The Outfall Podcast

Ever stumble across something so intriguing that it sparks a whole new avenue of questions? Get ready to be surprised as The Outfall dives into the obscure rabbit holes and unique backstories hidden in plain sight all around us. From high-stakes battles, tragic disasters, and the mysteries still baffling science, this season pulls back the curtain on fascinating water tales you'd never expect.

We're thrilled to have Dr. Piers Clark back on the podcast. Wondering who Dr. Clark is? He's not just any expert — he's the visionary founder and chairman of Isle Utilities, a trailblazing company dedicated to propelling the water sector into the future. We caught up with Piers, who shares one of those middle-of-the-night epiphanies that compel you to wake your spouse. What was the revelation? Learn More here.

Today, we're revisiting a holiday highlight from Season 2 with a new twist – Dr. Ladner's family and an old friend are joining the adventure! So, get ready to dive back into this mystery story involving turkey aroma and a wastewater treatment plant. Show notes here.

Today, we get an insider's perspective on the drinking water sector from Alan Roberson, a veteran leader who has seen it all. Alan is the Executive Director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators. Alan draws on his 30+ years of experience in this fascinating interview to give candid thoughts on regulations past and future, infrastructure, emerging contaminants like PFAS, and other challenges. Show Notes are here.

Today, we're unraveling how the ice trade vanished, and spoiler alert: the South was at the epicenter of it all! We’re kicking things off with John Gorrie. This guy was a doctor down in Florida who had this brilliant idea long before the Civil War started. And not just any idea, but one that eventually led to the first plant where ice was made - not harvested from frozen lakes - but actually made, and it all happened in New Orleans. Show Notes Here.

In the early 1800s, Bostonian Frederick Tudor had a radical vision - to ship frozen New England water across oceans to the tropics. Tudor pioneered the global ice trade despite being called "crazy." We have an EXCLUSIVE interview with Frederick. This is a story of how one man's far-fetched idea built an unlikely empire and forever changed the world's relationship with ice. Learn more in the show notes.

Today, we have turned a Waffle House conversation with Mike Caston into our classic 5-minute water short. For those familiar with Mike Caston, you'd know encapsulating his insights in just five minutes feels ambitious. Widely recognized in South Carolina, Mike has devoted nearly 30 years as the CEO of SJWD Water District in upstate South Carolina. View Show Notes Here.

We uncover the forgotten water crisis of 1993, where over 400,000 unsuspecting individuals fell victim to a severe waterborne disease outbreak. Join Dr. Ladner as he sits down with Ralph Welsh, a principal lecturer at Clemson University, who shares his personal experience coaching a track team during the height of the crisis. See the show notes here.

In this episode, we'll shed light on an often-overlooked hero of our urban landscapes: sewers. These sewers are living entities, silently at work beneath our feet. They might lack a certain amount of dazzle but are silently monumental in safeguarding our environment and health. Leigh Thomas, PE, shares her experience with our sewers. Leigh works for HR Green. Discover why every sewer tells a story. Here are show notes.

Today, we will be investigating the cause behind a discolored pond. All is not right, or is it? We are grateful to have Tancey Belken from Cooperative Extension Clemson University and Dr. John Hains, Associate Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences, with us to help share this story. Show Notes.

Today, we’ve got a five-minute water short to share with you about hot springs, geothermal energy, and how I paid money to bathe in wastewater. Show Notes.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into our supply chain and learning about how it’s shaping the development of water and wastewater projects. We've brought in two of our favorite industry insiders: Mack and Justin. These guys have shared their construction stories with us for the past three seasons. Mack Harmon hails from Ferguson Waterworks, while Justin Jones is a pre-construction engineer with Harper General Contractors. See show notes here.

In this episode, you get a front-row experience inside a lecture hall at Clemson University as we discuss Chelsea Wald's book, "Pipe Dreams: The Urgent Global Quest to Transform the Toilet." This book, which we selected as our 2022 Book Club Pick, offers an entertaining and passionate exploration of sanitation. During this engaging discussion, we'll uncover the fascinating story of how a science writer found herself writing a book about toilets. A big shout-out to Dr. Ladner for facilitating this event.

Today, we head to Baltimore to their famed inner harbor. We will visit a googly-eyed, water-wheel-powered, trash-eating machine like no other. This ingenious contraption has become an unsung hero, but it's more than just a machine. In fact, it's even garnered a cult-like following with its own social media account, a locally brewed beer bearing its name, an annual fan festival dedicated to its greatness, and a special society known only as the Order of the Wheel. From its humble beginnings to its rise as a local legend, we'll explore more about Mr. Trash Wheel. Learn More in the Show Notes here.

In this episode, join us on a journey from Greenville, SC, to Cleveland, GA, to a small town in Australia, and back again as we explore an innovative solution to tackle trash in our streams. Along the way, you'll discover how a trash-eating mechanism made its way across the globe to help clean up our favorite waterways. Show Notes and Pictures are here.

We have been working hard developing and collecting stories for the past few months, and next week we’re bringing you a brand new season of The Outfall. Season 5. Thank you for your continued support. The first episode drops Friday, May 5.

In addition, to producing all his YouTube videos, Grady Hillhouse is releasing his book today titled "Engineering in Plain Sight." This book is an illustrated field guide to every part of the constructed world around us. We go behind the scenes to learn more about the book's creation. But, most importantly, Grady provides lessons in working through obstacles and reminding all of us of the power of communication. Click here for the show notes.

One of the critical pieces of our supply chain happens at our Ports. So today, we go down the rabbit hole to the water’s edge where commerce, engineering, logistics, and water meet. We talk with Walter Lagarenne, Vice President, Engineering and Facilities at the South Carolina Ports Authority. See some cool pictures here in our show notes.

For over three decades, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida have fought over the two shared river basins. Access to these basins is critical for the Atlanta metro area. Don’t worry this is not a story about water wars, water supply, or water litigation. This story is about the wonderful Katherine Zitsch, Managing Director of Natural Resources at Atlanta Regional Commission and Director of Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, and how water ultimately brings us together. Link to the show notes.

We are excited to announce our book club pick for this year. We wondered what a book club announcement would sound like if it were a movie trailer. Join the book club here. Enter the raffle for a FREE book here.