Liquid Assets

The American Society of Civil Engineers grades U.S. water infrastructure a D-minus. Kevin Gast, co-founder, CEO and chairman of VVater, puts the bill for just maintaining it at about $1 trillion over the next 20 years. The systems are old, fewer people are training to run them, and the control software behind them was never built for an open internet. Kevin spun VVater out of a family engineering conglomerate that has done 14,000 to 15,000 projects over 60 years. Its answer to membranes, filters and chemicals is the Farady Reactor, which treats water with alternating current at under 12 volts. What we get into: Where the trillion dollars goes, and why few people are training to run the plants How old control systems leave water utilities open to attack Why the tap water you drink has already been used upstream, and why reuse is the real choice How the Farady Reactor treats water with electricity in place of membranes and chemicals Where it fits: resort pools, wastewater plants, factories and homes Kevin Gast…

New York City's Department of Environmental Protection moves 1 billion gallons of drinking water a day to more than 9.6 million people, and about 95 percent of it arrives by gravity from 19 upstate reservoirs. The watersheds are protected well enough that federal rules let most of that water be delivered unfiltered. It is the largest combined municipal water and wastewater utility in the country, and it is aging. A startup does not get to put a sensor on that by cold email. Anushree Sreedhar runs the Environmental Tech Lab at the Partnership for New York City, a structured pilot program built with DEP that gives companies a real way in. In three years the lab has partnered with 24 companies, helped two land commercial procurements, and has about five more underway. What we get into: Why a careful utility is careful for good reasons, and why that is a feature rather than an obstacle The four stages: challenge discovery, public posting, a two-phase evaluation, then a three-month proof of concept with an…

Tom Ferguson runs Burnt Island Ventures, the first venture fund dedicated entirely to water. In this conversation he lays out the investing case for a $1.6 trillion market most people have never thought about: where water sits on the S-curve, what changed around 2020, what exits actually look like, and what it costs the person running a small fund. Guest: Tom Ferguson, Founder and Managing Partner, Burnt Island Ventures Host: Ravi Kurani CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 0:46 The S-curve, and where water sits on it 4:35 Why execution, not ideas, is the bottleneck 11:18 Why now: what changed around 2020 16:18 What exits actually look like in water 19:40 The capital spectrum: venture, PE, search funds 21:46 Private credit and the water bond market 24:37 Where water needs people right now 26:30 From Imagine H2O to raising Fund I 30:32 Why they pass on most water companies 35:01 The weirdest ideas that turned out to be good ones 41:09 Agriculture, and the next PFAS investment 42:13 AI, data, and what still has a moat 48:21…

The USDA Organic certification launched in 2002 and water will never qualify for it. Not because of a loophole, but because water isn't grown. That single fact sits at the center of everything Clara Sieg is building at Loonen, and it exposes a quiet gap in the clean-living movement that most consumers have never thought to question. Clara spent 14 years in venture capital before a round of IVF sent her down a rabbit hole she couldn't climb out of, and water turned out to be the one household category with no good answer. What we cover: - Why no bottled water can legally carry an organic label, and why conventional treatment was designed to eliminate pathogens, not preserve mineral quality, leaving disinfection byproducts behind while stripping minerals out. - Why spring water is not a guarantee of purity. Every spring Loonen tested across six months of US sourcing trips had at least one footnote: nitrates, arsenic, radium, glyphosate, or PFAS. Loonen's answer pairs a high-quality source in the Palomar…

Your tap water passed every government test this morning, and it still contains contaminants the EPA has no mandate to remove. Zach Hamilton built 20 prototype reverse osmosis machines trying to solve that problem, and his answer is a laboratory-grade, all-stainless-steel RO system designed to last 20 years in your kitchen. His core argument is simple and a little unsettling: 150,000 separate water districts are doing their best, but the infrastructure is too old and too slow to protect you from modern contaminants. The solution has to happen at the tap. What this episode covers: - Why water is location-specific: source water, aging pipes, and your home's own plumbing all add their own signature to what comes out of the tap, making every water supply a different "soup" - How PFAS break the dose-makes-the-poison rule: as endocrine disruptors that mimic hormones, even trace concentrations at the parts-per-trillion level can trigger whole-system effects in the body - Why the regulatory clock moves too slowly:…

Between 97 and 99 percent of all humans have measurable levels of PFAS in their blood. Every major watershed on Earth has tested positive, including the Arctic and Antarctica. Until recently, every technology designed to address that contamination just moved it somewhere else. Alec Ajnsztajn is trying to end that, by destroying the molecules entirely. As co-founder and CEO of CoFlux Purification, Alec is commercializing a covalent organic framework reactor that captures PFAS and then destroys the carbon-fluoride bonds under UV light, converting the molecules into fluoride and CO2. No concentrated waste. No hazmat landfill. No incineration truck. The contamination is gone. What we cover: Why PFAS compounds are nearly indestructible: carbon-fluoride bonds are among the strongest in organic chemistry, which made them invaluable from Manhattan Project equipment to Teflon cookware to semiconductor photoresists, and also why they accumulate in human tissue indefinitely. How every mainstream treatment technology…

