The Outfall Podcast

Discover the eerie parallels between the Great Flood of 1916 and Hurricane Helene in 2024, two catastrophic events that reshaped Asheville and Western North Carolina over a century apart. Through firsthand accounts and historical records, we uncover how these twin disasters expose the enduring challenges of flood management. See show notes here. 

Dive into a decade-long journey of collaboration and conservation in Georgia's Flint River Basin, where endangered mussels and agricultural needs collide. Discover how a diverse group of stakeholders are working to protect the region's unique aquatic species and its vital agricultural economy through an innovative Habitat Conservation Plan. Show Notes Here. 

In this series' third and final podcast episode, discover the untold story of Clemson College's existential battle against the Hartwell Dam project in 1956. Uncover how Plan X became the unexpected solution that saved Clemson's campus and reshaped its landscape. Along the way, uncover an ancient relic hiding in plain sight on campus. See Cool Pictures Here.

In 1956, Clemson College faced potential submersion as Hartwell Dam plans threatened to flood its campus. We continue to uncover the high-stakes battle between college officials and the federal government, revealing a forgotten alternative that could have radically transformed the landscape. Dive into this tale of progress versus preservation, where Clemson's future hangs in the balance, and a fiv...

In 1956, Clemson College faced an existential threat as plans for the Hartwell Dam threatened to submerge vital campus lands. This podcast series uncovers the dramatic confrontation between progress and preservation as South Carolina's most powerful figures grapple with a decision that could reshape the entire region's future. Join us as we dive into the high-stakes political chess game that nearl...

Every March, as part of the South Carolina Environmental Conference in Myrtle Beach, an unusual competition takes place—the battle for the best-tasting water in the state. Today, we're going behind the scenes of this annual water-tasting event. We'll see how judges evaluate water samples from across South Carolina, talk to this year's winner, and uncover some surprisingly refined taste buds in the...

This fall, we're exploring Christy Spackman's "The Taste of Water," a book that uncovers the hidden world of water's flavor and its profound cultural impact. Join us for a behind-the-scenes chat with Christy. 

Forget the unicorn; the real mythical creature recruiters chase is the elusive purple squirrel – a candidate with an extraordinarily rare mix of valuable skills. Join us on an illuminating journey into the high-stakes world of talent acquisition, where veteran recruiters share insider stories of navigating this ultra-competitive landscape using cutting-edge tactics. You’ll gain a newfound apprecia...

This five-minute water short reveals the crucial but little-known role water plays in protecting the Space Shuttle during launches. Discover how NASA engineers ingeniously used water and clever engineering to avert a catastrophic problem threatening the entire Shuttle program. See Show Notes with Video

$1.4 billion—it's a mind-boggling figure that could transform South Carolina's water infrastructure landscape. In this episode, go behind the scenes with Bonnie Ammons, Executive Director of the SC Rural Infrastructure Authority, and Angie Mettlen, Vice President and Director of Strategic Funding and Regulatory Affairs at WK Dickson & Co., Inc., as they unpack the unprecedented impacts of this...

Ever stumble across something so intriguing that it sparks a whole new avenue of questions? Get ready to be surprised as The Outfall dives into the obscure rabbit holes and unique backstories hidden in plain sight all around us. From high-stakes battles, tragic disasters, and the mysteries still baffling science, this season pulls back the curtain on fascinating water tales you'd never expect.

We're thrilled to have Dr. Piers Clark back on the podcast. Wondering who Dr. Clark is? He's not just any expert — he's the visionary founder and chairman of Isle Utilities, a trailblazing company dedicated to propelling the water sector into the future. We caught up with Piers, who shares one of those middle-of-the-night epiphanies that compel you to wake your spouse. What was the revelation? Lea...

Today, we're revisiting a holiday highlight from Season 2 with a new twist – Dr. Ladner's family and an old friend are joining the adventure! So, get ready to dive back into this mystery story involving turkey aroma and a wastewater treatment plant. Show notes here.

Today, we get an insider's perspective on the drinking water sector from Alan Roberson, a veteran leader who has seen it all. Alan is the Executive Director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators. Alan draws on his 30+ years of experience in this fascinating interview to give candid thoughts on regulations past and future, infrastructure, emerging contaminants like PFAS, and oth...

Today, we're unraveling how the ice trade vanished, and spoiler alert: the South was at the epicenter of it all! We’re kicking things off with John Gorrie. This guy was a doctor down in Florida who had this brilliant idea long before the Civil War started. And not just any idea, but one that eventually led to the first plant where ice was made - not harvested from frozen lakes - but actually made,...

In the early 1800s, Bostonian Frederick Tudor had a radical vision - to ship frozen New England water across oceans to the tropics. Tudor pioneered the global ice trade despite being called "crazy." We have an EXCLUSIVE interview with Frederick. This is a story of how one man's far-fetched idea built an unlikely empire and forever changed the world's relationship with ice. Learn more in the show n...

Today, we have turned a Waffle House conversation with Mike Caston into our classic 5-minute water short. For those familiar with Mike Caston, you'd know encapsulating his insights in just five minutes feels ambitious. Widely recognized in South Carolina, Mike has devoted nearly 30 years as the CEO of SJWD Water District in upstate South Carolina. View Show Notes Here.

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...

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...

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 w...

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 gre...

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.