Water Resources

Water Resilience: Building Communities Prepared for a Changing Environment

September 2, 2026

By Jesse Penn, Senior Director, W/WW & Water Resources, WSB

Water has always been essential to community growth, but today’s challenges are reshaping how cities and counties approach water management. Across the country, extreme heat and drought are placing greater demands on drinking water supplies, while severe storms and flooding are testing the capacity of aging infrastructure. These changing conditions are reinforcing the need for resilient water systems that not only meet today’s demands but also prepare communities for future uncertainty. Successfully addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that considers water supply, wastewater, and stormwater as interconnected parts of the same system.

Effective water management begins with understanding how water moves through a community and how infrastructure performs under both everyday conditions and extreme events. Engineers work closely with public works departments, utility operators, planners, and community leaders to evaluate existing systems, identify risks, and develop long term strategies. By assessing infrastructure conditions, operational demands, regulatory requirements, and future growth projections, communities can make informed decisions that support reliability, sustainability, and responsible investment.

As communities seek to strengthen resilience, a variety of solutions can help address water related challenges. Water conservation programs, leak detection efforts, water audits, pressure management, and water reuse initiatives can help maximize available resources during periods of drought and high demand. At the same time, stormwater solutions such as storm ponds, drainage improvements, underground storage systems, and permeable pavement can help reduce flood risk, improve water quality, and protect critical infrastructure during increasingly intense rainfall events. Taking a proactive approach allows communities to address challenges before they become emergencies, reducing long term costs while improving system performance and reliability.

There is no one size fits all solution to water resilience. Every community faces different challenges, priorities, and resource constraints. When evaluating potential solutions, it is important to consider infrastructure age and condition, maintenance requirements, available funding, future development, regulatory obligations, and the potential impacts of changing weather patterns. A valuable first step is understanding how existing systems will perform under future conditions, allowing communities to identify vulnerabilities, prioritize investments, and proactively address issues before they become costly emergencies. The most successful strategies balance immediate needs with long term goals, ensuring infrastructure investments deliver lasting value for residents and taxpayers alike.

WSB partners with cities, counties, and utility providers to develop practical, forward thinking water infrastructure solutions. Our team evaluates system performance, identifies opportunities for improvement, and helps communities plan for both immediate needs and long term growth. We also help communities navigate local development processes and assess project impacts, supporting informed decision making, operational effectiveness, and the responsible use of public dollars. From water supply and wastewater systems to stormwater management and flood mitigation, WSB delivers engineering solutions that strengthen infrastructure, protect public investments, and help communities become more resilient in an ever changing environment.

What Texas Teaches the Rest of the Country About Water Infrastructure Resilience

July 1, 2026

By Jesse Penn, Senior Director, W/WW & Water Resources, WSB

In Texas, long-term drought, population growth, ecology, aging infrastructure, and extreme weather have intersected in ways that highlight challenges many regions are increasingly facing. This shapes how systems are planned, designed, and operated, offering lessons that extend well beyond state lines.

Planning For Scarcity Over Generations

One of the clearest lessons to emerge is that water scarcity must be treated as a lasting operating condition rather than a temporary disruption. Utilities that have worked through prolonged drought learned that short-term relief — such as periodic reservoir recovery — does not eliminate supply risk.

In Central Texas, this reality has driven planning horizons well beyond traditional cycles. Some utilities have developed 100-year water supply plans, forcing difficult conversations about how water will be sourced, conserved, stored, and delivered for generations to come. That generational mindset is becoming increasingly relevant elsewhere as growth and climate variability place similar demands on systems nationwide.

Financial Resilience Is System Resilience

Sustained conservation carries financial consequences that cannot be ignored. Reduced water use affects utility revenue, influencing affordability, capital investment, and maintenance programs. Utilities operating under these conditions have had to reevaluate rate structures and balance financial stability with resource stewardship.

The takeaway is straightforward: resilience cannot be achieved through engineering alone. Financial planning and technical planning must be aligned early, particularly when infrastructure is expected to perform reliably for decades.

