- 19
- Episodes
- 8
- Ratings
- 2023
- First episode
- 76K
- YouTube views
About We Need Water
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 can help; you are the key to Washington’s water future. The We Need Water Podcast is brought to you by Cascade Water Alliance. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @weneedH20. More info at CascadeWater.org.
- Publisher
- Cascade Water Alliance
- Category
- science
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 5 Apr 2023
- Latest episode
- 2 Jun 2025
Latest episodes
19 episodes in the feed.
2 Jun 2025
Lessons From the First Drop: Michael Brent on 25 Years with Cascade Water Alliance
James Amspacher interviews Michael Brent about his 25-year journey with Cascade Water Alliance, highlighting the evolution of regional water planning and conservation efforts.
3 Mar 2025
NASA's GRACE Program
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. Matthew Rodell, one of the study’s authors, joins us to explain how the GRACE Project works, why NASA is focused on Earth’s water resources, and what t...
6 Jan 2025
From Ocean to Tap: Carlsbad’s Desalination with Jeremy Crutchfield
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 approximately 400,000 people.Discover how desalination technology has evolved and its potential to address future water shortages. We discuss the e...
3 Dec 2024
Lessons From The San Antonio Drought With Karen Guz
Michael Brent and Karen Guz discuss how San Antonio is addressing its severe drought, revealing effective strategies for ensuring water security and mitigating its impact on the community.
4 Nov 2024
Gardening Trends With Mr. Plant Geek
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 to resilient plant choices, discover how the world of gardening is evolving to meet environmental challenges. Michael Perry, aka Mr. Plant Geek, is...
25 Sept 2024
Organic Pest Control With Lisa Taylor
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 control into your gardening without resorting to poisonous chemicals.Topics Include:- What is organic pest control?- How does it differ from other pest...
12 Aug 2024
Clean, Safe Water From The Air
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 ProgramFollow us on Instagram and Facebook @weneedh20Watch the episode on Youtube
10 Jun 2024
Rain Rewards for Rain Gardens
A discussion of how Kirkland, Washington encourages its residents to remove turfgrass and disconnect the downspouts of their homes to channel the rainwater to engineered structures called raingardens. Raingardens collect rainwater and slowly release the rainwater into the soil mimicking how forests manage water. The structures are planted with water-loving plants to add beauty and functionality to the landscape. ABOUT KATE SCHMIETT Kate Schmiett is the Environmental Education and Outreach Specialist for the City of Kirkland Stormwater group. She helps people in Kirkland connect to their local environment, especially how to understand that their actions at home can help support water quality in Kirkland’s creeks, Lake Washington, and Puget Sound. Learn more about Cascade Water Alliance’s We Need Water Program (https://cascadewater.org/water-efficiency/we-need-water-because/) Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/weneedh20/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/weneedH20/) @weneedh20 Watch the episode on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@weneedwater652)
13 May 2024
Saving Water with Smart Irrigation
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 your irrigation system. Don't miss this in-depth conversation with Landscape Management Professional, David McGrath. Episode Topics: 1. Components of an irrigation system 2. What are zones? 3. What is smart irrigation? 4. Common problems and solutions of irrigation systems. 5. When to activate and deactivate your system. 6. Tools for homeowners David McGrath is an irrigation specialist, a teacher, and horticulturist. He has a long career in gardening in the Pacific Northwest. Originally from New England, he moved here over 30yrs ago, began his work in agriculture, then found his calling in residential landscaping. His love of plants and his environmental stewardship inspired him to help others develop a respect for nature and its resources, specifically water. David has knowledge of both horticulture and Irrigation so he can look at a landscape from two angles, plant health and water use. He regularly performs detailed analyses of public irrigation systems and provides constructive feedback on how to conserve water while still maintaining a healthy landscape. He offers classes and workshops on understanding and maintaining systems. Learn more about Cascade Water Alliance’s We Need Water Program (https://cascadewater.org/water-efficiency/we-need-water-because/) Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/weneedh20/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/weneedH20/) @weneedh20 Watch the episode on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@weneedwater652)
11 Apr 2024
Ripping Out Your Lawn
