Best Underground Infrastructure Podcasts (2025)

1
AI Goes Underground To Inspect Our Sewers

Play Pause

19h ago

—

Artificial intelligence is transforming how cities understand and manage their underground water infrastructure. In this episode, Eric Sullivan of SewerAI explains how computer vision and the cloud are revolutionizing the inspection and maintenance of wastewater systems. Technology automatically detects and classifies defects in sewer pipes using A…

1
Transportation Infrastructure Innovation for Civil Engineers: Building Smarter, More Sustainable Systems – Ep 299 33:29

5d ago33:29

33:29

In this episode, I talk with David Weiss, P.E., National Business Line for Transportation and Infrastructure Executive, at WSP in the U.S., about transportation infrastructure innovation and the powerful role engineers play in building smarter mobility systems. From modernizing project delivery to leveraging AI and digital twins for intelligent mob…

1
The Ways Orange County Leads The Water World | The Golden State of Reuse

7d ago

—

Orange County shows how water recycling moves from idea to impact—linking history, science, and workforce to make reuse mainstream. At Irvine Ranch Water District, Paul Cook explains how a simple visual breakthrough—the now-iconic purple pipe—was created in the 1980s to clearly mark recycled water and build public trust, a standard that spread acro…

1
From Curiosity To Solution: A Student's Journey In Water Science

10d ago

—

Annabelle Rayson’s journey into water science began on the shores of Lake Huron and has grown into an award-winning pursuit of global impact. A student at Harvard University and winner of the 2022 Stockholm Junior Water Prize, Annabelle shares how her childhood curiosity about the Great Lakes evolved into groundbreaking research and real-world prob…

1
Clean Water Superheroes: The Lake Erie League 28:07

11d ago28:07

28:07

Send us a text A new crew of superheroes, the Lake Erie League, is turning the hidden systems under our feet into comic-book stories for kids and teachers to use in the classroom. Across eight origin tales, these Northeast Ohio characters mirror very real aspects of the Sewer District's work, from massive tunneling machines whose creations tame sto…

501
How SUEZ Is Importing Innovation To North America

14d ago

—

SUEZ is aiming to ignite innovation in North America by bringing its 160 years of global water expertise and thousands of patented treatment technologies to utilities across the continent. In this conversation from WEFTEC, Joshua Cantone and Abigail Antolovich of SUEZ share how the company is focused on empowering utilities with advanced tools and …

601
The State Of Research On PFAS

17d ago

—

PFAS remains one of water’s toughest and most urgent challenges — a class of thousands of persistent compounds still only partly understood but deeply embedded in modern life and the environment. In this episode, Peter Grevatt, CEO of The Water Research Foundation, discusses the state of PFAS research, including how science is closing critical know…

1
Valuability in Civil Engineering for Long-Term Project Success – Ep 298 26:26

19d ago26:26

26:26

In this episode, I talk with Sarah Beckman, PE, SMIEEE, Chief Strategy Officer at Ulteig, about valuability in civil engineering and how it transforms project delivery, talent engagement, and community impact. We explore how valuability helps engineering professionals balance client satisfaction, employee well-being, and community outcomes while na…

1
How San Diego Is Building a Recycled Water Future | The Golden State of Reuse

24d ago

—

San Diego is proving that the future of water is recycled. This episode visits Santee Lakes—one of California’s earliest examples of water reuse—with Kyle Swanson of Padre Dam Municipal Water District, who explains how a 1960s experiment turned wastewater into a beloved community asset and a model for the world. The story then moves to the North Ci…

1
Underground Poetry with Literary Cleveland 52:13

28d ago52:13

52:13

Send us a text Art meets infrastructure! The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District partnered with the nonprofit creative-writing center Literary Cleveland to host a reading of "Odes to Infrastructure," a newly-published zine, right in the heart of our Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant. It was a celebration of our essential-yet-often-unseen wate…

1
Meet the Hydro20: Wavemakers for Water Sustainability

1M ago

—

Introducing the Hydro20, a group of twenty individuals celebrated for driving change, disrupting norms, and doing good for water sustainability across the United States. The Hydro20 is an initiative of waterloop, a nonprofit news outlet, and was announced during Climate Week NYC at the Rethinking Water conference hosted by Columbia University. The …

1
Pavement Preservation Strategies That Extend Road Life – Ep 297 27:03

1M ago27:03

27:03

In this episode, I talk with Dave Henderson, executive vice president of business development at Asphalt Materials, Inc. (AMI), about innovative pavement preservation strategies that extend road life and cut costs. We also explore how proactive planning and bold innovation drive more sustainable infrastructure for asphalt contractors and public age…

