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Even though it rains a lot in the Pacific Northwest, water isn’t as plentiful as it may seem. Join Michael Brent of Cascade Water Alliance as he dives deep discussing today’s most pressing water issues in King County, Washington and beyond from water quality, to sustainable landscaping, to climate change, and the future of our water. Monthly episodes will educate and help homeowners, gardeners, teachers, and students feel empowered to preserve water. Water is a resource we all need and you c ...
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Lessons From the First Drop: Michael Brent on 21 Years with Cascade Water Alliance
10:58
10:58
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In this special episode of We Need Water, we mark the end of an era—and the beginning of a new chapter. Cascade’s new Water Efficiency Manager, James Amspacher, sits down with retiring conservation pioneer and longtime We Need Water host, Michael Brent. Together, they reflect on Michael's two-decade journey at Cascade, from the early days of region…
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In this episode of We Need Water, we dive into NASA’s groundbreaking GRACE Project (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment), which uses satellites to monitor Earth’s freshwater resources. NASA recently released a report detailing the findings from this vital mission, revealing the state of freshwater supplies across the globe. Our guest, Dr. Matth…
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From Ocean to Tap: Carlsbad’s Desalination with Jeremy Crutchfield
29:38
29:38
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In this episode we explore the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant, which is the largest, most technologically advanced and energy-efficient seawater desalination plant in the nation. Each day, the plant delivers nearly 50 million gallons (56,000 acre-feet per year (AFY)) of fresh, desalinated water to San Diego County – enough to serve …
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Lessons From The San Antonio Drought With Karen Guz
22:59
22:59
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This episode of the We Need Water Podcast dives into the severe drought gripping South Central Texas and explores how San Antonio is responding. Host Michael Brent, Water Resources Manager for Cascade Water Alliance, welcomes Karen Guz, Vice President of Conservation with the San Antonio Water System (SAWS), as she discusses the challenges and stra…
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In this episode of We Need Water, we’re joined by Michael Perry—better known as Mr. Plant Geek—a leading voice in the global gardening community. Michael shares his passion for spreading the joy of gardening across the world and dives into the latest trends emerging as gardeners respond to the effects of climate change. From eco-friendly practices …
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In this episode of We Need Water, we sit down with Lisa Taylor, a sustainable landscaping speaker, educator and author to talk about all things Organic Pest Control. We discuss how residents can take a holistic approach to deal with common pests in the PNW including rabbits, moles, aphids, slugs and more! Tune in to learn how to integrate pest cont…
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In this episode, we dive into how the company, Aquaria, has developed a new technology to create clean safe water from the air. We discuss why this technology is needed now more than ever due to climate change, plus how it works, and how it's helping people. Learn more about Cascade Water Alliance’s We Need Water Program Follow us on Instagram and …
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In this episode of "We Need Water," we dive into the fascinating world of rain gardens and explore the City of Kirkland’s innovative “Yard Smart Rain Rewards” program. We speak with Environmental Education and Outreach Specialist, Kate Schmiett. Join us as we discuss how residents can participate in this impactful initiative and the benefits they c…
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Do you have a home water irrigation system or are you considering installing one? Dive into this discussion about how to make yours a smart irrigation system for landscape health and water efficiency. From the components needed to the common problems and solutions for irrigation systems, plus the steps you need to take to activate and deactivate yo…
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Welcome back to Season 2 of We Need Water! To kickoff our season we are speaking with Jessi Bloom about how to rip out your lawn. What are the benefits of doing this? Why would you do such a thing? And tips and tricks for how to plan your turf removal. We cover some of Jessi’s favorite tools, plants, and techniques for creating an outdoor space tha…
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Lawns of the Future: Less Grass, Less Work
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What does the lawn of the future look like? They will need to adapt to the changing climate and the hotter and drier summers in the PNW. That means less grass, which in turn means less watering, fertilizer, weeding and WORK! Your home landscape could require far less maintenance and look more beautiful if you removed some of your grass. Welcome to …
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Do you know about PFAS? Have you ever wondered it it’s in your water? PFAS are a group of over 12,000 forever chemicals that are found in everyday products like nonstick pans, food packaging, rain gear, and even organic kale! It’s also being found in drinking water, and has negative impacts on human health and our environment. The US Geological Sur…
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Untapped Potential: How WaterSense Saves You Water, Money and Water for the Future
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Have you ever thought about how much water it takes to flush a toilet? Or run your dishwasher? The EPA’s WaterSense program helps consumers choose more water-efficient products with their WaterSense label for faucets, appliances, irrigation, and more. In this episode we sit down with Veronica Blette, Chief of the WaterSense Branch, to talk about ho…
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Are you wondering how to adapt your garden to climate change? As our summers become hotter and dryer, learn how to adapt your garden and make it more resilient. In this episode we speak with best-selling author and business owner, Jessi Bloom of NW Bloom Ecological Services about practical tips, innovative techniques and expert insights to cultivat…
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Tapped Out: Climate Change's Impact on Our PNW Water
28:18
28:18
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Climate change is impacting the PNW right now. In Washington, our summers are getting hotter and drier. Did you know we’ve already lost 15-30% of our snowpack over the last 80 years with even more expected in the next 80 years? Our reservoirs aren’t big enough to withstand large periods of droughts, like in other states like California. What do we …
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Who cares about toilets? Billions of people do because they have no where to go. This is a huge impact on our water systems. Enter the World Toilet Organization who's taking action with projects across the globe to address the lack of toilets. We'll talk about why their work matters and get knee deep in the details with Dr. Jack Sim, the world's nu…
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Traditional landscape management involves heavy inputs of water, chemicals, and fossil fuel-powered machinery. The environmental impacts are significant. Sustainable landscaping offers an alternative, but what is it? At its core, sustainable landscaping seeks to work with natural processes to achieve a landscape that is aesthetically pleasing, func…
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What is “organic farming”? How does it differ from traditional farming? How does it affect our water resources? Why does it matter? This podcast will explore these questions and help listeners understand how they can participate in and support organic farming in their communities. Anita Waghani is trained in Permaculture Design, Soil and Water Stew…
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How Safe Is Our Drinking Water? With Environmental Geologist Jessica Atlakson
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22:28
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Is the water in Washington REALLY safe to drink? Is tap water healthy for us? Do you need a water filter in your home? Concerns about water quality are prevalent. The U.S. prides itself on clean, safe drinking water, yet, terrible water crises have occurred in Flint, Michigan and Jackson, Mississippi in recent years that seem to contradict the noti…
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