The Cost of Nitrogen Pollution on the European Economy

A first ever report (ENA - European Nitrogen Assessment) was just released outlining the cost of nitrogen pollution on the European Union's Economy.  


The study carried out by 200 experts from 21 countries and 89 organizations estimates that nitrogen pollution costs Europe between USD 101 Billion - 461.7 Billion per year or USD 212.00 and USD 1,062.00 per person per annum.   These costs are more than double the income gained from using nitrogen fertilizers in European agriculture.


The report also details a number of key assessments of nitrogen pollution including: 
Nitrates cause toxic algal blooms and dead zones especially in the North, Adriatic and Baltic Seas and along the West Coast of France in Brittany.
AND
at least ten million people in Europe are potentially exposed to drinking water with nitrate levels above recommended levels.


The study also states that at least half the world's population is dependent on food that is grown with nitrogen based fertilizers but that the environmental costs of nitrogen pollution to Europe are very high and that the benefits of nitrogen abatement achieved by applying and using fertilizers more efficiently and reducing meat consumption outweigh the costs of other options.


Click here for the full report

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - it is time to think of roof runoff as an asset. Discounted Rainbarrel Program - sponsored by Aquarion, Connecticut

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - it is time to think of roof runoff as an asset.


I was just looking at the USGS seasonal drought predictions.  It is eye opening to look at the map of the US and notice the large red and yellow sections which anticipate drought conditions persisting and intensifying in a large part of the south - through June.  


We, in the Northeast, are very lucky to have had a lot of snow this winter and it seems right now we are in a good position with our water resources for the next several months.  However, we really do not know what is ahead.  Why not take this opportunity to maximize your water resources by investing in a rain barrel for your home?


Aquarion Water is sponsoring again this year a discount rainbarrel program.  The rain barrels are designed to hold 55 or 60 gallons of water, they attach directly to your down-spout and fill automatically when it rains.  They even come with brass attachments, a hose and a screen which prevents insects from making your rainbarrel their home.


Captured rain can be used for lawn watering and car washing or other outdoor chores.  It really is baffling to understand why one would need treated water for these activities.  In fact, I think my garden grows better with roof runoff!


Here is the link to Aquarion's rainbarrel program
You must order by May 31st for pick-up in Trumbull, CT on June 4th.

It is time for smart water

I was listening to WNPR radio show "Fresh Air" this morning and heard Terri Gross' interview of Charles Fishman the author of a new book called The Big Thirst, The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water.  I had to agree with Mr. Fishman's point of view that the golden age of water  (defined as: cheap, abundant and safe water)  is coming to an end here in the US and that it is time to get creative on ways to save and re-use this limited natural resource as well as take a fresh look at ways to maximize our water resources for the future.  


Especially interesting to me were several examples of US cities and industry who have focused on stretching their water resources:


1- City of Las Vegas, NV - Homeowners are incentivized to remove their turf lawns to the tune of $40,000/acre because it is cheaper to pay the homeowner to remove their lawn and re-plant using xeriscaping (native plants that use minimal water resources)  than it is to capture and treat for re-use water that would be used for lawn watering in a city that was built in a dessert.


2- Orlando, FL - 25 years ago, Orlando, Florida mandated a that gray water systems be installed in new construction.  Orlando uses almost as much gray water as potable water, but have not had to pay to treat the gray water that is used for lawn watering and car washing.


3- IBM Corporation - Vermont.  Over the past 10 years, IBM evaluated their factory building and costs associated with heating/air conditioning systems.  After careful study, they re-plumbed their building to maximize the efficiency of their manufacturing process by coordinating the needs of the building and manufacturing processes with change in water temperatures as the water flows through the building.  The money they have saved by re-plumbing their building adds to their ability for their products to be competitive. 


It is time to take a fresh look at how we do things so that we can maximize our water resources.

