Waste(d)water, a groundbreaking podcast from The Nature Conservancy, exposes one of the world's dirtiest secrets: wastewater pollution. Eighty percent of global wastewater enters our waterways without adequate treatment, taking a toll on both human and ecological health. In this series, we invite experts from across disciplines and geographies to unpack this complex challenge and share real-world solutions. From resource recovery to community engagement to green infrastructure, we can reshape how we perceive and manage wastewater.
7. Why aren't we collaborating? Silos, sewage & solutions
Why are public health and ecological health protection efforts so siloed – and do cross-sector wastewater management solutions exist? In this episode of The Nature Conservancy’s waste(d)water podcast, host Sydney Bezanson explores how WASH and conservation sectors can collaborate on wastewater management for the health of both people and nature. Experts share insights on enabling conditions, financing strategies, and innovative models like water funds that unite stakeholders for resilient water systems. We hear from Kate Harawa and Kelly Latham from the non-profit Water for People, Haleemah Qureshi from the non-profit Aquaya and Maria Cristina De La Paz from The Nature Conservancy.
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Visit the podcast blog (https://wastedwaterpod.blogspot.com/) for show notes and resources referenced in the episode.
23 Oct 2025
6. Making the case for nature-based wastewater solutions (featuring Reef Exchanges)
Can green infrastructure play a vital role in improving wastewater management solutions? In this segment of the waste(d)water podcast, we feature a special episode from Reef Exchanges, a podcast produced by The Nature Conservancy’s Reef Resilience Network. Each edition of Reef Exchanges features an in-depth discussion around the latest developments in marine science and management, linking strategies and insights to concrete actions and useful tools. In this episode, hosts Henry Borrebach andKristen Maize speak with Dr. Rob McDonald, Lead Scientist for Nature-based Solutions at The Nature Conservancy. They introduce nature-based solutions (NbS) as an alternative - and sometimes compliment - to traditional gray infrastructure through use of natural processes to capture and treat contaminated water before discharge into waterways. They also share suggestions for how marine managers can build support for NbS to advance implementation of low-cost, long-term solutions with multiple benefits.
Explore other episodes of the Reef Exchanges Podcast (https://reefresilience.org/reefexchangespodcast/) here. And so you never miss an episode of the waste(d)water pod, subscribe on YouTube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts and follow on IG (https://www.instagram.com/wastedwaterpod) and X (https://www.x.com/wastedwaterpod) @wastedwaterpod for updates. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate the show so we can continue making more content.
Visit the podcast blog (https://wastedwaterpod.blogspot.com/) for shownotes, including guest bios and resources referenced in the episode.
Dr. Rob McDonald is the Lead Scientist for Nature-based Solutions for The Nature Conservancy where he conducts research on the impact and dependencies of communities on the natural world, studying how nature can increase resilience in the face of climate change and improve human health and well-being. He received his Ph.D. in Ecology from Duke University and has expertise in ecosystem services, biodiversity preservation and urban planning.
Post-production services for the waste(d)water podcast provided by Two Aspen Audio.
25 Sept 2025
5. Liquid assets: The rise of recycled water
Could wastewater become our most valuable water source? In this episode of The Nature Conservancy’s waste(d)water podcast, host Kassie Morton explores how Florida is leading the way in recycling wastewater to combat water scarcity, protect ecosystems, and support agriculture. Featuring insights from experts in utilities, conservation, and agriculture, guests Lynn Spivey, Kerry Kates and Garrett Wallace dive into the science, safety, and public perception of water reuse—including potable applications. Discover how reclaimed water is reshaping infrastructure, policy, and community engagement, and why it’s a key solution for climate resilience. Tune in to learn how wastewater is being transformed from a problem into a resource.
So you never miss an episode, subscribe on YouTube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts and follow on IG (https://www.instagram.com/wastedwaterpod) and X (https://www.x.com/wastedwaterpod) @wastedwaterpod for updates. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate the show so we can continue making more content.
Visit the podcast blog (https://wastedwaterpod.blogspot.com/) for shownotes, including guest bios and resources referenced in the episode.
