In this episode, Millicent discusses the "long haul" of environmental litigation and the danger of speaking truth to power in a region where dissent is often met with force. While her children provided the final spark that pulled her back into the front lines, it is Millicent’s decades of community organizing and legal due process that are turning local challenges into systemic opportunities for restoration.

This season, we explore the ever-changing nature of water advocacy. From emerging threats to new opportunities, these stories reveal a movement that is constantly evolving—just like the rivers, lakes, and coastlines these advocates work to protect.

There is no such thing as a typical day for a Waterkeeper. Through these episodes, we’ll uncover the many ways they respond to challenges on the ground, adapt to shifting environmental realities, and fight to safeguard clean water for their communities.

Whether you’re a long-time environmental advocate or just beginning to learn about the movement, join us as we continue to amplify voices from around the world—and push forward the mission to protect everyone’s right to clean water.

Despite improved water quality, public perception lags; a 2020 survey found most believed the river unsafe. Reinsborough says people do swim (herself included), and urban beaches test safe about 85% of the time, with results aggregated on Swim Guide and advice to wait 24–48 hours after heavy rain. She discusses the Swimmable Cities Alliance and swimming as human “rewilding.” Additional priorities include road salt, 85+ fish species, American eel decline due to 50+ dams, PFAS and microplastics, and nuclear waste concerns. She also describes River School (launched 2023 at River House), reaching about 4,000 students with hands-on watershed, biodiversity, and water-quality education, including a birchbark canoe module.

This season, we spotlight the unique threats, challenges, and opportunities these advocates face in their regions—while also uncovering the shared mission that connects their work: ensuring everyone’s right to clean water.

From defending free-flowing rivers and engaging communities through education, to the urgent fight to protect and monitor waterways—even in the midst of armed conflict—we’ll explore how water advocacy is both deeply local and inherently global.

Because as we know, water does not recognize borders. Defending it must be a collective, international effort.

Whether you’re an experienced advocate or just beginning to learn about the global movement for clean water, join us this season as we amplify voices from around the world and continue the fight for equity in every drop.

Bocas de Ceniza Waterkeeper Liliana Guerrero joins the conversation with insights into her organization's mission to protect Columbian rivers, wetlands, and coastal zones through community engagement, legal advocacy, and scientific monitoring. She speaks on the significance of wetlands and  Ramsar sites in Colombia (the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an international treaty established in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands), describing their role as critical habitats for over 190 migratory bird species. Underlining the threats these habitats face, such as deforestation, contamination, and climate change, Liliana notes the accelerated rate of wetland decline compared to forests. She elaborates on her work in the legislative field, coordinating efforts to recognize Colombia's rivers as legal entities deserving of special ecological and cultural protection. She also stresses the significant role civil society and Waterkeeper groups play in promoting wetland governance, defending environmental defenders, and translating global frameworks into actionable local projects.

Learn how Waterkeeper Alliance and Waterkeeper groups are at the forefront of combating environmental threats like PFAS, the so-called "forever chemicals," and 6PPD, a toxic compound from vehicle tires. Chelsea explains the serious risks posed by PFAS and how Waterkeeper Alliance, in collaboration with local Waterkeeper groups, is gathering data, supporting litigation, and advocating for stronger regulations. At the same time, they are working together to address 6PPD, a harmful rubber additive that breaks down into 6PPD-quinone, which is devastating to aquatic ecosystems, particularly salmon populations.

The episode also highlights initiatives like the Global Plastics Treaty and the International Plastic Pellet Count, both aimed at tackling plastic pollution. While Chelsea emphasizes the importance of collective action and stronger regulations, she also points to positive signs of industry involvement and growing public awareness. The conversation concludes with Chelsea emphasizing the importance of securing protections for the Eastern Hellbender under the Endangered Species Act. As a key indicator species for ecosystem health, protecting this ancient salamander highlights the vital connections between nature, wildlife, and people.

In this upcoming series, we’re taking a closer look at clean water defense, examining the challenges we face and the progress we’re making to protect our waterways, restore fragile ecosystems, and ensure everyone has access to clean, safe drinking water.

We’ll highlight the incredible work being done to tackle pervasive pollution from plastic waste and toxic chemicals like PFAS and 6PPD. We'll discuss the importance of international collaboration for wetlands protections and explore solutions to nonpoint source pollution, the leading cause of water quality issues in rivers, lakes, and coastal areas worldwide.