1
How Forensic Engineering in Civil Engineering Resolves Project Disputes – Ep 296 31:30

2M ago31:30

31:30

In this episode, I talk with Kevin Gorman, MSCE, PE, CCM, vice president at Robson Forensic, Inc., about forensic engineering in civil engineering and how it connects the worlds of civil engineering disputes and the legal system. We cover what drives construction claims analysis, how delivery methods shape outcomes, and the skills engineers need to…

1
Tech Roundup: Drones, Automation, and Clean Water 27:44

2M ago27:44

27:44

Send us a text Technology continues to transform how the Sewer District manages wastewater and stormwater. Process Analyst Ron Maichle explains how the District's drone program evolved from emergency-response support to an essential tool for project planning and monitoring. Engineer Joe Reese demystifies the elaborate control systems that allow ope…

1
Inside Infrastructure: How Valves Check The Flow

2M ago

—

Inside infrastructure, there’s a simple device called check valves quietly protecting water systems from chaos, stopping dirty water from flowing backward, and keeping everything running smoothly amid bigger storms, tighter regulations, and growing cities. In this episode, Cal Hayes from Proco Products explains the vital role of check valves. He ex…

1
The 30-year journey to an underground facility for long-term nuclear waste storage 54:07

2M ago54:07

54:07

The latest episode of the Engineers Collective is out now: listen in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, your usual platform or the player below. In this month’s episode we discuss the UK’s long-term plan for a vast underground storage facility for nuclear waste – known as a geological disposal facility (GDF) – with Nuclear Waste Services (NWS). NWS chief …

1
Why an Engineering Ownership Mindset Matters for AEC Leadership and Long Term Growth – Ep 295 35:13

2M ago35:13

35:13

In this episode, I talk with Bony Dawood, PE, President and CEO of Dawood Engineering, Inc. (A Woolpert Company), about how an engineering ownership mindset can elevate your AEC career and business success. We explore the hiring strategies, leadership values, and client-focused mindset that shape a people-first culture, along with the importance of…

1
Pittsburgh’s Playbook for Replacing All Lead Pipes

2M ago

—

Pittsburgh is writing a playbook on lead pipe replacement, aiming to eliminate all toxic lines by 2027. In this episode, Will Pickering, CEO of Pittsburgh Water, and Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis of Women for a Healthy Environment reveal the strategy behind this national model. With over $200 million in federal grants and low-interest loans, the city …

1
Can Southern California Avoid A Day Zero Water Crisis?

2M ago

—

As Southern California wonders if water scarcity could ever spiral into a “Day Zero” crisis, the region stands at a crossroads for securing its water future. In this episode of In The Newsroom, Ian James, a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, dives into the critical decisions shaping the region’s water portfolio. With half its supply imported from …

1
Civil Engineering for Habitat Restoration That Drives Ecological Change – Ep 294 31:27

3M ago31:27

31:27

In this episode, I talk with Steve Seville, P.E., Director of Salmon Recovery at Parametrix, about how civil engineers can drive real impact through salmon recovery engineering projects. We discuss how civil engineering for habitat restoration and ecology intersect, the role of fish passage design in watershed health, and what it takes to design en…

1
The Rebirth of Bayou City: Centering Water in Houston

3M ago

—

Houston is known as the energy capital—but it’s also the Bayou City, where water flows not just through the environment, but through culture, memory, justice, and resilience. In this episode from the Color of Water series, Ayanna Jolivet Mccloud, Executive Director of Bayou City Waterkeeper, shares how her background in art and advocacy fuels bold …

1
Ohio's Infrastructure Report Card 28:32

3M ago28:32

28:32

Send us a text The newly released 2025 Ohio Infrastructure Report Card delivers a sobering assessment of the systems we rely on daily but rarely think about. Ohio has made modest improvements since the last American Society of Civil Engineers' report in 2021, yet vulnerabilities persist. Sewer District employees (and ASCE members) Derek Vogel and L…

1
Integrating artificial intelligence into structural maintenance and management 1:01:43

3M ago1:01:43

1:01:43

Joining host Rob Hakimian this month is Mind Foundry director of civil infrastructure Tom Bartley to discuss how the business is working on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into our infrastructure maintenance and management processes. Tom discusses the issues with current structural maintenance regimes and how AI can help to empower …

1
Texas Bets $20 Billion On Its Water Future

3M ago

—

Texas is tackling its booming population’s water demands with a bold $20 billion investment plan to secure sustainable supplies and infrastructure by 2050. In this episode of In The Newsroom, Todd Votteler, a veteran water expert and editor of the Texas Water Journal, joins the podcast to discuss the state’s dynamic water landscape. With Texas expe…

1
Sustainability at the Sewer District 14:12

3M ago14:12

14:12

Send us a text What does sustainability mean for a wastewater utility? Sustainability Manager Marie Fechik-Kirk shares her thoughts on environmental stewardship at the Sewer District. Under Marie's guidance, the NEORSD has integrated sustainability into its everyday operations and engineering projects. Listeners will also discover sustainability ti…

