A film and discussion about our wastewater systems with a panel of local experts
August 25 | 6:30-8:30 pm
About Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong
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
7:40pm | 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
- Brook 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.
What is Reel Science?
Watch and learn at The Empirical Theater as OMSI brings the science of your favorite movies and documentaries to life on the big screen. Perfect for science and film lovers alike, this series combines the best of Science Pub with the fun of movie night, bringing in experts to amplify your movie-watching experience.
Joshua Clark, Wastewater Plant Operations Supervisor
Currently Joshua lives in Clackamas County with his wife and two children. He has spent the last two decades ensuring our communities have clean water, working his way up from a laborer and operator-in-training to a full-time supervisor. His career has taken him from a small private utility in Central Oregon to the City of Salem’s massive Willow Lake WPCF—where he earned the PNCWA Operator of the Year Award in 2017—and finally to Clackamas County. Today, he supervises operations for three facilities, handling up to 27 million gallons of wastewater per day. He is proud to lead a team of professionals that protect our local environment and keep our vital water infrastructure running safely and efficiently in our beautiful part of the Pacific Northwest.
Charissa Rogers, Operations Coordinator III
Charissa Rogers is a dual-state Grade IV Certified Wastewater Operator with 17 years of Environmental Technology experience. For the past 15 years, she has anchored operations at the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant, the largest treatment plant in Oregon. In her current role, she leads the Operations Support Team, which provides on the job operator training. Combining deep technical expertise with a prior background in commercial retail management and new store launches, Charissa brings a unique blend of operational leadership, regulatory compliance, and team building to the municipal utility sector.
Greyson Carkner, Rock Creek AWRRF Operator 2
Greyson Clarkner has been an Operator with Clean Water Services at the Rock Creek Treatment Plant for 7 years. Greyson co-chairs the 24-member Employee Advisory Council and participates in Career Technical Education presentations at local high schools. He has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Portland State University. He got into wastewater by securing a job at Alpenrose Dairy months after he graduated. Their system was small and limited, but it served as a great space for him to learn the ropes. He was in charge there for about 2 years and then got hired at Clean Water Services and has been there ever since.
Brooke Weeks, P.E., Professional Engineer & Community Infrastructure Educator
Brooke Weeks is a Professional Engineer with 15 years of civil engineering experience, primarily focused on hydropower dams, as well as water and wastewater treatment systems. She has since shifted her day-to-day work towards community engagement, helping make engineering and city infrastructure more accessible to the public. She has designed and led two educational bike rides exploring how Portland manages its water systems and how Portlanders shape their neighborhoods through placemaking, plazas and street art. Brooke enjoys connecting with her community, sharing and learning about how the city works, and inspiring people to recognize that they play an important role in shaping it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions? Email event@omsi.edu
Ticketing questions call 503-797-4000 x0
Yes, the Empirical Cafe will be open with prepackaged salads, sandwiches and movie snacks. The bar will be open to guests that are 21+. No outside food or drink is allowed.
Click here for OMSI’s overall accessibility information. Below are the specific details for the Empirical Theater.
The Empirical Theater has an upper-level wheelchair accessible entrance and theater restrooms; due to the layout of the theater the lower-level main entrance is only accessible by stairs. Please check in with a Guest Services Representative or volunteer for assistance in locating these areas.
Several daytime documentaries and newer evening full-features offer closed captions, audio description, and volume amplification. The CaptiView closed caption units allow guests to see captions for their show by using a cup holder device that they can adjust within their view, and the Fidelio RX audio description units deliver descriptive narration and can also amplify the theater volume and dialogue.
The Showing Today signs updated daily at the front desk and theater entrance indicate which features offer closed captions (CC) and audio description (AD), while volume amplification is available for all theater content including events such as Science Pub and Reel Science.
Limited quantities of the following devices are available for theater guests and may be requested at either the Front Desk or Concierge Desk as well as from the theater usher:
- CaptiView closed caption (CC) viewing devices
- Fidelio RX audio description and volume amplification units
- Williams Sound NKL-001 neck loops designed to work with hearing aids equipped with a telephone coil or T-Switch
The rough inside measurements of the seats not including arm and back rests:
- Theater seats 16.5” wide and 21.5” deep
- Two accessible seating area chairs 39.29″ high, 29.5″ wide, and 29″ deep
- Additional accessible seating area chairs available by request is 23.5” wide and 21.5” deep
- The weight capacity for the accessible seating area chairs are 500lbs, and the additional accessible seating area chairs support between 200lbs-250lbs
Earplugs can be requested from the Front Desk and Concierge Desk, and sensory resource packs that include:
- Noise reducing headphones
- Fidget toys
- Sunglasses
- Visual and auditory timer
- 2 pound weighted shoulder wrap
- Sanitizing wipes
Please contact OMSI Guest Services at (503) 797-4000 or Info@OMSI.edu with any additional specific questions or needs.
Parking is $2 + fees for after-hours events.