Designing Beyond Historical Assumptions

Recent experience has reinforced the need to plan for conditions outside historical design norms. Systems accustomed to heat and drought have also been tested by flooding, ice storms, and prolonged freezing temperatures. Multiday freezes strained power supply, treatment processes, and distribution systems, while flooding introduced additional risks for facilities and critical infrastructure.

From Isolated Fixes to Adaptive Systems

In response, resilience has evolved into a broader planning framework. Utilities are moving away from one-off fixes toward flexible systems capable of responding to a range of known and unknown challenges. This includes enhanced monitoring, clear emergency response planning, defined operational roles, reliable backup power, and communication strategies that support timely decision-making.

The Expertise Required for Complex, Persistent Challenges

Delivering resilient systems in these conditions demands teams that understand how planning decisions affect lifetime operations, how construction choices influence adaptability and how systems behave under stress.

Utilities increasingly need partners who can think across the full lifecycle from early planning and design through construction and ongoing performance while accounting for financial constraints, regulatory requirements, and real-world operational realities.

Lessons learned under one set of pressures can inform smarter decisions elsewhere, helping utilities move from reactive solutions to robust strategies.

Strengthening WSB Through Legacy CAS Experience

In late 2025, WSB acquired CAS, a well-established water and wastewater engineering firm with deep roots in Texas. The integration expanded WSB’s water and wastewater capabilities by adding experience shaped through decades of complex project delivery. The Austin-based team brings perspective across planning, design, construction, and operations on public and private infrastructure projects, informing how systems are planned and phased under conditions shaped by scarcity, growth, ecological constraints and extreme weather.

Legacy CAS adds depth in wastewater treatment and strengthens WSB’s capabilities in pipelines, lift stations, pump stations, and large-diameter conveyance.

Together with WSB’s existing water resources and treatment expertise, this integration supports a practical, systems-level approach to water and wastewater infrastructure.

An Early Signal With Broader Relevance

The pressures shaping planning in Texas — ecology, scarcity, growth, extreme weather, financial constraints, and uncertainty — are no longer isolated. The lessons learned in response, particularly the discipline of planning for generations rather than cycles, offer a practical framework for communities nationwide as they work to build water and wastewater systems prepared not just for today, but for the long term.

Designing Resilient Infrastructure for Coastal Communities in North Florida

By: Raul Osorio, Costal Resiliency Program Manager, WSB

October 23, 2025

Coastal communities in North Florida are facing significant climate related challenges. The impacts of rising sea levels, intensified hurricanes, king tides, and increased rainfall are leading to more frequent flooding events and placing considerable strain on infrastructure systems that were not built to withstand today’s and beyond environmental scenarios. As these risks grow, so does the need for infrastructure that is not only durable, but resilient and sustainable.

Resilience in infrastructure means more than just hardening assets. It’s about designing systems that can absorb shocks, recover systems quickly, and adapt over time. In coastal regions, this includes everything from elevating roadways and reinforcing bridges, to rethinking stormwater management and utility networks. It also means planning for long-term sea level rise scenarios, not just short-term storm events.

Communities across North Florida are already experiencing the consequences of outdated infrastructure as they face natural hazards. Nuisance flooding disrupts transportation and emergency services. Saltwater intrusion threatens drinking water supplies and storm damage leads to costly repairs and economic setbacks. These challenges demand a proactive and sustainable, integrated approach to infrastructure planning and design.

Nature-Based and Hybrid Solutions

One of the most promising strategies for coastal resilience is the integration of nature-based solutions. These approaches use natural systems like wetlands, dunes, and mangroves to buffer storm impacts and restore ecological balance. When combined with traditional engineering methods such as seawalls, they create hybrid systems that are both effective and sustainable.

For example, living shorelines can reduce erosion while creating habitats, improving water quality and enhance community resilience. Green infrastructure, such as bioswales and permeable pavements, can reduce runoff and improve water quality. These solutions not only enhance resilience but also provide co-benefits like improved aesthetics, recreational opportunities, reduction in flood risk, and habitat restoration.

