The Outfall Podcast

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 t…

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…

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 in…

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 engin…

$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 R…

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 …

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 involv…

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…

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 h…

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." …

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 minut…

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 pri…

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…

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,…

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.