This is a pivotal moment for clean water. Together, we can stand up against the erosion of laws and regulations, ensuring that the protection of people and the environment comes before corporate interests. 

We’ll hear from advocates, experts, and community leaders who are united in our fight to advance actionable solutions and scientifically sound policies that ensure water is clean, safe, and accessible for all.

So, whether you’re a seasoned environmental advocate or new to the cause, we invite you to join us to listen, learn, and amplify the call for equity in every drop.

He gives first-hand accounts of the environmental and social toll of concentrated animal feeding operations on adjacent communities, including the pollution of drinking water, adverse health effects, and damage to local ecosystems. Reverend Melvin underscores how these industrial practices endanger the health, livelihoods, and well-being of his neighbors, emphasizing the moral responsibility to protect clean air and water for all.

Through his collaboration with Waterkeeper Alliance, Reverend Melvin demonstrates the transformative power of stewardship, spiritual commitment, and collective action in addressing environmental challenges. He highlights the importance of community engagement, scientific research, and partnerships across various sectors to create sustainable solutions.

This episode explores the intersection of faith and environmental advocacy, showing how spiritual leadership can inspire meaningful change, foster justice, and guide efforts toward sustainable community development.

Dr. Heaney discusses his research on the link between high-density animal production and human health, sharing his journey from personal curiosity to academic inquiry. He stresses the urgent need to address these health risks and the importance of considering the lived experiences of affected communities when crafting regulatory policies. The conversation also touches on broader issues of environmental justice, with an emphasis on the need for a proactive approach to protect public health from the impacts of industrial livestock operations.

Another key topic is the promising, yet controversial, biogas technology used to capture methane from livestock waste to produce renewable energy. While this technology may seem like an innovative solution, Dr. Heaney raises concerns about its potential risks. He warns that these biogas facilities could worsen health problems for nearby residents, particularly through the release of pollutants such as hydrogen sulfide. He also points to the unsettling possibility that these facilities could become as hazardous as fossil fuel industries, especially in the event of catastrophic failures due to natural disasters like hurricanes, which frequently affect regions like North Carolina.

Dr. Heaney further advocates for more robust and proactive community engagement and public health surveillance. He stresses the importance of active surveillance and systematic testing, which could provide early warnings for emerging health threats, particularly those related to zoonotic diseases, which can transfer from animals to humans. In a global health context, such surveillance is crucial as the world continues to face the challenges posed by pandemics and their widespread effects.

Sandy Bihn, Lake Erie Waterkeeper from Toledo, Ohio, provides an on-the-ground perspective by sharing the devastating local impacts of CAFOs on Lake Erie. She details the rise of harmful algal blooms and the political and economic obstacles affected communities face.

Both guests emphasize the urgent need for more robust regulatory measures and call on large agribusinesses to take responsibility for their environmental impact. This episode highlights the human and ecological costs of industrial agriculture’s water pollution while underscoring the critical need for public awareness and action. 

The discussion covers the extensive pollution caused by swine and poultry farms in North Carolina, the devastating effects of hurricanes on these facilities, and the subsequent impacts on water quality, ecosystems, and public health. Key topics include the pollution from nitrogen and phosphorus leading to algae blooms, the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the inadequacies in CAFO waste management and regulation. 

The guests highlight the challenges faced in regulating non-point source pollution, the powerful industry lobbying, and the urgent need for more stringent policies, while underscoring the importance of sustainable farming practices. 

This episode is a call to action for better regulation and transparency to protect the environment and public health from the adverse effects of industrial agriculture.

The conversation provides an overview of factory farming, including the impacts on waterways and ecosystems, as well as the burdens placed on local communities. Larry Baldwin, who has worked on the issue of factory farms and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), brings decades of insight and experience to the conversation. Jamie Berger, who spent years documenting the issue for The Smell of Money, is reunited with Larry Baldwin, who is featured prominently in her film.

The episode highlights the true cost of factory farms and provides the listener with a transparent look at who is paying the cost for all those sides of bacon. 

Welcome back to Equity In Every Drop, where we continue to spotlight the vital work of the Waterkeeper movement in the fight for clean, safe, and equitable water for all. In our first series, we explored the intersection of water, climate change, and environmental justice with guests from the United States, Senegal, and The Bahamas. 