Planning with Data and Community Insight

Resilient infrastructure begins with informed planning. This means using data such as flood modeling, climate and sea level rise projections, and GIS mapping to identify vulnerabilities and prioritize investments. But it also means engaging with communities to understand local needs, values, and risks.

Effective resilience planning is iterative and inclusive. It brings together engineers, planners, environmental scientists, and community stakeholders to co-create solutions that are technically sound and socially equitable. In coastal areas, this often involves balancing development pressures with environmental preservation and long-term risk reduction.

Funding and Implementation

While the need for resilient infrastructure is clear, funding remains a major hurdle. Fortunately, there are growing opportunities through federal, and state programs focused on climate adaptation and disaster mitigation. Successful implementation often hinges on the ability to align technical planning with grant requirements, permitting processes, monitoring and long-term maintenance strategies.

Communities that take a proactive stance by developing resilience plans, identifying shovel-ready projects, and building cross-sector partnerships are better positioned to secure funding and develop sustainable and adaptive projects.

Looking Ahead

Designing resilient infrastructure for coastal communities is not a one-time effort. It’s an ongoing process that requires foresight, flexibility, and collaboration. As North Florida continues to grow and change, so must the systems that support it. Reducing long term costs, protecting critical infrastructure, and enhance public safety and reliability will help. By combining strategic planning, innovative design, technology, and environmental stewardship, we’re working to create a more resilient future one project, one partnership, and one coastal community at a time.

WSB is committed to helping communities build infrastructure that stands the test of time and supports sustainable growth. As a trusted partner of the Florida Department of Transportation, WSB assisted in restoring North Florida communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Debby and Helene by providing debris management and traffic signal restoration.

Preparing for the New MS4 Permit Cycle: Steps to take right now

August 29th, 2025

By Kory Bonnell, Director of Environmental Compliance at WSB

The countdown to the release of the updated MS4 Permit has begun. The current MS4 Permit for Minnesota communities will expire on November 15th, 2025. As a new permit expiration date approaches, it’s a good idea for communities to take a few minutes to reflect on MS4 progress made to date.

Here’s what communities can do now:

1. Review and update storm sewer system maps. Take a close look at storm sewer, pond, outfall, and structural stormwater BMP locations and ownership information and complete updates, as needed.
2. Dust off ordinances, written procedures, enforcement response procedures, form templates, and save them in a convenient location – they’ll come in handy for the Part II application.
3. Complete a mock audit. Understanding the current state of the program compared to the existing requirements will better prepare communities for Part II of the application.
4. Organize files and recordkeeping mechanisms. Consider creating a shared drive so everyone can help track and contribute to MS4 activities. If the current set-up isn’t working, now is the time to find a system that works for easy tracking for the next permit cycle.
5. 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 meetings, etc. The permit may be approaching expiration, but implementation of current programs and management of stormwater conveyance systems must main.   

WSB can help manage MS4 programs at every stage. With over a decade of experience supporting communities throughout Minnesota, the WSB team brings valuable expertise to MS4 management. Services include updating system maps, performing audits, and assisting with record keeping and overall program management. By addressing these tasks proactively, communities will be well-prepared to handle whatever the new MS4 Permit may require.

The Next 30 Years of Civil Engineering

Shaping the Future with Innovation, Insight, and Integrity

As WSB celebrates 30 years of innovation and excellence, it’s an opportune time to reflect on the transformative advancements in civil engineering and to look ahead to the exciting future of our industry. Over the past three decades, we’ve witnessed remarkable progress—from the widespread adoption of email and the internet to breakthroughs in materials science and the evolution of CAD software. These innovations have revolutionized how we design, collaborate, and deliver projects.

Future Predictions
The next 30 years promise even greater developments. As infrastructure demands grow, firms that embrace new ways of doing business by leveraging technology, optimizing project delivery methods, and investing in the next generation of engineers will be best positioned for success. Artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and robotics are beginning to transform key aspects of business across various industries. In civil engineering, the enhancements of these tools will accelerate project timelines, improve safety, and elevate creativity through seamless collaboration. Advancements in model-based design and construction management, as well as predictive analytics will continue to enable engineers to model, test, and refine infrastructure systems in a virtual environment before breaking ground, reducing risk and improving outcomes.

