Can AI solve water’s biggest challenges?
In this conversation, Bob Crossen interviews John Ikeda of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) about the organization’s evolving mission and strategic priorities for 2026. Ikeda outlines WEF’s three-pillar strategy—workforce, community, and circular economy—and discusses how artificial intelligence, data center water use, and global reuse targets are shaping the future of water.
He also highlights the launch of the Water AI Nexus Center of Excellence, emerging innovation themes, and the need for new financing models to close infrastructure gaps. The conversation closes with reflections on WEF’s Operations Challenge and its growing public recognition.
Key highlights with timestamps
- 00:33 – WEF’s three strategic pillars: workforce, community, circular economy
- 01:45 – Launch of Water AI Nexus Center of Excellence
- 02:30 – AI’s role in water supply and data center sustainability
- 03:45 – Principles for sustainable water use in data centers
- 05:11 – Innovation themes for 2026: GenAI, PFAS, reuse
- 06:00 – Global reuse targets and UN water conference
- 07:05 – AI as both tailwind and headwind for utilities
- 08:20 – Political headwinds and cross-border collaboration
- 09:26 – Legacy knowledge transfer using AI tools
- 10:28 – Financing challenges and P3 opportunities
- 12:17 – Operations Challenge and public recognition
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About the Author
Bob Crossen
Bob Crossen is the editorial director for the Endeavor Business Media Water Group, which publishes WaterWorld, Wastewater Digest and Stormwater Solutions. 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.
Mandy 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].