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has been turning green since the 1920s, and the reason is baked into its original design. The pool stretches roughly a third of a mile, sits one and a half to two and a half feet deep, holds about 6.5 million gallons, and was built on Washington D.C. marshland that has been slowly sinking ever since. Ravi Kurani brought in Terry Arko, Product Training and Content Manager at HASA Pool with over 45 years in the industry, to diagnose what is really going on and whether it can actually be fixed. What we cover: Still water is algae's best friend. The pool was intentionally designed to stay still to function as a mirror, which means strong surface circulation, the intervention that would help most, directly conflicts with the pool's purpose. The 1920s design got the basics wrong. Built on unstable marshland with asphalt paving and no meaningful filtration, the ground shifted so badly that engineers later had to drive large timber beams beneath the basin to stop it from sinking.…

Every time you ask ChatGPT a question, a data center somewhere uses water to cool its servers. Most people have no idea, and neither do the utilities supplying that water. Newsha Ajami, a hydrologist and founding director of Stanford's Governance for Risk, Resilience, Recovery Program (GR3), has spent years tracing water through the hidden seams of the economy, from the electricity charging your phone to the chips powering the AI boom. The U.S. still has no national water strategy, and emerging technologies are arriving faster than the water systems built to serve them.What we cover:- Water's hidden footprint in nearly every product and service, from gas and lithium extraction to electricity generation to data storage- Why the U.S. has no unified federal water mission, and how the Colorado River makes that problem impossible to ignore- The six-pillar national water strategy framework Ajami co-led through the Aspen Institute's National Water Strategy Initiative, two years in the making- How states are…

A film festival launched because one filmmaker couldn't find a place to submit his short about pharmaceutical pollution in New York City's water supply is now pursuing official UN Water partner status, operating across four continents, and screening PFAS films to law students in Tanzania before they even know they have a PFAS problem. Robert Strand built the World Water Film Festival from a cold email to a UN groundwater research center in Delft into an organization with over 400 film submissions and events in Wellington, Guangzhou, Rotterdam, London, and Buenos Aires. The bet is simple: data and white papers stay in people's heads. Film brings water crises into the body. And once it's personal, people move.What Ravi and Robert cover: • How a cold email to IGRAC, the UN groundwater center in Delft, seeded a partnership that brought Henk Ovink, lead architect of the 2023 UN Water Conference, to deliver opening remarks at the festival's New York launch, and why that single exchange became the organizing model…

One cubic meter of seawater holds enough deuterium to yield energy equivalent to 300 barrels of oil, and cold fusion may be the key to unlocking it. Cydian Kauffman, founder of Pure Water Northwest, traces the full arc from today's fragile water-energy grid to a future where coastal seawater simultaneously powers cities and produces drinking water as a byproduct. Along the way, he gets practical about what is actually in your tap and what you can do about it right now. What we cover: - Power and water are tightly coupled. A grid failure quickly becomes a water crisis, and most people who have spent their lives turning on a faucet have no backup plan. - Deuterium makes seawater a dual resource. At roughly 0.015% concentration, one cubic meter holds energy equivalent to about 300 barrels of oil. Cold fusion, recently achieved in a controlled lab environment, is the mechanism that could unlock power generation and deliver clean drinking water as a byproduct of the same process. - Cold fusion sidesteps the…

What does it actually take to do charity work that lasts? Ravi Kurani sits down with Dhwani Bhatt, a fourth-year chemical engineering student at Northeastern University and President of Engineers Without Borders, who grew up in Uganda and returned as a student engineer to build a solar-powered water distribution system for the village of Nakyenyi. In this episode:→ Why EWB surveys 50+ households before touching a shovel→ The 3-phase build: hand pump → solar pump → gravity-fed distribution→ The borehole siltation crisis that forced the team back to the drawing board→ The 5% community contribution model that creates real ownership→ Why broken, abandoned NGO boreholes line the same village roads→ Imposter syndrome as a second-year student presenting designs to a community in need→ Book pick: "Not the End of the World" by Hannah RitchieThis episode is sponsored by HASA, the leader in water treatment solutions. Learn more at hasa.comConnect with Dhwani Bhatt on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dhwanikalbhattEngineers…

A working prototype means nothing if you can't manufacture it at scale. Brad Augustine — VP of Hardware Engineering at Inspiren, former VP of Hardware at Lululemon — is the engineer who scaled the Mirror connected fitness device from startup to a $500M acquisition. In this episode, he shares the product development playbook that water tech founders and engineers need to hear. Brad spent 20 years in hardware product development: building LED lighting and ergonomic furniture at Humanscale, leading the engineering team that cut Mirror's production costs by 40% before the pandemic supply chain crisis, and now building AI-powered senior care hardware at Inspiren. We cover: → Why "hardware is hard" is actually "hardware is fun" → The real gap between a working prototype and mass production → How Brad's team cut 40% of Mirror's BOM cost — and why that saved them when the pandemic hit → Why water industry engineers need to think like product managers → The PFAS trap: are you building for wastewater or drinking…

