Trouble choosing the best BMP for your site? Take a look at what works and what doesn’t in The Center for Watershed Protection’s Performance Survey of Stormwater BMPs in Virginia’s James River Basin.  BMP types surveyed included bioretention cells, permeable pavers, constructed wetlands, detention and retention ponds, infiltration trenches, swales, and more.  At each BMP site, field teams looked for: indicators of erosion, clogging, and structural problems at the inlets and outlets; conditions directly downstream of the BMP; health of vegetative cover; signs of improper flow paths of water; maintenance issues; interesting design features; and more. The recently completed technical report describes the survey results and provides recommendations.  Read more and check out the report.

Do you have questions about Porous Pavement?  Bruce Ferguson has the answers.  Check out some of the most common question in his recent article in the Stormwater Journal.

Controlling Runoff at the CDC: Efforts to control stormwater runoff at the urban campus of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention led to the novel installation of an underground detention system, reported by The Stormwater Journal.  Located in a highly developed urban setting within Atlanta, GA, the Roybal Campus of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) contains large areas of impervious surfaces that require stormwater management and detention. Constructed during the 1950s before modern requirements for controlling surface water runoff, the CDC had only minimal stormwater retention.  Learn more.

Stormwater Consortium Seeks Aid — from The Reporter.  The Montgomery County consortium of municipalities opposing new state stormwater regulations have divided their concerns into three categories: changes they could accept; regulations they could accept with slight alterations; and proposals so onerous that they could not be accepted.  One suggestion made by a municipal engineer encourages the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to promote more customization in its general permit applications.  Find out their concerns.

Reminders!

September 22-25 - 2009 Watershed Institute

October 9-11 - 2009 Chesapeake Watershed Forum

admin Weekly News bioretention, BMPs, Chesapeake Bay, constructed wetlands, infiltration, PA DEP, porous pavement, regulations, stormwater runoff

Flexing the Infiltration Muscle: What’s the Role of ET? From the Center for Watershed Protection’s summer issue of Runoff Rundown: Runoff Ramblings. Has your state or locality flexed its “Infiltration Muscle?”  This seems to be a popular trend among stormwater agencies, with an “infiltrate as much as possible wherever possible” attitude. Some agencies have translated this concept into real regulations that require the infiltration of certain volumes of water at each development or redevelopment site (e.g., volume of the 1-year or 2-year storm, pre-development to post-development).  For some, this is a “back to the future” scenario with the “infiltrate first” edicts of the 1990s.  Contemplate the pros and cons of these infiltration objectives with the staff of Runoff Rundown.

Triangle Park New Stormwater Management Practices from The Pennsylvania Environmental Council.  The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) celebrated Rutledge Borough’s Triangle Park Stormwater Demonstration Projects at a green ribbon cutting ceremony 4 p.m. Thursday, July 16 at the park, Swarthmore and Rutledge Avenues.  PEC, as advocate and technical advisor on urban stormwater management across the state, worked with Rutledge Borough to install a rain garden and a basketball court that features a porous surface.  These state-of-art stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) installed during recent park renovations will help manage runoff, reduce pollution from entering nearby Stoney Creek, and minimize flooding in the area during heavy rains.  Find out how these BMPs are improving the neighborhood.

StormCon Keynote and Special Events from The Stormwater Journal’s The StormCon Blog.  StormCon is respected for being the nation’s largest conference and exhibition of stormwater-related products, services, and technologies. Anyone who has ever been to StormCon also knows there is much more: the sumptuous banquets are unlike any other, and, combined with multiple networking opportunities, make the entire event a joyful experience.  Get the juicy event details and sign up today!

