Authorities on Air

When you turn on the tap, you expect clean, reliable water. Behind the scenes, today’s municipal authorities are using more than pipes and pumps to keep systems running efficiently and proactively.
In this episode of Authorities on Air, we explore what smart water technology means for communities across Pennsylvania.
Guest Melissa Rohland of Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) explains how tools like smart meters, SCADA systems, and digital twins help authorities:
• Monitor systems in near real time
• Identify leaks before they become costly emergencies
• Plan capital improvements using better data
• Improve long-term reliability and performance
We also discuss how data, cloud platforms, and artificial intelligence are giving authority professionals stronger tools to protect public health, strengthen infrastructure, and serve their communities more effectively.
If you want a clear look at how innovation is shaping the future of water systems, this episode delivers practical insight without the technical jargon.
PMAA Website
LinkedIn
HRG Website

When it rains, most people do not think about where that water goes or what it carries with it. In this episode of Authorities on Air, we explore how green stormwater infrastructure helps communities manage rainwater in smarter, more sustainable ways.
Craig Fahnestock and PMAA President Melissa Radovanic are joined by Claire Maulhardt, Stormwater Utility Director at Capital Region Water and President of the Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange. Claire shares the story behind City Beautiful H2O, a long-term effort in Harrisburg, PA that combines clean water goals with neighborhood improvements, strong partnerships, and meaningful community engagement.
In this episode, you will hear about:
What stormwater is and why it matters to water quality and local waterways
How green infrastructure captures rain where it falls instead of sending it into pipes
The role communication and trust play in building community support
Partnerships that turn vacant lots, parks, and streets into functional green spaces
Why community ownership is essential to long-term success
This episode highlights how municipal authorities, working alongside residents and partners, can protect water resources while creating healthier, more vibrant communities.
PMAA Website
LinkedIn
Capital Region Water Website

When a water main breaks, most people only notice when service is disrupted. What they don’t see is the rapid, coordinated response working behind the scenes to protect public health and restore service.
In this episode of Authorities on Air, we’re joined by Jeremy Horvath, Executive Director, PMAA Region 6 Director and Jeremy Stultz, Systems Supervisor, PMAA Assistant Region 6 Director from Highland Sewer & Water Authority. They share a practical, real-world look at how municipal authorities prepare for and respond to emergencies, especially water main breaks, across a large and complex service area.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What constitutes an emergency for a water authority
How water main breaks are detected and prioritized
What happens from the first call to system restoration
How crews work safely in extreme and unpredictable conditions
How authorities communicate with customers during disruptions
This conversation highlights the planning, teamwork, and commitment it takes to keep water flowing, often under challenging conditions and at all hours.
PMAA Website
LinkedIn
Highland Sewer & Water Authority Website
Highland Sewer & Water Authority - Facebook

Every drop of water has value, and every gallon lost has a cost.
In this episode of Authorities on Air, we are joined by the team from Lower Saucon Authority to talk about how they successfully manage lost and non-revenue water, and why it matters to the customers they serve.
Recorded live at the PMAA Annual Conference in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, this conversation features Bill Ross, Administrator, Stacey Fetzer, Assistant Administrator, and Bill Reccek, Operations Supervisor. Together, they explain what “non-revenue water” really means, why water loss is a challenge for every utility, and how a small, highly focused team keeps their system performing at an exceptional level.
You'll hear how proactive pipe replacement, daily system monitoring, smart meters, and leak detection technology work together to reduce water loss, control costs, and protect infrastructure. The episode also highlights the importance of educating customers, communicating transparently, and staying vigilant even when performance is strong.
This is a clear, practical look at how thoughtful system care and teamwork help protect public water systems and deliver real value to the community.
PMAA Website
LinkedIn
Lower Saucon Authority Website
Lower Saucon Authority - Facebook

Safe Water, Healthy Communities – Why Regulations Matter
Featuring Liesel Gross, Chief Executive Officer, Lehigh County Authority
Recorded during the PMAA Annual Conference in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Clean, safe drinking water is something most people take for granted. But behind every glass is a complex system of testing, treatment, science, and regulatory oversight that protects public health every single day. In this episode, Liesel Gross, CEO of Lehigh County Authority, talks about why water regulations matter and what it really takes to deliver safe water to more than 270,000 people.

Recorded during the PMAA Annual Conference in Bethlehem, PA, this conversation sheds light on the laws that shaped modern water safety, including the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act, and explains how authorities put these regulations into practice through constant testing, certified laboratory work, operator training, and systemwide compliance.

Liesel also walks through some important regulatory issues today, including:
Why thousands of water samples are taken throughout the year.
The difference between EPA and DEP, and how each agency shapes drinking water standards.
How science and health research drive regulatory limits.
What PFAS are and how authorities are working to keep them out of drinking water.
Lead and copper rules and what they mean for older communities.
Why public communication and customer cooperation are essential for meeting regulatory requirements.
This episode breaks down how water regulations are developed, why they matter, and how communicating clearly with the community helps keep people informed and protected.
PMAA Website
LinkedIn
Lehigh County Authority Website