Ravi Kurani sits down with Josh Dorfman, CEO and host of Supercool, to trace his journey from sustainable furniture startups to co-founding Plantd, a carbon-negative building materials company using renewable grass to replace plywood in homebuilding. Josh shares how Plantd landed a relationship with D.R. Horton (America's largest homebuilder) for 90,000 homes, why he left the CEO role to launch Supercool—a B2B media platform spotlighting real-world climate solutions—and the innovations he's most excited about, from AI-powered HVAC to recycling rare earth magnets. The conversation explores how two former SpaceX engineers moved to North Carolina to grow miscanthus grass and turned it into structural boards that are stronger than plywood in all directions—yet feel identical in a construction worker's hands. Josh breaks down three macro trends proving the low-carbon economy is scaling, spotlights companies like BrainBox AI (cutting building HVAC costs by 25% and carbon by 40%) and Zum (using AI to cut Oakland's…

Ravi Kurani sits down with Rich Sloan, CEO of WAVR Technologies, to discuss a sobering reality: the era of abundant, subsidized water is officially over. From the "bathtub rings" of Lake Mead to the massive water footprint of the AI revolution, Rich explains why the next decade will be defined by the shift toward high-tech, point-of-use water harvesting. The conversation explores the biomimicry behind Waiver's tech—inspired by the skin of an Australian tree frog—which allows for the passive collection of high-purity water from thin air, even in the most arid climates. Whether it's cooling the data centers that power ChatGPT or providing ultra-pure water for kidney dialysis, Rich and Ravi map out a future where we stop relying on aging pipelines and start manufacturing our most critical resource at the source. The End of Abundance: We have exited the period where fresh water is abundant, free, and pure; it is now a tech-driven numbers game. The AI Thirst: Generating AI images consumes a staggering amount of…

Most of us don’t think twice about what happens after we flush, but Jay Bernas spends every waking hour thinking about it. As the CEO of the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD), Jay oversees a "quasi-state" regional powerhouse that treats wastewater for nearly 2 million people. But this isn't your grandfather’s utility—HRSD is a world-class R&D incubator that holds global patents and collects royalties on its innovations. In this episode, Ravi and Jay pull back the curtain on the "invisible" infrastructure that keeps our communities safe. They dive into how HRSD is using Anammox bacteria and hydrocyclones to save hundreds of millions of dollars in construction costs, and why they are currently partnering with a National Particle Accelerator Lab to destroy "forever chemicals" (PFAS) using electron beams. Whether you’re a tech investor or just curious about the massive machine running beneath your feet, this conversation proves that wastewater is one of the most exciting frontiers in climate tech. In this…

Sivan Zamir is the VP of Innovation & Venture at Xylem, a Fortune 500 leader in water technology. In this episode, Ravi Kurani and Sivan pulls back the curtain on the massive, invisible machine that keeps the modern world running. Sivan challenges the abstract concept of "the cloud," revealing that every data center, semiconductor chip, and cup of coffee relies on a complex, physical water infrastructure that operates "behind the fence." Her mission is to transform water from a silent, overlooked utility into a visible, investable asset, proving that the resilience of the Fortune 1000 depends entirely on the management of this finite resource. The conversation dives deep into the cultural psychology of water, contrasting the "scarcity mindset" of Israel, where Sivan witnessed traumatic drought campaigns, with the "invisibility" of water in the US. They explore the critical "Silver Tsunami" facing the industry as experts retire, and how Xylem is turning to Augmented Reality (AR) and AI to download "tribal…

Would you swap your fine wine for a bottle of water? In this episode, Ravi Kurani sits down with Ana Livi, Partner at O Amazon Air Water, to discuss a water source you’ve likely never heard of: the "breath" of the Amazon trees. Deep in the rainforest, O Amazon uses Atmospheric Water Generators (AWG) to harvest humidity from the "Flying Rivers" of the Amazon, creating a luxury water that sells for over €100 a bottle. Ana explains how this unique business model allows them to operate off-grid without cutting down a single tree, turning the preservation of the forest into a high-end asset. We also dive into Ana’s unique role as an "Energy Consultant" for the company, where she uses her background in humanitarian aid and spirituality to align business decisions with the invisible "energetics" of the rainforest. We cover: The Technology: How to make water from air in the middle of the jungle. The Design: The rescue jaguar that inspired their iconic bottle. The Market: Why water sommeliers call this the…

