In case you missed it, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) took center stage in the newest episode of Earth with John Holden, which aired Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, on Bloomberg TV. This episode introduces viewers to WEF’s launch of the Water-AI Nexus™ Center of Excellence, a global hub where water and artificial intelligence meet to tackle some of the world’s toughest challenges.
The Water-AI Nexus™ Center of Excellence is a first-of-its-kind initiative advancing water sustainability in AI development, while also leveraging AI to solve critical water issues. WEF is bringing together leaders from utilities, technology, academia, and finance, including Amazon, The Water Center at Penn, and Leading Utilities of the World. “The Water-AI Nexus™ is a great example of WEF leading the transformation to the Circular Water Economy in action,” said Ralph Exton, WEF’s Executive Director. “Adopting advanced technologies is essential for modernizing water infrastructure and protecting public health. By harnessing AI and circular water principles, we can make our systems more efficient, secure, and resilient.”
The segment takes viewers to “Data Center Alley” in Ashburn, Virginia, where WEF member Loudoun Water Company demonstrates the power of water reclamation. Millions of gallons of treated water help protect local ecosystems and support the digital infrastructure that keeps our world running.
One of the founding leaders of the Water-AI Nexus™ Center of Excellence is Amazon. “One of the first questions we ask when we go into a new region to put up data centers is if reclaimed or recycled water is available. If available, we work very closely with those utilities to utilize this sustainable source,” said Gert Van Der Walt, Senior Water Resources Manager at Amazon Web Services.
Another organization WEF works with is Imagine H20, an incubator for new water sector technologies. “AI is reshaping water management by providing new and smarter tools to help utilities improve their internal operations, and this helps them get better metrics over time,” said Program Manager Miguel Sibiyan.
This episode is a celebration of innovative partnerships, breakthrough technologies, and solutions that are moving global water stewardship forward. It also highlights WEF’s commitment to building a passionate, diverse workforce; resilient communities; and a circular water economy that reduces waste, recovers nutrients and energy, and regenerates nature. Learn more at water-ai-nexus.org.
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