Month: April 2025

MPCA Releases Revised Soil Reference Values (SRVs)

Jake Newhall, Senior Project Manager, WSB

In early April 2020, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) released revised SRVs for contaminated sediment. These revised values slightly relax regulations placed on sediment disposal.  The graphic below compares the new regulations with the old regulations.

SRV levels indicate the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that have accumulated in some stormwater pond sediments around the state. PAHs break down over time and can be transported via stormwater runoff.

The adjustment in regulations creates cost-saving opportunities when managing stormwater maintenance projects.

5G and Small Cell Infrastructure

The things to know about the world’s newest technology disruptor.

Terms such as 5G and small cell infrastructure are buzz words in today’s ever-changing innovative landscape, but what does that mean for the communities we live and work in?  Federal mandates are constantly being updated and new technology is replacing ‘old’ technology quicker than many can keep track of.  What was once cutting-edge is becoming obsolete faster and faster.  As the world continues to rely on more data, the demand for access to that data continues to grow.  Our technology-reliant world is driving carriers to build more towers and access points throughout the world.  As these initiatives continue to grow, the communities we live and work in are starting to prepare. Small cell infrastructure and 5G preparation can look different depending on the type of community you live in and where you are in the United States.

Here are 10 things to know about small cell infrastructure. 

1. What exactly is small cell infrastructure? The CTIA, an organization that advocates and represents the U.S. wireless communications industry, defines small cell as: Small radio equipment and antennas that can be placed on structures such as streetlights, the sides of buildings, or poles. They are about the size of a pizza box, and are essential for transmitting data to and from a wireless device.
2. Today, the United State is at critical mass for data. We play more games, we use more apps and the tools that power our daily lives rely on application-driven data. 5G brings greater speed, lower latency and the ability to connect more devices at once.
3. Federal mandates surrounding spectrum and capacity availability have been contentious throughout the years as politicians and communities gain more knowledge. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has developed a 5G FAST Plan, a comprehensive strategy to facilitate and accelerate the deployment of America’s high-speed internet access.
4. While other countries around the globe are advancing their technology infrastructure, the United States is taking steps to lead the world in 5G. The FCC is committed to increasing spectrum availability, updating infrastructure policy to encourage the private sector to invest and modernizing outdated regulations that will promote digital opportunities for all Americans.
5. Have we seen 5G before? Yes, several test markets have activated for large events, especially events that take place on a world-stage. States like California, New York, Colorado, Minnesota and Texas, all of which have high growth rates, have also been investing heavily in small cell infrastructure and 5G technology. Carriers are aggressively rolling this technology out in densely populated areas to more easily distribute data in high deployment areas. Additionally, large corporate headquarters are working closely with carriers to implement related projects and technologies.
6. Big goals and big legislation are driving the 5G movement. We’re working closely with municipalities throughout the United States to help them understand the processes that will be required and affected by small cell infrastructure. 
7. Small cell infrastructure is being implemented where the demand is highest. 5G not only increases coverage and speed but most importantly increases capacity, and that’s why carriers are focusing on densely populated areas first. 
8. 5G will still come from large cellular towers, but small cell infrastructure will be placed to increase capacity and data availability. Tower companies are working closely with carriers to deliver alternative solutions.
9. In 2017, the first federal mandate was implemented to say that cities around the country cannot say no to 5G infrastructure. The mandate states that cities and communities are not able to prevent 5G from happening, but they are able to set regulations that a carrier must abide by. The question is not whether communities will choose to participate, but rather if they’re prepared for it.
10. Small cell infrastructure will affect everyone from the most urban environments to rural towns. Cities are developing ordinances to regulate how small cell infrastructure is implemented throughout their communities. Several cities are developing permits, planner reviews and regulations to ensure that small cell infrastructure is structurally sound, aesthetically-pleasing and are protecting historically significant landmarks. 