Is climate mitigation just an expensive burden for water utilities? Alexis de Kerchove (Senior Director, Client Sustainability at Xylem) argues the opposite: the path to Net Zero is actually the key to operational efficiency and cost savings. In this episode, Ravi Kurani and Alexis de Kerchove break down how digital tools and machine learning are revolutionizing the water sector. We explore the "invisible" emissions of wastewater, fugitive nitrous oxide and energy-intensive pumping, and how AI is solving these problems without requiring massive new infrastructure. We discuss: The "Burden" Myth: Why sustainability is actually an efficiency strategy. Sponge Cities: Using data to optimize existing networks instead of building concrete. Fugitive Emissions: Tackling the silent climate impact of biological treatment. Smart Assets: How self-cleaning pumps and digital twins prevent failure. The Silver Tsunami: Turning the workforce shortage into a recruiting advantage. Sponsored by HASA: The leader in eco-friendly…

Is there a safe level of "forever chemicals" in your water? PFAS are everywhere: from the non-stick pans in your kitchen to the contact lenses in your eyes, and even 92% of strawberries. They are the "super chemistry" that modern society relies on, but they are also a toxic legacy that refuses to break down. In this episode, Ravi Kurani sits down with Henrik Hagemann, the potato farmer turned deep-tech entrepreneur who is solving this crisis at the molecular level. As the CEO and Co-founder of Puraffinity, Henrik is engineering smart materials that target and capture PFAS with sniper-like precision, preventing them from entering our waterways and bloodstreams. In this episode, we cover: The PFAS Reality Check: Why "forever chemicals" are found in everything from pesticides to waterproof jackets. Beyond Activated Carbon: How Puraffinity’s "Lego-like" material science outperforms traditional filtration by 7x. From Farm to Founder: Henrik’s journey from processing potatoes in Denmark to leading a Series A deep…

Ravi Kurani sits down with Gregory Holliday, Director of the 50 Liter Home Coalition, to explore how global brands and cities are redesigning the way we live — creating homes that use just 50 liters of water a day, yet feel like 500. Gregory unpacks how companies like Procter & Gamble, Kohler, IKEA, and Electrolux are uniting to make sustainability invisible — embedding efficiency into every shower, dishwasher, and faucet without asking people to sacrifice comfort. He shares the coalition’s origins in the wake of Cape Town’s “Day Zero,” his own journey from U.S. diplomat to water advocate, and how behavior, design, and technology intersect to make conservation intuitive. The conversation dives into the data behind 50L’s pilot homes in Los Angeles, the lessons from real families living efficiently, and the long-term vision for water- and energy-smart homes worldwide. This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠HASA⁠⁠⁠⁠ (hasa.com). ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Liquid Assets

Ravi Kurani sits down with Ramzi Bouzerda, founder and CEO of Droople, to explore how the Internet of Water is turning everyday plumbing into a data-driven network. Ramzi explains how sensors measuring flow, temperature, and pressure can map “water signatures” for toilets, faucets, and filters, revealing human behavior, maintenance needs, and efficiency opportunities. He shares Droople’s origin story, born at 3 a.m. while preparing a baby bottle, and his journey from banking and IT to building a company tackling global water scarcity. The conversation dives into how data transforms buildings into living systems, why the water industry is slow but lucrative, and how Droople’s vision could make “water inside” as common as “Intel Inside.” This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠HASA⁠⁠⁠ (hasa.com). ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Liquid Assets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

In this episode of Liquid Assets, host Ravi Kurani sits down with Jose Castro, founder and CEO of Segura, to unpack how rapid diagnostics complement (not replace) lab confirmation, where multi-analyte testing pays off first—Lead & Copper Rule triage, treatment optimization, remote mining, beverage networks—and what validation and manufacturing at scale will take to make field diagnostics the new default. This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠HASA⁠⁠ (hasa.com). ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Liquid Assets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

In this episode of Liquid Assets, we dive deep into the pressing issues facing the water industry with Clara Hallgarth, an environmental engineering student. As the workforce ages and a significant number of professionals near retirement, we explore the urgent need for new talent in this vital sector. Clara shares her insights on climate resilience, the importance of education, and how technology can shape the future of water management. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that reveals why the water industry is at a critical crossroads and what it means for all of us. Tune in now! This episode is sponsored by ⁠HASA⁠ (hasa.com). ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Liquid Assets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

Is Your Water Safe? In this episode, water engineer and SimpleLab Tap Score CEO Johnny Pujol joins host Ravi Kurani to expose what most people get wrong about tap water. From lead pipes to hidden contaminants, we dive into why government reports fall short—and how modern at-home testing is transforming the way we trust (or don’t trust) our water. Learn how Tap Score is empowering thousands to take control of their drinking water safety with science-backed diagnostics, and get practical tips on choosing the right filter for your home. 🔍 A must-listen for homeowners, renters, and anyone who drinks water. This episode is sponsored by HASA (hasa.com). ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Liquid Assets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

Could the future of clean, reliable energy fit inside a shipping container? We sit down with nuclear physicist James Walker, CEO of Nanonuclear Energy, to explore the fascinating world of microreactors and small modular reactors (SMRs). Discover how this technology aims to power remote locations, potentially fuel AI data centers, enable desalination, and why James believes nuclear is far safer than you think. Dive into the nuclear renaissance. This episode is sponsored by HASA (hasa.com). ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Liquid Assets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

