PARC Innovation Flow

Episode Notes What does the future of wastewater look like in a world driven by sustainability, data, and decentralized systems? In this episode, Blair Corning speaks with Tim Braun, Founder of BluTerra, about the next evolution of the wastewater sector and the growing movement toward “Clean Water 2.0.” Tim shares how lessons from renewable energy and impact investing are shaping the future of wat...

What happens after wastewater treatment is complete? For South Platte Renew, the answer lies in turning biosolids into a valuable resource—backed by decades of research and strong agricultural partnerships. In this episode, host Blair Corning is joined by Dan DeLaughter of South Platte Renew and Steve Blecker, Research Soil Scientist at Colorado State University, to explore the long-standing colla...

What does it really take to build a safety culture where every employee feels empowered to speak up—and even stop work? In this episode, host Blair Corning sits down with Izaiah Kruenegel, Deputy Director of Operations & Maintenance at South Platte Renew, to explore SPR Safe, the organization’s safety program built around the idea that people are the most valuable asset. Izaiah shares how SPR...

Episode Notes In this episode, host Blair Corning sits down with Adele Rucker, SPR's Laboratory Manager and Abby Wharton, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)'s Wastewater Surveillance Coordinator to explore the growing field of wastewater surveillance. By analyzing wastewater samples, public health officials can detect viruses and pathogens circulating in communities—often...

Episode Notes Ever wondered what happens to utility equipment that’s no longer needed, but still works? In this episode, we unpack the Facility Asset Renewal Marketplace (FARM) and how it helps utilities turn surplus assets into shared opportunities. From reducing waste to saving money, FARM is reshaping how the industry thinks about asset renewal. Host Blair Corning sits down with Caleb Vannice,...

Episode Notes Live from WEFTEC 2025, host Blair Corning interviews Bryan Coday, Principal Technologist at Carollo Engineers, to discuss the cutting-edge of biological phosphorus removal. Bryan explains why the industry is in a "golden age of innovation" and breaks down the complexities of Side Stream Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal. Bryan details a joint pilot project with South P...

Episode Notes In this live episode from WEFTEC 2025, we sit down with Per Henrik Nielsen of VCS Denmark, a distinguished leader with 40 years in wastewater innovation. Per shares our belief that public utilities have an obligation to drive change where vendors and consultants cannot. Learn how VCS Denmark became an energy-positive utility, the challenges and calculated risks involved in pursuing a...

Episode Notes In this episode, recorded live from WEFTEC 2025, Jamie Lefkowitz and Mahesh Lunani explore how data science and artificial intelligence (AI) are fundamentally changing the future of the water industry. First, we tackle the urgent challenge of PFAS with Jamie Lefkowitz, Innovation Development Leader at Brown and Caldwell. Jamie shares details on a pioneering research project that uses...

Episode Notes What is the “money value of time” in wastewater master planning, and how is it fueling innovation at South Platte Renew? In this episode, we talk to Deena Davidson, Municipal Operations Manager at Tetra Tech Water, who describes building flexibility into South Platte Renew’s latest Master Plan. The model allows utilities to intentionally delay critical spending decisions in order to...

Episode Notes What’s going on at the Pilot and Research Center (PARC) at South Platte Renew (SPR), and what does it take to be a good innovator? This episode features  Anna Schroeder , Engineering and PARC Manager at SPR, sharing what’s new and exciting about the PARC program, from groundbreaking pilot projects to the rewards she's experienced through the process. She and host,  Blair Corning , di...

What role does research and development play at public utilities? According to Jay Bernas, General Manager and CEO at Hampton Roads Sanitation District in Virginia, and Pieter Van Ry, Director of South Platte Renew , the rationale boils down to keeping rates low in the face of growing water treatment and funding challenges. In this PARC Innovation Flow Bonus Episode, Jay Bernas, Pieter Van Ry, and...

Episode Notes How do we execute ideas for pilot projects at PARC? Here, we learn from Brianna Miller, Engineer II at South Platte Renew, who responded to an infrastructure-related challenge with a question: Can we concentrate biosolids in the wastewater treatment process without polymer? By adjusting polymer usage, Bri sought to reduce chemical costs and improve plant efficiency. This is a story o...

Episode Notes How can we begin to break down the PFAS cycle in the wastewater treatment process? Andy Safulko at Brown and Caldwell says: Biochar! In this episode, Andy and host Blair Corning unpack the growing challenges that these “forever chemicals” pose to land application and what innovative alternatives might be on the horizon. What is the potential of transforming biosolids into biochar as...

Episode Notes In this episode of Innovation Flow , host Blair Corning taps into the story behind Project Green 2025 with Innovation Brewer Justin Fisher of Breckenridge Brewery, which was crafted with 100% purified water from the Colorado School of Mines’ Direct Potable Reuse trailer while hosted at SPR’s Pilot and Research Center. Timed with World Environment Day on June 5, 2025, Project Green 20...

Episode Notes Pure Potential: Colorado’s Path to Sustainable Water explores the challenges, research, and social acceptance surrounding potable reuse through the lens of a first-of-its-kind direct potable reuse (DPR) pilot trailer. Blair Corning is joined by Dr. Tzahi Cath with the Colorado School of Mines to break down the science behind carbon-based advanced treatment (CBAT) and reverse osmosis...

Episode Notes In this episode of Innovation Flow, we are introduced to a trailblazing new tool that could help utility managers throughout the industry. Host Blair Corning interviews Pieter Van Ry, Director of South Platte Renew, and Ben Stanford, Associate Vice President at Hazen and Sawyer, to discuss the Utility Diagnostic Tool (UDT) development and the benefits it can have on utility leaders a...

Episode Notes This episode dives into a partnership between South Platte Renew (SPR), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and the University of Virginia (UVA) researching the low temperature CO2 methanation for biogas-to-renewable natural gas conversion via advanced nickel based catalysts.     The team has been working on using a catalyst to convert the carbon dioxide fraction of biog...

Episode Notes This episode explores a recent Reaeration (RA) Basin Denitrification Pilot at South Platte Renew's Pilot and Research Center (PARC), conducted in partnership with Laws Whiskey House. Shannon Harney, Engineer II at SPR, sits down with host Blair Corning to discuss how SPR utilized the carbon-rich waste produced by the distillery combined with existing microbial populations to promote...

Episode Notes The first episode of PARC Innovation Flow podcast was recorded live from the WEFTEC showroom floor. The episode explores how the South Platte Renew Pilot and Research Center (PARC) was created and constructed. The mission of PARC and its reach throughout the water industry is also discussed. The plan for future PARC podcast episodes is also shared with listeners. Guests include: Piet...