1
Ways AI Is Reshaping Environmental Communications

4M ago

—

AI isn’t coming—it’s already here, and it’s reshaping how communications and marketing get done. In this episode, Shama Hyder, a leading voice in digital transformation, explains why this moment demands strategic urgency and how organizations must adapt or risk falling behind. She shares how AI is disrupting knowledge work, changing workflows, and …

1
Underground Construction Engineering Leadership Insights That Drive Purpose and Impact – Ep 293 28:56

4M ago28:56

28:56

In this episode, I talk with Everett Litton, P.E., Vice President at WSP in the U.S., about what powers major underground construction engineering projects across North America and beyond, from early career moments that shaped his leadership to the role of mentorship in driving the industry forward. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Question…

1
How WWF Restores Rivers For Resilience

4M ago

—

Healthy rivers are essential for thriving communities, and smart, nature-based solutions are proving crucial to turning things around in a changing climate. In this episode, Derek Vollmer, Director of Waterscapes for the World Wildlife Fund, shares how their program uses innovative, place-based strategies to restore rivers and build resilience worl…

1
Climate Resilient Infrastructure Solutions for Civil Engineering Projects – Ep 292 43:48

4M ago43:48

43:48

In this episode, I talk with Matt Huddleston, PE, Principal Consultant of Climate Resilience Strategy at Resilient Analytics, a Stanley Consultants Company, about how civil engineers can translate climate model projections into actionable strategies that lead to climate-resilient infrastructure. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions I …

1
Wastewater Surveillance and Community Health 32:39

4M ago32:39

32:39

Send us a text A recent innovation, the National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) has transformed from an emergency response to COVID-19 into a comprehensive early warning system for disease outbreaks. The NWSS monitors approximately 45% of the US population through over 1,400 sampling sites. Public health laboratories can analyze genetic mate…

1
Breaking down infrastructure commitments from the Spending Review with the ICE 48:35

4M ago48:35

48:35

The latest episode of the Engineers Collective is out now: listen in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, your usual platform or the player below. After a busy month of infrastructure commitments from the UK government, host Rob Hakimian welcomes Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) director of policy and external affairs Sam Gould to the podcast to discuss…

1
In The Newsroom With Camille Von Kaenel: California's Delta Tunnel Decision

4M ago

—

California's water future could be shaped by a $20 billion gamble with the controversial Delta Tunnel. This episode dives deep into the high-stakes project with Camille von Kaenel, California Environment Reporter for Politico. She unravels the complex plan to transport water from Northern to Southern California, detailing its immense cost, the deca…

1
How Science Saved Houston From Sinking 37:58

4M ago37:58

37:58

Decades of overpumping groundwater around Houston caused the land to sink by as much as 15 feet, forcing neighborhoods to flood and entire communities to relocate. This episode explores how land subsidence developed, and how science, regulation, and infrastructure are now stopping the ground from sinking. Chrissy Butcher of Baytown Nature Center an…

1
In The Newsroom With Tony Schick: Snake River Dams, Salmon Collapse, & Broken Promises To Tribes

4M ago

—

The hard-fought plan to restore salmon runs in the Pacific Northwest has been abruptly derailed, threatening one of the most significant tribal and environmental agreements in decades. In this episode of In The Newsroom, Tony Schick of Oregon Public Broadcasting breaks down how the Trump administration scrapped a landmark deal that would have paved…

1
Innovating Demolition and Environmental Services to Build a Stronger Workforce – Ep 291 25:41

4M ago25:41

25:41

In this episode, I talk with Jennifer Todd, MLS, president of LMS General Contractors and founder of A Greener Tomorrow, about demolition and environmental services, specifically how innovation and workforce development are transforming these sectors into more sustainable, inclusive, and opportunity-rich fields. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of…

1
2025 Ohio Stormwater Conference 22:30

5M ago22:30

22:30

Send us a text Mike is at the 18th annual Ohio Stormwater Conference, where nearly 1,000 environmental professionals gather to discuss flooding, erosion, and water quality advances—and new challenges. The conversation begins with sobering news about watershed organizations facing an uncertain future as they scramble to fill funding gaps in their pr…

1
In The Newsroom: Antoine Walter On The Business Of Water In 2025

5M ago

—

Billions of dollars are finally flowing into the water industry, but the financial landscape is still far behind energy, climate tech, and other booming sectors. In this episode of In The Newsroom, Travis Loop is joined by Antoine Walter, host of the (don’t) Waste Water podcast, for an insider look at how investment in the water sector is evolving—…

