Extreme Climate Events Necessitate Resilience in Landscape Design

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working to remove lead from drinking water. Its Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) deadline is October 16, 2024. Our team assists clients in complying with the LCRI initiative by performing lead service line inventories and creating new sampling plans.

As the EPA's inventory deadline approaches, it's crucial to consider the proposed action items ahead. Listen as Lindsay Beaman, P.E., and Toni Tabbert, P.E., share insights into successful strategies for communities, potential funding opportunities, and more.

Podcast Agenda

• Issues behind Lead & Copper (01:19)
• October 2024 Inventory Deadline (4:19)
• Known Inventory Challenges (6:41)
• Available Funding Options (7:40)
• How Communities Are Tackling Inventory & Replacement Needs (10:08)
• What Comes Next for Lead & Copper Regulations? (16:45)

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The San Diego region faces a delicate balance between the growing demand for water and the imperative to preserve and enhance the quality of its water sources. As the population burgeons and climate change introduces new uncertainties, San Diego has grappled with issues such as water scarcity and contamination. The city has embarked on an innovative Pure Water San Diego initiative in response to these challenges. This ambitious project aims to secure a sustainable and resilient water supply by harnessing advanced purification technologies, thereby reducing reliance on imported water sources and mitigating the impact of droughts.

Listen as our wastewater engineer, Lindsay Beaman, P.E., discusses the intersection of water quality concerns and how the transformative goals of Pure Water San Diego encapsulate the city’s proactive approach to safeguarding its most precious resource.

Podcast Agenda

• National and Global Wastewater Experiences (00:15)
• PWX San Diego Conference (00:37)
• Water Quality Contamination – Flowing Across Borders (02:02)
• South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (02:40)
• Pure Water San Diego (06:02)
• Five-Step Purification Process (9:36)
• Pure Water Program Funding (11:21)
• Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant (12:48)

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Balancing a community’s immediate needs and planning for long-term resilience is crucial when obtaining funding for municipal projects. In Nebraska, it’s essential to understand the available avenues for financing and encourage collaboration among stakeholders to ensure efficient management of water resources, resilient infrastructure, and thriving communities in the future. This examination of funding mechanisms aims to highlight the essential financial considerations that drive the success of water and wastewater initiatives in Nebraska.

Podcast Agenda

• Nebraska Funding 101 (00:17)
• Introduction to Funding (01:24)
• Various Steps to Funding (02:23)
• Ensuring Eligibility (03:31)
• Funding Program Sample (06:26)
• Applying for Funding (12:08)
• Specific Funding Requirements (15:47)
• Eagle, NE Case Study (17:45)

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Correcting Inflow & Infiltration in Sanitary Sewer Systems
It’s important to note that the purpose of sanitary sewers is to transport wastewater to treatment facilities. When water from external sources enters the system, it is classified as Inflow & Infiltration (I/I). This inevitably leads to a decrease in sewer distribution and, as a result, diminishes the overall effectiveness of the wastewater treatment facility. This increased volume of waste can create significant issues. Our water resource engineers are highly skilled in discussing the importance of I/I and the effective methods to detect and eliminate the problem. We strongly recommend listening to Lindsay Beaman, Wes Farrand, and Amanda Rodell as they share their expertise.

Podcast Agenda

• Understanding the Difference Between Inflow & Infiltration  (0:31)
• Inflow & Infiltration Increases Operating Costs  (1:30)
• Determining if your System has Inflow & Infiltration Issues  (2:03)
• Identifying if your Sewer has Inflow or Infiltration  (4:18)
• Budgeting & Identifying Funding Options for Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation  (6:06)
• Common Sewer Investigative Techniques  (7:35)
• Common Infrastructure Improvement Methods  (10:52)
• Snyder & Associates’ Experience Solving Inflow & Infiltration Issues  (13:49)
• Thinking Big During Capital Improvement Planning to Include I/I Needs  (15:16)
• Inflow & Infiltration Success Stories  (17:37)

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Creekview Stormwater Wetland Urban Conservation Practices
The Creekview project is an innovative initiative that redirects a large amount of stormwater drainage from the City of Ankeny to a designated area of Fourmile Creek. This effort aims to boost the natural environment and water quality by expanding the greenway park system and integrating wetland features.

The City of Ankeny, Polk County, the Fourmile Creek Watershed Management Authority, and Snyder & Associates, with a local developer, collaborate on this project. The developer donated the land, while the county is leading and financing the design and construction. The city will own and maintain the site, expanding the growing greenway park system covering nearly 1,000 acres of floodplains along Fourmile Creek. The site will include wetland features, riparian restoration, and educational signage.

During a discussion, Steve Klocke, P.E. and Nichoel Church, PWS, with Snyder & Associates, along with John Swanson, Water Resources Supervisor for Polk County, shared insights into the partnership’s origins and the significant impact of an unusual permit that made it all possible.

Podcast Agenda

• Background Information for Stormwater Wetland Site (1:16)
• Design and Permitting Services Offered by Snyder & Associates (3:58)
• Acquiring Regional Permit 39 (9:05)
• Ensuring Effective Communication with the Army Corps of Engineers (11:15)
• Flexibility in Making Design Adjustments (12:51)
• Creating a Roadmap for Future Projects (15:10)
• Creekview Stormwater Wetland Project Update (16:48)

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Planning for Success, Revitalizing the Fort Dodge Community
While Fort Dodge had experienced a steady decline in population for many years, city leaders have slowed the decline, and the community and region are recently rebounding. By implementing innovative initiatives and building partnerships, new businesses are being attracted to the area, creating fresh opportunities for existing and new residents. Despite facing setbacks, the consulting teams revitalizing the Fort Dodge community recognize the unlimited growth opportunities by focusing on the region's strengths. We understand the importance of the task at hand, believe in the leadership of this great community, and are honored to lead a strong team of consulting professionals to implement a wide array of strategies to turn the tide for the region.
 
