The Drop

The Drop

The Drop by Eastern Municipal Water District is a weekly podcast that explores the way water plays a role in our everyday lives, how water related issues impact our communities and why water is, arguably, one of the hottest topics in our world today.

Episodes

February 25, 2026 32 mins
In this episode, we're joined by CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Ryan Lubben and returning guest Jenna Shimmen, EMWD Director of Water Use Efficiency, for a panel discussion on defensible space, home hardening, and practical steps residents can take to help protect their homes from wildfire.
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We’re joined by Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District General Manager Dean Wetter to discuss our agencies’ joint efforts to expand recycled water infrastructure and how these initiatives are transforming local parks and recreation spaces.
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December 29, 2025 32 mins
In this episode, we sit down with return guest, Pacal Cornejo-Reynoso, to discuss the industry's legislative efforts in 2025, and what 2026 has in store.
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In this episode, we sit down with former Drop host and current EMWD Director of Public Affairs, Amanda Fine. We discuss EMWD's communications playbook surrounding FOG (fats, oils, and grease) awareness, and how we work to reach customers before the clog!
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In this episode of The Drop, we talk about the San Jacinto Wetlands, and how this natural water filtration ecosystem has become home to EMWD's public bird tours.
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September 29, 2025 31 mins
Join EMWD’s own Jon Moore and William Luna from EMWD's Safety, Risk, and Emergency Management team as they share how we build employee buy-in and engagement to strengthen our culture of safety.
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August 27, 2025 29 mins
We sit down with Ian Achimore, Planning Department Manager/Senior Watershed Manager, with the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA) to discuss the Basin Monitoring Task Force and how this group keeps a watchful eye on our local groundwater basins and quality.
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In this episode of The Drop, we discuss EMWD's education program and the work we're doing with our school district partners to help educate and inspire our industry's future workforce.
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We’re discussing recent developments surrounding the Delta Conveyance Project with Graham Brander, Executive Director of the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority (DCA), as well as EMWD General Manager Joe Mouawad.
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May 29, 2025 19 mins
In this episode, we sit down with EMWD Director of Maintenance Dave Brown to discuss how VODA, and their advanced AI system, is helping the water industry shift from reactive repairs to proactive planning.
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Consolidation! In this episode, we dive into EMWD’s recent acquisition of the City of Perris’ water and sewer systems. Hear from the team behind the transition as we explore the ins and outs of system consolidation, regional impacts, and the behind-the-scenes details that only an agency that’s been through it can truly explain.
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March 31, 2025 27 mins
In this episode, we explore the importance of clear, consistent, and transparent communication with the public. We share key insights and practical tips to help agency's build trust and effectively engage their audiences.
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Wildfires are a year-round concern in Southern California, but your landscape can be your first line of defense. In this episode, we sit down with EMWD Director of Water Use Efficiency, Jenna Shimmin, to discuss defensible space—an essential strategy for designing a beautiful, fire-resistant yard. Learn how smart landscaping choices can help protect your home while conserving water and enhancing curb appeal.
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January 30, 2025 23 mins
As we step into a new year, we're taking a look back at the impact of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the important projects it continues to support at EMWD. In this episode, EMWD Senior Director of Engineering, Shaun Stone, joins us to break down the progress, benefits, and future of these critical infrastructure investments.
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In the second episode of our two-part series, we’re joined by Dr. David Sunding, Professor in the College of Natural Resources at UC Berkeley and a leading expert in environmental economics, to explore the pivotal role of California’s State Water Project. Together, we examine how this vital infrastructure supports sustainable water management and secures California’s economic future.
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In the first episode of this two-part series, we sit down with Karla Nemeth, Director of the California Department of Water Resources, to explore the past, present, and future of the State Water Project. Join us as we dive into the story of one of the nation’s most critical—and most vulnerable—pieces of infrastructure.
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The September 30, 2024 deadline for Governor Gavin Newsom to sign or veto legislation is looming, and there are several bills and other pieces of legislation that EMWD is tracking. In this episode, we're joined by Pacal Cornejo-Reynoso, Senior Policy and Government Affairs Manager, to discuss state legislation EMWD is tracking and its impact.
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The State of California is poised to adopt water use efficiency regulations surrounding the management of urban water use. This episode, we’re joined by Jenna Shimmin, Director of Water Use Efficiency, to discuss these regulations titled Making Conservation a California Way of Life and what they mean for us and for you.
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April 30, 2024 36 mins
EMWD's service area is only 43 percent built out and as we look towards our region's future, we need to be prepared to serve water, wastewater and recycled water service today AND tomorrow. So how do we do that? In this episode, Gordon Ng, Principle Engineer, discusses how we look towards the future to predict where water resources will be needed in our growing region.
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March 28, 2024 20 mins
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS are a collection of thousands of chemicals that are taking center stage in the world of water quality and regulation. In this episode, we are joined by EMWD’s Director of Environmental and Regulatory Compliance, Anthony Budicin, to discuss what PFAS is, the regulations on PFAS as they stand today, what we can expect in the future, current legislation to help combat PFAS clean up and how w...
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