When the Cloud Gets Thirsty: How Data Centers Use Our Water
Data centers power the internet, cloud storage, and AI—but they also consume enormous amounts of water. In this episode, Elias and Ian have a conversation about balancing technological progress with the fundamental need for water.
When Lakes Turn Green: Harmful Algal Blooms and the Water We Drink
Harmful algal blooms are becoming more common in lakes and rivers—but what do they actually mean for people and drinking water? In this episode, Saliyah speaks with Aden about the causes and effects of harmful algal blooms, and the challenge drinking water treatment faces. The conversation also highlights how everyday actions connect to water quality and community health.
The Plastics You Can’t See in Water
Microplastics are everywhere—from the water we drink to the food we eat—yet most of them are too small to see. In this episode, Paul speaks with Abby about what microplastics are, how they enter water systems and food webs, and why wastewater treatment plays a critical role in their spread.
Water From Source to Tap
Where does tap water come from, and what happens to it before it reaches your glass? In this episode, Gursi speaks with Elisha about the journey of drinking water—from rivers and aquifers through treatment processes like coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
When It Rains, Where Does the Sewage Go?
Why do some cities release wastewater into rivers during heavy rain, and how is that even allowed? In this episode, Justin and Fouad explain combined sewer overflows (CSOs)—why older cities like Philadelphia have them, how they affect rivers and recreation, and what the landmark Green City, Clean Waters initiative is trying to achieve.
Why Does My Tap Water Smell Like a Pool?
Have you ever turned on the tap and noticed a smell that reminds you of a swimming pool? In this episode, Rae and Jubean explore why chlorine is added to drinking water, how it protects us from harmful microbes, and why that faint chlorine smell is actually a sign of safety.
The Science Behind Taste and Odor in Drinking Water
Would you drink water that smells unpleasant, even if it looks clear? In this episode, Hector, Catie, and Amanda explore why drinking water can sometimes have earthy, musty, chlorinous, or rotten-egg odors, and how microorganisms and their chemical byproducts drive these taste and odor events.
Would You Drink Tap Water? Science, Trust, and What’s Really in Your Glass
Is tap water really safe to drink? In this episode, Chen speak with Ewangga about how drinking water is treated in the U.S., why contaminants like PFAS raise concern, and what went wrong during the Flint water crisis. This conversation also explores how science, engineering, and trust shape our everyday relationship with tap water in the global scale.
Episodes are produced by students as part of a course assignment and do not necessarily represent the views of the course instructor or the University of Illinois.