In this episode of Liquid Assets, host Ravi Kurani dives into a game-changing approach to sustainable desalination with guest Bruce Crawford, CEO and co-founder of Nona Technologies. An MIT spinout backed by the U.S. Army, Nona is pioneering a new way to turn saltwater into fresh water at any scale. At a time when many countries are investing in large-scale desalination megaprojects to combat water scarcity – for example, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 program – Bruce’s vision is radically different: bring Desal to the people via small, flexible systems that can work anywhere. From decentralized water treatment units that fit on a pallet to innovations in reusing cooling tower water, Bruce’s story exemplifies how water tech startups are driving the future of water. This conversational yet insightful discussion explores how Nona’s novel Ion Concentration Polarization (ICP) technology makes desalination portable, efficient, and adaptable – unlocking resilient water solutions for a thirsty world. What…

What if the secret to cleaner water isn’t more chemicals, but smaller bubbles? In this episode of Liquid Assets, host Ravi Kurani chats with Natsumi Ito, co-founder of Water Design Japan, about a breakthrough in nano bubble technology. This innovative approach transforms the air already in your water into microscopic cleaning agents—cutting chemical use by up to 60% without a single additive. Discover how these tiny, vibrating bubbles are revolutionizing cleaning in hospitals, semiconductor factories, and even your home. Natsumi also shares her inspiring journey—from her global roots to spearheading one of Japan’s most innovative water startups, and how a technology born from Hiroshima’s oyster farms might soon render traditional chemical cleaning obsolete. Tune in for a deep dive into the future of safe, sustainable water cleaning. Check out the episode's sponsor, the leader in water treatment solutions - ⁠⁠⁠HASA⁠⁠ Connect with Us: ⁠⁠⁠Liquid Assets⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠ Connect With Natsumi Ito ⁠LinkedIn

Every second, our oceans undergo rapid transformation due to climate change, pollution, and human intervention. While coral reefs may seem like distant, beautiful ecosystems, they play a crucial role in protecting our coastlines, regulating marine biodiversity, and supporting economies across the world. In this episode of Liquid Assets, we sit down with Patrick Clasen, co-founder of Ecotech Marine, an innovator in marine technology and coral reef restoration. From his early days as an engineering student designing aquarium equipment to leading advancements in coral restoration technology, Patrick shares his journey into the world of marine conservation and innovation. We discuss the dire state of coral reefs, the growing threat of ocean acidification, and how cutting-edge technology is being leveraged to protect and restore marine ecosystems. Patrick also dives into the intersection of entrepreneurship and sustainability, sharing lessons from scaling Ecotech Marine and collaborating with research…

With water scarcity becoming an ever-growing challenge across the globe, many countries are turning to desalination, wastewater treatment, and sustainable water management as solutions. But how viable are these technologies? Can desalination truly provide affordable, large-scale drinking water? And how does Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 plan factor into the future of water innovation? In this episode of Liquid Assets, we sit down with Ramon Rubio, founder of The Water MBA, who has spent over a decade in the water sector, specializing in desalination, wastewater treatment, and infrastructure development. Ramon shares his insights on the global water crisis, the economics behind desalination, and the future of water sustainability in the Middle East and North Africa. Having worked extensively in Saudi Arabia, Ramon also provides an inside look at the country’s massive investment in water infrastructure, its push toward renewable energy, and how sustainability is shaping the future of water access across…

Every year, California faces a brutal cycle of wildfires, but this time, the stakes are higher than ever. The Palisades and Eaton Fires have destroyed over 12,000 homes, burned 40,000 acres, and displaced 100,000 people. But beyond the visible destruction, there’s another crisis unfolding—one that remains largely unseen: the failure of our water infrastructure. In this episode of Liquid Assets, we sit down with Reuben Vollmer, CEO and Co-Founder of Spout Water, to discuss how California’s water mismanagement played a pivotal role in fueling these wildfires—and how it’s now impacting the drinking water of thousands. With fire hydrants running dry, plastic pipes melting into the water supply, and entire communities left with "do not drink" advisories, we explore the connection between fire, climate change, and water security. Reuben shares his personal experience of being evacuated due to the fires and the devastating loss of not just homes but the memories tied to them. He explains how a decade in the water…

Every two minutes, a sewer main breaks in the United States, creating an unprecedented challenge for businesses and municipalities alike. As our aging water infrastructure continues to crumble, companies are taking matters into their own hands, leading to a revolutionary shift in how we approach water treatment and management. In this episode of Liquid Assets, we sit down with Riggs Eckelberry, CEO of OriginClear, who brings a unique perspective from his journey through tech disruption to water innovation. From his early days as a ship captain to leading software companies and eventually pioneering "Water as a Service," Eckelberry shares how his diverse background helped shape a new approach to solving America's water crisis. Through OriginClear, he's transforming the traditional hardware-focused water treatment industry into a service-based model, making clean water accessible and affordable for businesses of all sizes. The conversation delves into how decentralized water treatment is becoming the new…

