of Water Talk! Cohosts Drs. Mallika Nocco, Faith Kearns, and Sam Sandoval talk about the new normal, our favorite bodies of water, all-time favorite episodes, and upcoming season. Released September 19, 2025

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Ep 69: Advising CA Tribal Policy

A conversation with Anecita Agustinez (state tribal policy advisor, California Department of Water Resources) about water governance and expertise around challenging policy issues. Released February 7, 2025.

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Ep 68: Engineering Safer and Cleaner Water

A conversation with Nichole Morgan (civil engineer, California State Water Resources Control Board) about implementing programs and policies to steward water resources and infrastructure. Released January 31, 2025.

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Ep 67: Wildfire and Water Infrastructure

A conversation with Drs. Greg Pierce (UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation) and Faith Kearns (ASU Water Innovation Initiative) about water infrastructure before, during, and following wildfires. Released January 24, 2025.

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Ep 66: Water Narratives

A conversation with Drs. Caroline Gottschalk (University of Wisconsin–Madison) and Marty Holtgren (Encompass Socio-ecological Consulting) about the importance of restoration, oral histories, dams, and rivers. Released January 17, 2025.

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Ep 65: Water and Housing Instability

A conversation with Drs. Alhelí Calderón Villareal (California State University San Marcos) and Georgia Kayser (University of California, San Diego) about the importance of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services for people experiencing housing instability. Released December 20, 2024.

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Ep 64: Disabled Groundwater

A conversation with professor Sunaura Taylor (author, artist, UC Berkeley) about injured aquifers and reframing disability in a broader environmental context. Released December 13, 2024.

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Ep 63: Growing Agaves

A conversation with California agave growers Ofelia Lichtenheld (East San Diego County) and Jordie Ricigliano (Central Coast) about opportunities and challenges for agave production. Released December 6, 2024.

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