The countdown to the release of the updated MS4 Permit has begun. The current MS4 Permit expired on July 31, 2018 and the MPCA is tentatively planning to reissue the updated Permit before the end of this year.
As a new permit approaches, take a few minutes to reflect on the progress you’ve made towards meeting your measurable goals over the last five years. We’ve developed procedures, adopted ordinances, formed partnerships, inspected and eliminated illicit discharges, monitored construction sites, and assessed our ponds…and now it is time to start thinking about the next permit cycle.
Soon we will work through the Part II application that outlines how our MS4 programs will come into compliance with the updated MS4 Permit requirements. Before the new MS4 Permit is released, there are some important to-dos to help you get organized before the permit arrives.
Here’s what you can do now:
Review and update your storm sewer system map. Take a close look at storm sewer, pond, outfall, and structural stormwater BMP locations and ownership information and complete updates, as needed.
Dust off ordinances, written procedures, enforcement response procedures, form templates, and save them in a convenient location – they’ll come in hand for the Part II application.
Complete a mock audit. By understanding the current state of your program compared to the existing requirements, you’ll be ready to fill in the blanks in the Part II application with ease. As a bonus, this activity will also help you start preparing for the 2020 MS4 Annual Report; a bit of preparation this fall will save hours of agony in June.
Organize your files and recordkeeping mechanisms. Consider creating a shared drive so everyone on your team can help track and contribute to MS4 activities. If your current set-up isn’t working, now is the time to find a system that works for easy tracking for the next permit cycle.
Continue the routine upkeep of your MS4 program to keep operations running smoothly, including staff training, erosion control inspections and enforcement, public education efforts, annual meeting, etc. The permit may be expired, but we must continue to implement our programs and ultimately manage our stormwater conveyance systems.
Start checking things off your list, and in no time at all, you’ll be ready to take-on whatever the new MS4 Permit has in store.
Meghan Litsey is director of our Environmental Compliance team and has over eight years of experience. She specializes in providing environmental compliance services in construction site permitting, SWPPP design and inspection, and MS4 program development.
Many groundwater sources in the United States have elevated levels of nitrate, which can lead to public drinking water suppliers exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) limit of 10 mg/L. Regularly consuming water with nitrate concentrations above the MCL can reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood; resulting in shortness of breath and possibly fatality in humans. Conventional approaches to treating nitrate include ion exchange or reverse osmosis, both which are effective but generate large quantities of brine salts leading to multiple environmental concerns.
WSB has successfully removed nitrate from the groundwater without generating harmful residuals using biological filtration. Biological filtration removes nitrate through denitrification. Denitrification is the process by which nitrate is removed from the source water by converting it to non-toxic nitrogen gas (78 percent of the air we breathe is comprised of nitrogen). Biological filtration employs conventional filters to clean the source water. However, the filters are populated with naturally occurring microbes that enable the biological conversion of nitrate. Both the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the EPA consider biological denitrification to be an efficient and effective method for treating nitrate in public drinking water supplies, additionally, it significantly reduces the amount of chemicals used and generate significantly fewer residuals. An external carbon source may need to be dosed to promote microbial growth in the filters depending on the type of water to be treated (groundwater or surface water).
Although biological denitrification has been used in wastewater treatment for decades, it has only been effectively used in the United Stated for drinking water treatment in recent years. Therefore, MDH requires a pilot study to be completed prior to implementing this treatment process full-scale. WSB recently completed a biological filtration pilot study for the City of Hastings, Minnesota. Hastings’ water supply is provided by groundwater wells that are open to the Jordan Sandstone Aquifer. The Jordan Aquifer is a shallow and, sometimes vulnerable, aquifer that commonly produces groundwater with significant levels of nitrate. Hasting’s wells produce water nitrate concentrations that range from 6 to 9 mg/L. The city currently has an existing ion exchange water treatment plant that removes the majority of the nitrate before it enters the distribution system. The figure above shows the nitrate removal results obtained during the pilot study. The average influent nitrate concentration during the 12-week pilot study was 6.7 mg/L. WSB’s biological filtration pilot plant consistently reduced the influent nitrate concentrations in Hastings’ well water to below 1.0 mg/L. Several samples had non-detectable levels of nitrate which demonstrated the pilot plant’s capability to remove all nitrate from the City’s raw water. Nitrate removal did not occur immediately as the microbes required a couple of weeks to populate the filters in order to denitrify the water. These microbes are not harmful to humans as they are inactivated using disinfection prior to pumping the water to the distribution system. Nitrite is formed as an intermediary step between nitrate and nitrogen gas. Nitrite causes similar health effects than nitrate, but it is more toxic as its MCL is only 1.0 mg/L. Effluent nitrite concentrations were maintained at zero or near zero during the pilot study.
