Manny Teodoro, Professor at the University of Wisconsin, is celebrated as a Hydro20 honoree for his impactful work in addressing water affordability and public trust in water systems.

Focusing on the growing crisis of water affordability, Teodoro examines the challenges faced by low-income households as water and sewer costs rise amid increasing income inequality in the United States. His research emphasizes sustainable, equitable, and affordable water systems.

Teodoro’s book, The Profits of Distrust, explores the connection between the rise of the bottled water industry and declining public trust in government and tap water safety over the past 25 years. He argues these trends are linked, reflecting public skepticism about water quality.

To make this research accessible, Teodoro condensed the 300-page academic text into an eight-page comic book, effectively communicating the relationship between drinking water and political beliefs to a broader audience.

Challenging the inaccessibility of federally required Consumer Confidence Reports, Teodoro developed the Wisconsin Waterworks Excellence Project in 2021. This initiative assigns school-style report cards to all 572 regulated water systems in Wisconsin, translating complex water quality data into an easily understandable format. By using familiar grades like A, C, or F, Teodoro ensures the public can quickly grasp water system performance.

Manny Teodoro’s innovative approaches to water affordability, public trust, and communication have earned him a well-deserved place among the Hydro20 honorees.