RESI Completes Green Stormwater Management System at University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium from the Stormwater Journal. RESI (Rehbein Environmental Solutions, Inc.) completed the installation of the Environmental Passive Integrated Chamber (EPIC System) stormwater management system and Netlon Advanced Turf System (Netlon ATS) outside the new open-air University of Minnesota Gophers’ TCF Bank Stadium with the grand opening in September of 2009.  To maximize useable space, RESI created a multi-functional plaza that eliminates the need for a traditional stormwater basin. Designed and built into the attractive turf grass and landscape plaza are RESI’s Netlon ATS and the EPIC System.   Discover how it works.

Newark Sewer Workers Swept Away by Stormwater fromThe Star-Ledger.  Two sewer workers were swept away by a torrent of stormwater underneath the streets of Newark until a safety net caught them, authorities said. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. when workers were realigning a sewer line underground at 12th Avenue and 6th Street, said Fire Chief Michael Lalor. Supervisors ordered the crew to get out when they heard a storm was coming, but two workers never received the news, Lalor said.  Read more and comment on this narrowly averted stormwater tragedy.

Stormwater Equipment Manufacturers Association Launches Website from The Stormwater Journal.  The Stormwater Equipment Manufacturers Association has launched a new website - www.stormwaterassociation.com. The website contains information about the Association’s activities, membership, technical information, and a buyer’s guide. The buyer’s guide is a free useful resource for end users needing information about stormwater equipment and other services.  Find out more and visit the new website.

Upcoming Events

Center for Watershed Protection Webcasts: Stormwater Retrofitting - Wednesday, October 14, 12-2pm EST.  Registration is open.  It will focus on the restoration of urban and suburban watersheds through stormwater retrofitting. In particular, it will discuss the design and implementation of stormwater retrofit practices featured in CWP’s Urban Stormwater Retrofit Practices manual, which discusses retrofitting existing urban lands, such as parking lots, residential streets, conveyance systems, and landscaped areas. The webcast will also provide information about the cost and pollutant removal performance of stormwater retrofits.  Register here.

Also… Managing Stormwater in the Age of Budget Cuts, for free, in the archives, available to all.

2009 Pennsylvania Stormwater Management Symposium: Bailing Out Stormwater, October 14-15, 2009.  Hosted by the Villanova Urban Stormwater Partnership.  Registration Opens September 1, 2009.  The purpose of the symposium is to advance the knowledge and understanding of sustainable stormwater management for those dealing in all aspects of planning, design, implementation, and regulatory compliance. A  workshop for non-engineers will be held in conjunction with the symposium. Participants are expected to include Engineers, Planners, Water Resource Professionals, Regional, State and Local Government Representatives, Land Development Professionals, and Watershed and Conservation Groups. This is the seventh symposium on stormwater issues that has been held at Villanova.  For more information visit their website.

Reminders!

August 16-20 - StormCon, the North American Surface Water Quality Conference & Exposition

September 22-25 - Registration is open for the 2009 Watershed Institute! Space is filling up fast, so register soon!

admin Weekly News BMPs, environmental site design, flood control, infiltration, porous concrete, rain garden, stormwater basin, stormwater best management practices, stormwater runoff

American Water Funds 2009 Environmental Grant Programs: Company Awards More Than $114,000 to 25 Community Improvement Projects from Business Wire.  American Water Works Company, Inc., the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company, announced recipients of the company’s 2009 Environmental Grant Program awards.  A total of 25 projects will be supported by grants totaling more than $114,000.  Read about Pennsylvania’s nine projects funded by the program.

Tredyffrin Gets Help with Stormwater Issues from the Chester County Daily Local News. With ongoing stormwater issues continuing to be in the forefront in Tredyffrin Township, the recent announcement from State Sen. Andy Dinniman and State Rep. Paul Drucker of the approval of a $523,974 grant to help alleviate stormwater problems has come at a good time.  The grant will target several township residential neighborhoods being affected by excess stormwater.   Read more about how a Pennsylvania township is mitigating stormwater runoff from existing development.

