Every two weeks, we'll bring you new episodes of “Make It Clear” that cover timely and relevant topics in the water and wastewater industries. Our guests will also provide their unique insights as we discuss the world’s most precious resource.While our content is mainly geared toward water and wastewater professionals, we welcome everyone who’d like to listen.
March 27, 2024
In this episode, Angela and Shawn discuss the importance of recognizing World Water Day and the ongoing need for water conservation efforts. They highlight the repetitiveness of water conservation discussions and the necessity of having dedicated days to raise awareness. The theme of this year's World Water Day is 'Water for Peace,' focusing on water scarcity and lack of access to clean water. The conversation also includes alarming statistics on the number of people without access to safe drinking water and proper wastewater facilities. Angela and Shawn emphasize the impact of waterborne illnesses and the importance of managed wastewater systems. They express their desire for universal access to clean water and the role of awareness and education in achieving this goal. The conversation concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to share water awareness content and contribute to solving the world's water problems. If you have comments or questions about our podcast, you can reach us through this link. To discuss a project or talk to one of our engineers, call 800-348-9843.
View Details
March 14, 2024
In this episode, we discuss vacation homes and short-term rentals with Cory Lyon, and Aaron Yates. Cory and Aaron define vacation homes and highlight the trend of people frequently renting out their properties. The conversation explores the variations in vacation homes by region, including examples from California, the Midwest, and the Northeast. We also discuss the design considerations and best technology for short-term rentals which leads to the importance of maintenance and monitoring systems for optimal performance. The conversation concludes with a discussion on transitioning between vacation rentals and permanent residences and the need for clear communication and instructions for guests.
February 22, 2024
Mike Saunders joins us for another engaging discussion. This time, the conversation explores the concept of aging infrastructure in the wastewater industry. It discusses the two main aspects of aging infrastructure: deteriorating functionality and becoming obsolete. The timeline for infrastructure to be considered aging varies, with some systems losing functionality as early as 10 years. Not surprisingly, the problem of aging infrastructure is significant, with thousands of sewer overflows reported and billions of dollars spent on repairs and maintenance.
In his book "Start With Why", author Simon Sinek talks about inspiration, and discovering your drive and passion for doing what inspires you. In a departure from our normal format, Angela and I take some time to talk about our own personal "why". We talk about what drives us and inspires us to be a part of this industry and a part of Orenco Systems. What drives you? Do you have a passion for what you do? Do you know what your "why" is?
January 11, 2024
Looking for information regarding our industry can seem overwhelming. There are a lot of places out there that will provide you with information. Some of it is good, and some...not so good. Sometimes, finding reputable sources can be a challenge. To help you out, we have put together a brief list of websites, textbooks, tradeshows, and publications to get you started.
December 21, 2023
In the wastewater industry, being an equipment dealer means so much more than just selling equipment. There is often more to a project than just the parts and piece that go into an installation. Many dealers often offer additional services or resources that can help in every phase of a project. Engineers sometimes need product specs or design assistance. Installers may ask for installation advice, instructions, or drawings, and service providers might need help with processes, testing procedures, and the like. Dealers fill an important role in this industry and we want to highlight some of them to talk about that role and how they can bring value to your project. In this episode, Angela and I talk with Steve Barry with AQWA in North Carolina.
December 7, 2023
Every industry has acronyms or uses some kind of shorthand to convey information. If you have been in any particular industry for an extended period of time, you have probably picked up on many of them. Many of us use them on a daily basis and often forget that new industry members or those outside the industry don't understand what we mean when we use them. In this episode, Angela and I try to "lift the curtain" on some of the more common acronyms and help you understand what is being talked about.
November 23, 2023
For the last 40 years, control panels have been an integral part of the solutions offered by Orenco Systems. Over the years, our Controls division has branched out to meet the needs of, not just the wastewater industry, but the water industry as a whole. We provide control solutions for projects of all sizes. In this episode, we talk with Bill Cagle, the Vice President of the Controls division, and Jerry Snyder, Sales Director for Controls, about the capabilities of our panel manufacturing facility, and the solutions available to the industry through our electrical engineering team.
November 9, 2023
Change happens all around us. Some changes are easy. Other changes are much more involved. And then, there are changes that are so profound that they change the way we think about something in a radically new fashion. It's a paradigm shift; you see a part of your world in a whole new way. Believe it or not, there have been several paradigm shifts in relation to wastewater over the centuries. In this episode, Angela and I look at a few of them and talk about why they are so profound.
October 19, 2023
There's always something happening in the world of wastewater and some of those things are news-worthy. Every so often, Angela and I will look at what's happening in our industry and bring you relevant articles that are worth noting. In this episode, we will cover several interesting stories that received recent attention. You can find these articles through the links below. Water and Wastewater Treatment Market – Global Industry Analysis. Precedence Research. July 2023 https://www.precedenceresearch.com/water-and-wastewater-treatment-market Would You Drink Wastewater? What if It Was Beer? New York Times. July 22, 2023. By Claire Fahy. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/22/business/beer-recycled-wastewater.html?auth=login-google1tap&login=google1tap Research finds improved wastewater treatment could lead to significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Phys.org. March 23, 2023. Maggie Rotermund. https://phys.org/news/2023-03-wastewater-treatment-significant-reduction-greenhouse.html New study: Even treated wastewater affects our rivers. Phys.org. August 10, 2023. Anke Sauter. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-wastewater-affects-rivers.html As wastewater reuse expands, proponents battle the ‘yuck’ factor. The Philadelphia Inquirer. August 15, 2023. Jim Robbins. https://www.inquirer.com/health/wastewater-safety-reuse-shortage-20230815.html If you have comments or questions about our podcast, you can reach us through this link. To discuss a project or talk to one of our engineers, call 800-348-9843.