The High Tech Partnership That’s Saving Water with Xylem’s Austin Alexander
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “The High Tech Partnership That’s Saving Water with Xylem’s Austin Alexander” inside PodZeus.
In this episode of the Water Values Podcast, host Dave McGimsey welcomes back Austin Alexander, now leading AI initiatives at Xylem, to discuss a groundbreaking public-private partnership between Xylem and Amazon aimed at reducing non-revenue water in Mexico City and Monterey, Mexico. The collaboration leverages Xylem’s Vue digital solutions—using AI and real-time data—to identify and repair leaks in aging water infrastructure, significantly improving water efficiency. Amazon’s funding supports these efforts as part of its water-positive strategy, which seeks to offset its water usage from data center operations. The project exemplifies how technology, corporate sustainability goals, and utility needs can align to deliver measurable environmental and community benefits. Alexander emphasizes the importance of trust, long-term partnerships, and results-driven collaboration, while also highlighting Xylem’s new white paper on AI’s water impact across the tech supply chain. The episode concludes with a forward-looking vision for scaling this model globally, especially in water-stressed regions facing growing demand from the digital economy.
Non-revenue water is a major, underutilized opportunity for water savings—fixing leaks is often the cheapest and most effective way to increase supply.
Public-private partnerships with tech giants like Amazon can provide critical funding and innovation for water utilities, especially when aligned with corporate sustainability goals.
AI and digital solutions like Xylem’s Vue technology enable precise leak detection, reducing guesswork and accelerating infrastructure repairs.
Trust and long-term relationships are essential for successful public-private water projects—results, transparency, and shared goals build credibility.
The water impact of AI and data centers is significant, but responsible stewardship through partnerships can turn a challenge into a solution.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction & Sponsor Acknowledgments
The episode opens with a welcome from host Dave McGimsey and a full list of sponsors, including Black & Veatch, Xylem, and the American Water Works Association, who support the podcast’s mission of advancing water industry thought leadership.
Bluefield on Tap: Water Rate Trends & Energy Pressures
Reece Tisdale of Bluefield Research shares insights from their Q1 water rate analysis, highlighting a 5.1% average increase in municipal water rates, with some cities like Baltimore seeing 22% hikes due to rising chemical and construction costs. He discusses the ripple effects of energy prices on water utility operations and the challenges of rate increases in small, politically constrained communities.
Austin Alexander Returns: From Sustainability to AI Leadership
Austin Alexander rejoins the podcast to discuss her new role leading AI at Xylem, following her maternity leave. She explains how Xylem’s mission to deliver water security drives its integration of AI both in customer solutions and internal operations.
The Xylem-Amazon Partnership: Saving Water in Mexico
“It is like the best scenario you can think of. Utilities at the end of the day are the ones benefiting communities that they're serving because responsible companies like Amazon are making investments.”
Technology, Trust, and Scaling the Model
“The best thing that proves trust is results. And so you have to be in the case of us as a company and in the case of Amazon as a partner, we have to show and prove to the utility that what we're offering... has results that are meaningful and impactful.”
“There's just a lot out there right now under AI. It's scary. There's a ton of noise, concerns, appropriate concerns. But I think what I've found so far... is that it's really about finding good partners along the way.”
“It is like the best scenario you can think of. Utilities at the end of the day are the ones benefiting communities that they're serving because responsible companies like Amazon are making investments.”
“The water impact of AI and data centers is significant, but responsible stewardship through partnerships can turn a challenge into a solution.”
Host
Guest
Austin Alexander
person
Xylem
organization
Amazon
organization
Mexico City
place
Monterrey
place
Vue Technology
product
Bluefield Research
organization
Reece Tisdale
person
Matthew Pine
person
Will Hughes
person
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “The High Tech Partnership That’s Saving Water with Xylem’s Austin Alexander” inside PodZeus.
Start discovering podcast insights today
Start with a 7-day trial and explore a growing catalog of popular podcasts. No credit card required.
No credit card required • 7-day trial • Cancel anytime