Clean Water Works

New Media for Water Communications Oct 29, 2024

Ever wondered how a podcast about sewers came to be? In this episode, roles are reversed, with our Public Information Specialist Jess Shutty interviewing pod hosts Donna Friedman and Mike Uva on the evolution of Clean Water Works from its early print format to the dynamic podcast it is today.
Clean Water Works has become a venue for showcasing the Sewer District and making water-related topics accessible to a wider audience. Balancing technical expertise with public communication is key, and our conversation with Communications Manager John Gonzalez reveals how creativity and empathy shape our social-media strategy. embracing humor and pop culture to make our content relatable.
These efforts have allowed us to capture our employees' diverse stories and foster a more informed and engaged community.
Listen to Mike's rock band here.

Stormwater Awareness Week! Sep 23, 2024

Kristin Hall is Executive Director of Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District. She explains the distinctions between natural and urban environments in managing stormwater and the significance of these practices in preventing urban flooding and safeguarding water quality. We also discuss the Sewer District's own Regional Stormwater Management Program, the impact of severe weather events, and the importance of our storage tunnels. Stormwater Awareness Week takes place October 1 - 7 and you can learn more at cuyahogaswcd.org

Wastewater Treatment and a "Garden of Bugs" Aug 28, 2024

What happens when a mechanical engineering grad steps into the world of wastewater treatment? Travis Pitts is Superintendent at the Sewer District's Westerly Wastewater Treatment Plant. From his humble beginnings as a plant operator to his leadership role at Westerly, Travis describes the transition from shift work to management duties, the job's impact on family life, and his team's responsibility for meeting EPA permits.
Amid Travis's candid anecdotes, we explore the technical side of wastewater treatment, the complexities of solids handling, centrifuges, and maintaining a delicate biosphere of bacteria to "accelerate natural processes."

Household Waste: What Goes Where Jul 29, 2024

Ever wondered if you're recycling correctly? Matt Walters is the Special Recycling Programs Coordinator for the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District (CCSWD), and in this Clean Water Works he sheds light on the intricacies of recycling items like old batteries, motor oil, and even fireworks, and emphasizes the importance of environmentally-friendly alternatives. Discover the crucial role that proper disposal plays in environmental health.
Given the direct connection between the waste stream and water quality, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District has a long-standing partnership with the CCSWD. We break down household recycling in Cuyahoga County, debunking myths and clarifying what truly belongs in your recycling bin. Matt also takes us through the material sorting processes and highlights the economic and environmental rewards of getting recycling right.
Visit cuyahogarecycles.org for more info on where and how to dispose of your hazardous household items.

Ohio Stormwater Conference 2024 Jul 03, 2024

SANDUSKY, OH: Anything you want to know about stormwater management you can learn at the Ohio Stormwater Conference. This year's event was held at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio, with attendees engaging in cutting-edge discussions on environmental issues and emerging technologies. Discover the unique networking opportunities presented at the OSC, which can benefit students and others looking to enter the field.
Learn more about the annual Ohio Stormwater Conference.
This episode's guests:
David Ritter, Manager of Watershed Technical Support, NEORSD
Angela Brodie, NOWCorps Program Director
Callie Sommers, Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District
Nina White, Tinker's Creek Watershed Partners
Shawn Robinson, Environmental Compliance Inspector, NEORSD
Erica Matheny, Executive Director, Tinker's Creek Watershed Partners
Harry Stark, Director of Public Services, City of Aurora
Allison Stark, Student, Kent State University
Kevin Jehl, Advanced Drainage Systems
Mike Cook, Advanced Drainage Systems

Dam Removals and the Cuyahoga's Comeback Jun 13, 2024

What if a local river, once notorious for pollution and even catching fire, could become transformed into a thriving ecosystem? We explore the Cuyahoga's incredible decades-long progress with Elaine Marsh, a watershed specialist with Summit Metro Parks and co-founder of Friends of the Crooked River. Elaine shares her passion for environmental advocacy, a history of the Gorge Dam, and the vital importance of its removal for the health of local fish and macroinvertebrate habitats and our communities.
For more information, including a rendering of the Gorge Dam leave-behind, visit Summit Metro Parks's "Free the Falls" website.
Learn more about Friends of the Crooked River.