Bringing back the bees

Andi Moffat, Vice President of Environmental Services, WSB

At first glance, reducing the number of bugs, moths, and bees may seem like a good idea to enable people to spend more quality time outdoors. In reality, it’s a major issue that affects everything from local habitat to the agriculture in the United States and around the world. These insects are pollinators and their travel from plant to plant helps to pollinate flowers. These flowers can be native prairie or woodland plants, apples, raspberries, cucumbers, and even hay crops for the livestock industry. So even if thriving wildlife habitat doesn’t peak your interest, being able to put food on the table should.

Between the loss of habitat, use of pesticides, insect disease, and crops designed to kill insects, pollinators are declining. While this may seem like a daunting national challenge to try and tackle, but steps are being taken to bring the message to communities and to take a very local approach– all the way down to individual yards.

At the local level, the State of Minnesota has provided the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) funding to develop the “Lawns to Legumes” program that focuses on planting residential lawns with native vegetation and pollinator-friendly plants. The goal of this pilot program is to offer cost-share, technical assistance, and planting guides to eligible Minnesota residents to install pollinator-friendly native plantings in their yard.

While individual homeowners can get involved with BWSR, there will also be a call for local partners to create demonstration neighborhoods. Eligible applicants will include cities, counties, and watershed districts. The idea is that by turning the urban lawn desert into small pockets of pollinator friendly gardens, it will have an overall positive impact for these important species.

Learn more about the program or, if you are interested in responding to the RFP that is expected to be released in December, please contact Andi Moffatt at [email protected] 763-287-7196.

Andi is a Vice President with more than 23 years of experience leading people and projects that include planning, environmental, energy, highway, natural resources, construction and development. She oversees our Environmental services and approaches her work with passion and positivity.

Understanding lift stations

What is a wastewater lift station?

A wastewater lift station is a critical piece of infrastructure included as part of your sanitary collection system. While most wastewater generated by households, businesses, and industries is collected and conveyed via gravity through large interceptor pipes, lift stations collect the wastewater at a low point in the collection network and pump it to a higher elevation to the next gravity line or to a treatment facility.

What components make up a wastewater lift station?

In most cases, a wastewater lift station includes a wet well to temporarily store wastewater, two or more submersible pumps, pump float controls, piping, a valve vault, a control panel, radio communication devices, and a backup generator. The lift station pumps the wastewater through a pressurized pipe, known as a forcemain, which conveys the wastewater to the ultimate discharge point at a higher elevation.

What regular maintenance is required for a wastewater lift station?

Most cities have a sewer department that is responsible for regular maintenance of the wastewater collection system. Lift stations require regular attention to ensure all components are functioning appropriately. These include:

• Daily checks for obstructions or build-up of material that may clog the pumps
• Regular wet well cleaning
• Exercising of valves
• Jetting (high-pressure water), cleaning, and televising all collection system pipes on a 4 to 5-year cycle

What problems can arise from a poorly maintained wastewater lift station?

• In the event of a lift station failure, by either a forcemain break, power outage, or pump failure, wastewater will collect in the lift station wet well and backup into the collection system. This could result in sewer backups into homes or cause wastewater to overflow from the lift station to the surrounding environment.
• Wastewater lift stations are also susceptible to clogs from fats, oils, and grease (FOG) generated by restaurants and businesses, as well as “flushable’ rags from households and multi-unit residential buildings.
• Wastewater lift stations can be a source of bad odors that become a nuisance to neighboring properties. The smelly gas from the collected sewage is also highly corrosive and can damage the wet well structure, the piping, and pumps over time.

How much does it cost to fix a wastewater lift station?

Depending on the size, condition, and maintenance history of your wastewater collection system, the rehabilitation of an existing lift station can range from $75,000 to over $250,000.

How can you get help with concerns regarding your lift stations and collection systems?

