Carollo has played a big role in advancing water infrastructure and innovation across the country. What are some areas your team is currently most focused on?

From urban expansion and growth and aging infrastructure to stricter regulations and changing water landscapes, our clients are managing more than ever before with constrained resources. The more efficient they can be, the better they can continue serving their communities, and that’s where a lot of our focus lies.

Innovation can breed that type of efficiency in many ways. For example, we’re able to use innovations in data collection and analysis to help our clients make more informed decisions, monitor their facilities in real-time, and even project future demand to help prioritize capital improvements. For some clients, this could mean integrating AI and machine learning, but for others it could just be better data collection and visualization. Regardless, this level of insight enables them to act more quickly and decisively, assess and mitigate risks, and focus on long-term resilience and sustainability of their facilities and infrastructure.

On the treatment side, process innovations like intensification and beneficial reuse are helping utilities achieve the same treatment standards while using less energy and fewer chemicals, and in some cases even generating usable resources like high-quality biosolids or compressed natural gas. These improvements help utilities reduce their capital costs as well as their emissions, protecting their ratepayers and communities.

Not only are we embracing new developments in the industry, but we’re also committed to making our own contributions. That doesn’t just mean imagining new possibilities; it means building them, testing them, and proving them in the field. Applied innovation is an important part of what we do at Carollo, and it’s led to some amazing breakthroughs like XBAT, Blue Plan-It®, and I-FLOAT®. Ultimately, innovation matters most to us when it leads to tangible results for our clients and communities.

 

Your team works on projects that directly impact utilities and communities every day. What type of work, project, or innovation is most exciting to Carollo right now?

While the challenges facing the industry continue to become more daunting, it’s exciting to see how technology, processes, and project delivery approaches are continually evolving, providing new and innovative solutions. We’ve been a part of projects that completely reimagine how a headworks facility could function, incredible innovation in brine management that makes reuse far more accessible to inland communities, and advanced treatment technologies that are helping utilities protect and expand their water portfolio. Ultimately, what’s most exciting to us is how the industry continues to adapt to new challenges, whether it’s emerging contaminants, climate impacts on infrastructure or water resources, or changing demand. Being a part of that forward movement inspires our staff to continue to innovate and find solutions to these growing challenges.

 

Collaboration continues to shape the future of water. How do partnerships and industry connections help accelerate progress and innovation?

We don’t operate in a vacuum, and we shouldn’t. There are incredible minds and partners across the industry, and each of them brings a perspective and experience that expands our ability to reach our common goals more quickly, effectively, and creatively. We’re constantly inspired by the work being done across the industry. We’re also committed to sharing our own innovations, whether that’s educating other industry professionals through white papers and technical presentations, or making groundbreaking, proprietary innovations like XBAT available without a license. In addition, we are excited to see the industry continue to embrace collaborative project delivery – providing an opportunity to bring together the best ideas, resources and people to solve the industries greatest challenges.

 

For students and professionals looking to grow in the water industry today, what advice would you give to those hoping to make a meaningful impact?

The water industry offers an extraordinary opportunity to deliver essential services, strengthen communities, and shape more resilient systems for the future. For students and professionals seeking to make a meaningful impact, Carollo encourages a mindset grounded in curiosity, collaboration, and practical problem-solving. Technical expertise is critical, but lasting impact is achieved when that expertise is paired with strong communication, active listening, and a willingness to learn from diverse perspectives across the industry.

Future water leaders benefit from seeking hands-on experience, asking thoughtful questions, and building professional relationships early in their careers. Meaningful solutions are rarely developed in isolation; they emerge from understanding real utility challenges and working collaboratively with operators, utility leaders, researchers, technology providers, community partners, and consulting teams. Field experience, pilot studies, professional organizations, and industry events all provide valuable opportunities to connect technical learning with the day-to-day realities of water system planning, operations, and delivery.

As communities face evolving regulatory, environmental, infrastructure, and resource challenges, the next generation of water professionals will play an important role in advancing sustainable and equitable solutions. Carollo believes the greatest impact will come from professionals who remain adaptable, continue learning, and approach complex challenges with creativity, persistence, and a commitment to serving communities.

 

How has Carollo’s partnership with The Water Tower supported collaboration, innovation, or industry engagement within the water sector?

Carollo's partnership with The Water Tower will support industry collaboration and engagement by providing a highly visible venue for demonstrating emerging water technologies. As part of Carollo's ongoing development of a patented flow-through aerobic granular sludge (AGS) process, large-scale pilot testing is planned at The Water Tower's facilities in metro Atlanta. The technology itself has been developed by Carollo through reactor design innovation, process modeling, proof-of-concept testing, and expert panel review, with the goal of creating a retrofit-friendly AGS solution for continuous-flow wastewater treatment systems. By hosting the planned pilot, The Water Tower provides an opportunity for utilities, researchers, technology providers, and industry stakeholders to observe and evaluate the technology under realistic operating conditions. This collaboration helps facilitate knowledge sharing and industry dialogue while accelerating the transfer of innovative treatment concepts from development to practical application.