In this episode, we sit down with Alicia Dauth, an environmental engineer and global water professional with over 15 years of experience across the US, Southern Africa, and the Middle East. Alicia shares her personal journey—rooted in her Earth Day birthday and desert upbringing in California—that shaped her passion for water stewardship and cross-cultural collaboration.

We cover:

Alicia’s background & motivation: from environmental science to global water projects.

Defining Water Stewardship: what it means to responsibly manage water resources and transparently communicate with stakeholders.

Understanding Water Risk: the three categories—physical, infrastructure, and reputational—and their cause-and-effect relationship.

Water Assurance: why third-party verification is critical for credibility and continuous improvement.

Practical steps for organizations: water footprinting, staff awareness, communication, and identifying areas for efficiency.

Future trends in water: AI-driven monitoring, water reuse & recycling, standardization of reporting, disclosure frameworks, and the “One Water” approach.

Advice for young professionals: embracing curiosity, learning from mentors, attending conferences, and finding purpose in water careers.

This conversation is both technical and human, offering valuable takeaways for organizations, professionals, and anyone interested in the future of water.