The Clean Water Pod

All Episodes (13)

From new to old

From new to old From old to new

1. 

   1. The Power of Partnership in Maryland’s Choptank River Watershed

   The Choptank River flows through Delaware and Maryland into the Chesapeake Bay, serving as an important fishery for the region. Working to improve the health of this watershed, the Envision the Choptank partnership takes a team approach in its efforts to advance water quality, support the ongoing oyster restoration and engage a wide range of stakeholders. In this episode, host Jeff Berckes speaks with the partnership coordinator behind Envision the Choptank, as well as one of its partners and bi

   Mar 26,2024 55:54
2. 

   2. Oysters: Redefining New Hampshire's Restoration and Restaurant Scenes

   Great Bay is a large flooded inland estuary, located along New Hampshire’s coast, and part of the U.S. EPA’s National Estuaries Program. The bay is a recreational resource and recreational fishery, home to a growing oyster aquaculture which supports water quality improvements. In this episode, host Jeff Berckes speaks with environmental scientists, a shellfish farmer, and a chef that prioritizes locally-sourced food – like Great Bay oysters – to explore the impacts of nutrient reductions to the

   Feb 27,2024 01:13:38
3. 

   3. Maryland’s Solution to Nutrient Pollution in the Chesapeake Bay

   Containing the largest estuary in the United States, the Chesapeake Bay watershed includes almost the entire state of Maryland. This important cultural, economic and natural resource was in decline due to an increase in nutrients entering the Bay. In an effort to restore water quality, Maryland’s Bay Restoration Fund (BRF) was established in 2004, creating a dedicated fund to upgrade wastewater treatment plants to meet nutrient reduction goals. Join host Jeff Berckes as he interviews four enviro

   Feb 05,2024 56:33
4. 

   4. Reducing Nutrient Pollution from Septic Systems in Montana’s Flathead Basin

   Addressing nutrient pollution resulting from underperforming septic systems in Montana’s scenic Flathead Lake Basin is the topic of episode two. Host Jeff Berckes is joined by three environmental science professionals to discuss issues associated with septic systems, how they can impact water quality, and the role homeowners can play in preventing this type of pollution. They also share their latest research and innovative partner projects that tackle this source of nutrients.About our guests:Em

   Dec 27,2023 01:04:33
5. 

   5. Too Much of a Good Thing: The Role of Nutrients in Water

   Host Jeff Berckes kicks-off season two by discussing the role of nutrients in water quality. He is joined by professors Jamie Vaudrey and Jim Cotner to speak about phosphorus and nitrogen – two common nutrients found in freshwater and coastal ecosystems. They explore what these nutrients are, where they come from, and how they impact water quality.About our guests:Jamie Vaudrey is an assistant research professor with the Department of Marine Sciences at the University of Connecticut. She also se

   Nov 06,2023 59:08
6. 

   6. Perspectives on the Next 50 Years of the Clean Water Act

   In the final episode of season one, host Jeff Berckes begins by speaking with Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water at the Environmental Protection Agency, Benita Best-Wong. The season has covered the programs and successes of the first 50 years of the Clean Water Act, and culminates with perspectives from Best-Wong and excerpts from previous guests about the biggest clean water challenges for the next 50 years.About our guest:Benita Best-Wong is the deputy assistant administrator for the Off

   Jun 05,2023 55:42
7. 

   7. The 4-1-1 on the 319 Program - Nonpoint Problems, Pointed Solutions

   States, territories and tribes receive Section 319 grant money to support a wide variety of activities – such as technical assistance, education, training and monitoring – for specific nonpoint source implementation projects. During this episode, hear about the role of local support, volunteer monitoring, and building strong partnerships that make nonpoint programs succeed!  About our guests: Steve Konrady joined the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Water Quality Bureau in 2016 and is curren

   Apr 25,2023 46:51
8. 

   8. Let’s Get to The Point – The NPDES Episode

   Join host Jeff Berckes and guests to get to the "point" of "point source pollution." The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program, commonly referred to by its acronym, “NPDES,” addresses water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants to waters of the United States. During this episode, learn about the types of NPDES permits, who needs a permit, and how they are developed.About our guests:Joe Haberek joined the Rhode Island Department of Environmental

   Mar 24,2023 47:13
9. 

   9. Unraveling Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs): The Math and the Path to Restoring a Waterbody

   How much is too much? A Total Maximum Daily Load, or TMDL, is both the calculation and the plan to meet water quality standards. A TMDL defines the maximum amount of a specific pollutant allowed to be in a waterbody for it to meet designated water quality standards. While a specific equation, a TMDL is also what we call the plan that outlines how to reduce pollutant loads. TMDLs are typically developed by states and approved by the EPA, and represent a watershed-level strategy to meet the goals

   Feb 16,2023 44:28
10. 

    10. Is it Safe to Swim? Answering Important Questions with the Impaired Waters List

    You can’t solve a problem until you know what’s there, and the Clean Water Act’s impaired waters list helps to define the state of our waters. To get to fishable, swimmable waters we need to figure out which waters are impaired by what pollutants. The impaired waters list connects the goals of water quality standards with monitoring data to help states understand and prioritize water quality improvement projects. About our guests:  Miranda Nichols is the Data Analysis Unit Supervisor with the Mi

    Jan 18,2023 38:49
11. 

    11. Getting Our Feet Wet With Water Quality Monitoring

    This month we’re diving into the world of water quality monitoring. The "how" of achieving clean water can be messy – but crucial – work. Monitoring helps guide decisions surrounding the implementation of the rest of the Clean Water Act. We’ll explore the elements of successful water quality monitoring programs, where these programs are heading, and hear a couple success stories along the way.  About our guests:  Monty Porter – Monty has worked for the Oklahoma Water Resource Board for the past

    Dec 19,2022 46:11
12. 

    12. Setting Expectations with Water Quality Standards

    We're back to continue diving into the Clean Water Act! In this episode we discuss water quality standards – an important program that helps set the course for work within the Clean Water Act. Follow us @cleanwaterpod on Twitter to keep up to date with the latest from The Clean Water Pod! About our guests:Jennifer Wigal is the Water Quality Administrator for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Jennifer has spent the last 14 years working for DEQ in their standards program.Thoma

    Nov 23,2022 38:39
13. 

    13. The Clean Water Act Turns 50

    In honor of the Clean Water Act’s 50th anniversary on October 18, 2022, the Clean Water Pod podcast is launching to explore clean water efforts across the country. In this first episode, host Jeff Berckes is joined by John Goodin, former director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, and Tom Stiles, director of the Bureau of Water for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, to talk about their experience working in clean water administ

    Oct 18,2022 45:30