Norwalk - Wilton Tree Festival - Sat. May 21, 2011 11 AM - 3PM

Hope you can make it!  This looks really cool!

Norwalk-Wilton Tree Festival

Saturday, May 21 11 AM - 3PM

Cranbury Park - Grumman Avenue, Norwalk, CT

Free Admission and Refreshments

Door Prizes

Fun for the Entire Family - Rain or Shine

Tree Rope Climb

Face Painting

Scavenger Hunt

Seedling Giveaway

Door Prizes

Tree Pruning Demos

Tree Spade Replanting

Trees - to - Boards sawmilling

Tree Identification Contest

And More!

Sponsored by:  

Norwalk Tree Alliance

City of Norwalk

Town of Wilton

Wilton Garden Club

For more information: 203-854-3200

Norwalk Tree Alliance

Wilton Garden Club

Quick Stormwater Calculators

If you need to do some quick calculations and need to understand how stormwater is going to impact your project, you may want to check out these stormwater calculators.  


Predictive models and stormwater calculators on the EPA website


The UC Davis Stormulator


Green Values National Stormwater Calculator


Portland Bureau of Environmental Services

Of course you will want to have an engineer review your site and confirm your calculations.

TerreKleen Low Impact Development Protector

Putting in a rain garden?  Worried about sediment, trash, debris, or oils getting into and blinding your rain garden?  Perhaps you would consider installing our newest product, the TerreKleen LID Protector. 


The TerreKleen LID protector was designed in response to concerns of several of our large city clients who are installing rain gardens.  Their concerns include: cost, ease of maintenance, sediment, debris, and oils getting into their rain gardens, blinding the rain gardens and killing the plants.  In response to concerns about budget and lack of manpower, the TerreKleen LID protector was designed.


This small vault system was designed to capture sediment, trash, debris, and oils, and as a shallow vault, a central maintenance location makes makes $en$e and can easily be performed with a shovel.

TerreKleen LID Protector

Lengthen the life of your rain garden!  If you are interested in learning more about the TerreKleen LID protector, give us a call!

EPA Asks for public comment on new proposed permit for stormwater runoff from construction activities

If you have an opinion about the new EPA proposed permit for stormwater runoff, please contact the EPA.  Here is a fact sheet regarding the new proposed permit including instructions on how to comment.  If you do have a comment, better get on it soon as there is a 60 day time limitation from the publish date in the Federal Register and I am not totally sure when that was.

TerreKleen hydrodynamic separator installed at Eastchester DPW Yard - TK27

All of the action started at about 
9:00 AM yesterday morning 
at the Eastchester, NY DPW yard.  Here is the 
TerreKleen ready for installation.

The hole where the TerreKleen is being
 installed is already prepared.

This is the base which installed quickly.
The white pipes and red hose
are the manifold system.  Confined Space
Entry is NOT required on the TerreKleen.  This
will mean a significant short and long term
cost savings.

 

This is the mid-section.  Tight installation
since the TerreKleen had to fit right up
against the outlet pipe.  The left
side of the unit is the primary chamber
where large sediments, trash and oil
will be contained.  The plates on
the right side of this picture shows
the stacked inclined plates where
small sediments will settle out.

The riser is on in no time.

The top stacks in no time.
Total installation time:  approximately 1 hour.

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.

Superbug (NDM-1) spreads in Delhi sewers

Scary!  Just when you thought it wasn't safe to go in the water!  A report published yesterday warns of a newly discovered bacterial resistant gene (NDM-1) has been found in drinking water, sewers and puddles in Delhi, India.  This new superbug invades other bacteria including cholera and dysentery and can readily jump to other bacteria.  Last ditch anti-biotic treatments will not work against bacteria with the NDM-1 gene.  


Honestly, the implications of this are pretty SCARY.  It seems a number of patients from UK that sought medical treatment in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan returned with this superbug.


Click here for the full report

Current stormwater projects and applications

Was thinking back over the past year and about the projects that we have worked on and what is ahead.  Just thought this was interesting to consider what types of projects we work on, their diversity and why our clients choose our systems.  These were just a few that came to mind.