10 Sept 2025
4. Burden or benefit? Recovering resources from wastewater
Could the waste we flush power our homes and grow our food? In this episode of The Nature Conservancy’s waste(d)water podcast, host Kassie Morton explores the surprising potential of domestic wastewater and how biosolids and biogas can transform pollution into renewable energy, sustainable fertilizer, and climate solutions. From cutting-edge tech like the NEWgenerator to community-led models in Haiti, Drs. Daniel Yeh and Sasha Kramer and policy expert Maile Lono-Batura uncover how circular sanitation can protect ecosystems, boost food security, and reduce emissions. We also dive into how challenges like PFAS contamination, financing and public perception persist. Tune in to learn how wastewater is being transformed from a problem into a resource.
So you never miss an episode, subscribe on YouTube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and follow us on IG (https://www.instagram.com/wastedwaterpod/)and X (https://x.com/wastedwaterpod) @wastedwaterpod for updates. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate the show so we can continue making more content.
Visit the podcast blog (https://wastedwaterpod.blogspot.com/) for shownotes, including guest bios and resources referenced in the episode.
27 Aug 2025
3. The price of pollution: Wastewater's surprising drain on the economy
Untreated wastewater isn’t just an environmental crisis — it’s an economic one. In this episode of The Nature Conservancy’s waste(d)water podcast, host Kassie Morton learns from experts Jasmine Fournier from the Ocean Sewage Alliance, Shivangi Jain from Economist Impact, and Lindsay Stradley from Fresh Life, as they unpack the hidden financial toll of wastewater pollution across fisheries, agriculture, and human health. Drawing from a groundbreaking report, they reveal billions in annual losses across five countries, where innovative sanitation models are reshaping urban resilience. The episode explores how quantifying these costs can drive smarter investments, policy reform, and circular economy solutions. Tune in to learn how ignoring wastewater is costing us more than you’d think.
So you never miss an episode, subscribe on YouTube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and follow us on IG (https://www.instagram.com/wastedwaterpod/)and X (https://x.com/wastedwaterpod) @wastedwaterpod for updates. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate the show so we can continue making more content.
Visit the podcast blog (https://wastedwaterpod.blogspot.com/) for shownotes (see this episode's (https://wastedwaterpod.blogspot.com/2025/08/episode-three-show-notes.html)), including guest bios and resources referenced in the episode.
21 Jul 2025
2. Dilution may not be the solution: The global footprint of wastewater pollution
Where does our wastewater really go — and what is it doing to our oceans? In this episode of The Nature Conservancy’s waste(d)water podcast, host Kassie Morton speaks with Dr. Ben Halpern and Dr. Cascade Tuholske about their groundbreaking global model that maps nutrient and pathogen pollution from human waste for over 135,000 watersheds. Discover how 25 of these watersheds contribute nearly half of the world’s wastewater nitrogen, why even advanced treatment systems can harm ecosystems, and how our diets play a surprising role. This eye-opening conversation reveals the hidden scale of wastewater pollution and offers hope for data-driven solutions for healthier oceans and communities.
So you never miss an episode, subscribe on YouTube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts, follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/wastedwaterpod/) and X (https://x.com/wastedwaterpod) @wastedwaterpod. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate the show so we can continue making more content.
Visit the podcast blog (https://wastedwaterpod.blogspot.com/) for shownotes (see this episode's (https://wastedwaterpod.blogspot.com/2025/08/episode-2-show-notes.html)), including guest bios and resources referenced in the episode.
20 Jul 2025
1. Past the point of no return? Stories of impact & resilience
Can ecosystems damaged from wastewater pollution bounce back? In this episode of The Nature Conservancy’s waste(d)water podcast, host Kassie Morton explores the ecological toll of untreated wastewater on coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and coastal habitats — and the inspiring stories of recovery. Featuring insights from Dr. Marcus Beck and Dr. Amy Zimmer-Faust, the episode highlights how science, community collaboration, and conservation leadership are turning the tide. From Tampa Bay’s seagrass revival to wastewater reforms in Hawai‘i and Honduras, this episode reveals that with the right tools and partnerships, nature can heal. Tune in to discover why sustainable wastewater management is key to climate resilience and biodiversity protection.
So you never miss an episode, subscribe on YouTube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts, follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/wastedwaterpod/) and X (https://x.com/wastedwaterpod) @wastedwaterpod. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate the show so we can continue making more content.
Visit the podcast blog (https://wastedwaterpod.blogspot.com/) for shownotes (see this episode's (https://wastedwaterpod.blogspot.com/2025/08/episode-1-is-now-available-see-show.html)), including guest bios and resources referenced in the episode.
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