Warmer, Wetter Weather: Tackling Urban Stormwater Problems May 21, 2024

Cities with aging infrastructure face an uphill battle with regard to stormwater management, a challenge underscored by recent calamitous weather events. Sewer District engineer George Remias illustrates how a warming atmosphere acts like a sponge, soaking up more moisture and leading to intense rainfalls.
Given the potential for the weather's damaging impacts on urban centers, we discuss the vital role of monitoring tools in forecasting rain events and planning resiliency projects, and the value of collaboration among agencies to safeguard our communities.

Build Your Own Rain Garden May 03, 2024

Have you ever wondered how your green thumb can help the environment? Stormwater Technical Specialist Chris Hartman explains how to install and maintain a thriving rain garden to help control stormwater runoff: from choosing a site and garden size, to selecting the right plants and methods. Plus, you can earn a credit towards your stormwater fee!
Rain Garden Manual for Homeowners [PDF]
Before you dig:
Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS)

Pick Up Poop! Apr 09, 2024

Who knew that dog poop could contribute to water pollution? That's the topic of our conversation with NEORSD Asset Analyst Christina Toth and Biologist Morgan Koelliker. Christina's dog, Esri, serves as the mascot of the Sewer District's Pick Up Poop! (P.U.P.) program, and Morgan explains how the bacteria in dog waste is especially hazardous for humans and other dogs. Join us as we discuss the significance of responsible pet ownership and its profound impact on water quality in densely populated areas like Cleveland.

Three Cheers for Engineers Mar 11, 2024

Have you ever stopped to consider how deeply engineering is woven into every aspect of your daily life? On the heels of National Engineers Week, we're tapping into the essence of innovation and the critical role engineers play.
Government Affairs Specialist Angela Jones and Manager of Design Rick Vincent share their favorite engineering projects and the fulfillment that comes from contributing to the well-being of our communities and engaging with the public. We also discuss programs geared towards inspiring a new generation of engineering enthusiasts.

#SaltLife: Fresh Water Worries Feb 13, 2024

Oversalt much? A conversation with Amy Roskilly of Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District and Natalie Gertz-Young of Lake Soil & Water Conservation District on road salt use and overuse, and the impacts to our water resources.
The NEORSD supports our local Soil and Water Conservation Districts that participate in educational outreach related to water quality, stormwater management, and watershed management. These agencies offer stormwater-compliance services to communities and lead conservation actions.
Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District
Lake Soil & Water Conservation District

Play it Safe! with Carla and Robin Jan 25, 2024

What's the most dangerous job at the Sewer District?
Sewer District safety experts Carla DeSantis and Robin Halperin discuss the dangers inherent to wastewater treatment, what led them to pursue safety as their vocation, and approaches to building "safety culture" in the workplace. Plus: the ins and outs of lock-out/tag-out!

Utilities & Affordability with Constance T. Haqq Jan 08, 2024

The costs of wastewater treatment and maintaining our vast sewer and stormwater systems fall almost entirely on our ratepayers. With many residents struggling to pay their bills, utilities must address affordability and also clearly communicate the services and benefits those utilities provide. We talk with Chief Administrative Officer Constance T. Haqq about the NEORSD's efforts to enroll eligible customers in its cost-saving programs.
Learn more about NEORSD Utility Assistance Resource Fairs

Clean Water and "The Last Mile" with Erin Huber Dec 18, 2023

Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Drink Local Drink Tap is an international non-profit organization focused on solving water equity and quality issues. Executive Director and Founder Erin Huber joins us to discuss her group's impactful projects in Uganda and the importance of finding even small, meaningful tasks to help us engage with water issues.
Visit https://drinklocaldrinktap.org/ to learn more.

