Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time.

[00:02:00] Introduction Ty introduces Dr. Kyla Wood as “the Wizard of Flocculent,” and she kicks off her technical presentation.

[00:04:00] Origins and Safety of PAM Dr. Wood explains how polyacrylamides (PAMs) originated in mining and have been adapted for stormwater.

“What we really focus on is making sure we’re using high-quality products that have been toxicity tested” – Dr. Kyla Wood

[00:06:00] Why Use Flocculants? Discussing why traditional BMPs often fall short in treating fine particles like silts and clays.

“Even when we do everything right, we can have a pretty high turbidity.” – Dr. Kyla Wood

[00:10:00] What Is Polyacrylamide (PAM)? A deep dive into PAM’s uses, safety profile, and why anionic forms are preferred in passive treatment systems.

[00:14:00] How PAM Works: The Science of Flocculation Explains the polymer chain reaction and visual examples of clear vs. untreated water.

“It kind of looks like a grain of sand, when it gets wet, it'll unwind.” – Dr. Kyla Wood

[00:17:00] Ensuring Safe Use: Product Selection and Certification Key considerations: anionic charge, toxicity testing, and NSF certification.

[00:19:00] Fundamentals for Effective Use Formulation, dosage, mixing time, and flock capture techniques.

“One polymer does not work on all soil and water.” – Dr. Kyla Wood

[00:27:00] Polymer-Enhanced BMPs Use of flocculants in erosion control, sediment basins, and drain treatments.

[00:43:00] Enhanced Vegetation & Hydro Seeding The role of PAM in plant growth and hydro seeding applications.

[00:45:00] Lesser-Known Uses: Demucking & Dust Control Unique and practical applications of PAM for sediment removal and reducing dust.

“PAM offers a really great non-salt option.” – Dr. Kyla Wood

[00:51:00] Final Thoughts Ty and Kyla wrap up the session with appreciation and a nod to upcoming experiments.

“Use us as a resource if you have any questions, that’s what we’re here for.” – Dr. Kyla Wood

In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, Ty hosts Dr. Kyla Wood, Chief Science Officer at Applied Polymer Systems, for a technical deep dive into flocculants, specifically anionic polyacrylamide (PAM), and their role in stormwater management and erosion control. Dr. Wood explains how PAM works at the molecular level to bind fine particles like clay and metal, improving water clarity and enhancing traditional BMPs. She shares practical guidance on formulation, dosage, mixing, and flock capture, as well as real-world examples of polymer-enhanced BMPs, erosion control techniques, and innovative uses like demucking and dust suppression. The episode emphasizes environmental safety, regulatory compliance, and the importance of proper product selection and application.

The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.

Connect with Dr. Kyla Wood, PhD:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyla-iwinski-wood-phd-958890228/

Website: https://www.apsfloc.com/

Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:

Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/

Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57

Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A

Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com

Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/

Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time.

00:00 – 03:40 | Opening and Introduction • Ty warms up the crowd and introduces his background in stormwater and digital strategy.

05:21 – 07:49 | Gauging AI Use in the Room • Ty surveys the audience’s experience with AI. • Introduces the session goal: show tactical uses of AI, especially ChatGPT.

07:49 – 10:15 | Why Prompts Matter • The better the input, the better the output. • Uses stormwater inspection report examples to illustrate prompting quality. Quote: "The quality of the answers you get from AI depends on the quality of the questions you ask. It's not the AI, it's you." – Ty Garmon

10:15 – 12:40 | Real-World Applications in Stormwater • Use AI to: Write reports; Summarize PDFs; Simplify language for stakeholders; Create outreach content; Clarify technical information Quote: "What if you could say, ‘Hey, could you summarize this and explain it back to me as a five-year-old?’" – Ty Garmon

12:40 – 14:38 | The New Capabilities of AI Tools • ChatGPT now remembers conversations, acts like a second brain. • Shares how shared accounts can confuse context.

14:38 – 17:50 | Prompting Principles • Add detail • Give it a role and audience • Define the output format • Ask for clarifying questions • Iterate through conversation Quote: "Tell it who it is. You're a stormwater expert, you're speaking to engineers." – Ty Garmon

17:50 – 21:35 | Fine-Tuning the AI’s Voice • Use personality types to guide tone. • Recommends 16personalities.com and using your own personality in prompts.