Blue Book GC Showcase - Bridgeport, April 14, 2011 - networking event

I am a big fan of the Blue Book GC Showcase events.  It is really a great opportunity
to network with other construction companies.   The next event coming up in CT is:


Thursday, April 14th, 2011
Time: 4-7 PM
Location: Bridgeport City Hall Annex Building
999 Broad Street, 1st Floor
Bridgeport, CT 06604


If you are going to attend, YOU NEED TO REGISTER.  Here is the link to BlueBook.  
There is probably a networking event near you!

Westchester County Engineering Expo 2011- SUCCESS

Sunday, April 3, 2011, we participated in the 8th Annual Lower Hudson Valley Engineering Expo.  This expo was designed to show middle and high school students what a career in engineering can be.  The expo took place at White Plains High School in White Plains, NY.


We had many different engineering disciplines represented - chemical, solar, civil, stormwater, marine, motion picture, structural, computer, municipal, and more.  In addition, we have numerous college and universities represented to discuss with students and their parents college engineering programs.


It was a great opportunity to learn about careers in engineering!  Stand by for 2012 details!

This is one of the gyms at White Plains HS

Second gym at White Plains High School

Robotics!!!

New Oil Water Separator for Rye Brook DPW!

It was a bit chilly this morning when we arrived on site at the Rye Brook DPW garage on West William Street.  As the representative for Terre Hill Stormwater Systems, we wanted to be on site for the delivery.  One particular word comes to mind.... BURRRRRRR.  Yes, folks, it was COLD!!!!


The trucker was already on site and preparing the unit for easy off-loading from the truck.

See all of the white stuff?  At this point,
it has been so cold is solid ICE!!!

The yellow color is a special
liner that will protect the box.

Here it is.... the oil/water separator and the lid.
This unit will be installed in the ground in the
next few days.

Engineering Expo for HS Kids - Sunday, April 3, 2011 - White Plains HS

We are excited to be volunteering to help pull together the 8th annual engineering expo designed to show middle and high school kids what engineering is.  Kids will have the opportunity to speak with engineers, find out about the diverse career paths available through engineering and how they can "get there".  The expo is scheduled for Sunday, April 3rd at White Plains High School.


Many local engineering firms, businesses, government agencies will be represented at the expo.  Additionally, a number of colleges and universities will be on hand to discuss their engineering programs as well as college finances.  (Last year we had about 1500 students attend and 35 college programs were represented)


Attendance is free.


The special guest at the expo will be Marshall Brain, Founder of "How Stuff Works" a program on The Discovery Channel.


If you are a company and can help sponsor the event, if you are a college/university and you can exhibit at our event or you are a middle or high school student that wants to learn more about engineering careers, please come to our great website and register!  www.BeAnEngineer.org


Hope to see you there!  Should really be a great day!

TerreKleen hydrodynamic separator approved by The MDC - Hartford, CT

Attention: 

Engineers, Contractors and Owners in

Bloomfield, East Hartford, Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield and Windsor, CT! 

The TerreKleen hydrodynamic separator has been approved by The MDC for use in projects located within the MDC's jurisdiction.  Here is a link to their confirmation letter.

TerreKleen will capture sediment, trash, debris, oils, it installs quickly and there is no scour or re-suspension of collected material.  Cleanout is easy and does not require confined space entry.  This is a significant short and long-term savings.

Let us know if we can assist with any design and sizing issues!

.

TerreKleen hydrodynamic separator now improving stormwater runoff at Waccabuc, NY

It was a beautiful day in Waccabuc, Westchester County, NY.  Getting the TerreKleen installed at this site has been a long term project and finally, this past Thursday was the day.  The day of our first of two installations at this site.   We arrived at about 8 AM and the TerreKleen was already on site.

The installation site was right on the edge of a large open field.   Here is a picture of the hole that has been prepared for installation.  The contractor had done a lot of work prepping the installation site the day prior so for the most part, upon arrival, the unit is ready to be installed.  