Fish, commish, delist: Lake Erie Commission talks "Areas of Concern" Dec 04, 2023

What is an "area of concern," or AOC?
Hannah Boesinger of the Ohio Lake Erie Commission talks about projects to restore fish habitat and address the "worst of the worst" legacy-pollution issues in the Cuyahoga River and other Great Lakes waterways.
For more information about the Lake Erie Commission, visit https://lakeerie.ohio.gov/
Note: the Ashtabula AOC was delisted in 2021:
https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-aocs/ashtabula-river-aoc-delisted

The Freshwater Capital with Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne Nov 14, 2023

We asked Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne to join us for a discussion of his vision for a Freshwater Institute, some experiences from his days as City Planner, biking the Towpath Trail, and lessons learned from Lake Erie surfers and bird enthusiasts alike.

The Cleveland Metroparks (and Zoo!) Oct 31, 2023

We welcome Jenn Grieser and Sean McDermott from Cleveland Metroparks for an overview of our remarkable park system, restoration projects that we've partnered on, as well as ecology, conservation—and ziplines!
Learn more about the Metroparks at https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/
Here's a great new video on the Watershed Stewardship Center in Parma, OH.
Want to get involved? Learn about the Watershed Volunteer Program here.

Great Lakes Basics with Greater Cleveland Aquarium Oct 10, 2023

Lili Fikter is the Education and Interpretation Coordinator at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium. She gives an overview of the Great Lakes and the Aquarium's work to make connections between their fish and animals and the local watersheds that support those species.
Learn more about the Aquarium at www.greaterclevelandaquarium.com

Preview: Clean Water Fest 2023 Sep 15, 2023

We hope you locals have Saturday, September 23 on your calendars. It's our annual in-person "open house," the CLEAN WATER FEST in Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio. Community Relations Specialist Jessica Shutty stopped by to talk about what to expect at this year's Fest. Visit cleanwaterfest.com for a complete schedule and info.

Sewers, sewing, enduring: CarrieAnne McConnell's long water history Sep 13, 2023

CarrieAnne McConnell is Superintendent at the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District's Westerly Wastewater Treatment Plant. She has spent much of her life in and around water- and wastewater-treatment facilities . . . and even had her wedding photos taken at one!
Westerly is undergoing several construction projects to help it treat more wastewater flow during big rain events. CarrieAnne talks about those upgrades, the different types of wastewater-treatment processes that plants can utilize, the very worst of the bad smells, and the need to find and welcome a new generation of workers into this critical industry.
This episode includes a discussion of trickling filters and activated sludge, two different processes used to treat wastewater. Listeners unfamiliar with the basics of wastewater treatment may also want to check out our earlier episodes "How does a Wastewater Treatment Plant Work?" and "The Science of Sludge".
Acronyms used in this episode:
CSOTF: combined sewer overflow treatment facility
MGD: million gallons per day
CE-HRT: chemically-enhanced high rate treatment
BOD: biological oxygen demand, or the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic organisms to break down organic material in wastewater
TSS: total suspended solids, a measurement of the weight of suspended particles (i.e. not dissolved) in a water sample, when they are trapped by a filter

Engineering a Solution: Tunnels and Project Clean Lake Aug 22, 2023

We often get asked about our tunnel-construction projects throughout the city—and with good reason. Engineer Doug Lopata discusses Project Clean Lake and his work overseeing the design of massive tunnels that reduce sewer overflows, basement flooding, and pollution in our waterways. Next time you see him at a picnic, ask him about the tunnels.

