Policy Impact
I seek to transform ideas into action that quicken the pace of reforms in the water sector, ultimately benefitting millions get safe, reliable, and affordable water services. I measure the impact of my work through policy changes enacted, practices modified, and requests for my expertise for discussions, talks, and testimony.
Policy Impact
Conducted leading (and often, some of the earliest) analyses of several new laws and programs, including EPA’s Water Infrastructure Fund Transfer Act (WIFTA) for addressing the lead crisis, Ohio’s septic systems regulations, New York’s Sewage Pollution Right to Know Act, the EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA), USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program, and water utility bill assistance programs.
Peer-reviewed article, “A meta-analysis of public compliance to boil water advisories” cited in the “Crisis communication: A behavioural approach” report issued by the UK government’s Cabinet Office, 2022.
Invited to join the EPA’s Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) Rule Revision working group and provided recommendations, 2021. Follow-up work resulted in a CCR template in collaboration with Raftelis.
Water quality communication ideas influencing changes in Europe, 2021.
Peer-reviewed article, “The water infrastructure finance and innovation act of 2014: Structure and effects” cited in the 2018 Economic Report of the President issued by the White House.
Drafted and helped introduce a bill to authorize EPA’s WaterSense program as Congressional Fellow (H.R.3248 sponsored by Rep. Matt Cartwright in the 115th Congress; eventually became law under a different bill, 2017).
Peer-reviewed article, “Desalination in Northeastern U.S.” cited by Rockland County (NY) Legislature Chairman Alden Wolfe and New York Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee (95th AD) in multiple letters to the New York State Public Service Commission (2012, 2013, & 2015).
Provided consultation to the office of U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (NY) on the Water Resources Reform & Development Act of 2014.
Professional Service & Volunteering
I believe in the value of sharing time and expertise with our communities - both professional and the ones we live in. Listed below are some of my service engagements. In addition, I often volunteer to review reports, judge competitions, brainstorm ideas, or to simply chat.
Steering Committee for the Water Quality Management Program, India Natural Resources Economics and Management (INREM) Foundation, 2023-present
Board member, Alliance for the Great Lakes, 2022-present
Core collaborator, Human Right to Water Lab, UCLA Luskin Center, 2022-present
Advisor, Water Hub, 2020-present
Advisory Board Member, Blue Accounting, Great Lakes Commission, 2019-present
Editor, Global Water Forum, 2016-present
Board member, Future of Research, 2020-2022.
Executive Board, Association for India’s Development, 2012-2014.
Testimonials