Our Wastewater group can help your community assess the condition of your wastewater collection and conveyance system, and outline deficiencies that should be addressed in the City’s Capital Improvements Plan. We can complete a condition assessment report for all of your lift stations and provide estimated costs for any recommended rehabilitation. The report may include hydraulic analysis to address pump efficiencies, pump and forcemain capacities, allowing your city to plan and budget for any necessary infrastructure improvements.

WSB opens Denver office to expand region-wide services

Denver, Colorado – Fast-growing Minneapolis-based consulting and design firm WSB opened a new Denver office this week at 5660 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. in Greenwood Village. The new office will allow WSB to recruit and retain additional talent to serve clients in the Denver area. WSB, which provides engineering, planning, environmental, traffic analysis, landscape architecture, survey, and construction services for the public and private sectors, has been rapidly growing in the Denver area over the last year.

“We’ve been expanding our capabilities in the Colorado market over the past year and this new office marks our commitment to growing our services and team,” said WSB President and CEO Bret Weiss. “Clients throughout Colorado have access to the same full-service experience, advanced technology and industry-leading expertise offered through WSB.”

The Denver office is WSB’s second location in Colorado. The firm has had a dedicated Utility and Pipeline team in Westminster since earlier this year. WSB began expanding in Colorado through the acquisition of Legacy Engineering, Inc., a Denver-based land development engineering services firm. The new 3,400-square-foot office includes room for the current 11-person Denver team to expand up to 17 people.

“WSB is growing a new family here in Colorado,” said Jim Mill, principal and Denver office lead. “The new office reflects WSB’s culture and we are excited to share this with more people in this market.  A brick-and-mortar location adds some permanence to our Colorado operations and is attractive both for our team members and clients.”

Headquartered in Minneapolis, WSB is the fourth-largest engineering firm in the Twin Cities. When it was founded in 1995, the company had five staff, one office and three different services areas. Today, the company offers services in more than 25 areas, employs more than 450 people and has expanded its markets beyond Minnesota with 12 offices across four different states.

Basic steps to flood prevention

Minnesota’s aging stormwater infrastructure is forcing communities across the state to re-evaluate their action plan.

As water levels continue to increase, so does the need for effective stormwater management systems. The Star Tribune pointed out some of the struggles facing Minnesota communities in their recent story, published on September 22. At WSB, we’re working closely with municipalities to help develop stormwater management planning. Here are a few ways communities can respond to the rising water levels:

1. Plan ahead. Identify areas of highest risk in your city early. Develop action plans that include back-up generators and pumps, sandbags, and resident notification.
2. Identify, map and maintain overland overflow routes for water bodies where feasible. These routes allow runoff to follow streets, property lines, and backyards while protecting homes from high flood levels. Inspect and enforce keeping these overflows clear – no fences or outbuildings that may block drainage.
3. Look for opportunities to build resiliency into the system. This may mean allowing for parking lot flooding to protect structures; constructing additional ponding retention with new developments; utilizing park space, public open space, and golf course greens for flood retention.

Beat the sleet – Winter preparedness

Klay Eckles, Sr. Project Manager, WSB

Minnesota winter is fast approaching; recent experience and climatologists tell us that our temperatures are warming, but also more moisture in the atmosphere promises more winter precipitation. Snow, sleet, freezing rain, and more snow. Are you prepared for what winter has in store for you and your facilities? The public has come to expect early and effective response to winter storms, and that puts pressure on operations staff to meet expectations regarding mobility and safety.

Effective snow and ice control starts with proper planning well in advance of the first snowfall. Indeed, with facility budgeting it often means planning 18 months or more in advance. Having a formal plan will help address the bad weather when it comes, and just as important, it will help justify budget requests needed to meet the increasing demands in the realm of snow and ice control. Most importantly, planning ahead will make you more effective in providing a safe environment for students. Safety is paramount; running out of material, short staffing, obsolete equipment, forgotten maintenance activities, and the inevitable “accidents” that result are preventable.

