Full Circle Podcast – Season 3, Episode 2

In this episode of the Full Circle Podcast, host Steven Baird speaks with Ana Schwab, lobbyist with Best Best & Krieger, about the critical role of federal and state advocacy in advancing the Pure Water Project Las Virgenes-Triunfo.

Ana shares her journey from Capitol Hill to specializing in water policy, explaining how understanding California’s complex water systems requires patience, coalition-building, and strong partnerships. The conversation explores:

• How federal agencies like the EPA, Bureau of Reclamation, and Army Corps of Engineers influence California’s water supply.

• The importance of congressional relationships and coalition-building to secure funding and regulatory support.

• The challenge of navigating shifting political landscapes while ensuring long-term water reliability.

• How federal regulations on PFAS and other contaminants impact local water agencies, and the need for funding to help agencies meet new standards.

• Why the Pure Water Project stands out—delivering local supply, watershed protection, and regional benefits that resonate with regulators and funding agencies.

Ana emphasizes the need to modernize water infrastructure, expand storage and conveyance, and streamline regulations to avoid costly delays. The episode highlights how advocacy, collaboration, and persistence are essential to ensuring safe, sustainable water for the region

The Full Circle Podcast presents a special episode exploring the intersection of pure water and the medical community. Host Mike McNutt is joined by Brian Barry, Executive Director of the Ventura County Medical Association; Shy Roy, past president of the LA County Medical Association; and Andy Coradeschi, President of the LVMWD Board. Together, they discuss water supply challenges in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, the critical role of clean water in public health and agriculture, and the innovative Pure Water Project, which transforms wastewater into a sustainable potable resource. The conversation highlights the importance of trust, transparency, and community engagement in advancing water solutions.00:00:00 - 00:01:08: Introduction of guests and their backgrounds.00:01:27 - 00:02:19: Brian Barry discusses his background in orthopedics and sports medicine.00:04:22 - 00:05:28: Shy Roy talks about his background and involvement in the LA County Medical Association. ​00:10:21 - 00:11:27: Discussion on the function and role of medical associations in the community. ​00:11:55 - 00:12:33: ShyRoy explains the evolving role of medical associations in the healthcare system.00:13:49 - 00:15:41: Shy Roy discusses the challenges of Medicare and Medicaid systems.00:16:04 - 00:17:09: Brian Barry talks about affordable housing for the medical community in Ventura County.00:19:08 - 00:20:33: Shy Roy shares personal experience with climate change impacts and public health outcomes.00:22:32 - 00:23:03: Brian Barry discusses the impact of climate change on agricultural workers in Ventura County.00:25:33 - 00:26:21: Andy Coradeschi introduces the Pure Water Project and its significance.00:27:09 - 00:28:07: Explanation of the advanced water treatment facility and its benefits. ​00:32:16 - 00:33:24: Discussion on deep sea water desalination technology.00:48:34 - 00:49:24: Brian Barry emphasizes the importance of involving youth in sustainability initiatives.00:55:01 - 00:56:26: Brian Barry discusses the importance of trust, respect, and credibility in leadership.00:52:08 - 00:54:17: Shy Roy shares insights on combating misinformation during the Covid pandemic and parallels to water industry challenges.01:03:00 - 01:04:08: Final thoughts and appreciation for the guests' participation and endorsement of the Pure Water Project.

Full Circle Podcast Season 002 Episode 006 💧 Discover the Future of Water Supply with Jay Lewitt! In this episode of the Full Circle Podcast, we sit down with Jay Lewitt, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) Board President and JPA Chair, to explore the Pure Water Project—a game-changing solution to ensure water reliability for generations to come. 🌍 Key Highlights: ⏳ [Timestamps Below!] ✔️ How droughts and climate change shaped the need for innovation. ✔️ The decision-making behind potable reuse vs. other costly alternatives. ✔️ How the project boosts regional independence and water security. ✔️ Addressing public concerns: Is purified water safe? (Spoiler: Yes!) ✔️ Fun fact: Why you’re already drinking reused water! 🔎 Why Watch? Water affects everything—from your home to the environment. Join us to learn how stakeholder collaboration, cutting-edge technology, and local leadership are securing a sustainable water future. Whether you’re a resident, an environmentalist, or just curious, this episode has something for you. 🎧 Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction: Meet Jay Lewitt 2:08 – Jay’s Background: Politics to water leadership 7:57 – Why water reliability matters: Lessons from the drought 8:20 – The Pure Water Project: Sustainable water solutions 10:25 – Stakeholder collaboration: How we built trust 12:42 – Addressing community concerns: “I’m not drinking that!” 14:08 – Regional water independence and its significance 18:33 – The project’s cost vs. value to homeowners 23:39 – Is purified water safe? What you need to know 25:39 – How YOU can get involved with water stewardship 29:25 – Fun fact: Dinosaur water and Sacramento wastewater! 30:27 – Closing thoughts 👍 If you enjoyed this episode: ✅ Like, share, and subscribe to Full Circle Podcast for more in-depth conversations about water sustainability and innovation. 🔔 Hit the bell icon to never miss an episode! 🌐 Connect with Us: Learn more about the Pure Water Project and the Las Virgenes - Triunfo JPA here: http://wwww.OurPureH2O.com #WaterSustainability #PureWaterProject #FullCirclePodcast #WaterReuse #LVMWD #DroughtSolutions #EnvironmentalStewardship #PotableReuse #WaterSecurity