Did you know that water isn't just vital for life but also has its own story to tell—a story that could solve some of the world’s biggest challenges? Yet, this narrative often goes unheard, leaving opportunities for change untapped. In this episode of Liquid Assets, host Ravi Kurani dives deep into the transformative potential of storytelling in the water industry with Jim Lauria, VP of Sales and Marketing at Mazzei and a passionate water advocate. Together, they explore the art of weaving data, emotion, and engagement to highlight water’s vital role across industries and everyday life. From unraveling Leonardo da Vinci’s ingenious water-inspired designs to modern technological innovations, this episode is a treasure trove of insights. Jim shares how effective storytelling can bridge the gap between awareness and action, showcasing his success in integrating storytelling into Mazzei’s projects, from mining archives for compelling data to creating impactful presentations that resonate globally. He emphasizes…

Did you know that the water industry is grappling with a looming talent crisis that threatens critical services we take for granted every day? With seasoned professionals nearing retirement and a disheartening lack of newcomers, this episode of Liquid Assets dives deep into the root causes and innovative solutions to this pressing issue. Ravi Kurani hosts Max Fraser-Krauss, a water industry recruiter from Charlton Morris, as they dissect the recruitment challenges and brainstorm actionable strategies to close this generational talent gap. The discussion uncovers the unique dynamics shaping the water industry's workforce. From the high demand for municipal operators to the role of flexible work arrangements and cutting-edge technologies like digital twins, it explores how to attract and retain the next generation of water professionals and it also highlights how Gen Z’s eco-conscious mindset can be leveraged and why the industry’s storytelling is key to attracting new talent. This episode not only identifies…

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, threatening the very fabric of our planet's ecosystems and human civilization. But what if we already possess 80% of the solutions needed to combat this crisis? Ravi Kurani sits down with Ryan Kushner, co-founder of Third Derivative, a climate technology accelerator, to explore the future of clean energy, carbon capture, and how startups are driving innovation in the fight against climate change. Ryan Kushner brings his wealth of experience in climate tech acceleration to the table, sharing insights from his journey with organizations like Elemental Accelerator and his book, "Accelerate This: A Super Not Boring Guide to Startup Accelerators and Clean Energy Entrepreneurship." He discusses the evolution of climate solutions, from having only 60% of the necessary technologies a few years ago to now possessing 75-80% of what we need to address the climate crisis. Kushner also delves into the role of accelerators in nurturing startups and…

Construction is one of the largest global industries, driving urban transformation and environmental challenges; and water is at its heart. Every day, construction sites around the world consume millions of gallons of fresh water and generate toxic runoff, silently contributing to water scarcity and pollution. From paintbrushes to power tools, the process of cleaning construction equipment has long been an environmental blind spot, with contaminated water often finding its way into our sewers and waterways. This hidden menace not only wastes precious water resources but also poses significant risks to ecosystems and public health. As urban areas densify and the need for sustainable building practices grows, the construction industry faces mounting pressure to address its water footprint. In this episode of Liquid Assets, host Ravi Kurani delves into an innovative solution that's reshaping the construction landscape. Andrew Crimston, founder of Washbox Global, joins us to unveil a revolutionary closed-loop…

As the world grapples with an escalating water crisis, the need to rethink our approach to water management has never been more urgent. With approximately 75% of the world's wastewater going untreated, the implications for both the environment and human health are staggering. Urban areas, in particular, face unique challenges as population densities rise and climate change intensifies. In this context, the concept of urban water reuse emerges not just as a solution, but as a transformative opportunity to redefine our relationship with this vital resource. In this episode of Liquid Assets, host Ravi Kurani engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Kyle Pickett, co-founder of the William J. Worthen Foundation. Together, they explore the innovative strategies and technologies that are reshaping urban water reuse, turning what was once considered a niche practice into a mainstream solution for sustainable living. Kyle's journey into the world of water reuse began with a passion for sustainability and a…

The global water crisis is more pressing than ever, with 75% to 80% of the world's wastewater going untreated. This shocking statistic contributes to water scarcity and poses significant environmental and health risks. As urbanization accelerates and climate change intensifies, finding innovative solutions to manage and recycle wastewater has become crucial. In this episode of Liquid Assets, host Ravi Kurani sits down with Mansi Jain, CEO of DigitalPaani, to explore groundbreaking approaches to wastewater management. Mansi shares her journey from a passion for sustainability to developing cutting-edge technology aimed at revolutionizing wastewater treatment operations. She explains how DigitalPaani is tackling the overlooked problem of defunct wastewater infrastructure, which is key to addressing water scarcity. Listeners will gain insights into the challenges of decentralized versus centralized wastewater systems and how DigitalPaani is using advanced automation and real-time monitoring to transform…