Welcome back to Season 2 of We Need Water! To kickoff our season we are speaking with Jessi Bloom (https://www.nwbloom.com/company/the-team/) 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 that requires less work and less water. Jessi was born and raised in the PNW and has a strong background of horticulture and environmental sciences. Her early experience ranged in project management, from organizing restoration projects with community volunteers, to high-end residential and commercial landscape design/build. In early 2000, she decided to start an ethical business (https://www.jessibloom.com/happy-birthday-to-n-w-bloom/) in the green industry to fill a niche for organic and ecological landscaping. Seattle Times named her a “rockstar in the ecological gardening movement (https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/ex-roller-derby-queen-jessi-bloom-is-a-rock-star-in-the-ecological-gardening-movement/)“, with her leadership combined with artistic design talents she led N.W. Bloom to numerous environmental awards, (http://www.jessibloom.com/about/awards-press/) traveling nationwide as a speaker (https://www.jessibloom.com/services/)and is the best-selling author: Free-Range Chicken Gardens (https://www.jessibloom.com/books-articles/free-range-chickens/) (2012) Practical Permaculture Design (https://www.jessibloom.com/books-articles/practical-permaculture/)(2015)which is now in 6 languages; and Creating Sanctuary: Sacred Garden Spaces, Plant Based Medicine and Daily Practices to Achieve Happiness and Well-Being (http://www.jessibloom.com/books-articles/everyday-sanctuary/) (2017) and its companion workbook Everyday Sanctuary (https://www.jessibloom.com/books-articles/everyday-sanctuary-2/)(2019) Jessi’s work has gotten press and been featured in many national and local media (https://www.jessibloom.com/about/awards-press/) outlets from the NY Times, Better Homes & Gardens, Sunset Magazine, DISNEY, Martha Stewart Living, Mother Earth News, UTNE Reader, Fine Gardening Magazine and PBS’s Growing a Greener World TV. (http://www.growingagreenerworld.com/modern-homesteading/) Jessi is passionately committed to volunteering in the community and sits on several advisory boards within the green industry and educational/environmental organizations; hoping to empower people, also raising industry standards, and helped develop the EcoPro program for WA State. Currently she was appointed as an Agriculture Commissioner for King County, as well a member of the WA DNR Urban and Community Forestry Committee. She has 3 kids and spends time with them around their little farm, with a handful of animals and gardens to look after. When she is not working, she enjoys the outdoors: snowboarding, hiking, her horses, running, yoga, biking, rollerskating and stays strong with Olympic weightlifting. Learn more about Cascade Water Alliance’s We Need Water Program (https://cascadewater.org/water-efficiency/we-need-water-because/) Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/weneedh20/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/weneedH20/) @weneedh20 Watch the episode on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@weneedwater652)
1 Dec 2023
Lawns of the Future: Less Grass, Less Work
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 this episode: Lawns of the Future, with gardener extraordinaire and speaker, Marianne Binetti (http://www.binettigarden.com/). We discuss the reasons to remove some of your turf, how to transform your lawn, and the benefits you will see. Plus some of Marianne’s favorite plants, and her tried and true method to starting transforming your lawn into something new! In this episode, we discuss: What is the problem with grass? (1:00) Letting your lawn go golden (2:00) Biological deserts (3:30) Good alternatives for lawn (4:45) What are some of the issues with your lawn? (6:50) How water and fertilizer needs change when you remove grass? (8:30 ) How do you get started with transforming your lawn? (10:13) Why you shouldn’t use a sod remover (12:45) Recap: Steps to take to transform lawn (19:37) Replacing your lawn can cost nothing! (20:25) Other resources (21:35) Marianne Binetti (http://www.binettigarden.com/) is a northwest horticultural expert: Marianne has a degree in horticulture from Washington State University and writes a syndicated gardening column that runs in over a dozen newspapers each week including the The Tacoma News Tribune (Sundays) and The Daily Olympian (Saturdays). She has also written or co-written 10 gardening books including "Easy Answers for Great Gardens" and her latest book "Edible Gardening for Washington and Oregon" She lectures and gives seminars on a variety of topics, has appeared on HGTV and hosts radio and TV programs. Marianne leads garden tours around the world with her husband Joe. Learn more about Cascade Water Alliance’s We Need Water Program (https://cascadewater.org/water-efficiency/we-need-water-because/) Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/weneedh20/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/weneedH20/) @weneedh20 Watch the episode on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@weneedwater652)
1 Nov 2023
What Is PFAS And Why Should I Care?
