Clean Water Works

Latest Episodes:

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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"

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