Listen as our Transportation Business Unit Leader, Wade Greiman, P.E., and Fort Dodge's Chief Development Officer, Chad Schaeffer, P.E., discuss the planning and implementation processes of bringing the community's downtown and river districts back to life!
  
Podcast Agenda  

• Background (0:18) 
• Re-Envision 2030 Comprehensive Plan (2:40)  
• Water Trails & Corridor Plan (4:19) 
• Northwest River District Master Plan (5:16) 
• Bike & Ped Mobility (7:05) 
• Central River District Master Plan (8:49) 
• Downtown Streetscape Master Plan (10:27) 
• Implementation Strategies (12:15) 
• Dam Removals & Stream Mitigation Bank (12:41) 
• Lizard Creek Mountain Bike Trail (13:40) 
• Northwest River District Phase 1 (15:08) 
• Little Dam Park & In-Stream (16:45) 
• Webster County Conservation Center (18:04) 
• Central River District North 1st Street (19:00) 
• Central River District Front Porch & In-Stream (19:39) 
• Skate Park (20:19) 
• Downtown Alleyway Improvements (21:14) 
• Hydro Electric Park and In-Stream Features (20:04) 

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Aiding Industrial Clients through Design & Compliance  
Industrial engineering is a vast field that encompasses a wide range of disciplines and activities. It involves the analysis of complex production and operations to optimize output and minimize costs for clients. As the world of business continues to become more complex, industrial engineering is becoming an invaluable asset for all kinds of organizations. 

At its core, industrial engineering focuses on the efficient allocation of resources, including labor, materials, energy, and capital. In our latest podcast, our experts from several industrial backgrounds explore the fundamentals of industrial engineering, as well as its various applications — discussing how industrial engineering principles can be used to optimize output, streamline operations, and reduce costs.

Podcast Agenda 

• Improving Industrial Processes (0:18) 
• Common Industrial Challenges Our Clients Face (1:41) 
• Industrial Trends Across the Midwest (4:42) 
• Commonalities Across Industrial Clients (7:02) 
• Aiding in Day-to-Day Design Operations (11:21) 
• Providing Accurate Virtual Models (17:49) 
• Best Available Technologies for Infrastructure Growth (19:23) 
• Future Concerns with the Rise in New Technologies (27:11) 
• Providing Results for Site Upgrades and Reconstruction of Existing Facilities (31:07) 

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Urban Wetland Protection and Restoration
Urban wetlands help fulfill an important function in improving surface water quality and purifying precipitation running off from towns and cities. As municipalities continue to expand and disrupt natural landscapes, learning how we can sufficiently use natural systems to try and mitigate the impending changes is in the best interest of city officials and citizens alike.

Listen as Steve Klocke, P.E., discusses some of our stormwater wetland projects and the benefits they deliver.

Podcast Agenda

• Urban Wetland Design (0:20)
• Fourmile Creek Stormwater Wetland Example (2:32)
• Practical Lessons Learned (8:27)

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Stream Mitigation Permitting & Requirements
By preserving and restoring wetlands, habitats, and streams in designated regions, we can balance out unavoidable damages and provide no net loss to the environment. However, regulations and requirements often impede progress in this pursuit of balance. The science of stream mitigation is evolving rapidly as does the development of state and Corps policies governing stream assessment and compensation requirements.

Listen in as our environmental scientist Nichoel Church, PWS helps define a clear path to stream and wetland mitigation through their designated permits and requirements.

 
Podcast Agenda 

• Fundamentals of 404 Permitting & Mitigation Requirements (0:18) 
• Understanding the Clean Water Act (0:52) 
• Types of Wetlands & Streams Commonly Found in Iowa (1:37) 
• Defining Jurisdictional Waters (2:50) 
• Regulations That Require Permits (4:25) 
• Project Scheduling & Permitting (5:39) 
• Triggering the Need for a 404 Permit (7:09) 
• Calculating Impacts Through the Iowa Stream Mitigation Method (9:45) 
• Compensating for Loss of Jurisdictional Resources (11:25) 
• Permittee Responsible Mitigation (PRM) (11:57) 
• Elements of PRM (13:18) 
• Understanding the Benefits of Mitigation Banking (16:28) 
• Breakdown of Snyder & Associates Mitigation Banks (17:42) 

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Selecting Right-Sized Treatments for Small-Town Wastewater Systems
Identifying proper wastewater treatment solutions for small towns requires the acknowledgment that these communities function differently from large urban centers. As small towns across the country find it challenging to keep pace with the changing wastewater limits and regulations, our engineers are prepared to help.

Listen in as our engineer Jeff Godwin, P.E., details common wastewater concerns and issues associated with rural systems and explores the multiple treatment options specifically fitted for small-town wastewater treatment systems.

Podcast Agenda

• Common Wastewater Treatment Concerns (0:43)
• Primary Treatment Options for Small Towns (1:18)
• Determining the Correct Treatment Option for Your Community (3:15)
• Creating a Wastewater Facility Plan (3:57)
• Lagoon Improvement Options (8:34)
• Available Funding Options for Wastewater Treatment Systems (13:56)
• Getting Started on Wastewater Treatment System Updates (17:59)

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