Plum Creek: A Tale of Fish Translocation Jul 27, 2023

Cleveland native Justin Telep loves to fish. It makes sense then that he loves his job as a Field Biologist at the Sewer District. Justin and his team study the health of aquatic organisms in area streams to determine water quality. He talks about a NEORSD project to re-introduce native fish into a once-polluted Plum Creek. We also discuss fishing opportunities on Lake Erie ("the walleye capital of the world") and Justin shares an easy recipe for crispy fish tacos.
Some acronyms used in this episode:
IBI: Index of Biotic Integrity, an indicator of the health of a fish community
MIwb: Modified Index of Well-Being, another method of determining the health of the fish community
ICI: Invertebrate Community Index, which measures the health of bugs in the stream

The IT Crowd: Information Technology and Clean Water Jul 11, 2023

Two of our favorite IT guys, Adam Bruncak and Francis Cung, stop by for a chat about how Information Technology impacts all aspects of the Sewer District's work. We also discuss ChatGPT, professional billiards, and the importance of "Ctrl+Alt+Delete."
Acronyms and references used in this episode:
WQIS: Water Quality and Industrial Surveillance
NES: Nintendo Entertainment System

Trees in the City Jun 20, 2023

Samira Malone is Director of the Cleveland Tree Coalition. We discuss the multiple benefits trees provide in urban settings, the CTC's efforts to restore Cleveland's diminished tree canopy, and "the right tree for the right place."
The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District serves on the Coalition's Executive Committee. Visit www.clevelandtrees.org for more info!

SWIM lessons: Stormwater Inspection & Maintenance with Kristen Buccier Jun 06, 2023

Kristen Buccier is the Manager of our Stormwater Inspection & Maintenance team, brilliantly acronymed SWIM. We talked to Kristen about the thousands of stormwater assets the NEORSD inspects and maintains. Her team walks area streams to document flooding, erosion, and water-quality issues, so that critical repairs and projects can be planned. We learn about spherical imagery (think "stream inspector's version of Google Earth"), Green Infrastructure practices, and beaver-dam dilemmas.

Small Plates: The 2023 Ohio Stormwater Conference May 24, 2023

SANDUSKY, OH: Mike and Donna attend the 16th annual Ohio Stormwater Conference and speak with stormwater enthusiasts on a variety of topics including: groundwater rights, the different types of wetlands, invasive species, and the impacts of road salt on local waterways.
This episode's guests:
Erica Matheny, Deputy Executive Director, Tinker's Creek Watershed Partners
Harry Stark, Executive Director, Tinker's Creek Watershed Partners
Melissa Morrow, City of Parma
Julio Olivarez, The Nature Conservancy
Katie Burnsworth, Erie Conservation District
Patti Donnellan, Lorain Soil & Water Conservation District
Jared Bartley, Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District
Nichole Lopez, Summit Soil & Water Conservation District
Stephanie Deibel, Summit Soil & Water Conservation District

The Interview is Everyday: Public Service and Clean Water May 09, 2023

Frank Greenland is a professional engineer and a key architect of two of the Sewer District's most ambitious and important programs: Project Clean Lake (which reduces sewer overflows into the environment) and the Regional Stormwater Management Program (addressing erosion, flooding, and water-quality issues along local streams).
We learn how an early love of fishing led Frank to pursue a career in cleaning up Cleveland's waterways, and he shares his thoughts on the 1969 river fire, more-recent basement-flooding problems, public speaking, and tasty jams.

Exclusive: CEO Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells talks leadership, learning, and what she listens to Apr 18, 2023

Donna and Mike met up with Sewer District CEO Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells for a conversation that touched on a wide range of topics, from her early interest in public service, to watersheds and climate change, to dyslexia, hip hop, and running in the dark.

Our Watershed Partners Apr 04, 2023

Heather Elmer of Chagrin River Partners and Derek Schafer of the West Creek Conservancy join us for a discussion of watersheds, their importance, and ways their organizations and others work to protect local waterways.

Tracking COVID in the Wastewater Mar 21, 2023

A follow-up to our conversation with Environmental Services Supervisor Scott Broski, on the Sewer District's involvement in tracking the spread of COVID-19 in Northeast Ohio, using wastewater samples.

