Concrete channels, buried creeks, and straightened streams simplified urban development but decades later we see the side effects: faster water, steeper channels, collapsing streambanks, and pollution.  Manager of Stormwater Design Kristen Buccier and Project Manager Denis Zaharija explain the benefits of more recent, holistic stream design methods. 

A stream is a living system seeking stability. Denis and Kristen discuss hydrology and hydraulics, how a stream's bends (or "meanders") dissipate energy, and how riffles and pools create habitat for fish and aquatic bugs. We also learn how “flashy” stormwater volumes can overwhelm streams and how designers work to bring resiliency back to those impacted waterways.

We talk with Mark Christie, Director of Cuyahoga County's Office of Emergency Management, about severe weather in Northeast Ohio, damage assessments, and how recovery decisions get made fast.

Mark gives some tips on preparing for hazards during thunderstorms, tornadoes, winter storms, and flooding that hits both rivers and basements, with info on ReadyNotify and the federal IPAWS system and a simple preparedness plan you can follow before the next storm hits.

Mike and Donna report from the 19th annual Ohio Stormwater Conference in Sandusky, OH. The day's presentations touch on education, stormwater modeling and maintenance, and funding, and demonstrate how design choices and policy decisions can ripple across entire communities. 

Our guests include:

Erica Matheny, Tinker's Creek Watershed Partners
Refka Abroug, Tinker's Creek Watershed Partners 
Jesse Rufner, GPD Group
Jack Caruso, Cleveland Metroparks
Joey Smith, Ohio State University
Tony Burgoyne, OHM Advisors

Topics discussed:

• The Tinkers Creek Watershed Partners’ new strategic plan and illustrated watershed mapping 
• Water scarcity, pollution, and access to clean drinking water in Northern Africa
• An East Cleveland project that ties together water lines, roadways, and sewer improvements
• Antecedent moisture modeling
• Extreme storms, risk tools, and what “reasonable” infrastructure can handle
• Mosquito science in stormwater control measures
• Stacking funding sources and building coalitions through policy roundtables

For more information on the Ohio Stormwater Conference, visit tinkerscreek.org

April is National Native Plant Month, and in this episode we talk with Sustainability Specialist Kevin Harrison and Paul Kovalcik of our Stormwater Inspection & Maintenance (SWIM) department, unpacking what defines a "native plant" and why they matter for water quality and habitat. We talk about how native species support pollinators, and why losing host plants can impact the entire food web.

We connect native landscaping to the Sewer District's stormwater management and stream-restoration projects, and explain how invasive species can take over when nothing has co-evolved to keep them in check.

Our guests offer tips on how to choose the right tree for the right place, when to plant, and why starting small is the best advice for building a low-stress native garden. 

Other resources:

NRCS - Natural Resources Conservation Service, a U.S. Department of Agriculture agency that provides a "PLANTS" (Plant List of Attributes, Names, Taxonomy, and Symbols) database with automated tools, weblinks, and references.

https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/

Cleveland Metroparks Tree Selector Tool - Enter in various site attributes for guidance on tree species selection for any type of planting project.   

https://treeselector-clevelandmetroparks.com/tree-selector 

Rain Garden Manual for Homeowners - Courtesy of Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District, this manual outlines rain garden terms and definitions, recommendations for creating the right garden for your property, and important diagrams and planting instructions. 

https://www.neorsd.org/Stormwater%20Form/landing%20page/2007_rain_garden_manual.pdf

A fallen log in a stream can serve as beneficial fish habitat or pose a flood hazard. Stormwater inspectors Kelsey Hickox and Andriana Hayes explain what Stormwater Inspection and Maintenance (SWIM) looks like and why the Sewer District pays so much attention to creeks, culverts, and stormwater basins.

We also discuss urgent storm response and why field verification matters for our stormwater modeling. Plus, practical tips for homeowners to help with their community's stormwater-management efforts.

Rainfall can turn some roads into rivers. Construction Supervisor Joel Hill explains how his team keeps neighborhoods dry using basins, culverts, and stream restoration projects to manage downpours. Joel brings a rare perspective with his decade-plus working on massive tunnel projects and his pivot to the stormwater side of the Sewer District's work.

We discuss hydrologic forecasts that shape project designs and stream morphology, and spotlight some local projects in Maple Heights and Parma that have brought relief to once-flooded roadways. 

If you care about flood mitigation, resilient infrastructure, and how precise design decisions ripple into safer streets, this conversation offers practical insights and hard-won lessons from the field.