Technology as an Empowering Force
It’s important to emphasize that these developments will not be replacing engineers but empowering them. We look at these technologies as valuable assistants to our staff. With data becoming more accessible, engineers will have the insights needed to develop smarter, more sustainable infrastructure while maintaining the critical human expertise that drives innovation. Technology will continue to redefine safety, efficiency, and precision in an industry that once relied on hand-drawn plans and manual machine control. As these tools evolve, they will unlock new possibilities in civil engineering, shaping a future that is more connected and resilient. To stay at the forefront of these industry shifts, WSB is actively partnering with various leading technology companies to develop forward-thinking solutions for our clients. Our commitment to investing in continuous learning and technical training will continue to differentiate us as a leader in the industry.

WSB’s Commitment to the Future
Over the past 30 years, the industrialization of technology has propelled civil engineering forward. The next 30 will be defined by even greater advancements, ethical considerations, and the ability to adapt to new challenges. As we navigate the future of our industry, one thing is certain: WSB will lead our industry through this transformation.

From Coast to Plains: WSB’s Commitment to North Dakota’s Future

September 12, 2024
By Anthony Sommerfeld, PE, Project Manager, WSB

In a nation as vast as ours, understanding and addressing the unique needs of every community is a formidable challenge. In North Dakota we face challenges with aging infrastructure and managing urban growth while preserving our rural landscape. It requires a blend of broad national experience with a deep, personal appreciation of local nuances. As WSB invests in our municipal service offerings in North Dakota, we bring with us a commitment that is twofold – leveraging our national knowledge to empower local communities, while rooting our efforts deeply in the local culture and needs.

Embracing our Local Roots

We understand that the heart of North Dakota isn’t just found in its expansive plains or the rugged badlands, but in the spirit of the people who call it home. As we continue to grow our presence in Fargo and Bismarck, our goal is to intertwine WSB’s comprehensive expertise with North Dakota’s local ethos. Our investment is not just about growing our firm, but about nurturing the communities we serve with tailored solutions that respect their heritage and ambitions.

A Personal Connection with Professional Depth

Choosing WSB means opting for a partner who not only offers a wide array of services but understands why each project matters on a personal level. Our decision to deepen our roots in North Dakota stems from a recognition of the state’s burgeoning potential and the unique challenges faced by its communities. Our engineers and professionals, many of whom hail from the region, bring with them not just technical expertise, but a personal investment in the community’s growth and well-being.

Understanding and Integrating into North Dakota’s Social Fabric

WSB’s approach is heavily anchored in the understanding that local insights lead to more sustainable and accepted solutions. Our team members, many of whom grew up in the very communities they now serve, bring a nuanced understanding of what it means to live and work in North Dakota. This intrinsic knowledge guides our projects, ensuring they not only address infrastructural needs but also enhance the community’s way of life.

The WSB Advantage

With WSB, communities across North Dakota can access a spectrum of services tailored to their unique environmental, economic, and social landscapes. From infrastructure engineering to environmental consulting, our offerings are designed to advance local priorities with national-level expertise. Now is an opportune time for local leaders to explore what a partnership with WSB could mean for their community’s future.

As we invest in North Dakota, our commitment is clear: to deliver not just projects, but progress. To not just work in North Dakota, but to work with North Dakota, understanding its heart, and enhancing its communities with every project we undertake.

Connect with Us at the North Dakota League of Cities Conference

We’re thrilled to announce that WSB will be participating in the upcoming North Dakota League of Cities Conference. Come find us at booth #44, where we’re eager to engage with you. I’m looking forward to exploring the unique challenges your community faces and discussing how we can tailor our support to meet your future needs.

Becoming a Water Positive City

October 15, 2024
By Bill Alms, Sr Project Manager, WSB

As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and urbanization, the concept of water positivity has emerged as a crucial goal for cities striving for sustainability. Water positivity means a city gives back more water than it consumes, creating a net positive impact on the local water cycle. Achieving this status is not only environmentally responsible but also enhances the resilience and livability of urban areas. Here are some essential tips for city staff on how to transform your city into a water-positive organization.

