Waterfall Rapids

#25 Mulch Ado About Nothing

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Cath and Karen are joined by Dr Mark Gush from the RHS to talk about water-wise gardening. He shares simple tips like letting your lawn grow longer to build deeper roots, watering in the morning to cut evaporation, and using mulch to lock moisture into the soil. He also points listeners to the RHS "Mains to Rains" pledge website for more ways to save water in the garden.
The full length edition of this episode was originally released on 23/6/2023.
Timestamps:
01:42 – RHS's Mains to Rains pledges
04:16 – RHS's own water-saving changes
05:04 – Longer lawns, deeper roots
08:04 – Best time to water
09:11 – Why mulch works so well

#24 Hot under pressure

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Cath explain why the water pressure drops or the water goes off when it's really hot. It's not because there isn't enough rain - there was plenty over winter and spring. The real problem is that when it's hot, everyone uses much more water at once, and the pipes and treatment works can't keep up. They talk about how companies can get ready for this, why saving water all year round helps, and why South East Water brought in a hosepipe ban - not because of drought, but because their network couldn't cope with demand.
The full length edition of this episode was originally released on 30/6/2023.
Timestamps:
00:48 – Is it because of not enough rain? (No)
02:11 – Why it really happens: too much demand at once
02:41 – How companies can get ready
05:58 – Easy ways to use less water
07:47 – Saving water helps your community, not just the company
09:37 – South East Water's hosepipe ban explained

#23 Make Water Famous

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Karen are joined by Natasha Wiseman, founder of Make Water Famous, a positive news platform dedicated to connecting people with water in all its forms. Calling in from a camper van in the Pyrenees, Natasha explains how the platform is reaching over half a million people across more than 100 countries by telling water stories through angles people already care about, from swimming and fishing to gaming and food. The episode is a refreshing reminder that people are far more interested in water than the industry often assumes.
Get in touch with the show with any questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
01:39 – Guest introduction
02:24 – What is Make Water Famous?
04:46 – Reaching new audiences with positive water stories
07:43 – Why the water sector needs better storytelling
08:56 – Natasha's personal water use

#22 Water Safety First

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike is joined by Matt Croxell, Interim Charity Director at the Royal Life Saving Society UK, to talk about water safety, drowning prevention and the power of water. With child drowning figures having doubled in recent years, Matt explains what is driving the rise, what the Water Safety Code is and how to follow it, and why more than half of all drowning fatalities happen in inland waterways rather than at the coast. The episode also explores the broader message of respecting water in all its forms, from open water swimming to water conservation.
Get in touch with the show with any questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
00:36 – Guest introduction
00:54 – Drowning Prevention Week and rising child drowning figures
02:11 – The link between hotter weather and drowning risk
03:34 – The Water Safety Code explained
05:45 – Connecting water safety with wider water messages
08:23 – Why inland waterways are more dangerous than people think

#21 Weather or Not

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Karen are joined by Helen Roberts, a socio-meteorologist from the Met Office, to explore how understanding human behaviour can help us respond better to weather and climate challenges. Helen explains what socio-meteorology is, how cognitive biases shape the way we make decisions and why the right message in the right place at the right time can make all the difference. The episode draws fascinating parallels between weather communication and water efficiency, and introduces a practical behavioural model that could help change the way we all think about water use.
Get in touch with the show with any questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
00:34 – Guest introduction
01:02 – What is socio-meteorology?
03:31 – How better messaging drives behaviour change
06:13 – The COM-B model explained
08:47 – Linking weather, water and public awareness in the South West
10:54 – Helen's personal water use

#20 Greece Is the Word

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Cath are joined by Lia, a water sector professional originally from Greece and now based in Cardiff, to explore the water situation in one of Europe's sunniest countries. From prolonged drought and devastating wildfires to desalination on the islands and households drilling their own wells, Lia paints a vivid picture of a country under real water pressure. The episode also touches on some surprising water saving practices in Greece, including municipalities cutting off supply during the hottest hours of the day, and what the UK could learn from it all.
Get in touch with the show with any questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk
Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction
00:42 – Guest introduction
01:07 – Greece's water resources and the challenge of drought
03:25 – Islands, desalination and agricultural pressures
06:26 – Attitudes towards water in Greece vs the UK
09:09 – Water saving practices: bidets, wells and rainwater tanks
10:28 – Cutting the supply off during the hottest hours of the day

#19 Wet & Wild – Adventures in a Sponge Garden

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike heads out as roving reporter to visit the garden of David Clubb, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales, to see how one person has transformed their home into a mini rain garden. David explains how he ripped up concrete, installed an ingenious water butt overflow system and planted fruit trees, all to reduce surface water runoff and give nature a helping hand. The episode is full of simple, practical ideas for anyone looking to make their outdoor space work harder for both wildlife and water efficiency.
Get in touch with the show with any questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk
Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction
01:06 – Guest introduction
02:09 – From concrete to garden: David's transformation
04:23 – The water butt overflow system explained
07:05 – What David did with his front garden
09:25 – The case for surface water rebates
10:31 – Inspiring the street and scaling up the idea

#18 Hot Weather, Cool Tips

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Karen share their top 10 tips for staying cool, saving water and saving money during the heatwave. From paddling pools and water fights to garden watering and chilled tap water, this episode is packed with simple, practical advice for making the most of the hot weather without wasting a drop.
Get in touch with the show with any questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction00:54 – Lawns and sprinklers01:35 – Water fights and outdoor pools02:27 – Water butts and gardening03:16 – Car washing04:40 – Paddling pools06:35 – Final tips and wrap up

#17 Empowering Vulnerable Customers

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike is joined by Pete O'Hanlon and Annie Lamb from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water to explore the work they are doing to support customers in vulnerable circumstances. From specialist support teams and social tariffs to outreach events and free water efficiency products, Pete and Annie explain how Welsh Water is taking a personalised, community focused approach to helping customers who might otherwise fall through the cracks. The episode is full of inspiring examples of how water companies can go beyond the bill to make a real difference in people's lives.
Get in touch with the show with any questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
00:22 – Guest introductions: Pete O'Hanlon and Annie Lamb, Welsh Water
03:53 – Water efficiency and the personal touch
06:28 – Innovative approaches to engaging customers
08:18 – Water saving tips available to all Welsh Water customers
10:31 – Water resilient communities projects

#16 From Crisis to Conservation (Colombia)

In this episode of Waterfall, Mike and Karen are joined by Ana Millan from CCW and Luis Alejandro Camacho-Botero, water resources engineer at Universidad de los Andes in Bogota, to explore Colombia's remarkable water saving story. When a tunnel collapse in 1997 threatened Bogota's entire water supply, the city launched urgent conservation campaigns that permanently transformed how its eight million residents use water. The episode explores how a powerful combination of price signals, universal metering and behaviour change brought daily water use down to just 92 litres per person per day, and what the UK could learn from it.
Get in touch with the show with any questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk
Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction
00:52 – Guest introductions: Ana Millan and Luis Alejandro Camacho-Botero
01:22 – The 1997 water crisis in Bogota
04:31 – Did the water saving measures work?
06:41 – A culture of water saving passed down through generations
08:55 – The recipe for success: metering, pricing and behaviour change