A good snow and ice control plan looks at much more than when and where to plow snow. It establishes criteria for measuring success–and gets the buy in from policy makers and officials on those criteria. It explores equipment, staffing, contractor, material needs. The snow and ice control program establishes the need and creates a justification for budgeting for the proper tools, equipment and staff to get the job done as everyone expects.

Ensure you are properly prepared for the coming weather. If you don’t have a formal snow and ice control program, or you’d like to make the one you have a more useful planning and communication tool, it’s not too late to ask for help.

Klay has worked in the public sector for over 34 years serving four different communities. He has experience in capital improvement planning, infrastructure planning, comprehensive planning, site master planning, facility expansion projects, and interagency partnership agreements.

Preparing for winter and chloride pollution: what you need to know

Ashley Hammerbeck, Project Manager, WSB

As your public works team begins to prepare for winter, they will undoubtedly be using road salt to accomplish the important task of removing ice from Minnesota’s roads and sidewalks to keep residents safe as they walk and drive. According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, an estimated 365,000 tons of road salt are used each year in the Twin Cities metropolitan area alone. However, overuse of road salt can lead to chloride pollution which harms lakes and rivers and the aquatic species that live there – and in some instances, even pollutes our drinking water. Once road salts are dissolved in the aquatic environment, it is nearly impossible to remediate the pollution.

What exactly are chlorides?

Chloride salts are salts that contain chlorine (Cl). Chloride salts are used to de-ice our streets and soften our water. They are also a pollutant that can damage the environment as well as man-made structures if accumulated in large amounts.

How can chloride be harmful?

When salt is applied to roads, the ice melts and dissolves the salt which creates chloride runoff into lakes, rivers and aquifers. Similarly, the brine discharge from in-home water softeners is discharged to municipal wastewater treatment plants and ultimately reaches the environment. This chloride becomes very difficult – if not impossible – to remove from our water. Chloride can disrupt ecosystems, threaten aquatic species and wildlife, and make potable water undrinkable. In fact, it only takes one teaspoon of road salt to contaminate roughly six gallons of drinking water.

Chlorides are also corrosive, causing damage to vehicles, bridges and other infrastructure. This leads to more maintenance and ultimately more costs for residents and municipalities.

How can cities help curb chloride pollution?

Prevention
Road salt is one of the largest contributors to chloride pollution in Minnesota, but it is essential in keeping the public safe during icy winters. Earlier this year, Minnesota created a statewide chloride management plan for managing salt use and protecting our water resources in a strategic way. Municipalities are encouraged to review the plan to learn more. In the meantime, you can reduce chloride pollution by doing the following:

• Make sure road salt is stored and transported securely.
• Use a sprayed salt brine on pavement prior to snow and rainfalls to reduce your need for road salt.
• If it’s below 15 degrees, your typical road salt loses effectiveness. Consider other options like sand or other de-icers.
• Only apply road salt where needed and leave space between granules. Your average coffee cup holds enough salt for 10 sidewalk squares or a 20-foot driveway.
• Be deliberate about slowing down and capturing runoff stormwater from roads and urban areas.
• Educate the public on the risks of chloride pollution and offer alternative materials such as sand for use in de-icing.
• Provide information to the public on the local drinking water quality and the consequences of in-home softening systems.

Need help curbing your road salt usage or more information about chlorides in your water? Contact WSB.

Ashley’s experience includes water and wastewater process design, construction management, and contract execution for both municipal and industrial wastewater and water clients. Her work includes sanitary force mains, interceptors, and lift stations, water treatment and water distribution, WWTP and collection system rehabilitation, sanitary sewer odor control, biogas utilization, and sludge and biosolids handling.