Implement Efficient Water Management Practices

The first step towards water positivity is to adopt efficient water management practices. This includes the installation of smart water meters and leak detection systems to monitor and reduce water wastage. Cities should invest in upgrading their infrastructure to minimize losses from aging pipelines and optimize water distribution. Additionally, promoting water-saving technologies and practices among residents and businesses can significantly reduce overall consumption.

Invest in Green Infrastructure and Regenerative Landscapes

Green infrastructure, such as rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable pavements, plays a vital role in enhancing water infiltration and reducing runoff. These systems help to recharge groundwater, mitigate flooding, and improve water quality by filtering pollutants. By integrating green infrastructure into urban planning, cities can create more resilient and sustainable environments that support water positivity.

Promote Water Recycling and Reuse

Encouraging water recycling and reuse is another key strategy for achieving water positivity. Cities can implement greywater systems to reuse water from sinks, showers, and laundries for irrigation and other non-potable purposes. Additionally, investing in advanced wastewater treatment technologies can enable the safe reuse of treated effluent for industrial processes, landscape irrigation, and even potable water supply. Educating the public about the benefits and safety of water reuse is crucial for gaining community support.

Enhance Community Engagement and Education

Building a water-positive city requires the active participation of the community. City staff should develop comprehensive education and outreach programs to raise awareness about water conservation and the importance of sustainable water practices. Engaging with local schools, businesses, and community organizations can foster a culture of water stewardship and encourage collective action towards water positivity. Transparency in sharing data and progress can also build trust and motivate residents to contribute to the city’s water goals.

Placing an emphasis on telling the water positive story through engaging dashboards and communication strategies is essential. Effective communication needs to tell the story of why it’s important and allow the community to track their progress towards achieving its water-positive goals. This may be on a 20-50 year timeline, as this transformational shift will not happen in short-term planning horizons.

Collaborate with Experts and Stakeholders

Achieving water positivity is a complex and multidisciplinary task that requires collaboration with experts and stakeholders. Partnering with environmental organizations, academic institutions, and technology providers can provide cities with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to implement effective water management strategies. Additionally, fostering partnerships with neighboring municipalities and regional authorities can enhance the impact of water-positive initiatives on a larger scale.

In conclusion, transitioning to a water-positive city is a multifaceted endeavor that demands commitment, innovation, and collaboration. At WSB, we have the expertise and resources to support cities in their journey towards water positivity. Our team of experienced professionals can provide tailored solutions and guidance to help you implement efficient water management practices, invest in green infrastructure, promote water recycling, and engage your community. Together, we can create sustainable and resilient urban environments that thrive for generations to come.

Assessing the effectiveness of pond sediment removal

July 15, 2024
By Jake Newhall, Director of Water Resources, WSB and Bill Alms, Project Manager in Water Resources, WSB

WSB is Leading a New Study that Will Assess the Effectiveness of Pond Sediment Removal for Phosphorus Management in Stormwater Ponds.

Stormwater ponds are an effective way to treat and control stormwater runoff. However, recent studies have indicated that there may be an increasing threat of phosphorus being released from stormwater ponds that can increase pollutant loading to lakes, streams, and wetlands. To address this concern, WSB, the University of Minnesota and six Minnesota communities have come together to perform a study funded by the Minnesota Department of Transportation Local Road Research Board. This study will provide practical data that will help communities across Minnesota manage their stormwater ponds and ultimately improve water quality.

With that in mind, here is what communities and their residents can expect.

What Does The Study Entail?

Six Minnesota communities – Maple Grove, Plymouth, Prior Lake, Savage, Burnsville and Woodbury – will each provide one stormwater pond project to be used as the basis of the study. During the summer of 2024, researchers will visit each pond, take sediment samples and run analysis to determine how much phosphorus is in the basin and how much phosphorus release potentially exists. Then, in the winter of 2024, each pond will undergo a pond dredging project that removes sediment buildup. Following the dredging projects, new samples will be taken during the summer of 2025 to analyze and determine whether current maintenance processes for stormwater ponds can address phosphorus release concerns.