Contractor makes some final checks and adjustments, re-confirms the gravel bed is level and cleans out some mud that has accumulated overnight.  When everything is confirmed ready for installation, the TerreKleen is lifted off the truck and manipulated into place.

Here is the TerreKleen getting installed into place.  A crane easily lifts the unit into place.  The TerreKleen arrives fully assembled eliminating any additional work that needs to be done on site.

Here is the riser getting installed.  Again, it is a very easy operation - the crane simply lifts the riser and installs it on top of the base of the TerreKleen.  

TerreKleens install quickly as they are designed to assemble on-site with each section manufactured to fit on top of each other.

In about an hour, the TerreKleen is installed and ready to work.  It will remove sediments, trash, debris and oils.

For more information about the TerreKleen or if we can assist you with information about hydrodynamic separators, please contact us at www.stormwaterworks.com

Meet us at these upcoming stormwater tradeshows!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

CCM - CT Conference of Municipalities - Booth 424

(Open to Municipal Officials Only)

Hartford, CT

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

10th Annual Southeast Stormwater Tradeshow 

Dutchess Manor, Beacon, NY

Click here for more details

Thursday, October 14, 2010

North Country Stormwater Tradeshow
Roaring Brook Resort
Lake George, NY

Let us know if you need details! 

Improving Stormwater runoff at Ausable River, in a NYS DOT right of way- 3 part post

Wilmington, NY.  The Ausable River in the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York is known for its world-class trout fishing.

This is the site of our first TerreKleen hydrodynamic separator installation in upstate NY.  The TerreKleen hydrodynamic separator is being installed to capture sediment, trash, oils and debris and prevent its flow into the Ausable River.  

This project is a collaborative effort between Essex County Soil and Water Conservation District and NYSDOT.  The installation of the TerreKleen is in a NYSDOT right of way.

This is a picture of the Ausable River from the site.

Difficult installation site conditions include:
Re-routing traffic on this section of Route 86 until installation complete, small site footprint, excessive low hanging power lines. 

(This is a 3 part post click on stormwaterworks banner at top of page to view additional 2 postings)

This is a look at sediment on this site.

This is an overview of the site as the TerreKleen 
arrives.  This part of Route 86 has been closed for installation.

Improving Stormwater at N. Lake Carmel with a second installation of the TerreKleen

All Equipment in the shoulder

Very Tight Work Area

It has been an exciting August with our second TerreKleen installation at North Lake Carmel, NY.  Again, the worksite is incredibly small.  All of the heavy duty earth moving equipment barely fits in the road shoulder.  It is important to keep the traffic moving. 

TK09 - 9 cells for particle separation

Don't blink!  (Left) 
The TerreKleen is in place before you know it!  

This is the picture of a smallest TerreKleen unit, the TerreKleen09.  

The 09 represents the number of cells created by the stacked inclined plates for particle separation.  This unit will capture sediment, trash, debris and oils.  

Confirming the TK09 is level

Next step... 

double checking that the TerreKleen has been installed and is level in the hole.

It is important that the gravel in the bottom of the hole provides a level surface for the TerreKleen to sit on.

The crane is moves the lid onto the open TerreKleen.  The top is designed to fit on top of the open TerreKleen.  It takes just a few minutes until the lid is in place.

The installation is complete.  In less than an hour, the large equipment is leaving the site and the TerreKleen is in place ready to do its job. 

Hydrodynamic Separator - TerreKleen 45 is now capturing sediment, trash and debris at N. Lake Carmel, NY

This was a very exciting day!  The effectiveness of the TerreKleen hydrodynamic separator for capturing sediment, trash and debris is well known and these units are widely used in VA, MD, PA, NJ and DE.  As the representative for TerreHill Stormwater Systems in New York and New England, Stormwaterworks.com was  thrilled to see our first installation of a TerreKleen in New York State!  What made this day even more exciting is that the unit is a TK45 - the largest unit we have ever seen installed.

