In Tap Talk’s 68th episode, Steve and Jennifer chat with Kurt Rakouskas — a project manager at the Environmental Council of the States — about the organization’s cross-disciplinary work and its stewardship of the Be Well Informed tool. This free tool helps well users understand the results of water tests performed on their wells by translating the scientific and technical notation into plain language. This helps make clear if there is a problem indicated by the results, what the risks of any present contaminants are, and what the next steps should be for the well owner.
Topics Discussed
- Meet Kurt Rakouskas | LinkedIn
- Kurt’s Water Hero: Ben Grumbles, Executive Director of the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS)
- What does ECOS do and which federal agencies do they work with?
- Recent areas of focus at ECOS, such as PFAS
- Background of the Be Well Informed tool, and what the tool allows the users to do
- How can users whose state isn’t available for the tool to analyze still learn from it?
- The relation of E-Enterprise for the Environment to the program
- The future of the tool and planned changes/updates
- What kind of questions are received from well owners?
- Connect with ECOS
“A big part of the puzzle is creating better awareness about the need to test. This tool only helps if you’ve actually taken the initiative to have a test done. That first part of the equation is critical.”
Kurt Rakouskas
Go Further
You’re invited to discuss the episode in our LinkedIn Group. If you decide to share on Twitter, please use the hashtag #TapTalkPodcast. And, of course, make sure to subscribe in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.
About the Guest
Kurt Rakouskas is an Executive Project Manager for the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS), where he staffs the ECOS Air Committee and Climate & Energy Workgroup. Kurt also leads on data management and information technology issues, supporting state engagement in the National Environmental Exchange Network project and E-Enterprise for the Environment. Kurt initially worked at ECOS as a project manager from 2004-2010, and from 2010-2015 was an independent contractor serving as the Exchange Network Coordinator. He holds a BA in International Relations & Affairs from George Washington University, and an MPA in Environmental Policy from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.