What actually leads a policy idea into becoming a clean-water milestone? We take you behind the scenes with Danielle Giannantonio, Senior Manager of State and Federal Legislative Affairs & Grants at the NEORSD, to map the practical path from bills to budgets to better infrastructure. Danielle shares how a Statehouse page job led to legislative aide work, a crash course in clean-water issues at Ohio EPA, and ultimately a role where relationships, timing, and clarity determine whether good ideas stick.

Our conversation dives into PFAS, those "forever chemicals" that water utilities passively receive. We also dig into affordability and make the case for a permanent LIHWAP program to stabilize households and utility operations alike. Danielle's work also tracks policy that touches our utility’s daily mission: employment issues, IT, drones, AI, and more. She walks us through the playbook for proactive advocacy and how trade associations can amplify local voices in D.C.

Acronyms used in this episode:

LIHWAP - Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, provides funds to assist low-income households with water and wastewater bills.

LIHEAP - Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, provides federally funded assistance to reduce the costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and minor energy-related home repairs. 

PFAS - Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

WQIS - Water Quality & Industrial Surveillance

Hey, it's hard to pass up a good pun. Even if we didn't talk much about sewer smells in this episode, we were excited to learn how our legal team moves billion‑dollar water projects forward with strategy, ethics, and empathy. Chief Legal Officer Eric Luckage explains how well‑designed contracts, early risk spotting, and clear and honest conversations with residents help the Sewer District deliver clean water and protect our ratepayers.

Freezing temperatures can test our municipal water systems as well as the pipes inside our homes. Water Commissioner Alex Margevicius explains how the Cleveland Division of Water keeps 1.4 million people supplied with safe drinking water when temperatures plunge and aging water mains face their toughest days of the year. 

From Cleveland's offshore water intakes to your homes and businesses, we trace the journey clean water makes and share some simple measures you can take to prevent frozen water lines and damage.

Here at the Sewer District, we often talk about the urban water cycle as it pertains to wastewater treatment: from residential use to our treatment plants and back to Lake Erie. Our conversation with Alex continues the water's route back in from the Lake and to our homes.

Visit Cleveland Water to learn more about tours, cost-saving programs, and household tips.

A lake that learns can change a region. Sam Martin, Director of Communications and Engagement at Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA), shares how Lake Erie has become the world’s largest digitally-connected freshwater test bed—and why that matters for public health, utility costs, and the next wave of water-tech jobs. 

Sam walks us through the water economy—everything from maritime logistics and treatment plants to sensing, analytics, and policy—and explains why real-world testing beats lab demos every time. The CWA acts as matchmaker between innovators and end users, backing pilot projects with insurance and support. It makes a compelling case for Cleveland as a freshwater innovation capital.

A new crew of superheroes, the Lake Erie League, is turning everyday systems into comic-book stories for kids and teachers to use in the classroom. Across eight origin tales, these northeast Ohio-inspired characters mirror very real aspects of the Sewer District's work, from massive tunneling machines whose creations tame storm overflows, to a miniaturized lab technician who can detect toxins no human eye could witness.

We start with Mackenzie, inspired by the tunnel boring machine behind Project Clean Lake, who illustrates how infrastructure projects matter underground and on the surface. Spectra brings lab science to life with tests that our students can replicate in class, while Rover and Dr. Tao tackle sewer and stream inspections and the microscopic world of water quality. Botanica's story is rooted stream protection, restoration, and sustainability, and Vis and Overwatch round out the Lake Erie League with CSI-style adventures as seen from the field -- and above it.

Teachers can request print copies of the new comic book for their classrooms and access the stories and activity sheets at neorsd.org/league.

Meet the Lake Erie League creators:

Joe Sieracki, writer

Miguel Hernandez, illustrator

Art meets infrastructure! The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District partnered with the nonprofit creative-writing center Literary Cleveland to host a reading of "Odes to Infrastructure," a newly-published zine, right in the heart of our Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant. It was a celebration of our essential-yet-often-unseen water systems and, of course, Lake Erie.

Standing in the concrete tunnels where our treatment-plant workers normally move about, the Literary Cleveland writers delivered readings of poetry and short stories inspired by our infrastructure and its relationship to a cleaner Lake Erie. The echoing chamber amplified both their voices and the central message: connection. As one writer eloquently put it, "Stories and sewers bind us. They reveal our interconnectedness, our mutual dependence."

By bringing writers into treatment plants for tours and workshops Literary Cleveland created a new forum for highlighting our critical work.

Here's some photos from the event!

Visit Literary Cleveland for more info about workshops and tours.

Technology continues to transform how the Sewer District manages wastewater and stormwater. 

Process Analyst Ron Maichle explains how the District's drone program evolved from emergency-response support to an essential tool for project planning and monitoring. Engineer Joe Reese demystifies the elaborate control systems that allow operators to monitor and manage entire treatment facilities from centralized locations.  

