Clean Water Works

Tech Roundup: Drones, Automation, and Clean Water

Send us a textTechnology continues to transform how the Sewer District manages wastewater and stormwater. Process Analyst Ron Maichle explains how the District's drone program evolved from emergency-response support to an essential tool for project planning and monitoring. Engineer Joe Reese demystifies the elaborate control systems that allow operators to monitor and manage entire treatment facilities from centralized locations.  What technological solution will transform water management next?

Ohio's Infrastructure Report Card

Send us a textThe newly released 2025 Ohio Infrastructure Report Card delivers a sobering assessment of the systems we rely on daily but rarely think about. Ohio has made modest improvements since the last American Society of Civil Engineers' report in 2021, yet vulnerabilities persist.Sewer District employees (and ASCE members) Derek Vogel and Lita Laven walk us through the grades and explain how federal infrastructure funding has breathed new life into long-neglected systems, particularly benefiting water, transit, and bridge projects across the state. However, the looming expiration of this funding in 2027 threatens to erase these hard-won gains. And with Ohio's stormwater infrastructure approaching the end of its designed lifespan, we're facing a perfect storm of aging systems and increasingly intense rainfall events. Check out the complete 2025 Infrastructure Report Card to see how your state's vital systems measure up.

Sustainability at the Sewer District

Send us a textWhat does sustainability mean for a wastewater utility? Sustainability Manager Marie Fechik-Kirk shares her thoughts on environmental stewardship at the Sewer District. Under Marie's guidance, the NEORSD has integrated sustainability into its everyday operations and engineering projects. Listeners will also discover sustainability tips for their own homes to make an environmental impact while helping their budget. For NEORSD employees:Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) at the NEORSD provide a great opportunity for employees to learn new things and network with other employees. Learn more about our Sustainability ERG.Also, sustainability can be integrated into your work goals. Check out our Sustainability Plan to see how we’ve integrated sustainability into many areas, from Analytical Services to Watersheds Design.For more information, contact Marie Fechik-Kirk at Fechik-KirkM@neorsd.org  

Wastewater Surveillance and Community Health

Send us a textA 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.

2025 Ohio Stormwater Conference

Send us a textMike 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