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 Survey recently released a report about PFAS in the US water supply where they tested drinking water in over 700 homes across the US – and we are sharing the highlights in this episode. Research Hydrologist, Kelly Smalling (https://www.usgs.gov/staff-profiles/kelly-smalling) of the US Geological Survey (https://www.usgs.gov/)discusses what PFAS is, the risks, safety levels, the hotspots for PFAS in the US, regulatory actions, and treatment technologies. Link to USGS PFAS Map (https://www.usgs.gov/tools/pfas-us-tapwater-interactive-dashboard) In this episode, we discuss: What is PFAS (2:00) Where does PFAS come from? (3:05) Is PFAS safe? (5:23) How is the EPA responding to regulating PFAS now? (7:10) What are the effects of PFAS? (9:40) What is the maximum contamination level in drinking water for PFAS? (10:27) Have industries changed the chemicals they are using and producing? (11:52) What is the treatment technology to remove PFAS from drinking water? (13:00) Why did the US Geological Survey create a report on PFAS? (13:55) How many homes did you visit and test? What results did you find in the water samples from US homes? Where was PFAS detected? What are the next steps for research? (21:59) What should people take away from PFAS? (24:06) Where can people find the USGS report on PFAS? (26:03) What do you most enjoy about your job? (26:57) Learn more about Cascade Water Alliance’s We Need Water Program (https://cascadewater.org/water-efficiency/we-need-water-because/) Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/weneedh20/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/weneedH20/) @weneedh20 Watch the episode on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@weneedwater652)
2 Oct 2023
Untapped Potential: How WaterSense Saves You Water, Money and Water for the Future
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 how they have helped US homeowners save more than $171 billion dollars in water and energy bills and trillions of gallons of water. Save water, save money, save the planet! In this episode, we discuss: What is the WaterSense Program? How are products reviewed and rated? What are the efficiency standards and performance? Why choose a WaterSense product? What has the impact been? What are the other programs of WaterSense? What does the future hold? Look for the WaterSense label and learn more at: www.epa.gov/watersense (https://www.epa.gov/watersense) or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EPAWatersense) Veronica Blette manages the WaterSense program in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water. She loves working on water efficiency with WaterSense, was the 2016 recipient of the Alliance for Water Efficiency Water Star award, and is the current chair of the Water Conservation Division for the American Water Works Association. At EPA, she has also served as special assistant to the director of the national drinking water program and led the agency’s drinking water infrastructure financing program. Before joining EPA in 1997, she worked in the academic research and environmental consulting fields on projects investigating the effects of acid rain on soils and water quality. She has a B.A. in Geology from Smith College and a M.S. in Geology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Learn more about Cascade Water Alliance’s We Need Water Program (https://cascadewater.org/water-efficiency/we-need-water-because/) Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/weneedh20/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/weneedH20/) @weneedh20 Watch the episode on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@weneedwater652)
1 Sept 2023
Climate Proofing Your PNW Garden
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 (https://www.nwbloom.com/company/the-team/) of NW Bloom Ecological Services (https://www.nwbloom.com/) about practical tips, innovative techniques and expert insights to cultivate resilient gardens that thrive. Episode Topics: What is a resilient landscape How do we adapt our garden to climate change What is permaculture Trends in landscape maintenance Tips for how to create a resilient garden Soil health Water collection and water harvesting Best application for drip application About Jessi Bloom: Jessi Bloom was born and raised in the PNW and has a strong background of horticulture and environmental sciences. Her work has gotten press and been featured in many national and local media (https://www.jessibloom.com/about/awards-press/) outlets from the NY Times, Better Homes & Gardens, Sunset Magazine, DISNEY, Martha Stewart Living. She is a speaker (https://www.jessibloom.com/services/)and the best-selling author of: Free-Range Chicken Gardens (https://www.jessibloom.com/books-articles/free-range-chickens/) (2012) Practical Permaculture Design (https://www.jessibloom.com/books-articles/practical-permaculture/)(2015) which is now in 6 languages; Creating Sanctuary: Sacred Garden Spaces, Plant Based Medicine and Daily Practices to Achieve Happiness and Well-Being (http://www.jessibloom.com/books-articles/everyday-sanctuary/)(2017) Everyday Sanctuary (https://www.jessibloom.com/books-articles/everyday-sanctuary-2/) (2019) Learn more about Cascade Water Alliance’s We Need Water Program (https://cascadewater.org/water-efficiency/we-need-water-because/) Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/weneedh20/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/weneedH20/) @weneedh20 Watch the episode on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@weneedwater652)
1 Aug 2023
Tapped Out: Climate Change's Impact on Our PNW Water
