What happens when a small, economically disadvantaged city is faced with a $70 million infrastructure challenge? Do you give up—or do you get creative?
In this inspiring episode of the Smells Like Money Podcast, host Suzan Chin-Taylor talks with John Soulliere, a former municipal leader who helped Desert Hot Springs, California, navigate one of the most difficult water and wastewater challenges of its time.
Back in the 1990s, Desert Hot Springs was struggling: low median incomes, aging infrastructure, and thousands of homes still on septic tanks. Yet the community’s most precious resource—their pristine aquifers and healing hot springs—was at risk. With limited funding and a newly passed law (Prop 218) making infrastructure projects even harder to finance, it seemed impossible.
Host: Suzan Chin-Taylor | Guest: John Soulliere
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But John and his team refused to give up. Instead, they:
- Educated the community about the value of clean water and safe wastewater treatment.
- Reframed infrastructure as a consumer decision rather than just a government tax.
- Secured federal and state support by tirelessly knocking on doors in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.
- Elevated the community’s water supply to international recognition, winning gold medals in water tasting competitions.
- Built buy-in through grassroots outreach—everything from school programs to neighborhood barbecues.
💡 Big lesson: When faced with impossible odds, persistence, creativity, and fearless outreach can transform a community’s future.
Contact Information:
John Soulliere
Email: jsoulassociates@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-soulliere-7356b7229
Conclusion:
The Desert Hot Springs wastewater challenge shows that even the most disadvantaged communities can overcome massive infrastructure obstacles with creativity, persistence, and education.
John emphasized that the key was reframing the project from a government mandate into a community value and investment in the future.
By “turning over every rock” for funding, advocating at every level of government, and never giving up on outreach, his team turned what seemed like an impossible $70 million project into a reality.
💡 Takeaway:
When faced with a mountain, climb it step by step. Tenacity, innovation, and fearless communication can transform challenges into lasting solutions.
This sets the stage for Part 2, where John and Suzan will dive into how the community ultimately embraced the project and provided the critical buy-in needed to finish the job.
Until next time—keep growing, and keep it flowing. 💧
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Connect with Suzan Chin-Taylor, host of The DooDoo Diva’s Smells Like Money Podcast:
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