1
How to Manage Construction Project Risks to Survive Economic Shifts – Ep 290 23:54

5M ago23:54

23:54

In this episode, I talk with Josh Levy, co-founder and CEO of Document Crunch, about how ongoing economic shifts are disrupting the construction industry and why managing construction project risks with contract clauses and technology is essential. ***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.*** Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the …

1
Scaling Distributed Infrastructure: Lawns, Parks, and Forests

5M ago

—

Turning lawns into water savings, rewriting city codes, and protecting forests upstream—these are just some of the ways communities are reimagining their water systems with help from the WaterNow Alliance. In this conversation from the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C., Cynthia Koehler, Executive Director of the organization, shares how their Pr…

1
In The Newsroom With Brett Walton: A Blue Economy For Great Lakes

5M ago

—

What does a 21st-century water-powered economy look like? In this conversation, Brett Walton of Circle of Blue discusses their new reporting series on the blue economy in the Great Lakes region—where water is being used to drive innovation, jobs, and sustainable growth. The discussion explores how cities like Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Chicago are b…

1
Implementing steel reuse in construction with WSP 58:35

5M ago58:35

58:35

The latest episode of the Engineers Collective is out now: listen in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, your usual platform or the player below. This month’s guest is WSP associate structural engineer Sally Walsh, who joins the podcast to discuss steel reuse in construction, specifically on the Elephant & Castle Town Centre scheme. The Elephant & Castle T…

1
Successful project execution: Tunneling under a mountain to lay a wastewater line, a discussion with HardRock Infrastructure 15:38

5M ago15:38

15:38

Underground Infrastructure sat down with Cory Baker, Chief Operating Officer, HardRock Infrastructure, for an in-depth discussion on the company's 1,740-ft tunneling project for El Paso Water, which involved running a wastewater line underneath a mountain. The discussion includes challenges and the solutions that were used to successful complete th…

1
In The Newsroom With Bob Crossen: EPA Acts on PFAS, Trump Proposes Deep Funding Cuts

5M ago

—

EPA is moving forward with PFAS drinking water limits but delaying compliance deadlines and withdrawing a controversial hazard index. At the same time, the Trump White House has proposed about a 90% cut to the State Revolving Funds—raising serious concerns about how utilities will afford compliance and critical infrastructure upgrades. In this epis…

1
Bridging the Gap: Downtown Cleveland and Waterfront Access 31:47

5M ago31:47

31:47

Send us a text Imagine standing in downtown Cleveland and gazing at Lake Erie just blocks away, yet feeling disconnected by an intimidating landscape of highways and parking lots. This frustrating paradox has defined Cleveland's relationship with its waterfront for decades. The Shore to Core to Shore Initiative is an ambitious and promising effort …

1
Better Innovation in Energy Begins With STEM Education for Engineers – Ep 289 46:43

5M ago46:43

46:43

In this episode, I talk with Scyller Borglum, PhD, vice president of underground storage in energy at WSP in the U.S., about what it really takes to thrive in STEM education for engineers, why underground storage is transforming the future of energy infrastructure, and how engineers can develop powerful habits that fuel long-term engineering career…

1
Reviving Ancestral Waters In Modern Times: Beth Roach On Indigenous Advocacy For Clean Water

5M ago

—

A legacy of pollution and neglect once left the James River and surrounding waterways in ecological crisis. But decades of federal protections and grassroots advocacy have shown that nature can heal—if given the chance. In this episode, Beth Roach, Vice Chair of the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia and National Water Conservation Campaign Manager …

1
The Future Of Stormwater Goes Underground

6M ago

—

Stormwater management solutions that are effective, space-conscious, and sustainable are increasingly important for cities. One increasingly popular solution is deep infiltration, a practice that moves stormwater into native soils far below the surface, to avoid harmful runoff and recharge groundwater. In this episode, Gregor Patsch of Oldcastle In…

1
How Field Assignments In Civil Engineering Shape Careers Better – Ep 288 30:07

6M ago30:07

30:07

In this episode, I talk with Mariah Schroeder, P.E., senior civil engineer at Burns & McDonnell, about how field assignments in civil engineering give professionals the hands-on experience and design insight needed to grow faster and lead stronger in infrastructure and water projects. ***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.*** Engi…

1
Outlook On Federal Water Policy In Trump Administration & New Congress

6M ago

—

As a new administration and Congress settle into Washington, questions loom about how federal water policy will take shape amid broader political turbulence. Fortunately, water remains a rare bipartisan issue, providing a pathway for continued investment and action around critical infrastructure and public health. In this conversation from the Rese…

1
Surveying the changing landscape of civil engineering with ICE President Jim Hall 1:03:13

6M ago1:03:13

1:03:13

The latest episode of the Engineers Collective is out now: listen in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, your usual platform or the player below. This month’s guest is Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) President Jim Hall, who joins host Rob Hakimian to discuss the work of the ICE in representing and supporting civil engineers in the modern construction …