LAWRENCEVILLE, GA, Oct. 7, 2010 -- The stormwater industry is saddened to learn of the passing of Clark Use, who died October 6, 2010 of pulmonary disease. He was 68. Most people would not recognize his name, and he was content to remain in the background. Clark was not only an owner and officer of CrystalStream Technologies but also the key inventor of the company's primary product, the CrystalClean Separator.

Clark brought his idea to improve water quality to John Moll in 1999 as a layman, totally outside of the fledgling water quality industry. Together, Clark and John founded CrystalStream Technologies in early 2000. Clark was not an expert in fluid dynamics, not an engineer, but he was a veteran in the oil and gas industry, and he could clearly see that the "common knowledge" of what to do to improve water quality in the realm of stormwater was flawed at the very basic level. Clark never wavered in his convictions and continuously introduced new ideas into our industry.

Eight patents later, and having spawned scores of jobs with his concepts, the power of Clark Use's initial thoughts birthed the first industry association, SWEMA (The Stormwater Equipments Manufacturer's Association). No one expected Clark, a man who started as a welder and worked his way up to the top of the pipeline industry, to carry his dream forward, but he did in a very effective way. He inspired others to take up his cause. The results have elevated many companies, and helped many good people to advance the cause of water quality.

Take a moment today, to think about Clark Use. Remember his family and friends, but most of all, remember his very real contribution to the health of our environment and our nation's waters. May Clark rest in peace.

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