WHAT TO EXPECT IN SEASON 2

Now, in our second series, we explore factory farms — industrial facilities that wreak havoc on water and air quality, human health, and the economic well-being of residents and small scale farmers.  These operations, often shielded from public scrutiny, release toxins that contaminate local water sources, degrade air quality, and harm surrounding communities.

Join host Thomas Hynes as we bring you compelling conversations with legal experts, health officials, and local community members who endure the consequences of these toxic facilities. Together, we uncover the true cost of factory farming and highlight the resilience, resistance, and hope of those on the front lines of this environmental struggle.

LISTEN, LEARN, AND TAKE ACTION

Whether you're a seasoned advocate for clean water or just starting to understand the impacts of factory farming on our environment and communities, this series provides the insights and inspiration needed to make a difference. We examine the policies, actions, and solutions required to combat these harms and work towards a future where every drop of water is safe, clean, and equitable.

To learn more about our global movement and how you can support the fight for environmental justice, visit waterkeeper.org.

Stay tuned for another season of powerful conversations that demand equity in every drop!

The conversation delves into the safety concerns, environmental impacts, and years-long advocacy that led to the plant’s decommissioning. Host Thomas Hynes, who has a personal connection to the area, guides listeners through the intricacies of nuclear power regulation, the significant threats posed by plant operations, and the complicated process of shutting it down. 

The episode also highlights the ongoing challenges of decommissioning, including dealing with radioactive waste and ensuring local communities transition smoothly after the plant's closure. The dialogue underscores the importance of state involvement and transparent, community-driven oversight in handling nuclear facilities.

The episode wraps up with insights from Brandon Jones, the Catawba Riverkeeper, who elaborates on the local impact of coal ash on communities in North Carolina and South Carolina, the legal struggles against Duke Energy, and the larger effort to prioritize environmental restoration and protection. Brandon discusses the future of Catawba Riverkeeper, shifting focus from coal ash litigation to broader restoration projects, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and volunteer efforts. Through these compelling interviews, the episode paints a comprehensive picture of the dangers of coal ash and the tireless efforts of environmental advocates to combat this ongoing threat.

Additionally, Daryl Vigil of the Water and Tribes Initiative underscores the imperative role of tribes in managing water resources and achieving sustainable water use through collaborative problem-solving. Vigil’s narrative highlights the exclusion of tribes from water management decisions and the dire need for inclusive, equitable solutions that honor Indigenous knowledge and rights. Both guests advocate for a transformative approach to river management, prioritizing natural solutions and respectful engagement with tribal wisdom and leadership to navigate the river’s uncertain future.

The discussion illuminates the importance of the ocean to Bahamians, touching on job dependence, cultural significance, and the environmental risks of potential oil drilling in the region. The episode delves into the economic implications of preserving the ocean and coral reefs against the backdrop of climate change, with particular attention to threats like hurricanes and rising sea temperatures. It emphasizes the broad public support for a ban on oil drilling, highlighted by a recent poll showing 85% of Bahamians in favor of this action, which could elevate The Bahamas as an example on the global stage that a sustainable future free of fossil fuels is possible.

The conversation also addresses the importance of legislative support, community involvement, and the role future generations play in sustainable environmental policies. Overall, this episode not only showcases the threats facing The Bahamas but also the determined efforts and positive steps toward preserving its natural beauty for future generations.

Reverend Dr. Gerald Durley reflects on his journey from the civil rights movement to environmental advocacy, highlighting the critical relationship between human rights and environmental justice. Both guests discuss the importance of individual and collective action in addressing the climate crisis, advocating for sustainable practices, policy changes, and the importance of engaging communities and leaders to ensure water quality, quantity, and security for all, particularly vulnerable communities already bearing the brunt of climate change.

Whether you're a seasoned advocate or new to the cause of clean water, join us to listen, learn, and amplify the demand for equity in every drop.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN SERIES 1

Hosted by Thomas Hynes, Waterkeeper Alliance

From the crystal-clear waters of The Bahamas to the vibrant landscapes of Sénégal and the environmental battlegrounds throughout the United States, this six-episode series will explore the critical climate-related threats to our water quality, quantity, and security and reveal the realities facing vulnerable communities already bearing the brunt of climate change.

To learn about our global water movement and how to get involved, visit waterkeeper.org.