What technological solution will transform water management next?

The newly released 2025 Ohio Infrastructure Report Card delivers a sobering assessment of the systems we rely on daily but rarely think about. Ohio has made modest improvements since the last American Society of Civil Engineers' report in 2021, yet vulnerabilities persist.

Sewer District employees (and ASCE members) Derek Vogel and Lita Laven walk us through the grades and explain how federal infrastructure funding has breathed new life into long-neglected systems, particularly benefiting water, transit, and bridge projects across the state. However, the looming expiration of this funding in 2027 threatens to erase these hard-won gains. And with Ohio's stormwater infrastructure approaching the end of its designed lifespan, we're facing a perfect storm of aging systems and increasingly intense rainfall events.

Check out the complete 2025 Infrastructure Report Card to see how your state's vital systems measure up.

What does sustainability mean for a wastewater utility? 

Sustainability Manager Marie Fechik-Kirk shares her thoughts on environmental stewardship at the Sewer District. Under Marie's guidance, the NEORSD has integrated sustainability into its everyday operations and engineering projects. 

Listeners will also discover sustainability tips for their own homes to make an environmental impact while helping their budget. 

For NEORSD employees:

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) at the NEORSD provide a great opportunity for employees to learn new things and network with other employees. Learn more about our Sustainability ERG.

Also, sustainability can be integrated into your work goals. Check out our Sustainability Plan to see how we’ve integrated sustainability into many areas, from Analytical Services to Watersheds Design.

For more information, contact Marie Fechik-Kirk at Fechik-KirkM@neorsd.org  

A recent innovation, the National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) has transformed from an emergency response to COVID-19 into a comprehensive early warning system for disease outbreaks.

The NWSS monitors approximately 45% of the US population through over 1,400 sampling sites. Public health laboratories can analyze genetic material from the waste stream to detect the presence of pathogens even before clinical symptoms appear in communities. 

Despite the inherent complexity of wastewater samples, the process has demonstrated surprising accuracy in predicting disease trends.

Visit cdc.gov/nwss to explore the NWSS dashboard.

Mike is at the 18th annual Ohio Stormwater Conference, where nearly 1,000 environmental professionals gather to discuss flooding, erosion, and water quality advances—and new challenges.

The conversation begins with sobering news about watershed organizations facing an uncertain future as they scramble to fill funding gaps in their programs. We also talk with the Ohio Public Works Commission and its support of essential projects across the state. The latest Infrastructure Report Card from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) shows some improvement, but also notes the cost of neglecting funding for our shared assets.  

What stands out at this conference is the personal connection between the professionals and their work. Their personal investment guides their technical expertise and inspires them to make a real-world impact with every project.

Learn more about the Ohio Stormwater Conference at https://ohstormwaterconference.com/

Sign up for the Sewer District's Summer Sprinkling Program at https://customerservice.neorsd.org/s/summer-sprinkling-program

Imagine standing in downtown Cleveland and gazing at Lake Erie just blocks away, yet feeling disconnected by an intimidating landscape of highways and parking lots. This frustrating paradox has defined Cleveland's relationship with its waterfront for decades.

The Shore to Core to Shore Initiative is an ambitious and promising effort to reconnect Cleveland's downtown with Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River. Jessica Trivisonno, Senior Advisor for Major Projects for Mayor Bibb, and Drew Crawford, Senior Director of Planning for Downtown Cleveland, give us an update on the transformative plans that will finally bridge these divides.

Ready to imagine a Cleveland where you can seamlessly walk from Tower City to the riverfront, or from Public Square to the lake? Construction begins in 2027, but the vision is taking shape now. Listen in to understand how Cleveland is finally poised to embrace its greatest natural assets.

The Doan Brook Watershed Partnership (DBWP) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are collaborating on a stream-restoration project to address wall deterioration, improve fish habitat, and restore natural stream function through Cleveland's Cultural Gardens along MLK Boulevard. Sections of the channel's stone walls, built during the Works Progress Administration, have broken apart, and local experts are working to balance historic preservation with ecological restoration.

In this discussion, Emily Kao (DBWP) and Jenn Brancho (USACE) describe their organizations' measured approach to planning a revitalized urban waterway. We learn how channelization has dramatically altered the stream's natural functions, and how the partnership can deliver a comprehensive restoration strategy that honors both ecological needs and cultural heritage. 

Clevelanders might not know about a massive concrete structure hidden within Lakeview Cemetery. Standing 89 feet tall, Lakeview Dam represents both a marvel of 1970s engineering and a relic of outdated water-management approaches. Stormwater Program Manager Kim Colich gives some background on this imposing structure and explains how modern modeling and technology allow for different flood-control solutions today.