TerreKleen - hydrodynamic separator
Probably one of the most unique projects we worked on was for a condo complex in New York.  This client needed a hydrodynamic separator to be installed in their existing parking structure.  Since there was no room for a crane, we built the whole unit from marine grade aluminum and put it in place.  Since this condo complex was located in an urban area, they really were concerned about losing parking availability.  Our unit fit in nicely into their parking garage and at the most, they only lost 1 parking spot.  (I believe if one drove a very small car they could still fit in the spot)
TerreKleen offers a lot of flexibility.  We design to meet the goals of your project (you do not need to design your project to meet the goals of the TerreKleen)


TerreBox - stormwater detention / rain harvesting system
One project that we are currently working on is for a University.  They are going to be re-developing part of their campus and in going for LEED Gold, they are planning the installation of a geo-thermal heating system as well as and capturing all roof runoff for re-use.  The TerreBox is a natural solution in this application.  

1. TerreBox is a modular system, so the client can easily design the storage they need.  
2. As a system that installs quickly and is HS-25 load rated, TerreBox is well suited for a site where large infrastructure/major buildings are going up.
3. Work on the rest of the site will be able to continue with minimal interruption.  
4. TerreBox offers a patented water-tight seal.  This will prevent the roof runoff from contaminating the geo-thermal system.

TerreArch - stormwater infiltration - patented stormwater arch system

A major portion of projects we see need infiltration.  Another school project that we are working on is re-developing their parking lots.  Part of their plans include the installation of two infiltration bays.  Our systems will fit well in this application because:

1. Our systems arrive on-site as HS-25 load rated.  They are not dependent on work crews to achieve the HS-25 load rating.  They are built to easily handle the bus, truck, car traffic at a busy school facility.
2. TerreArch arrives just in time - there is no need for storage, staging, re-staging and there are no small parts to put together, break or lose.
3. TerreArch installs quickly - the contractor can install, backfill and cover up to 50,000 cubic feet of stormwater storage in one day.  Work on the rest of the site can continue with minimal interruption.
4. Available as 26" or 48" arches, it is easy to design and install these systems.

TerreKleen Water Quality Treatment Vault / Hydrodynamic Separator on Hartford MDC list

Just looking around this afternoon and found the link detailing hydrodynamic separators that are approved for use in the Hartford, CT area.  I hadn't realized this had been posted but wanted to point it out.   For any contractors, engineers or owners in Hartford, CT area, here is the link:  Stormwaterworks.com


Let us know your requirements, we would like to work with you!

Warren County, NY SWCD installs TerreKleen hydrodynamic separator to improve stormwater runoff at AAA rated, historically important, Halfway Brook, Queensbury, NY

We LOVE what we do because we:
1) Really help our clients improve stormwater runoff
2) What we do has a long term impact on improving water quality
It means a lot to have this opportunity.


During the summer of 2009, we were invited to make a site visit and compete against other hydrodynamic separator units for a high profile project to improve the stormwater runoff that flows into Halfway Brook in Queensbury, NY.   Queensbury is located in Warren County, which is located on the edge of a 6 MILLION ACRE Adirondack State Park.


This particular site was selected because:
1- The Warren County SWCD wanted to have the largest impact on improving stormwater and this outfall is the largest in the County
2- A large surrounding commercial area of 106 of impervious surface drains into Halfway Brook at this point.
3- Halfway Brook is a historically important Brook
4- Halfway Brook is a AAA rated Trout Brook
5- Brook trout need cold clean water to thrive
6- Site is upstream from a popular public park


The site constraints were very difficult:
1- The site had a very small footprint 
2- A 12" gas main ran through the property
3- Other utilities ran through the property
4- Unit would have to go RIGHT NEXT to the brook, so there is a high water table
5- Runoff from a large commercial area (106 acres of impervious surface) enters the brook at this location
6- Site is right along side a major state route - with lots of traffic
7- The property owner agreed to help at great inconvenience to himself and his going business
8- The site had previously been a gas station - leaky tanks contaminated the site and it had undergone cleanup


The best option at this site would be a hydrodynamic separator.  Water could flow down to toward the brook and through the hydrodynamic separator.  We demonstrated how the TerreKleen works:


1- Water enters the primary chamber where oils, sediment, trash are collected
2- The water then flows through a screen into the secondary chamber and onto the TerreKleen's stacked inclined plates
3- The water enters the secondary chamber near the bottom of the plates as the water rises the stacked inclined plates help finer sediments fall out
4- Once collected, there is no scour or re-suspension and so the material is permanently collected
5- Maintenance is easy - NO CONFINED SPACE ENTRY is required and most maintenance is completed with a vac truck in about an hour
6- What is really cool is to realize that the stacked inclined plate technology is technology that has been used to separate particles from drinking water since 1905.  One would think that if there were a better way to separate particles from water, the drinking water industry would have gone with it.  This technology is still widely used and its effectiveness is well known by engineers.  The TerreKleen simply adapts this technology to efficiently remove sediments from stormwater.