If your community’s source water has elevated nitrate levels, WSB’s water treatment engineers can work with you to develop a comprehensive pilot protocol, collaborate with state agencies, and conduct a pilot study using WSB’s pilot plant to help you determine if biological filtration can treat most or all of the nitrate in your raw water without generating harmful residuals. For more information, please contact WSB.
By Alison Harwood, Director of Natural Resources, WSB
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is investigating threats to the monarch butterfly. The monarch is being considered to join the list of species registered under the Endangered Species Act. The listing decision is expected to occur in December. If listed, projects and activities that involve impacts to the monarch or their habitat could face delays as a result of required USFWS consultation. To avoid potential delays, transportation and energy groups are enrolling in the Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) program. The CCAA allows transportation and energy groups nationwide to gain protections for certain covered activities by implementing conservation measures to sustain a viable habitat for monarchs, within the right of way on energy and transportation lands. Enrolling in the program can help these groups avoid costly project delays.
Protecting our environment allows us to work with nature, not against it.
The monarch butterfly is a beautiful sight, with its brilliant red-orange wings, black veined exterior and white spotting. However, this attractive pollinator is not something to take for granted. The monarch is a vital species in our planet’s ecosystem and contributes to the environment through pollination and as an important food source for birds, small animals and other insects.
Preserving and monitoring butterfly habitat within right of way segments is a top priority for the CCAA and affiliated members. In Minnesota, any stretch of right of way along the road is commonly identified as habitat; except for urban areas that contain no vegetation. This habitat supports milkweed and a variety of blooming nectar plants that monarchs regularly frequent. Before forming a chrysalis, the monarch caterpillar relies on milkweed as its primary food source. Without it, the larva cannot develop into a butterfly.
Monarch habitats are threatened by activities such as mowing, spraying, or grading. If listed and without proper permitting, any damage to monarch habitat as a result of these activities is in direct violation of the Endangered Species Act. Entities in violation of the Endangered Species Act may be fined and unable to continue their project work until proper permitting has been processed and approved.
Morrison County puts conservation measures in place.
WSB recognizes the importance of maintaining, improving and creating a viable habitat. Our Natural Resources team recently partnered with the Morrison County Highway Department to help them determine which segments of right of way require conservation measures. As part of the conservation study, our environmental scientists will calculate and analyze the total acreage of right of way and provide recommendations on conservation best practices (as indicated per the CCAA) such as guidelines for mowing. The CCAA requires each County transportation group to implement conservation measures on five percent of the total right of way area. An approved list of management practices is covered in the agreement for communities to review.
The CCAA program is open for enrollment until the effective listing date (anticipated as December 2021 or January 2022). Members can apply for the program and receive coverage before the ruling is made. Interested entities can only join the CCAA prior to the listing date.
By maintaining, improving and creating a safe habitat, monarchs will have the environment they need to survive and thrive for generations to come.
4D/5D modeling is intended to improve the accuracy and efficiency of projects. It has applications throughout the project life-cycle, from preliminary design to project close-out with the contractor. Learn more about some of the ways incorporating into your project and improve your projects overall success.
4D models help mitigate project risk by visualizing project conflicts that are not easily identified in traditional Gantt style bar charts. A 3D model linked to a project schedule provides the project team the opportunity to identify and mitigate project staging, utility, and discipline conflicts by providing a visual of how construction will play out as a function of time. It also provides a visual of project opportunities, allowing the project team to reschedule activities that may be better sequenced to reduce construction delays and cost, as well as redesign the 3D model to include missing design elements that would otherwise delay construction. Project time and cost savings are the direct result of using the 4D model to identify and mitigate project risks early on in construction.
