Rethinking the Flush: Innovations for Coastal NC Septic

About this event

Join NC State's Climate and Sustainability Academy (CaSA) for "CaSA Conversations" on November 10th from 8:45 to 10 am. We will hear from experts in state infrastructure, global tech innovation, and public health research exploring the challenges and innovative solutions for coastal NC septic.

Coastal NC is facing a septic crisis as sea level rise, higher groundwater tables, and severe erosion battle outdated systems. This particular CaSA Conversation will be recorded, as it will provide context for the Make-A-Thon challenge CaSA will be sponsoring (January 28, 2027) to provide a cash prize for student teams developing cost-effective septic design innovations that could be rapidly deployed in Coastal NC (and elsewhere).

Panelists include:

• Vic D’Amato , Supervisor, NC DEQ's Division of Water Infrastructure’s Viable Utilities Unit

• Angela Harris , an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering and a member of NC State's Global WaSH Cluster

• Edgard Ngaboyamahina , Innovation Advisor at RTI and formerly with Duke University as PI of the Reinvent the Toilet Challenge project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

This session will be moderated by Erin Seekamp, Executive Director, Climate and Sustainability Academy.

Enjoy free coffee and breakfast, networking and engaging conversation!