The Outfall Podcast

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.