The 4D/5D models provide a level of transparency that encourages coordination between project team members, creating team accountability through clear vision of project construction. The 4D/5D model is used to bring project conflicts to the surface and create the opportunity for project team members (owner, contractor, engineer, and project stakeholders) to resolve challenges in a collaborative environment.
4D/5D modeling enhances project coordination by allowing new project team members and stakeholders be brought up to speed quickly on the design and staging of the project. This greatly enhances project communication relative to the use of a traditional Gantt style activity chart. It also provides the opportunity for developing staff to become familiar with a project that may, historically, have been easier for a more senior staff member to visualize. The 4D/5D model allows the project team to develop and review a safety plan visually and highlight construction activities where accidents and risks can be reduced prior to the activity occurring on the project.
By incorporating 4D/5D modeling, your projects will run more smoothly and efficiently. It allows you to mitigate risk though the application of a timeline to the overall plan creating greater vision and improve efficiency by encouraging team work and increasing overall project vision. Contact us for more information how modeling can be applied to your projects.
Kelsey, a graduate engineer with WSB, successfully balances the needs of different modal users, property owners, and environmental constraints. She is known for her attention to detail and innovative solutions to complex designs.
By Jake Newhall, Project Manager & Pete Willenbring, Vice President, WSB
Approaching winter conditions mean more salt in stormwater systems
Chlorides in our local bodies of water have become a rising concern in recent years. As winter weather approaches and causes icy conditions, our parking lots, roadways and sidewalks are treated with salt to melt snow and ice.
Salt creates safer winter driving conditions, but the environmental impacts of salt use are raising concerns on the long-term effects on fisheries, plant life and surrounding wildlife. The salt used to treat our roadways and pedestrian areas contains chloride that dissolves when mixed with water. This has resulted in increased chloride concentrations in many lakes, streams, and wetlands. The elevated chloride levels are high enough in some cases to cause significant environmental impacts.
Removing chloride from water is possible, but the technology is incredibly expensive, and disposal of the chloride removed is a challenge. The primary way to remove chlorides requires high-tech reverse osmosis filters. This is not unlike the challenges presented in treating ocean water for potable source water.
Monitoring the runoff and impacted surface water bodies in areas where heavy salt application is occurring is allowing us to gain a better understanding of the effects of chlorides on our environment and how communities can manage application rates to balance public and environmental safety.
In recent years, WSB has been working closely with state and local agencies to monitor and track the application, runoff concentrations, and ultimate impacts of chlorides in various locations. The goal is to develop a better methodology to manage the application, potential chloride disposal opportunities, and minimize environmental impacts. Through this research, we’ve been exploring ways to reroute chloride-saturated runoff away from local surface waters and BMPs and protect them from elevated concentrations.
As we continue to monitor and evolve our understand of chlorides, we are developing several initiatives with cities, watersheds, and the Metropolitan Council that will allow us to balance future management strategies, public safety, and environmental impacts of chlorides.
Jake has more than 15 years of engineering experience designing and managing many types of water resources projects, including modeling, planning, design, maintenance programs, and construction. Jake has worked with various municipalities, counties and state agencies to solve challenging water quality and water quantity problems.
Pete is a principal and co-founder of WSB. He is a professional engineer, with over 30 years of experience providing consulting services to over 100 city, county, state, and federal clients. Pete has expertise in most fields of civil engineering, but is widely recognized to have developed special expertise in the fields of water resource and environmental engineering, project management, design, and planning.
Preparing for and planning staffing support and resources at the local level is crucial to ensuring that the needs of the community are met, and statutory timelines adhered to. Sometimes, internal team members do not have the capacity to handle all the workload. Busy seasons, staff turnover, leaves of absence and unexpected challenges or needs arise that can throw a wrench in original staff and workload plans. In these instances, a consulting partner can be helpful to maintaining a high level of service while staying within budget and resource constraints. Here are four reasons to consider professional consultants to help augment your staff’s capacity:
Scalable
Unlike a full-time staffer, a consultant can be there for you as much or as little as you need. This gives you the ability to scale the level of service depending on your busy times or when your staff are unavailable. A consulting team can quickly adapt to your workload.