Innovative financing models are essential for the development and scaling of sustainable infrastructure, particularly in the climate tech sector. Traditional funding methods often fall short, leaving breakthrough technologies struggling to achieve large-scale deployment. To address this challenge, new approaches are emerging that enable climate tech innovators to retain more equity while accelerating their projects' growth, especially those ready for commercial deployment beyond the pilot stage. In this episode, Liquid Assets host, Ravi Kurani speaks with Wayne Byrne, a seasoned entrepreneur with 19 years of experience in cleantech and climate tech. As the founder of Method Capital, Byrne shares his insights on bridging the gap between promising technologies and their wide-scale adoption. His company’s unique financing model emphasizes the importance of building strong teams, fulfilling investor commitments, and positioning technologies as the least risky options in conservative markets. This strategy has…

In this special crossover episode, our very own Ravi Kurani, host of The Liquid Assets Podcast and founder of water diagnostics company Sutro, shares his journey from pool boy to water tech entrepreneur on The CleanTechies Podcast. Ravi discusses the complexities of the water industry, highlighting its fragmentation, slow-moving nature, and the challenges of long sales cycles. He emphasizes the critical importance of water across various sectors, from agriculture to industrial processes, and the often-overlooked nature of water-related issues in comparison to other environmental concerns. The conversation delves into the unique aspects of water technology, including the water-energy nexus, policy challenges, and the need for innovative solutions. Ravi points out the discrepancy between antiquated water laws and modern usage patterns, particularly in places like California. He also discusses the concept of "day zero" issues, where regions face the possibility of completely running out of water, and the urgent…

In a world grappling with water scarcity and climate change, innovation in water technology has never been more crucial. Yet, the water sector faces unique challenges in attracting investment and fostering entrepreneurship. In this episode of Liquid Assets hosted by Ravi kurani, Scott Bryan discusses the evolution of Imagine H2O from its inception in 2009 to its current status as a leading accelerator for water startups. He highlights the unique challenges faced by water entrepreneurs, including long commercialization timelines of 10-15 years and the need for non-dilutive funding sources. The conversation delves into the global landscape of water innovation, spotlighting forward-thinking markets like Singapore and the EU. Scott emphasizes the importance of water security as a national priority and how different regions are tackling water-related challenges in the context of climate change. He also addresses the complexities of the water sector, including the fragmented nature of water utilities in the US and…

In an era of climate change and increasing water scarcity, understanding water policy has never been more crucial. From California's ongoing drought to the East Coast's flood-drought cycles, water challenges are reshaping our world. But did you know that water laws change drastically at the shoreline? Or that 70-80% of water rights in Western states are tied up in agriculture? In this eye-opening episode of Liquid Assets, host Ravi Kurani sits down with Robin Craig, an esteemed professor from USC, to dive deep into the intricate world of water policy. Craig, a leading expert in environmental law and author of "Re-envisioning the Anthropocene Ocean," breaks down the complex landscape of water management, from freshwater allocation to ocean conservation. Whether you're a policy maker, environmental enthusiast, or simply a concerned citizen, this episode offers invaluable insights into one of the most pressing issues of our time. Discover how water policy shapes everything from your daily life to global…

Water scarcity and effective management are critical global challenges, particularly in agriculture-dependent regions like Punjab, India. In this compelling episode of Liquid Assets, host Ravi Kurani engages with Tess Russo, a Senior Program Officer at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to unravel these complex issues. Tess, an expert in hydrology, discusses the severe impacts of groundwater depletion and introduces innovative solutions such as Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), which are essential for sustainable water practices and climate adaptation. Tess shares her vast field experience, emphasizing the importance of understanding both surface and groundwater systems. She highlights how intensive agricultural practices have led to declining water levels in regions like Punjab and underscores the need for multidisciplinary approaches to water management. Through MAR and IWRM, Tess demonstrates how capturing and managing water effectively can prevent…

Water scarcity is an increasingly pressing global issue, exacerbated by factors such as population growth, urbanization, and climate change. Traditionally, our water usage follows a linear model: we extract water from the environment, treat it for various purposes, and then release the wastewater back into the environment. However, this approach is unsustainable and contributes to environmental pollution and resource depletion. In this insightful episode of Liquid Assets, Ravi Kurani sits down with Tim Bartholomew, a research engineer at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), to discuss the National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI)'s efforts to transform the linear water economy into a circular model. NAWI, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, is a desalination hub composed of multiple national laboratories, universities, and industry partners. Its primary goal is to develop new water treatment technologies that can enable a circular water economy, where wastewater is treated and reused…

Water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource worldwide. With growing populations, urbanization, and climate change exacerbating water stress, finding sustainable solutions to address water scarcity has become a pressing global priority. In this insightful episode of the "Liquid Assets" podcast, host Ravi Kurani invites Ulf Leonard, the visionary mind behind the Watertech funding firm WaterVent, to share his perspectives on confronting the water crisis through innovative technologies and strategies. Ulf Leonard candidly discusses the stark contrast between grand proclamations made at water conferences and the lack of tangible action on the ground, exposing harsh realities like ignorance, incompetence, and corruption. However, he also explores the promising world of decentralized water treatment technologies such as containerized solutions, nature-based systems like aquaponics, and innovative rainwater harvesting techniques - approaches with immense potential to provide localized water security.…

