An initiative of the Center for Environmental Journalism at the University of Colorado Boulder

The Water Buffs Podcast

Water Buffs features in-depth interviews with leaders and experts who can explain the challenges confronting our water resources—and potential solutions. We interview journalists, scientists, policymakers, advocates, water users and other stakeholders.

On this episode of Water Buffs, we examine how drought can harm human health, specifically how dramatic fluctuations in water availability can lead to increasingly toxic water supplies.

Harvesting water in arid lands – Water Buffs Podcast...

Brad Lancaster, author and expert on water harvesting, explains how to make the most of rainfall and greywater to stretch local supplies.

Water and colonialism in New Mexico – Water Buffs...

Julia Bernal, director of the Pueblo Action Alliance, talks to Water Desk Director Mitch Tobin about the legacy of colonialism in New Mexico and its impact on water issues.

Water and climate change in New Mexico – Water...

We talk to Laura Paskus, a journalist with New Mexico PBS, about her coverage of climate change and water issues in the state.

Paddling the Green River to report on Western water...

Journalist Heather Hansman floated the Green River to explore water issues in the American West, then wrote a fascinating book about her journey.

Solving water insecurity on the Navajo Nation – Water...

About one-third of Navajo Nation residents lack running water in their homes and water pollution remains a serious issue in the region. We talk to Kaitlin Harris of DigDeep’s Navajo Water Project about solutions to these pressing problems.

Using drone and aerial imagery – Water Buffs Podcast...

Journalist Geoff McGhee talks to Water Desk Director Mitch Tobin about how still images and video footage captured by planes and drone help explain water issues.

Studying the snowpack in a changing climate – Water...

The snowpack is crucial to the West’s water supply, ecosystems and economy. But climate change threatens to make the region’s snowpack thinner and less reliable. We talk to a leading snowpack researcher about how scientists are analyzing the past, present and future of the West’s snow.

Restoration, infrastructure and the economic value of rivers –...

We discuss a recent American Rivers report that examines the economic value of rivers and our nation’s crumbling water infrastructure. The report calls on Congress to invest $500 billion over 10 years in water infrastructure and river restoration.

Water, money, and power in Colorado – Water Buffs...

Water Desk Director Mitch Tobin talks to Heather Sackett, managing editor at Aspen Journalism, about water issues in Colorado, including several stories that explore the potential transfer of water from rural areas to growing cities.

Water managers cope with climate change – Water Buffs...

Water Desk Director Mitch Tobin talks to Cynthia Koehler, director of the Water Now Alliance, about the many challenges facing water providers and the solutions they are pursuing to make water systems more resilient and sustainable.