Cost-effective
Consultants offer many different pricing structures that can range from stable monthly retainers to on-call hourly services. One of the strengths of a consulting partner is the range of expertise levels. Matching expertise with the level of skill needed allows for flexibility in budgets. In addition, an outside consultant can also present other options for partners or creative resources that weren’t initially considered.
Team approach
A team approach means that you have access to the expertise and resources of an entire consulting firm when issues or challenges arise. When partnerships are formed between public and private entities, you are hiring a team and not just an individual. There is always someone with the necessary experience when a question needs an answer, a problem needs to be solved or an application needs to be completed.
Always available
With a consultant comes a deep bench of expertise. When someone isn’t available, you can rest assured that there is always someone available to attend meetings, field questions and review information in the event of a vacation or illness.
People often associate consultants with unnecessary expenses, but there are many cost-effective and creative ways that a consultant can actually reduce costs and help stretch budgets.
Conclusion
At WSB, we pride ourselves on having a team of expert staff dedicated to keeping communities running smoothly. Many of our team members have served in the public sector as City Engineers, Planners, Transportation Engineers, Directors of Public Works, among other public sector roles. Therefore, we know firsthand the challenges and opportunities local leaders experience. By leveraging our comprehensive expertise and deep understanding of the public sector, WSB stands ready to support your community’s needs efficiently and effectively.
During long winter months, managing and improving infrastructure that is affected by snowfall becomes a top priority. Snow, combined with wind, creates dangerous conditions. Meteorologists have a system that predicts snowfall events and wind patterns, but many people don’t know the science behind snowdrift prevention. To help prevent dangerous driving conditions, engineers model and analyze snow drifts on roadways to determine how they’re impacted by winter weather. Today, snow drift challenges are solved by combining snow drift models with historical data to pin-point snow drift spots and create a more focused solution to mitigate the drift problem.
The benefits of a well-designed ditch
The width and depth of a ditch that borders a roadway can work to a commuter’s advantage and can reduce agency owners’ snowplow maintenance. Well-designed ditches prevent snow from blowing onto a roadway. Historical data and snow drift models help to determine the proper location and size of a ditch. Ditches are designed best when existing topography and right-of-way are both considered to create a well-balanced solution.
Living and structural snow fences
Snow fences became a leading solution to combating snowdrifts and keeping roads open after record snowfall and disastrous blizzards pounded the Midwest in the 1990s. Since then, roads that were often closed due to impassable snowdrifts are now kept open with a little help from nature and modern materials.
There are two types of snow fences – living and structural. A living snow fence is a group of trees or bushes planted strategically to catch drifting snow. The line of trees or shrubs prevents the snow from reaching sections of roads that tend to become blocked during or after storms, creating an effective barrier and increasing driver safety.
When living snow fences aren’t suited for a site, a structural snow fence is another option to consider. This is the preferred method when soil is too compacted, or the area doesn’t allow for shrubbery or trees due to maintenance complications.
The diagram below shows how a snow fence prevents snow from drifting.
Engineers automatically design roads for drainage, but snow should receive the same attention – particularly in states that experience winter weather for half the year. As you navigate your way through winter driving conditions, take notice of what surrounds you. The line of trees or the ditch next to you may just be helping keep the roadway clear.
DJ has been a quality manager and a senior project manager in transportation, both in preliminary and final design, for over 14 years. Prior to joining WSB, DJ was a design engineer and project manager for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and has managed or been part of a wide range of designbid- build transportation projects.
With new technology and aging infrastructure, communities are adapting to unpredictable changes that affect their water management planning. From risk management to wastewater facility management, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 challenges public water systems are facing and the solutions we’re developing with our clients to solve them.
RENEWAL AND REPLACEMENT OF AGING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
Many communities rely on water infrastructure that is over 50-years-old, leaving them more susceptible to contamination or water main breaks. To extend the lifespan of aging infrastructure, communities are replacing or modernizing their water systems. Some unique improvements include biological filtration systems or the development of smart water systems that use advanced controls.
