Q&A with Something in the Water host, Elena Berg
Elena Berg, professor, environmental scientist and water sommelier extraordinaire can now officially add podcast host to her extensive resume as her debut show, Something in the Water is now available for streaming across all major podcast streaming platforms.
Something in the Water is a 10-episode mini series that introduces the fine water industry, investigates drinking water landscapes in countries around the world, and unpacks the complex relationship between bottled water and sustainability.
To get to know Elena better, one of the best things you can do is go listen to her show straight away. But, if you don’t have access to your headphones just this instant, below you can read how she responded to 5 questions about herself and her experience making the show.
• What does being a water sommelier mean to you?
Being a water sommelier means being passionate about water, while also spreading the word about where our drinking water comes from and why we must protect it. As an environmental scientist, I am fully aware of the inherent problems with commercializing our drinking water, and I have channeled my skepticism for the bottled water industry into healthy dialogue with producers, fellow water sommeliers, students, colleagues, and friends.
• Why did you want to focus so much on origin stories of water farmers throughout the podcast?
When I first started learning about the bottled water industry, I quickly realized that there is a big divide between the giant companies that distribute (processed) bottled water on a global scale, and the many small producers that extract low volumes of single-source “premium” waters to sell more locally. I don’t think the general public knows much about the second category - the “small water farmers” - so I wanted to learn more about how they got started and what makes them tick.
• Can you say a few words on the contradiction between the bottled water industry and sustainability?
The bottled water industry is best known for the big players, who have gotten lots of bad press for buying up water rights, damaging watersheds, and pumping enormous amounts of single-use plastic into our landfills and oceans. While it’s true that many other industries are equally or even more polluting, the very idea of putting water into bottles is difficult for many people to justify. Since water is absolutely essential to human life, commodifying that deeply symbolic resource will always be inherently problematic.
• Why did you decide to make a podcast about water?
I have always loved water – its many forms, its centrality to the evolution of life on this planet, and yes, how it tastes! Through my years as a university professor and my more recent interactions as a water sommelier, I have realized that most people know very little about the water they drink, or how it got into that bottle or into the pipe that leads to their tap. Although I have written many academic papers, I am new to podcasting, and this felt like a really fun opportunity to spread the word about a topic I am passionate about.
• What has been your favorite part about the podcasting process?
Making this podcast has been a playful, joyful process. I had no idea I’d enjoy it this much. Not only have I had a blast getting to know the people I’ve interviewed, but I have also loved the challenge of putting all the parts together along with my copilot Clark Marchese, our graphic designer Sarah Glavan, and our amazing musical artist Josef Salvat.
Drink it up and enjoy!
You can listen now on Spotify , on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow us there for a weekly episode release every Friday.
