Reel Science: Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong
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A film and discussion about our wastewater systems with a panel of local experts
August 25 | 6:30-8:30 pm | Doors at 6:15 pm
Wastewater plants across the country are in need of resuscitation. Half a century after the Clean Water Act radically improved how we handle our sewage, our once modern facilities have aged beyond their intended lifespans. Pipes are cracking and growing populations push plants to their limits. The threats are mounting but the infrastructure hasn’t changed. And, just when it seems things couldn’t get any worse, a cancer-causing contaminant (PFAS) enters the scene and threatens to collapse the entire house of cards. In response, one plant that can’t afford to ever shut down, must find clever solutions to an ever-growing mountain of problems.
Over the course of one calendar year, we follow the day-to-day operations of one wastewater facility and the funny, close-knit, and inventive individuals working to keep it all running. On a daily basis, the team laughs and struggles in a plant that looks like a movie set with labyrinths of pipes and blinking panels.
Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong is a buddy comedy about sewage and the thankless pursuit of making a better world.
73 minutes | 2025
6:15 pm | Theater doors open
6:30 pm | Documentary: Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong
7:45pm | Panel discussion with:
Joshua Clark, Wastewater Plant Operations Supervisor, Clackamas County, Water Environment Services, Kellogg Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility
Charissa Rogers, Operations Coordinator III, City of Portland, Bureau of Environmental Services
Greyson Carkner, Rock Creek AWRRF Operator 2, Clean Water Services
Claire Houston, Wastewater Operator II, City of Portland, Bureau of Environmental Services
Brooke Weeks, P.E., Professional Engineer & Community Infrastructure Educator (Moderator)
TICKETS: Pay what you can, tickets for this event will be a sliding scale of $0-$15.
August 25 | 6:30-8:30 pm | Doors at 6:15 pm
Wastewater plants across the country are in need of resuscitation. Half a century after the Clean Water Act radically improved how we handle our sewage, our once modern facilities have aged beyond their intended lifespans. Pipes are cracking and growing populations push plants to their limits. The threats are mounting but the infrastructure hasn’t changed. And, just when it seems things couldn’t get any worse, a cancer-causing contaminant (PFAS) enters the scene and threatens to collapse the entire house of cards. In response, one plant that can’t afford to ever shut down, must find clever solutions to an ever-growing mountain of problems.
Over the course of one calendar year, we follow the day-to-day operations of one wastewater facility and the funny, close-knit, and inventive individuals working to keep it all running. On a daily basis, the team laughs and struggles in a plant that looks like a movie set with labyrinths of pipes and blinking panels.
Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong is a buddy comedy about sewage and the thankless pursuit of making a better world.
73 minutes | 2025
6:15 pm | Theater doors open
6:30 pm | Documentary: Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong
7:45pm | Panel discussion with:
Joshua Clark, Wastewater Plant Operations Supervisor, Clackamas County, Water Environment Services, Kellogg Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility
Charissa Rogers, Operations Coordinator III, City of Portland, Bureau of Environmental Services
Greyson Carkner, Rock Creek AWRRF Operator 2, Clean Water Services
Claire Houston, Wastewater Operator II, City of Portland, Bureau of Environmental Services
Brooke Weeks, P.E., Professional Engineer & Community Infrastructure Educator (Moderator)
TICKETS: Pay what you can, tickets for this event will be a sliding scale of $0-$15.
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Where is it happening?
1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR, United States, Oregon 97214
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherOregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