A note from our CEO | Celebrating 24 years of WSB

October 4, 2019 marks WSB’s 24th year of business. Every year on our firm’s anniversary, I reflect on WSB’s journey. Recently, I was in New York City at a conference and was reminiscing on the past 24 years and thinking about the future. While in New York, I saw the musical Hamilton again and began to understand why I’m drawn to it. One of the early songs in Hamilton is called “My Shot.” Alexander Hamilton sings about his place in history and how he is not going to throw away the opportunity that he has been given. He says that he is like his country, “young, scrappy and hungry.” That description is a good way to describe WSB founders Ron Bray, Pete Willenbring, Don Sterna and myself 24 years ago. In terms of firm age and staff, that description remains true in 2019. We have grown from seven staff in one oversized office in 1995 to more than 500 staff in 12 offices throughout four states today. Our secret sauce has always been our attitude of hunger and scrappiness – now reflected in our WSB Way values that remind us to be bold, authentic, passionate, optimistic and visionary.

As four founders on the verge of something new, we didn’t throw away our shot and we continue to work every day to provide opportunities to our staff so they can take their shot in a supportive and collaborative environment. Now 24 years later, I am more inspired by our team and have more passion and fire to be the best that we can be. Our industry is changing at a pace that we haven’t seen before, and we must be at the forefront of that change. I’m amazed when successful companies choose to relax and rest on past successes. Nothing is promised to us and without continued improvement and change, those companies will not exist in the future. From technology, productivity, sustainability to diversity, there is much more to do, and I believe that we are well-positioned to continue to lead. In recent years, we’ve been improving quality, expanding our offerings to new markets and service areas, and focusing on hiring and developing an amazing team. I am so thankful for our staff and clients who have helped build WSB and I am excited for our future successes as we begin to celebrate our 25th year in 2020.

In the musical, Hamilton’s wife says that he writes like he is running out of time. I can appreciate that feeling as we race to be our best. WSB is still a young company and there is much more ahead of us. My advice to our staff is to keep their heads up and watch for opportunities. Don’t make assumptions or preplan your career. You might miss out on something wonderful that you couldn’t have imagined. We have lived by that philosophy over the past 24 years and I know that our 25th year will be no different.

Today, we take time to celebrate the success we have had for 24 years, and after we will look to the future and move forward with passion, optimism and a bold vision to be the most authentic firm we can be. As Alexander Hamilton says, “That would be enough!”

Applying for grants: 5 Things to Consider

Mary Gute, Sr. Transportation Planner, WSB

You encounter many opportunities to pursue grants throughout the year. Grants can be a great way to fund community needs. However, preparing applications comes with expense – staff time and effort or consultant fees. Not to mention, there’s no guarantee you’ll be awarded anything. Is it worth the effort? Below are some things to consider when making a decision.  

1. Know the program requirements

• Does your project or need fit the eligibility requirements? Try talking to the grant administrator to see how well your project fits within the program requirements.
• If a local funding match is required, make sure your community has the funds available.
• If the grant is for construction, does the project need to be let or constructed by a certain date? If so, be sure your community meet that requirement.

2. Know the real level of effort

• Calculate the cost: consider staff hours or consultant fees needed to prepare the application.
• Can your community meet all of the application requirements, including the due date?

3. Identify the grant team

• Assign a grant champion – the person who will see the application through from start to finish.
• Identify who will provide the technical portions of the application. For example: engineering layout; cost estimates; benefit/cost analysis; etc.

4. Obtain necessary approvals and endorsements

• Is your community leadership on-board with pursuing the grant?  
• If the application will benefit from outside support from stakeholders or elected officials, be sure to request those items early.

5. Identify unstated factors that may influence success

• Has your community recently been awarded money from this funding source? Oftentimes, grant administrators award money based on historic awards in an effort to ensure everyone has an opportunity.
• Identify any outside factors that may influence selection.

Thinking about the items above will help you make an informed decision – balancing the level of effort required compared to the likelihood of success.

Need help deciding whether or not to go after a grant or wondering if any grants might fit a project? We can help.

Mary is a Sr. Transportation Planner at WSB with over 17 years of progressively complex transportation planning and project management experience, gained from working on a variety of transportation projects for modes including roads/bridge, transit, and trails.