AI and Innovation at WEFTEC 2026: Shaping the Future of Water Utilities
In this episode Talking Under Water co-hosts discuss key takeaways from WEFTEC 2026, including the growing influence of artificial intelligence in the water sector, cybersecurity preparedness, utility financing, potable reuse, and the innovative technologies generating buzz on the show floor.
Recorded live from WEFTEC, Mandy Crispin and Bob Crossen reflect on the conference theme of innovation and curiosity, highlighting an inspiring keynote presentation focused on reframing challenges and embracing new ways of thinking. Much of the conversation centers on artificial intelligence, which emerged as one of the dominant topics of the event. The hosts discuss practical AI use cases, workforce concerns, governance strategies, and the importance of keeping humans and subject matter experts at the center of decision-making. They also explore how AI is shaping conversations around data centers, water demand, and utility operations.
Beyond AI, the episode covers lessons from sessions on utility bond ratings and financing, including strategies for maintaining strong financial health and accessing federal funding opportunities. Mandy shares updates from EPA sessions on cybersecurity, water workforce grants, and a new pilot initiative using AI-driven security testing. The hosts also spotlight emerging technologies, including a novel wastewater pump design and creative public outreach efforts supporting potable reuse projects. The episode concludes with a discussion on AI-generated public records requests and what they could mean for utilities moving forward.
Show notes
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
00:45 – WEFTEC keynote highlights: innovation, curiosity, and rethinking workplace challenges
05:02 – AI takes center stage at WEFTEC: opportunities, risks, and utility adoption
09:46 – Data centers, water demand, and the need for transparency in AI infrastructure
15:01 – Utility financing lessons: bond ratings, rate strategies, and WIFIA funding opportunities
20:06 – EPA update: cybersecurity, workforce grants, and Project Watershed 250
24:49 – New technologies and innovations from the show floor, including pumps and potable reuse outreach
34:25 – Housekeeping
About the Podcast
Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, stormwater and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.
Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing [email protected] engaging with them on X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.
About the Author
Bob CrossenBob Crossen
Bob Crossen is the vice president of content strategy for the Water and Energy Groups of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B. EB2B publishes WaterWorld, Wastewater Digest and Stormwater Solutions in its water portfolio and publishes Oil & Gas Journal, Offshore Magazine, T&D World, EnergyTech and Microgrid Knowledge in its energy portfolio. Crossen graduated from Illinois State University in Dec. 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in German and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. He worked for Campbell Publications, a weekly newspaper company in rural Illinois outside St. Louis for four years as a reporter and regional editor. Crossen can be reached at [email protected].
Mandy CrispinMandy Crispin
Mandy Crispin is the editor-in-chief of WaterWorld, having joined Endeavor Business Media in 2023. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada and is a graduate of University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She has internal and external corporate communications experience in disparate industries including online retail, gaming, plastics and is now enjoying exploring the water utility space. Crispin can be reach at [email protected].