A Brief History of Cuyahoga Heights and Southerly Mar 14, 2023

In addition to working as a Plant Utility Maintenance Person (a "PUMP") at our Southerly Wastewater Treatment Center, history buff Danny Schoeffler is a native of that neighborhood. He talks about growing up in the close-knit village of Cuyahoga Heights and shares a bit of history of the Southerly plant and the area's development from farmland to industry. Also: work hazards and superhuman strength (Marvel and otherwise).
Acronyms used in this episode:
H²S - Hydrogen Sulfide aka "Sewer Gas"

Responding To Hazardous Spills Mar 03, 2023

NEORSD Superintendent of Environmental Services Scott Broski gives his insights into the February 3, 2023, train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and explains the emergency-response protocols for these kinds of accidents.
Acronyms used in this episode:
WQIS - Water Quality & Industrial Surveillance (NEORSD)
SCBA - Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
ODNR - Ohio Department of Natural Resources
LEPC - Local Emergency Planning Committee
EPCRA - Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act
EHS - Extremely Hazardous Substances
PPE - Personal Protective Equipment
For more information on Environmental Services, visit:
https://www.neorsd.org/environmental

How to Build a Tunnel Feb 14, 2023

There's a lot happening hundreds of feet below Cleveland's surface. NEORSD Construction Supervisor Robert Auber explains the ins and outs of tunnel excavation in various types of rock and the particular mindset required for a career working underground.

"The Risk Universe" and Internal Audit Jan 31, 2023

Bradshaw Rescola contemplates worst-case scenarios for organizations and explains how the Sewer District investigates and safeguards against vulnerabilities and harm.
Acronyms used in this episode:
SWOT: An analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats
CIA: Certified Internal Auditor
CFE: Certified Fraud Examiner
NIST: National Institute of Standards and Technology, which provides a privacy framework for cybersecurity

An Introduction to the Lab Jan 10, 2023

Analytical Services is the name of the Sewer District's laboratory, where water samples are tested for various toxicants and characteristics.
Supervising Chemist Debmalya Bhattacharyya explains the lab's testing methods for determining what's in the wastewater and making sure that the treated water is safe to re-introduce into Lake Erie.
Some acronyms and terms used in this episode:
NPDES: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, which regulates point sources that discharge pollutants to waters of the United States.
WET: Whole Effluent Toxicity, a lab test that measure wastewater's effects on certain organisms' ability to survive, grow, and reproduce.
ICP: Inductive Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy, a technique that measures and identifies elements within a sample based on the ionization of those elements.
GCMS: Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy
Mass Spec: short for Mass Spectrometer, an instrument that can measure the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of one or more molecules present in a sample.
PFAS: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances.
qPCR: Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction, a technology used for measuring nucleic acid in DNA and RNA.
NELAP: National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program
QA/QC: Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Re-envisioning Horseshoe Lake Park Dec 20, 2022

In this bonus Clean Water Works segment, Donna talks with residents attending a design workshop for the Doan Brook Restoration at Horseshoe Lake. Hear their ideas for enhancements to the design architects' proposed stream alignments at this popular nature destination. For more information, visit the our website.

The Science of Sludge with Kathryn Crestani Dec 06, 2022

Kathryn has long worked in the thick of wastewater treatment. And I mean the actual thick: the solids and sludge that are all part of the treatment process.
Enterprise Biosolids and Residuals Superintendent Kathryn Crestani talks with Mike and Donna about how a wastewater treatment plant works (following up on episode 8), how solids are separated out from wastewater, and what the Sewer District does with all that "sludge."