 This is a picture of the jobsite.  The N. Lake Carmel community is mainly residential, however, there is A LOT of traffic.  I took this picture to give you an idea of how small the work area is.  A shoring box is hidden behind the orange netting - this is where the TerreKleen is going to be installed.

This picture is looking down into the hole that has been dug for the TerreKleen.  It is important that the gravel in the bottom is level.  Since this is a lakeside community, there is a high water table and you can see that some mud has creeped into the hole.  The mud will be cleaned before the TerreKleen is positioned in place.

 

 This image shows the base of the TerreKleen as it is being maneuvered into place.  It just takes the crane operator a few minutes to lift the base off the flatbed truck and position the base in the hole.  

This is the base of the TerreKleen.  You can see the manifold system (white bars and red hose on the left side of the unit) are designed to assist in cleaning the unit.  Notice the white socks on the right side of the unit designed to collect oil.

Next, the middle section or "riser", is positioned into place with the crane.  This picture shows the stacked inclined plates on the left side of the unit.  This is where all of the fine particle separation takes place.  Stacked inclined plate technology was developed in 1905 and has been widely used in the drinking water industry around the world ever since.  The Terrekleen merely adapts this proven technology and widely accepted engineering practice for the storm water industry.  The riser is made to fit ontop of the base.  It takes just a few minutes to get this piece into place.

The lid is placed on top of the TerreKleen.  This lid incorporates 3 manhole covers for cleanout as well as a catch basin grate.  This unit will function as the last catch basin in the line and will provide 3 other access points to aid in cleanout.

This TerreKleen unit was installed in about an hour.  The TerreKleen will contain trash, oil and sediments until the units are cleaned out.  No scour or re-suspension of collected material happens because of the design of the TerreKleen.

Stay tuned - we have an additional installation in North Lake Carmel that will be posting shortly.  We are excited to help keep North Lake Carmel clean!

TerreKleen Hydrodynamic Separator (water quality treatment vault) Inspection

Wow - what a great week!  We had our first post installation inspection of the TerreKleen hydrodynamic separators that we installed in Stamford back in November.  I thought these pictures quickly and easily tell the whole story:

The first picture shows the trash that is contained in the TerreKleen.  This trash will be trapped here until these units are maintained/cleaned out.

With trash and debris trapped in the primary chamber of the TerreKleen, this second picture shows the "working" section of the unit.  Stormwater  travels through a screen and onto

the stacked inclined plates (you can see the plates on the right side of the picture).  These plates help smaller sediments fall out.

The TerreKleen design is based on solid engineering principals developed by Allen Hazen in 1905.  This technology was developed to separate sediments from water in the drinking water industry.  The effectiveness of stacked inclined plates (Lamella plates) is well known and recognized as more than 100 years later, this technology is still widely used for sediment separation in the drinking water industry.  The TerreKleen has simply adapted this technology to efficiently separate sediments from storm water runoff.

Here is brief information about Allen Hazen , his education at MIT, his career, contributions and impact on the water industry.  Here is a link to some of his published works.

Another benefit to this client? TerreKleen maintenance / cleanout will NOT require confined space entry!

It feels good to know that this trash has been prevented from littering Long Island Sound this summer.

If you have questions about the TerreKleen, hydrodynamic separation, particle size distribution, trash control or stacked inclined (Lamella) plates, feel free to give us a call!

I LOVE New York!!!

Last weekend I drove to Rochester, NY which was a trip that took about six hours to drive.  I don't usually travel that far, and I was unaware how beautiful the drive would be.  Of course I started my trip stuck in traffic and the traffic congestion continued until I got on to Route 17.  But it wasn't long before I was driving along and enjoying the countryside.  

It seemed that every mile or so I was on an overpass driving over a river, stream or brook and for the first time I saw fly fishing - guys up to their chests in the water looking for their next big catch.  

