Water You on About?

Sort it at the Source: Episode 10

This episode of Water You on About asks you to consider how separating waste at the source, rather than at the plant, could give us a better, more efficient, approach to wastewater treatment. Learn about how this innovation has the potential to reduce stress on sewer systems and treatment plants, protect good microbes in our wastewater, and give us a far more manageable waste treatment system. It’s time to put the onus on the public to take accountability for our waste. And though there are certainly plenty of challenges associated with source separation, industries and communities alike need to start thinking about stepping stones. Join AG and Liah in this episode to discover what we, as individuals, can do to help move along the idea of sorting our waste out at the source!

Stop, Collaborate, and Listen: Episode 9

Untangle the often extremely confusing web of regulation and legislation with this episode of Water You on About. Legislation has a reputation for being reactive, too stringent, or incredibly outdated. This not only makes it difficult to innovate, but can lead to terrible, unintended consequences for the environment and society as a whole. In this episode AG and Liah discuss how it’s time to start working together to make sure we’re a step ahead of compliance. And that no one is solely responsible for this. Governments, companies, communities, and the general public all need to be a part of this conversation for change. The world belongs to everyone. It’s time to stand up and be honest about legislation that, for whatever reason, isn’t quite cutting it. Discover how we can stop, collaborate, and listen to help raise (or lower!!) the bar when it comes to regulation, both in wastewater, and across the board.

The Sidekick Manifesto: Episode 8

In this very special episode of Water You on About, join AG, Liah, and special guest Dr. Dani Barrington in a look at the humanitarian side of wastewater engineering. Dani has worked all around the world to help bring water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) knowledge to developing countries. Dive in to hear about her work and the things she’s experienced throughout her travels, how, in some cases, engineering actually needs to come second, and the importance of discussing failure. Learn about the Sustainable Development Goals, and the ways we can ethically face some of the complex issues surrounding sanitation and water related health both globally and right here in Australia.

A Win, Win, Win Situation: Episode 7

Redefine a win, win (win!) situation in this episode of Water You on About! How can we turn our poop into money? In this episode, AG and Liah highlight how easy it actually is to tap into energy sources that already exist within the wastewater treatment process and, what’s more, how this could help us significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Learn about the guy that used poop to cook a crab suzette and other, more sophisticated, ways we can “close the loop” by turning waste into power. Learn how we can win three times in terms of more energy, more profits, and less damage to the planet!

Microbes Are Your Friends: Episode 6

In this episode of Water You on About AG and Liah bust some myths on an unsung hero: microbes! Microbes get a bad rap, but in fact, many of them exist to make our lives better. Learn about all the different type of microbes and the positive impact they have on our lives and our world. From preventing algal blooms, to cleaning wastewater, to protecting our gut, and for the existence of beer and bread! Dive into the science of microbes, their potential to help us accomplish truly remarkable things like curing diseases, and the fascinating and vital role they play in treating wastewater.

The Bowels of the City: Episode 5

Go for a ride through the bowels of the city with AG, Liah, and special guest Dr. Madhu Morali in this latest episode of Water You on About. Discover a little known world and learn about exactly where our wastewater goes when it’s flushed down the drain, how sewers are designed, people who’s job it is to push sewerage around, and a theme park ride in Japan where you have to dress up as poo! Can the sewerage pipes in Australia really reach all the way around the world? Are more than half of water costs down to wastewater treatment? What would happen if all our sewers magically disappeared? Find out the answer to all of these questions and more as you explore the bowels of the city.

Size Matters: Episode 4

This episode of Water You on About puts wastewater under the microscope, and explores constituents of all sizes, shapes, and effects. As we already know, there’s no such thing as pure water. But what exactly makes our water “impure”? AG and Liah discuss the characteristics of all the different constituents found in wastewater. From Covid to illicit drugs to money, there’s plenty to be discovered in wastewater. They also describe the process wastewater undergoes to remove some of these constituents and all the different impacts these constituents have. And finally, learn why, when it comes to constituents, size matters!

Fish, Vodka, and the Titanic: Episode 3

How are fish, vodka, and the Titanic all related? Find out in this episode of Water You on About! Water is connected to nearly everything, and this episode gives a perfect example of how. Settle in to hear a fascinating story about the innovative company that saved a collapsed industry by capitalising on millions of years old water. Learn all about the purest water in the world, a famous fishing scandal, and what vodka has to do with all of this. 

NB: Anas would like to point out that where he references Nova Scotia in this episode, he actually means Newfoundland. 

Why Limnologists Have a Chip on Their Shoulders: Episode 2

Learn all about lakes in this very special instalment of Water You on About. AG and Liah give an intro to one of our most important sources of freshwater, the science behind them, how they evolve, and hint at what’s to come in terms of lakes later in the series. They also discuss what limnology is, explore why limnologists have a chip on their shoulders, and divulge the story that put limnology on the map. Finally, they consider what it means to be multi-disciplinary in a world where everything is connected and encourage all of us to think about what we’re passionate about. Jump in and discover this little understood, but vital, discipline!