How does a Wastewater Treatment Plant Work? Nov 22, 2022

Denario Jones explains the basics of wastewater treatment and tells us what it's like to work as a wastewater plant operator (WPO). For more info on working at the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, visit neorsd.org/careers
Some acronyms used in this episode:
WPO-IT - Wastewater Plant Operator in Training
WQIS - Water Quality & Industrial Surveillance
MGD - A measurement of how many Millions of Gallons per Day
WEFTEC - The Water Environment Federation's annual Technical Exhibition and Conference
OWEA - Ohio Water Environment Association
EMSC - Environmental & Maintenance Services Center

Data and Stormwater Management with Jessica Cotton Nov 09, 2022

Learn how the Sewer District uses maps and other data to power its Regional Stormwater Management Program. Watershed Programs's Jessica Cotton explains what Geographic Information Systems can do and highlights some recent Green Infrastructure projects in Cleveland.

BATS! with Sarah Rehner Oct 28, 2022

In this Halloween-ish bonus episode, Environmental Specialist Sarah Rehner explains how the Sewer District takes bat and other wildlife habitats into consideration when planning its construction projects.

An Interview with Dr. Roy Larick (Pt. 2) Oct 26, 2022

In Part 2 of our talk with Dr. Larick, we hear about his favorite “secret places” for Cleveland explorers. We also discuss the importance of trees, learn how streams can both divide and connect communities, and answer the question of whether or not to replace a failing dam.

Cleveland's Hidden Streams: An Interview with Dr. Roy Larick (Pt. 1) Oct 18, 2022

"Working with rain is better than fighting it."
Dr. Roy Larick is an archaeologist who investigates the weave of natural and human forces in building inner-ring urban landscapes. In Part 1 of our interview, Dr. Larick discusses his work to identify buried ravines under Cleveland and show how some flooding issues could be remedied by reconnecting to those stream systems. We talk about old maps and more modern methods of discovery, and Dr. Larick shares a brief history of Kingsbury Run and the Sidaway Bridge.
Read more:
Here's a 2019 Plain Dealer feature on Dr. Larick.
Here's a Cleveland Historical Society feature on the Sidaway Bridge.

Help close to home: How we plan projects, help neighbors, and see the future Oct 04, 2022

Project Engineer Christine Umerley works in the planning group of the Sewer District's Engineering & Construction department. She explains how the District plans for future projects and her own involvement helping neighborhoods through the Local Sewer System Evaluation Study (LSSES) and the Member Community Infrastructure Program (MCIP), unique efforts that support local projects with regional benefits.
Some other acronyms mentioned in this episode:
• CSO: Combined Sewer Overflow
• SWIM: Stormwater Inspection & Maintenance
• TBM: Tunnel Boring Machine
• EIFA: Equity Investment Focus Area
This episode also features excerpts from a conversation between Sewer District CEO Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells and WKYC Channel 3 Meteorologist Jason Mikell on the urban water cycle, the cost of clean water, and planning for the impacts of climate change and "wetter, warmer, wilder weather." The full interview can be found at https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1vAGRAnDgbYKl?s=20

Inside Cleveland's Sewers Sep 20, 2022

Joshua Dress and Josh Jeffi work in Sewer System Maintenance & Operation, the Sewer District team that monitors and maintains a complex underground system that keeps wastewater flowing to our three treatment plants.
Josh and Josh, with Mike and Donna, lift the lid and descend deep into the topic of sewers, including the history of sewers in the region, how they work, what it takes to keep things flowing, and even some of the craziest things they've seen underground.

How to Write a Podcast Intro Sep 06, 2022

Donna and Mike improvise an introduction to the new podcast. Comedy ensues.

Stream job: Frank Schuschu, 46 years of environmental protection Sep 06, 2022

One of the responsibilities of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District is to regulate industrial discharges to the region's sewer system. Our investigators conduct routine inspections at industrial facilities to ensure that they are not discharging harmful pollutants into the sewers.
In this premiere episode of Clean Water Works, we talk to Industrial Compliance Specialist Frank Schuschu who has seen a lot in his 46 years (!) of Sewer District service. Frank talks about working with those companies to keep pollutants out of the sewer system, and what he's learned—and loved about it—along the way.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected