Make Water Work Podcast Featuring Kristin Bean

Episode 54 - Kristin Bean: Rural Water Workforce and Advocacy

In a small rural utility, one person might run the water plant, the wastewater plant, the streets, and the snow plow. So how do you support them, train the next generation of operators, and make sure legislators understand what’s at stake?

In this episode of Make Water Work, part of our series on rural water utilities, Isaac Pellerin and co-host Laura Vidal talk with Kristin Bean, Executive Director of the Alliance of Indiana Rural Water, a state affiliate of the National Rural Water Association. Kristin shares how water ran in her family long before she worked in it, how Laura helped bring her to the Alliance, and what it takes to serve Indiana’s utilities.

In this episode:

• How water found Kristin, from a family of operators to a career in local government, events, and PR
• What the Alliance does, from circuit riders and technical assistance to funding help and vendor connections
• Governing board training tied to House Enrolled Act 1459, set to roll out in early 2027
• How the Alliance is using AI internally to free up staff time for members
• Indiana’s apprenticeship program, the earn-while-you-learn path into water, and why it’s drawn national attention
• Why a career in water appeals to younger workers looking for purpose
• Advocacy at the Indiana State House and the Rural Water Rally in Washington, DC