Why Is The Study Needed?

Minnesota has over thirty thousand stormwater retention ponds that treat and control stormwater runoff, but also risk discharging pollutants that impact water quality. Additionally, stormwater ponds are used across the country, meaning that if current dredging practices are not working as intended, the data gathered by this study will directly impact stormwater management regionally and nationally. Primarily, this study will provide much needed data to make new recommendations on how to tackle and prioritize maintenance to maximize pollutant removal.

Phosphorus is particularly detrimental to water quality as it causes the growth of algae in lakes and rivers. Algae blooms not only lower water quality, but also reduce oxygen in the water and are toxic to people and wildlife alike, with studies attributing algae blooms as a potential cause for detrimental health conditions.

What Is WSB Doing To Help?

WSB’s team of experts understand how to manage and improve water resources. WSB is innovating, looking at the science and developing cutting edge tools and techniques to help communities better manage stormwater runoff and water quality. As the study commences and the final data sets are made available in 2025, the work of our talented team will provide the information necessary for communities in Minnesota and across the country improve their programs and to protect their water and their residents.

Stormwater Management & Planning in Expanding Communities

August 1, 2024
By Jake Newhall, Director of Water Resources and Samuel Phillips, Water Resources Engineer, WSB

As communities grow, the challenge of stormwater management becomes increasingly complex. The key to success lies in proactive planning and the strategic development of infrastructure that can adapt to future growth. Learn more about strategies for effective stormwater management in growing communities.

Impact of Population Growth on Stormwater Systems
With urban expansion comes the inevitable addition of impervious surfaces – concrete, asphalt, and roofs, for example – which significantly increases stormwater runoff and alters natural drainage patterns. These changes make communities more vulnerable to flooding and localized erosion, pushing existing infrastructure to its limits and leading to environmental degradation.

Strategic Infrastructure Planning
Effective stormwater management starts with comprehensive planning. Communities need to integrate stormwater management considerations into all stages of development. This includes assessing the potential impact of new construction on stormwater runoff and making necessary adjustments to the stormwater system in early planning phases. It is critical that the planning factors in the existing regulatory framework at the state level, e.g., MPCA regulations in Minnesota, or at local level, e.g., Watershed Districts or city regulations.

Incorporating Flexibility in Infrastructure Design
To accommodate growth, stormwater systems must be designed for flexibility and scalability. This involves creating systems that can be expanded or adjusted as the population grows and land use changes. Techniques such as flow rate control structures, expandable stormwater detention facilities including underground storage are vital. These systems ensure that the infrastructure can evolve in step with the growing community’s needs, without requiring complete overhauls. Often it can be beneficial to plan stormwater management at a regional level, rather than on a project-by-project basis.

Surface Water Quality
In recent decades the stormwater management focus has shifted from traditional rate control through detention towards water quality and volume reduction. Runoff retention, infiltration practices, and erosion control techniques are essential components of the infrastructure planning. Creative solutions such as biofiltration or underground infiltration play an important role in keeping the sediment and nutrient loads at a minimum to preserve healthy riverine and lacustrine ecosystems.

Enhancing System Resilience Through Advanced Engineering
Employing advanced engineering solutions can significantly boost the efficiency and resilience of stormwater systems. For instance, real-time monitoring systems can provide immediate data on water levels, flow rates and system performance, allowing for swift responses to potential flooding events. Additionally, automated control systems can dynamically manage gates and pumps to optimize water flow during different weather conditions.

As communities build resilient infrastructure in growing areas, it may be desirable to bring enhanced stormwater infrastructure to previously developed areas. This is often a challenge, as space may be limited. Hydraulic and water quality modeling can be useful tools in completing subwatershed assessments to identify optimal areas for improvement.