LONG-TERM WATER SUPPLY
The supply of water, one of our world’s most precious resources is one of the most critical issues facing metro areas with high consumption rates. Bustling communities are pumping more from their aquifers, resulting in lower water supplies. We’ve worked with many communities to locate new water sources and develop sustainable water practices and water supply plans that protect their resources and prepare them for future needs.
GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT
We often don’t think about groundwater, where it goes and where it comes from. For example, determining how wells will be impacted when implementing a new water source or mitigating a contaminated aquifer with groundwater modeling helps communities improve water system operations.
COMPLIANCE WITH CURRENT AND FUTURE REGULATIONS
Public water systems must meet regulations enforced by the Department of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency. Proactive contaminant management and testing are creating opportunities to better manage contaminants and resolve potential problems before they occur.
ASSET MANAGEMENT
Understanding the age of a system, how it’s maintained and allocating funds for improvements help a community run more effectively. Developing an asset management plan supports all existing infrastructure within a community.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
Many communities cannot make improvements without funding and are hesitant to raise their utility rates, and grants and funding opportunities can be scarce. Exploring potential resources, partnerships and non-traditional funding possibilities creates more access to capital.
SOURCE WATER PROTECTION
Many communities are making great efforts to protect source water such as groundwater, wells, rivers or lakes from potential contamination. This is a progressive, preventive measure to sustain water supply. Creating a quality wellhead or source water protection plan is essential for protecting a community’s drinking water from potential contaminants.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
In 2018, the America’s Water Infrastructure Act was signed into law. The law requires community public drinking water systems serving more than 3,300 people to complete or update their Risk & Resilience Assessment (RRA) and Emergency Response Plan (ERP). These plans help communities better understand where risks lie and how to prepare for the unexpected.
WATER CONSERVATION AND EFFICIENCY
Many communities are working towards becoming green, sustainable, smart cities. Water supply plans evaluate conservation efforts while determining where efficiencies should be developed.
EXPANDING WATER REUSE
Reusing stormwater is a trend that has skyrocketed in recent years. Pumping stormwater into irrigation systems or other water reuse methods conserves water without tapping into the public water supply.
Navigating recreational engagement efforts in a post-pandemic landscape.
The importance of parks and trails has become much more
fundamental to our communities’ wellbeing since COVID-19 hit and stay at home
orders were issued throughout the country. As an escape, many of us have
explored parks, trails and green spaces near our homes more than ever before.
How will this moment in time affect the value we place on these spaces? How
will this change the way we design moving forward? How are perspectives
shifting and what is the next recreational trend? While there are still many unknowns,
as planners and designers we have a unique opportunity to better understand how
we can create recreational opportunities while still accounting for safety
measures through creative design.
A quick glance at the news or social media has the ability
to instantly highlight differences in opinions, and I feel many of the issues
that seem to drive us apart are based on a lack of understanding of the varying
perspectives behind them. As I am
writing this article from my home office, I gaze out my window and see the colorful
crabapples blossoms against a lush green landscape that is now exploding with life,
something I have anxiously awaited all winter. Others may see this as a full-blown
attack of pollen ready to aggravate their allergies and altering their ability to
breathe or taste for the next few weeks. Same event, different experience and
therefore, different perspective.
I also see a neighborhood that, much like the trees coming
out of dormancy, is full of life and activity. I see families playing with
their kids out on the street, I see more bikes on the roads than vehicles, and
I see people flocking to the open spaces to get some piece of normalcy back
into their daily routine, as well as for stress relief and a respite from home
schooling. How is this changing the perspectives towards our parks, trails and
open spaces?
I grew up on a farm in North Dakota and had ample open space
all to myself. I didn’t fully understand the value of this space until I moved
to Minneapolis. Here, I found dense populations with shared outdoor spaces, but
I also found an abundance of renowned public parks, trails and scenic settings
like I had never seen before – and trees! Have I mentioned we don’t have many
trees in North Dakota?
I discovered that these thriving spaces were the direct
result of devoted leaders who worked endlessly to develop high quality parks
and trails, expanded recreational programs for diverse populations, built
successful community centers, and preserved the natural resources that are fundamental
to our Minnesota character. We can attribute many of the quality spaces we have
today to their visionary work. Places to socialize, play, exercise, take in a
walk, or just sit and watch the world go by.
