Insights & Trends from ACE 2025
Bob Crossen, vice president of content strategy for water and energy, recaps the American Water Works Association's ACE show, which took place from June 8-11, 2025, in Denver, Colorado. Crossen was joined at the show by WaterWorld editor-in-chief Mandy Crispin and Water Group associate editor Alex Cossin, so he shares insights the three of them gained from the show. First, Crossen discusses new products that Mueller and Neptune showcased then moves on to two interviews. The first is with AWWA CEO David LaFrance. LaFrance discussed funding, financing, rates, and public communications. The second is with Gigi Karmous-Edwards who spoke about the different kinds of artificial intelligence, and some innovative uses for generative AI in the water sector.
Show Notes:
- PFAS treatment and litigation strategies for water systems
- Mueller teases hydrant retrofit kits at AWWA ACE25
- Neptune Technology Group highlights newest meter and cellular endpoint offerings
- Deconstructing the conundrum of rising rates and water affordability
Time Stamps:
- Introduction & summary | 0:11
- Mueller teases new product | 0:56
- Neptune showcasese new products | 1:24
- Article read: PFAS treatment & litigation strategies for water systems | 2:18
- Interview with David LaFrance begins | 4:42
- Top challenges for water industry | 5:10
- Rate-setting tools and recommendations | 5:59
- Pressure on improving water quality | 8:15
- Factoring in communication with the public | 9:05
- Water 2050 | 11:12
- Interview with David LaFrance ends | 12:15
- Interview with Gigi Karmous-Edwards begins | 12:22
- Breaking down what AI means | 13:06
- Karmous- Edward's WRF AI project | 14:11
- Where is AI falling short? | 15:07
- Differences between Chatbots, AI and machine learning | 16:47
- What does the future hold for these technologies in water? | 17:53
- Interview with Gigi Karmous-Edwards ends | 22: 55
- Housekeeping | 23:18
Resources:
- SWS Top Projects Nominations
- WaterWorld Top Projects Nominations
- Wastewater Digest Top Projects Nominations
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 Storm Water Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, storm water 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 Twitter @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.
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].
Katie Johns
Katie Johns, editor-in-chief of Storm Water Solutions and Water Quality Products, graduated from the University of Missouri in 2016 with a Bachelor of Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. Johns joined the Storm Water Solutions team in September 2019. Johns also helps plan the annual StormCon conference and co-hosts the Talking Under Water podcast. Prior to entering the B2B industry, she worked as a newspaper reporter and editor in Sarasota, Florida, and a magazine assistant editor in the Chicago suburbs. She can be reached at [email protected]
Alex Cossin
Associate Editor
Alex Cossin is the associate editor for Waterworld Magazine, Wastewater Digest and Stormwater Solutions, which compose the Endeavor Business Media Water Group. Cossin graduated from Kent State University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. Cossin can be reached at [email protected].