Beyond its engineering significance, the dam has gained fame as a filming location for Captain America: Winter Soldier and attracts curious tour groups. But its future remains an open question as water-management professionals balance flood-control needs with ecological goals and financial sustainability.

Whether you're fascinated by Cleveland history, engineering challenges, or environmental restoration, this look at one of our city's most impressive yet least-known structures reveals how our relationship with water continues to evolve.

Revisit our interview with Elaine Marsh on the Gorge Dam removal. 

Learn more about the Doan Brook Restoration Project near Horseshoe Park at https://www.neorsd.org/doanbrook.

Horticulturalist Joe Dwyer is part of the Sewer District's Stormwater Inspection & Maintenance (SWIM) team. 

"A large shade tree can take up to 4,000 gallons of stormwater throughout a year," Dwyer says, but problems with improper tree planting can reveal themselves often just as trees are reaching their prime environmental benefits. Joe highlights the importance of proper tree maintenance to support the District's stormwater-management work. 

We also discuss how trees communicate through underground fungal networks, bringing "winter interest" to our project sites, and the potential for beautifying roadsides with wildflowers.

Whether you're a casual observer of neighborhood greenery or an aspiring horticulturalist, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the trees working silently around us.

We also want to share a handy resource from Cleveland Metroparks: a Tree Selector Tool that helps you select the best native species for your home or project, depending on your location, landscaping goals, amount of sun and shade, and other factors. The website also features a directory of local nurseries that carry native plants.  

Whether you’re a homeowner, landscape architect, land steward, or arborist, these Cleveland Metroparks resources can help you plan and obtain the right trees for your planting project.

For further reading:

Silverstein, Shel. The Giving Tree. Harper & Row, 1964.

Simard, Suzanne. Finding the Mother Tree. Knopf, 2021. 

Wikipedia. "Crown Shyness." Last modified October 13, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_shyness

Bedford, Ohio native Eddie Olshansky operates Trashfish, a volunteer organization focused on exploring and cleaning up the Cuyahoga River. Eddie talks about his personal journey, the importance of community involvement in environmental stewardship, the challenges of plastic pollution, and his ongoing efforts to improve the health of our local waterways.

Follow Eddie on Instagram @trashfish_cle for updates!

Ken Duplay is Chief Financial Officer of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, and in this episode he shares insights from his 21-year career on the strategic art of setting sewer and stormwater rates, our meticulous five-year planning cycle, and managing debt. It's a thought-provoking look at the financial strategies that keep our essential infrastructure running smoothly.

What do horse riding and leading a utility have in common? Sewer District CEO Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells shares her top projects of 2024, the Cleveland bonds that fuel her enthusiasm, and insights that will resonate with leaders from all walks of life. 

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District manages both wastewater and stormwater systems and plays a crucial role in restoring local waterways. We delve into the challenges of urban water infrastructure, the importance of partnerships, and the delicate balance needed to address environmental and community concerns. Looking to 2025, we consider the crucial role of leadership at the US EPA and Department of Energy, greenhouse gas and "forever chemicals," and the power of mindful communication in building community.

Acronyms used in this episode:

CERCLA - Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. The Act provides for liability, compensation, cleanup, and emergency response for hazardous substances released into the environment and the cleanup of inactive hazardous waste disposal sites.

PFAS - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a synthetic chemical that's part of PFAS chemicals.

Cutting-edge modeling techniques are being developed in an exciting collaboration between the NEORSD and Massachusetts Institute of Technology that focuses on pluvial flooding, promising a more nuanced view of water flow across urban landscapes.

This "rain on mesh" approach divides an urban topography into small, data-rich segments, unveiling a new level of detail in analyzing surface runoff, infiltration, and evaporation. 

We explore the strategic use of various models, from the importance of selecting appropriate tools for specific tasks to the potential for these solutions to be adopted by other cities. 

Mayor Annette Blackwell of Maple Heights and Keith McClintock, NEORSD Manager of Watershed Funding Programs discuss the transformative impacts of infrastructure funding in local communities. Securing grants and loans have paved the way for municipal growth and enhanced quality of life for Maple Heights residents, and the Sewer District's Member Community Infrastructure Program (MCIP) can help communities address aging sewer systems and stormwater management.

Learn more about the MCIP here

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. 

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

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."

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.

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

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.

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. 

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) 

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.

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.

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

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!

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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. 

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

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.

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

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

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!

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.

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 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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"

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

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. 

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

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

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.

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."

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

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.

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.

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. 

"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.

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 

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.

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

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.