After I had been driving for about three hours, I saw a sign near Binghampton that said "Entering the Chesapeake Bay Watershed".  I had no idea the watershed was that big!

As the drive continued, I saw lots of farms, hay, cattle and even some wild life.  Everything was getting ready for Spring. 

By the time I got to Syracuse, I was asking myself  "are we there yet?"  The trip started to get really long.   After I passed Syracuse, I learned that I was in the Finger Lakes Wine Country - really cool!   Just another hour or so when I saw the sign announcing "Erie Canal"    YES!  Getting closer!

I felt very lucky that I have a friend that lives in Rochester and I had a day to check out the city.  What a great city!  We went for a nice walk and actually did get a chance to check out the canal.  It is mostly used for pleasure, rather than cargo these days and I was surprised to see that the canal was in draw-down during the winter.  As we walked along the canal, we started hearing fish jumping in the canal.  At a point, I could swear we saw a carp breaching in the water.  (The water was REALLY shallow).  What a nice city!  One disturbing point, my friend told me that during the summer, the beaches on Lake Ontario are often closed due to pollution.  

Lots of great restaurants in Rochester and it was a very manageable city as it was easy to get around.  I am looking forward to my next trip to Rochester!

 

Article: Nitrogen Pollution Crisis in Westchester

Was out and about today and this headline "Nitrogen Pollution is Choking Westchester" grabbed my attention.  I've never seen The Westchester Guardian newspaper before, but this issue, Thursday, April 15, 2010 had an in-depth 2 page article about Nitrogen Pollution (the history, causes, dead-zones, an example of how nitrogen has taken its toll on a lake in Westchester, and a map detailing dead zones caused by nitrogen around the globe.)  Very interesting article with references to further research and numbers to take action on nitrogen pollution.  The newspaper in PDF format will download with this link

Crowdsourcing the Department of Public Works

This was published on Slashdot.  Here is the link

blackbearnh writes  

"Usually, Gov 2.0 deals mainly with outward transparency of government to the citizens. But SeeClickFix is trying to drive data in the other direction, letting citizens report and track neighborhood problems as mundane as potholes, and as serious as drug dealers. In a recent interview, co-founder Jeff Blasius talked about how cities such as New Haven and Tucson are using SeeClickFix to involve their citizens in identifying and fixing problems with city infrastructure. 'We have thousands of potholes fixed across the country, thousands of pieces of graffiti repaired, streetlights turned on, catch basins cleared, all of that basic, broken-windows kind of stuff. We've seen neighborhood groups form based around issues reported on the site. We've seen people get new streetlights for their neighborhood, pedestrian improvements in many different cities, and all-terrain vehicles taken off of city streets. There was also one case of an arrest. The New Haven Police Department attributed initial reports on SeeClickFix to a sting operation that led to an arrest of two drug dealers selling heroin in front of a grammar school.'"

How to price underground stormwater storage - plastic pipe vs. concrete TerreArch

Concrete underground stormwater storage system,TerreArch, offers advantages to the job and site and is often less expensive than installation of plastic pipe.

Below is a general guide and things to consider when costing out your underground stormwater storage project. 

*The costs for any project should be evaluated independently.

1. What are the material costs?

Get pricing
TerreArch - we'll look at your drawings and provide you with a price for TerreArch
Plastic Pipe - get a price for all required materials: plastic pipe, fittings and manholes

2. What are the costs to prepare the site for installation?
TerreArch: Get a price to dig the pit and to lay the sub-base 
(*Note: we often see that the footprint for TerreArch is LESS than needed for plastic pipe.  You may realize a cost savings by digging a smaller pit and eliminating unnecessary structures)
Pipe: Get a price to dig the pit and lay the sub-base (because of the non-structural nature of plastic pipe, you may need extra sub-base)
What are the costs for TerreArch and what are the costs for plastic pipe?