Community Engagement and Education
Community involvement is crucial for the success of stormwater management strategies. Educating the public about the importance of reducing surface runoff and maintaining personal property to aid in water absorption can have profound effects. Community-based initiatives, such as rainwater harvesting and the proper maintenance of private drainage systems, complement larger infrastructure projects and empower residents to contribute to the health of their environment.

Economic and Regulatory Considerations
Planning for the economic aspects of stormwater management is as critical as the technical components. Funding mechanisms, whether through local government budgets, grants or public-private partnerships, need to be established. Moreover, robust regulatory frameworks that mandate sustainable stormwater practices in new developments can drive compliance and ensure that growth is managed in an environmentally responsible manner.

How WSB Can Help
Managing stormwater in a growing community requires foresight, innovation, and community collaboration. At WSB, we provide expert consulting and engineering services that help communities plan, design, construct and maintain flexible, efficient and cost-effective stormwater management systems. Our approach ensures that your infrastructure not only meets today’s needs but is also prepared for tomorrow’s challenges.

From the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico: Solving Water Issues

September 19, 2024
By Karla Lopez, Senior Graduate Engineer, WSB

Creating Sustainable solutions for diverse environmental conditions.

From daily life to supply chains and beyond, water plays a key role in our world, especially in Texas. In the Lone Star State scarcity like droughts is a common issue in some areas, and more regular rainfall is quite common in others. Comparatively, states like Minnesota far more regularly experience flooding from heavy rains or snowfall which require different ideas and solutions for water management.

Water Allocation and Project Resiliency

Water resource management is critical for every city, especially in arid climates like Texas. Ensuring infrastructure can withstand inclement weather while following natural drainage paths is key. As engineers, we strive to design and implement drainage systems to collect and convey stormwater runoff to minimize the likelihood and impact of floods on communities, infrastructure and properties. Initial project planning includes improvising and adjusting the land around the site while attempting to mimic the existing natural drainage pattern using storm drains and other techniques However, a lack of proper infrastructure can inhibit proper drainage systems.

When infrastructure development begins it requires copious amounts of planning. First, surveying is required to ensure the infrastructure is not being built in a floodplain zone. Maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other agencies are used to model existing water levels as a metric for the new project to prevent an increase in flooding. One of the primary goals in using these maps is to ensure that the project does not increase the previous amounts of water discharge. Caution must be taken to prevent increases in water quantities at any construction site. Additionally, in areas like Texas, the infrastructure needs to withstand natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes and coastal flooding.

Improving Water Quality

Infrastructure is only one facet of the issues different communities face. Water purification is a key component of water management, especially when dealing with dirty water. Before collected water is discharged into a river or lake, it goes through different cleaning processes, like filtration ponds, rain gardens and more. Some communities may have proper drainage systems but may not have up-to-date purification systems. This can lead to disparities in the quality of water between different communities.

Differing Climates from State to State

In making state to state comparisons, projects in Texas and Minnesota must work with regulations in both states. Texas is under near-constant threat of a lengthy dry season due to the heat and rare rains. Texas relies heavily on groundwater resources, but due to water scarcity and drought problems the state is facing, the groundwater is depleting. Thus, the regulations in Texas are not as strict as Minnesota’s rules, but that is a double-edged sword. Less regulations can lead to more pollution of water or greater deterioration while more regulation in Minnesota requires far more planning and permitting which slows down projects.

Minnesota, meanwhile, manages the threat of flooding, requiring a thoughtful approach to drainage. There is heavy reliance on watershed assessments which are taken incredibly seriously, especially with the massive number of lakes in the state. Exceptional care is taken to prevent the Land of 10,000 Lakes from becoming polluted due to old or malfunctioning infrastructure.

Tackling Water Issues from Rains to Droughts

Engineering and water management is both an art and a science that requires a careful approach to account for a variety of factors. This is true whether a project is being built to withstand a hurricane or ensuring a project does not cause heavy snowfall to flood neighboring homes. The United States makes up a wide variety of climates with an equally wide variety of potential water related issues that need to be navigated. Like with the varying communities in Texas, all construction projects need to be treated with care whether facing droughts or heavy rains or somewhere else in between.