The water industry is in the midst of a digital transformation, powered by cutting-edge technologies that are reshaping how we manage this vital resource. From artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT) to advanced data analytics, the realm of digital water solutions is revolutionizing water conservation, distribution, and treatment. At the forefront of this revolution is Eric Bindler, a Senior Research Director at Bluefield Research, who leads the firm's digital water research. Host, Ravi Kurani and Eric talk about his deep expertise in the field, Eric provides a comprehensive overview of the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the digital water landscape. This thought-provoking episode delves into the broad spectrum of digital water technologies, from legacy systems like SCADA to emerging innovations like IoT and AI. Eric sheds light on innovative business models that are enabling utilities, especially small and mid-sized ones, to access cutting-edge digital solutions, overcoming…

In the ever-evolving world of water treatment, innovation is the driving force behind efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. This captivating episode of the Liquid Assets podcast takes listeners on a remarkable journey through the lens of industry veteran Chris Morrison, exploring his illustrious career spanning decades at Nalco (now part of Ecolab) and his current role as the founder of Morrison Water. From his early days at Nalco, where he championed groundbreaking technologies like reverse osmosis to drive significant energy and water savings, to his strategic account management approach that forged long-term partnerships with corporate clients worldwide, Chris shares his wealth of knowledge and experience. His insights shed light on the evolving landscape of water treatment, including the pressing challenge of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination and the critical need for effective remediation technologies. Whether you're a water professional, industry stakeholder, or…

"Every great movement must experience three stages "ridicule, discussion, and adoption". And right now, when it comes to harvesting invisible water from the sky, we are at the early stage" What if we could harvest an unlimited supply of water from the sky itself, then purify and recycle it in a constant loop? On this mind-expanding episode of Liquid Assets, Professor Jeffrey Langholz shares his radical vision for solving the global water crisis through the ultimate decentralized system. Langholz is a professor at the Middlebury Institute who has spent over 20 years studying sustainable management of precious natural resources like water, forests and fisheries worldwide. He paints a compelling picture of why our current centralized, pipeline-based model of water distribution is unsustainable across economic, environmental and social dimensions. But a local, circular model of pulling water from the air and continuously recycling it could mitigate crises like scarcity, pollution and climate impacts. His bold…

Water is the lifeblood of human civilization – yet its critical importance is often overlooked. In this thought-provoking episode of Liquid Assets, host Ravi Kurani has an in-depth discussion with Peter Gleick about humanity’s past, present and future relationship with that precious resource. Peter is co-founder of the Pacific Institute and author of “The Three Ages of Water,” a sweeping look at how water enabled the growth of early agricultural societies, and led to major infrastructure in the industrial age, but also unintended consequences like pollution and scarcity. He argues we’re at a crossroads where solutions exist to major crises like persistent water poverty and ecological destruction, but lack the political will to implement them at scale towards a “third age” focused on efficiency and sustainability. Delving into his lifelong passion for environmental issues, Peter shares insights from decades of research on the inextricable links between water, climate, and society. He makes a compelling case…

As global populations expand rapidly, water demand is projected to exceed supply by over 30% in 20 years. Yet today, just 5% of wastewater is recycled worldwide, representing a massive lost opportunity. In this episode of Liquid Assets, Aaron Tartakovsky explains how his startup Epic Cleantec aims to catalyze a “water reuse revolution” to close this gap. Sitting with host Ravi Kurani, Aaron highlights the antiquated, centralized approach that has dictated water infrastructure design for over 200 years. With global urbanization accelerating and climate impacts intensifying, he makes the case that we need to transition toward more decentralized, distributed systems. Epic deploys advanced filtration systems to capture and treat wastewater within residential and commercial buildings themselves. Listen in to learn how their localized treatment model allows for onsite water recycling rates upwards of 95% for non-potable reuses. Beyond water provision, Aaron discusses how Epic’s systems also recover nutrients and…

"Trust, understanding, and quality are the cornerstones of successful sales in the world of water testing" Exploring the intricacy of water treatment and customer engagement, this episode of Liquid Assets delves into the crucial role of technical expertise and relationship-building in navigating the complex waters of the water industry. Host Ravi Kurani engages with Chris Golden, Senior Director of Sales at Taylor Technologies, exploring his diverse experiences in the water industry. Golden recounts his journey from a chemical engineering graduate to a seasoned professional in industrial water treatment, sales, and marketing. His tenure at prominent companies like Ecolab, Nalco, and Taylor Technologies highlights his adeptness in aligning products and solutions with customer needs. Golden emphasizes the importance of customer understanding and trust in technical sales, advocating a consultative approach. Delving deeper, the conversation shifts to the specifics of water testing and treatment. Golden shares…