3. Delivery:
TerreArch - Arrives just in time and installs immediately (no unloading or storage space needed)
Plastic Pipe - Delivered on site - must be unloaded and stored
How much additional time will unloading and storage of plastic pipe cost your job?

4. Installation:
TerreArch - A company representative is on site for every installation.  Each TerreArch piece typically installs (pick to set) in about 7 minutes.  This means a crew of 2 or 3 can install, backfill and cover up to 50,000 cubic feet of storage in just one day!
Plastic Pipe - Multiple crew members are needed to get pipe from storage, re-stage and set up on site.  It is important that the pipe be laid in strict accordance with manufacturer's instructions.   Your team needs to assemble pipe layout and attach with cumbersome fittings then secured by hand with stone from the 6 to 9 o'clock positions.  
Plastic fittings can be lost or broken.  Remember, your plastic pipe stormwater storage is only as good as your weakest connection.
How much additional time will assembling and securing plastic pipe by hand, in strict accordance with manufacturer's instructions, cost your job?

5. Completing Installation:
TerreArch - Get a price for bulldozing stone over the top - upon completion, site is easily accessible to all cars and heavy equipment.
Plastic Pipe - Crew members must now complete securing the pipe in-place by hand in strict accordance with manufacturer's instructions before site can be accessed by cars and heavy equipment.
How many days will it take X # of crew members to complete securing plastic pipe in place by hand and laying stone around pipe and above to the proper height?   How much does that add to the cost of your job?

6. Post-construction and Structural Integrity:
TerreArch - arrives on site as a structural piece with an HS-25 rating.  Installation of TerreArch eliminates the opportunity for creep and post-construction subsidence issues.
Plastic Pipe- is not structural.  Even when manufacturer's instructions are strictly followed, plastic pipe can and has failed and it can also easily creep.

7. Post construction inspection:
TerreArch - offers easy access ports for inspection - anytime.
Plastic pipe- no access ports - post construction inspection is difficult at best

8. One last consideration:
It is important to install TerreArch or plastic pipe on a clean bed of stone.  If you can't complete the installation of your underground stormwater storage system in one day, it rains and the stone gets dirty, the base stone needs to be cleaned and re-laid. 
Can you afford not to consider TerreArch?

Do the math!  Pull your costs together.  Let us look at your project and submit our quote.  This quick exercise has saved many projects and contractors thousands of dollars and the structural integrity of concrete provided long term peace of mind.

TerreKleen Hydrodynamic Separator Approved by the MDC - Hartford, CT area

TerreKleen Hydrodynamic separator has been accepted for use in the towns around Hartford, CT that are served by The Metropolitan District (MDC).  The MDC is a non-profit municipal corporation chartered by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1929 to provide potable water and sewerage services on a regional basis. Today, the MDC provides quality water supply, water pollution control, mapping, and household hazardous waste collection to eight member municipalities -- Bloomfield, East Hartford, Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield and Windsor -- and to portions of other towns in the region.

TerreKleen can be designed/customized for your job, installs quickly and does not require confined space for clean out.   Our engineering department can help you with sizing and design issues.  If you are a contractor or municipality and have a job in the Hartford, CT area that requires a hydrodynamic separator, give us a call! 

New York State limits water intake at a number of industrial facilities

This article written by Ken Moran appeared in the New York Post April 7, 2010
Here is the link to the actual article : A move in the right direction

In a move that could save millions of fish and their eggs, New York State has curtailed water intake at a number of power plants and other industrial facilities.

The DEC's proposal calls for power plants and other facilities that use water for cooling purposes to recycle and reuse that water through a process known as "closed cycle cooling" technology. This will greatly reduce the amount of water withdrawn from New York's rivers or other water bodies such as Long Island Sound and minimize the amount of fish, fish eggs and larvae destroyed in the process.

The federal Clean Water Act and state regulations require that decisions on what type of cooling-water-intake system to employ at a specific facility be based on the best technology available for minimizing environmental impacts.