Details on the TerreKleen:
Each TerreKleen is custom manufactured for each site.  We look at flow rates, particle size removal objectives and where the pipes are coming in and manufacture the TK for specific site)  
This site has a TK63 - which is our largest unit
TK63 Structure size is: 16.5' X 7' (115.5 ft2)
TK63 offers 403 ft2 Settling Surface Area
The Settling Surface Area per Structure Ft 2 for the TK63 is 349%
*(Please read ft2 as "foot squared - I cannot figure out how to superscript the 2 - thank you)




Here are a few pics:

Just cool to see part of the unit on the ride
up to the site.  The weather is sub-optimal

You can see the site here - RIGHT NEXT TO
THE BROOK.  The guys told me that brook
 trout are always seen right here at the outfall.

The hole has been pre-dug and prepared
for the TerreKleen.  The crane is in place and
ready to go.  Trucker backs in to
start off-loading the base of the TerreKleen.

Here is the base - in place
This shows the manifold system
which allows the TerreKleen to
be cleaned from the curb.

Here is the middle section of the
TerreKleen getting installed.
This is our largest unit and
these plates will help all of the
fine sediments settle out. 

Two hours later and
3 lifts by the crane,
the TerreKleen is in place and ready to work

The TerreKleen is the BEST option at this site.

Not only does TerreKleen maximize the 

sedimentation in the smallest footprint, but 

the easy maintenance/cleanout will significantly

help keep both short and long-term

maintenance costs to a minimum.

What a great day!

PS - here is a link to project details prepared by

Warren County Soil and Water Conservation 

District

Stormwater Cleanout - Confined Space Entry NOT REQUIRED

When we talk about stormwater with our clients, one of the most important things we discuss about is The "M" Word... MAINTENANCE.  Since we know how time and money intensive maintenance of stormwater systems can be, we try to recommend the most effective stormwater solution with the least maintenance required.


In early January we had installed our second TerreKleen hydodynamic separator in Waccabuc in Westchester County, NY.  The first unit had been installed in September.  Since we have had lots of snow here in the Northeast this Winter, the first unit was buried in a snow bank, but we were able to "pop the lids" and see how the system was working:

Even though there is snow all over up-top, you can see
once we "popped the lids" that the water is still flowing
through the unit.  See trash and debris that has been
collected in the primary chamber.

 

This is a picture of the secondary chamber.  You can see
the plates where finer sediment settles out.  See the red hose?
The red hose clips to the top of the unit.  The vac truck
operator can energize our manifold system at the bottom
of the unit to re-suspend the sludge blanket.
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY NOT NEEDED for cleanout.

TerreKleen 02 installed to capture sediment and improve stormwater runoff

A GREAT KICK-OFF FOR 2011!  Even though it was a bit cold, it was a great day to be outside and see our first Terre Kleen hydrodynamic separator of 2011 installed!


We are on-site at 7:00 AM and the trucker has already arrived.  TerreKleen arrives pre-assembled and ready to install.  This makes installation easy.  

TerreKleen is quickly off the truck and installing in the hole the contractor has prepared.

The conseal (black strip) is quickly applied.  We are now ready to install the riser section.

Riser is being installed

TerreKleen installed!!!

The primary contaminant at this site is sediment.  The TK02 is a smaller TerreKleen unit.  The size of the TerreKleen for each site is chosen based on flow rates and the sediment particle size that client needs to capture.  After pipes are connected and manhole covers put in place, TerreKleen will be fully functioning and will immediately start to work.

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 the Ausable River, Wilmington, NY (Part 2)

Wanted to post a few last pictures so you can see how the installation was completed:

Off the truck, the crane is moving the TerreKleen into position.

Easy does it!  TerreKleen is gently lowered into the hole

Most difficult part of installation complete

Primary chamber on right, inclined plates on left

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!