22:33 – 29:19 | Live Q&A and Data Privacy • Audience questions around SWPPP support, privacy, and ethical use. • Ty explains OpenAI’s privacy policy, toggling web access, and content citation tools. Quote: “Never copy and paste anything that I get and assume it's rock solid... have AI double-check the other AI." – Ty Garmon

29:19 – End | AI-Generated Co-Presenter and Closing • Demo of AI-generated Ty using HeyGen and Eleven Labs. • QR code shared to access slides and software list.

In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon shares his engaging and practical presentation at the Ohio Stormwater Conference where he explains how stormwater professionals can use AI, especially ChatGPT, to save time, improve communication, and streamline workflows. Emphasizing the importance of effective prompting, Ty shares real-world applications such as writing inspection reports, simplifying regulatory language, and creating outreach content. He encourages attendees to treat AI like a new employee by offering clear, detailed instructions to get better results. Ty also introduces tools for personalizing output using personality types like ISTJ. The session concludes with a thoughtful discussion on data privacy, ethical use, and a demo of an AI-generated co-presenter, leaving attendees with actionable insights and renewed confidence in the potential of AI.

The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.

Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:

Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/

Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57

Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A

Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com

Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/

Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time.

00:06 Ty introduces the first live-recorded episode and Reggie Korthals from OHM.

“You're such a rock star around here... this is the first time we've ever done an episode live.” – Ty Garmon

00:55 Reggie shares the early days of Indiana’s MS4 meeting and its “friendly competition” with Ohio’s.

“With guidance from EPA Region 5, I got this going.” – Reggie Korthals

02:19 Record Attendance & History of Growth

“This is 400 registered, the highest I've had in 17 years.” – Reggie Korthals

03:35 Ty reads a comprehensive bio of Reggie’s 25+ year career in stormwater.

06:30 Reggie recalls a formative moment with President John F. Kennedy.

“He came over and took my hand… and said, ‘Public service.’” – Reggie Korthals

08:41 She shares her role in founding the MS4 Partnership and stepping back after 17 years.

“This is my last one. I'm going to retire at 17 years.” – Reggie Korthals

11:04 Insight into Indiana’s expanding stormwater programs.

“400 is 94–96% of the permitted entities.” – Reggie Korthals

13:00 Advice for newer participants and elected officials.

15:02 Agriculture & Stormwater Intersections

“It was very educational, understanding each other's point of view.” – Ty Garmon

15:54 Potential for broader regional partnerships and legacy reflection.

“I'd love to see Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky do something together.” – Reggie Korthals

16:53 Final Thoughts: Communicating with Electeds. Reggie emphasizes education and messaging.

“Explain what you're doing for all your constituents.” – Reggie Korthals

18:45 How to make stormwater a public priority.

“We talk to each other a lot. How do we make stormwater cool enough to get the public interested?” – Ty Garmon

19:44 Closing Reflections

“Water doesn’t care where the MS4 ends or begins. The better we can work together as a team, the better water we can get.” – Reggie Korthals

In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon sits down with Reggie Korthals, a seasoned environmental professional and founder of the Indiana MS4 Partnership, to reflect on her 25+ year career in stormwater management. Reggie shares how the MS4 Annual Meeting grew from county fairgrounds to a nationally recognized event, celebrates the record-setting 400 attendees this year, and announces her upcoming retirement after 17 years of leadership. From her early inspiration by President Kennedy to her commitment to mentoring the next generation, Reggie emphasizes the importance of collaboration, clear communication with elected officials, and ongoing public education to improve water quality. Her closing message is a reminder that "water doesn’t care where the MS4 ends or begins”—underscoring the need for unified action across communities.

The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.

Connect with Reggie Korthals:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reggie-korthals-mpa-ms4ceci-788a49160/

Indiana MS4 Partnership LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/indiana-ms4-partnership/posts/?feedView=all

Website: https://www.indianams4.org/

Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:

Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/

Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57

Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A

Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com

Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/

Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!