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 need to be doing from a climate change perspective? Enter the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group (https://cig.uw.edu/), which is helping to build climate resilience in the Pacific Northwest. We talked with Research Scientist, Guillaume Mauger to discuss the state of Washington right now and what you can do to help with climate change and adaptation. Episode Topics: What is the UW Climate Impacts Group Difference between climate mitigation vs adaptation The two important ways to look at climate change The impacts on snowpack and reservoirs Will summers get hotter and drier? Climate Impacts Group research and work in the PNW Working with tribes Three steps people can take to promote climate adaptation Learn more about Cascade Water Alliance’s We Need Water Program (https://cascadewater.org/water-efficiency/we-need-water-because/) Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/weneedh20/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/weneedH20/) @weneedh20 Watch the episode on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@weneedwater652)
5 Jul 2023
Who Cares About Toilets
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 (https://worldtoilet.org/) 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 number one, #2 man. Dr. Jack Sim (https://worldtoilet.org/web-agency-gb-about-us/jack-sim/) is a successful businessman who created more than a dozen businesses in Singapore. At the age of 40, he decided to devote his remaining years to helping disadvantaged communities develop sanitation to combat a host of problems caused by the lack of available toilets. Learn more about Cascade Water Alliance’s We Need Water Program (https://cascadewater.org/water-efficiency/we-need-water-because/) Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/weneedh20/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/weneedH20/) @weneedh20 Watch the episode on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@weneedwater652)
1 Jun 2023
What is Sustainable Landscaping?
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, functional, with lower maintenance. This podcast will explore the techniques involved in sustainable landscaping and the benefits to you and your local environment. Ladd Smith co-founded In Harmony Sustainable Landscapes (https://inharmony.com/) in 1994 out of his lifelong passion for protecting the environment. In Harmony Sustainable Landscapes is a provider of organic based landscape services in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties in Washington. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Ornamental Horticulture from the University of Nevada, Reno. Learn more about Cascade Water Alliance’s We Need Water Program (https://cascadewater.org/water-efficiency/we-need-water-because/) Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/weneedh20/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/weneedH20/) @weneedh20 Watch the episode on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@weneedwater652)
1 May 2023
Building a Better Food Future
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 Stewardship, and she’s a Master Gardner. Anita has a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Mumbai, India. She loves using the harvest from her garden to cook, preserve, make herbal teas and medicine. She is constantly learning and experimenting with using local, seasonal ingredients to make her family recipes. She is an avid yoga practioner. Chris Hoffer is the Director of Community Education at Tilth Alliance, where he began working in 2014. He supports a variety of community-based programs, including classes for adults; senior wellness and nutrition education; environmental stewardship; community gardens; and partnerships with community-based organizations. He has a particular passion for composting, drip irrigation, edible landscapes and native plants. Outside of work, Chris enjoys cooking, creating an edible home landscape, restoring Seattle’s urban forest and backpacking throughout the Northwest. Learn more about Cascade Water Alliance’s We Need Water Program (https://cascadewater.org/water-efficiency/we-need-water-because/) Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/weneedh20/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/weneedH20/) @weneedh20 Watch the episode on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@weneedwater652)
5 Apr 2023
How Safe Is Our Drinking Water? With Environmental Geologist Jessica Atlakson
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 notion of American drinking water being safe. How do we know that our drinking water is safe and something like this won’t happen to us? Join us for our conversation with Environmental Geologist, Jessica Atlakson of the City of Redmond, Washington as she answers all our questions about water quality and safety. Jessica Atlakson is an Environmental Geologist at the City of Redmond, Washington with over 20 years of experience in water quality. She develops quality assurance programs and plans for Redmond’s groundwater, creates groundwater protection codes and assists with groundwater sampling and quality investigations. Let's Connect: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @weneedH20 Please share, subscribe and review (it helps more than you know!). More info at CascadeWater.org Learn more about Cascade Water Alliance’s We Need Water Program (https://cascadewater.org/water-efficiency/we-need-water-because/) Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/weneedh20/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/weneedH20/) @weneedh20 Watch the episode on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@weneedwater652)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
- YouTube views
- 75,857
- Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 5.0 / 5
- 4 ratings
- Spotify
- 5.0 / 5
- 4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
- Quality
- 39
- Social presence
- 94
- YouTube
- 76
- Engagement
- 32
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