🚰 How do you solve a water crisis? With groundbreaking innovation and collaboration! Join host Riki Clark on the Full Circle Podcast as she sits down with Las Virgenes Municipal Water District General Manager, Dave Pedersen, to dive into the transformative Pure Water Project, one of California’s first direct potable reuse and reservoir augmentation initiatives. 🌊 In this episode, you’ll learn how the Pure Water Project is setting a new standard for water resilience in the face of increasing droughts and regulations. Dave and Riki explore the project's origins, from regulatory needs to the drive for a local, drought-proof water supply. Discover the bold steps being taken to meet 21st-century water challenges and what this means for water equity across California. 🌍 Key Topics Covered: The need for a local, drought-resistant water supply Cost challenges and strategic funding for sustainable water solutions Collaborative efforts to reduce reliance on imported water Innovative partnerships, including OceanWell’s deep-sea desalination project What California’s future water portfolio could look like 💡 Why This Matters: As imported water prices soar, local solutions like the Pure Water Project and OceanWell are vital to building a resilient and affordable water supply. Don't miss this insightful conversation to learn how these solutions are making an impact in Los Angeles, Ventura County, and beyond! 🔔 Enjoyed this episode? Hit SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications for more deep dives into California’s water future and sustainable solutions. Let’s work together for a more water-secure world! #PureWaterProject #WaterResilience #CaliforniaWaterCrisis #FullCirclePodcast #SustainableWater #Innovation #DavePedersen #LasVirgenes #OceanWell Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro to the Pure Water Project 02:50 - Solving Local Water Challenges 06:20 - Benefits of a Drought-Resistant Supply 12:45 - Financing the Future of Water 18:30 - Collaborating with Metropolitan Water District 25:50 - Innovative OceanWell Desalination Solution

In this episode of the Full Circle Podcast, host Riki Clark is joined by Don Patterson, Director of Finance and Administration at Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, for an insightful discussion on the financial intricacies behind the Pure Water Project. Don shares key updates on the project's budget, now estimated at $466 million, and explains how inflation, labor, and material costs have influenced the increase from the original $364 million. Tune in to learn how the JPA is navigating funding sources like WIFIA loans, state revolving funds, and grants to minimize ratepayer impacts while ensuring future water reliability. Ricky and Don also discuss the challenges of competing for resources in California's growing water infrastructure market and highlight how ratepayers can contribute to cost control by becoming more efficient water users. This episode offers an essential breakdown of the economic forces behind water infrastructure and why every dollar spent today ensures sustainable access to clean water tomorrow. **Timestamps:** - 00:00:00 - Intro: Cost update and comparison with past estimates - 00:00:53 - Host Ricky Clarke introduces Don Patterson, Director of Finance - 00:02:00 - Discussing the Pure Water Project’s five-year journey and cost changes - 00:04:13 - New price estimate: $466 million for the Pure Water Project - 00:06:08 - Explaining the rise in construction costs and economic impacts - 00:08:19 - Price escalation and its impact on project costs - 00:10:36 - Funding sources for the Pure Water Project - 00:14:00 - State revolving fund and Bureau of Reclamation grants - 00:16:34 - Local Resource Program and its importance for long-term savings - 00:18:06 - Breaking down the impact on ratepayers' bills - 00:22:33 - Discussing the total ratepayer impact: $8/month increase - 00:24:56 - The current funding environment and interest rates - 00:27:13 - Importance of the JPA partnership in securing competitive funding - 00:30:03 - How ratepayers can minimize cost impacts through efficient water use - 00:32:45 - Closing remarks and team shoutout #PureWater #WaterConservation #Sustainability #FullCirclePodcast

In this episode of the Full Circle Podcast, host Ricky Clark is joined by experts Oliver Schlosser from Las Virgenes - Triunfo Joint Powers Authority (JPA) and Michelle Green from Jacobs Engineering to discuss the game-changing approach behind the Pure Water Project: Progressive Design Build (PDB). Here’s what you’ll learn:

• What is Progressive Design Build (PDB)?
  Discover how this innovative delivery method promotes collaboration and transparency between designers and contractors.

