Innovation doesn't just empower water and wastewater utilities to achieve compliance in an evolving regulatory landscape. It can also be the key to driving staggering economic, environmental, and resilience benefits for the communities they serve.

In this episode, Hazen President Alan Stone talks with Jay Bernas, CEO and General Manager of Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) in Virginia, about the multitude of benefits utilities can realize when they adopt an innovation philosophy.

Alan and Jay discuss HRSD's innovation journey from a risk-averse mindset to a culture built on trying new things and exploring what’s possible—and the multi-billion-dollar savings they unlocked in the process. They dig into HRSD’s cutting-edge projects, such as the Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow (SWIFT), an innovative managed aquifer recharge system in which highly treated water is put through additional rounds of advanced water treatment to meet drinking water quality standards and achieve multiple goals. Additional highlights include discussions on the importance of strategic alignment, collaboration, and communications when implementing major future-facing initiatives and what’s next for the organization (hint: it involves a robot dog!).

All Things Water Podcast

The water sector is constantly evolving, and the challenges facing utilities and water managers today are more complex and dynamic than ever. Join us on the All Things Water podcast as we host conversations and perspectives from across the industry on today’s most critical water topics, including water reuse, utility management, water resources, and much more. This podcast is produced by Hazen and Sawyer, an environmental engineering and consulting firm dedicated to helping clients address their water quality and supply challenges to protect public health, safeguard the environment, and support the communities they serve.