$14.9 Million in Stimulus Funding Awarded For PA Agricultural Conservation Practices from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.  The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) was awarded $14.9 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to pay local contractors to install a variety of farm conservation practices that will reduce pollution and, in some cases, use manure to create energy.  The grant funding provided by PENNVEST will be used in 16 counties in Pennsylvania’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.  Read more about the grant’s various benefits.

LTAP-TTAP Centers to Offer the CISEC Inspector Program Nationwide from The Stormwater Journal.  CISEC, Inc. will be presenting its inspector training modules and administering its nationwide certification examination through the Federal Highway Administration’s Local & Tribal Technical Assistance Programs (LTAP/TTAP).  The 58 LTAP/TTAP centers can now provide inspectors, designers, and regulatory agency personnel more opportunities to receive training in CISEC, Inc.’s professional sediment and erosion control inspector program and, if qualified, sit for the CISEC nationwide certification examination.   Read more about the goals and other aspects of the program.

Stone Riffles to Control Stormwater on American Bottom from the Environmental News Service.  A village in Madison County, Illinois will demonstrate a newly developed stormwater management system that slows water before it gets into creeks and drainage ditches.  Find out how!

Malibu’s Innovative Stormwater Project Will Answer Call to Action in NRDC Beach Report.  The Natural Resources Defense Council released its annual survey of water quality at U.S. beaches called “Testing the Waters 2009.”  In addition to reporting 2008 beach closure and advisory days, the report states “…the best way to protect swimmers from beachwater pollution is to prevent it.  Federal, state and local government can make this a priority by requiring better controls on stormwater and sewage, the two largest known sources of beachwater pollution.”  More about Malibu’s unique solution.

Upcoming Events

Have you registered for StormCon?? The worlds largest stormwater conference is being held August 16-20 in Anaheim, California.  Don’t miss it!  StormCon is a great opportunity to strengthen your skills and knowledge in an intensive workshop setting with other inquisitive colleagues.  Attendees at StormCon ‘09 will:

• Discover which BMPs are the most effective
• See the latest in LID, post-construction, and retrofitting practices
• Watch presentations on case studies from all over the nation
• Learn how to meet NPDES Phase II requirements
• Hear the latest news on stormwater regulatory issues from the USEPA
• Gather tips on successful stormwater public outreach efforts
• Be the first to hear the latest research and testing results
• Meet the leading vendors of the most innovative stormwater equipment, products, services, and technology
• Network with other stormwater professionals, engineers, and practitioners

Find out more.  Register now!

FREE!!  Managing Wet Weather with Green Infrastructure Workshops sponsored by the EPA Water Permits Division and various States.  This workshop is intended primarily for municipal governments with wet weather management responsibilities, i.e., stormwater, combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer overflows and nonpoint source runoff.  The workshop will focus on how these programs can be effectively managed using green infrastructure technologies and approaches.  Click here for more information including dates and locations.

FREE!!  NPDES Permit Writers’ Training Course sponsored by the EPA Water Permits Division, various States, and the EPA Regional Offices.  The objective of the NPDES Permit Writers’ Training Course is to provide the basic regulatory framework and technical considerations that support the development of wastewater discharge permits as required under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Program.  The course is designed for new permit writers, highlighting the process of developing, issuing, and complying with NPDES permits.  Experienced permit writers wanting a refresher course and other water program staff wanting to learn more about the NPDES program also are welcome.  The format of the course is a combination of lecture, case examples, and practical exercises that are geared to acquainting participants with the tools and resources available to assist them in writing NPDES permits. Click here for more information including dates and locations.

Check out the Center for Watershed Protection webcast archives to view “The Art & Science of Stormwater Retrofitting” by Michael Novotney and “BMP Performance” by Neely Law, PhD,  by visiting the U.S. EPA’s NPDES Training Courses and Workshops page, which contains many other informative webcasts.

Reminders!

August 12 - CALL FOR PAPERS Watershed 2010: Innovations in Watershed Management Under Land Use and Climate Change

August 12 - CALL FOR PAPERS 2010 International Low Impact Development Conference: Redefining Water in the City

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