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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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!

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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.