Our collective group of designers and planners see this “time-out”
as an opportunity to reach out to our community members and let them know that
not only are we are here for them, but that we can work together to improve their
quality of life. Now is the time to be the visionary leaders for the next
generations and in order to do so, we must better understand the changing perspectives
of the community through meaningful engagement.
While COVID-19 has made our engagement efforts slightly more challenging, we are starting with a great toolbox of methods to keep communication efforts strong. These methods will become even more important as we continue to navigate the challenges brought on by COVID-19.
A few examples include:
Interactive Project Maps: Interactive maps, such
as Social Pinpoint, are not only convenient and easy to use, they also gather
very detailed and relevant information that, in some instances, have aided our
design process much more significantly than other engagement methods.
Story Maps: ArcGIS and ESRI Story Maps provide a
visually appealing method to catch a user’s attention while portraying useful
information, including tours, maps, and visual displays.
Social media: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook are a
few examples of social media platforms that are being heavily used to reach
audiences. They are a great tool to highlight awareness, bolster engagement,
and gather quick ideas.
Videos: Anyone with a teen understands the TikTok
and YouTube phenomenon. We have found success developing project videos as well
as promoting them through social media spending to reach a broader, more
targeted audience.
Virtual Meetings: Virtual meetings and presentations
provide a great method to interact with task force groups, commissions,
councils, etc., and can also reach a more flexible audience who can engage when
and where it’s convenient for them.
Engagement Events: With a significant increase
in park users during almost all days and times of the week, in-person
engagement events that follow social distancing recommendations remain a valuable
opportunity.
Let’s keep moving forward and take this moment to reach out to the community members, understand their perspectives and work with them to create tomorrow’s next successful project.
Candace is a registered Professional Landscape Architect in the states of Minnesota, North Dakota and Texas. She has been directly involved in a variety of landscape architectural projects related to parks, trails, system planning, streetscaping, natural resource management, and community engagement since 1996.
Obviously, it can’t be understated how difficult and challenging 2020 has been for our communities. Challenges usually bring opportunities and it is all in how we, as public administrators, are able to weave strategies together with these challenges and opportunities. That is what we are faced with year after year, month after month and week after week. Opportunities to provide solutions to unique challenges.
Budgets are a local government’s blueprint to fund community amenities and programs that are necessary to maintain and improve safe, healthy and thriving communities. They are one of the most important ways public administrators can influence creative solutions to the unique challenges public organizations face. That is why the theme of this piece is budget focused.
The summer months are when the “meat” of the budget process happens. As the September 30th deadline for the adoption of a preliminary levy approaches, elected officials and public administrators work hard to proactively project future revenues, evaluate services provided, identify priorities and needs, and come up with creative solutions and opportunities for these priorities.
During this particular time, it is also important to think about how COVID will affect future revenue, continued service provision and operations. As I have spoken with public administration colleagues, there seems to be a cautious optimism. Yes, there will likely be delinquent property tax payments as well as lower revenue from fees and sales taxes for those that have this revenue stream. However, lessons learned from the 2008 recession including ample reserves, calculated cuts and strategic human resource practices as well as the possibility of various stimulus packages, have many organizations prepared to weather this storm.
Some calculated cuts and strategic human resource practices being considered include not hiring seasonal staff, the cancellation of recreation programming and events, the cancellation of community-wide celebrations, offering early retirement buyouts to employees, not hiring for vacated positions, and closely evaluating health insurance and benefit packages.
This year’s budget process allows elected officials and public administrators to plan and implement equity, inclusion and social justice initiatives for the organization’s future. Providing a platform to truly listen to the needs and challenges of the entire community as well as be willing to adjust systems and service provisions based on listening to that feedback is vitally important now more than ever.
Focusing on the budget process in the 3rd quarter of the year should feel normal. The difference this year is the effects of COVID as well as the need to create and implement a plan that is equitable and inclusive for all now and in the future. A strategic and equitable approach to the budget process can lead to successful economic, equitable and healthy communities.
As you work to identify priorities during the 2020 budget process, know that WSB stands ready to assist you in proactively seeking solutions and opportunities for your challenges and needs.
