Beyond the Flush: Using Particle Accelerators and ‘Bugs’ to Save Millions

About this episode

This episode explores innovative wastewater treatment solutions and the use of particle physics to tackle environmental challenges.

Most of us don’t think twice about what happens after we flush, but Jay Bernas spends every waking hour thinking about it. As the CEO of the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD), Jay oversees a "quasi-state" regional powerhouse that treats wastewater for nearly 2 million people. But this isn't your grandfather’s utility—HRSD is a world-class R&D incubator that holds global patents and collects royalties on its innovations. In this episode, Ravi and Jay pull back the curtain on the "invisible" infrastructure that keeps our communities safe. They dive into how HRSD is using Anammox bacteria and hydrocyclones to save hundreds of millions of dollars in construction costs, and why they are currently partnering with a National Particle Accelerator Lab to destroy "forever chemicals" (PFAS) using electron beams. Whether you’re a tech investor or just curious about the massive machine running beneath your feet, this conversation proves that wastewater is one of the most exciting frontiers in climate tech. In this episode, we discuss: The "Quasi-State" Advantage: Why independent governance is the secret sauce for innovation. Process…

People in this episode

Host: Ravi Kurani

Guest: Jay Bernas

Topics covered

• wastewater treatment
• innovation in utilities
• climate technology
• particle physics
• Anammox bacteria
• PFAS destruction

Keywords

• wastewater
• Anammox bacteria
• PFAS
• particle accelerators
• climate tech
• innovation
• engineering

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Hampton Roads Sanitation District, National Particle Accelerator Lab, HRSD

Places: Hampton Roads, communities, climate tech

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