• Benefits Over Traditional Methods
  Learn why PDB helps reduce costs, manage risks, and accelerate project timelines compared to design-bid-build.

• The Role of Collaboration
  Find out how multiple firms, including Walsh, Carollo Engineers, and Jacobs, are working together to deliver this $466 million project.

• Regulatory Deadlines and Project Phases
  Get an inside look at how the team is navigating strict regulatory deadlines with a well-coordinated design process currently at 20% completion.

• Why PDB is Perfect for Complex Water Projects
  See how this approach is revolutionizing large-scale infrastructure projects, making it ideal for innovative water management solutions like the Pure Water Project.

Join the conversation and discover the future of sustainable water infrastructure!

🔔 Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes content on water innovation and infrastructure solutions!
#PureWaterProject #ProgressiveDesignBuild #WaterInnovation #Infrastructure #SustainableSolutions

Season 002:Episode 002 Full Circle Podcast In this episode, host Ricky Clark and guest Mike McNutt dive into the groundbreaking Pure Water Project, a game-changer for sustainable water supply in California! 🚰 Learn how advanced water purification techniques are turning waste into a reliable, safe source of drinking water. 💧 We discuss: The science behind potable water reuse 🌱 Overcoming myths like "toilet to tap" 🧪 How the Pure Water Project will reduce dependence on imported water 🌍 The vital role of community education and partnerships in securing our water future 🏞️ Whether you're a water nerd or just curious about sustainable solutions, this episode has something for everyone! 👨‍🔬👩‍🔬 🔗 Watch now and learn how we're safeguarding water for future generations! #PureWater #WaterConservation #Sustainability #FullCirclePodcast More info on the Pure Water Project and the JPA: Pure Water Project - https://www.OurPureH2O.com Triunfo Water & Sanitation District - https://www.TriunfoWSD.com Las Virgenes Municipal Water District - https://www.LVMWD.com Follow us at: Facebook: LVMWD / lvmwd TWSD / triunfowsd Twitter: LVMWD / lvmwd TWSD / triunfowsd LinkedIn: LVMWD / las-virgenes-municipal-water-district TWSD / triunfo-water-sanitation-district

Season 002: Episode 001 Full Circle Podcast The Future of Water Treatment – Today This episode focuses on advanced water purification, featuring a discussion between the host, Ricky Clark, and two water treatment experts: Andy Salverson, Vice President at Carollo Engineers, and Adam Zacheis, Water Reuse Practice Lead at Brown and Caldwell. Key points discussed: Advanced Purification Process: The guests detail a three-step purification process for recycled water: Ultrafiltration or membrane filtration to remove solids and pathogens. Reverse osmosis to remove salts and other contaminants. Ultraviolet advanced oxidation to eliminate remaining microorganisms and chemicals. Energy Efficiency: Machine learning and artificial intelligence are employed to reduce energy and chemical use in the purification process, cutting energy consumption by 20%. Public Safety and Confidence: The episode emphasizes the safety of the purified water, which exceeds public health criteria. Both experts discuss the rigorous monitoring, redundancy in system design, and testing to ensure water safety. Cost-Effectiveness and Environmental Impact: The guests mention how optimizing the system design can lead to significant cost savings while maintaining safety standards. They highlight the environmental benefits, including reducing reliance on imported water and energy. Public Engagement: The podcast emphasizes outreach efforts, including tours of demonstration facilities to show the water purification process and build public trust. Advanced water treatment technologies are vital to solving future water challenges, particularly in areas facing droughts, and they ensure a safe, reliable, and sustainable water supply. More info on the Pure Water Project and the JPA: Pure Water Project - https://www.OurPureH2O.com Triunfo Water & Sanitation District - https://www.TriunfoWSD.com Las Virgenes Municipal Water District - https://www.LVMWD.com Follow us at: Facebook: LVMWD / lvmwd TWSD / triunfowsd Twitter: LVMWD / lvmwd TWSD / triunfowsd LinkedIn: LVMWD / las-virgenes-municipal-water-district TWSD / triunfo-water-sanitation-district