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.

US Government releases report detailing climate change impacts on water resources

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today released a report that assesses climate change risks and how these risks could impact water operations, hydropower, flood control, and fish and wildlife in the western United States. The report to Congress, prepared by Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation, represents the first consistent and coordinated assessment of risks to future water supplies across eight major Reclamation river basins, including the Colorado, Rio Grande and Missouri river basins.
“Water is the lifeblood of our communities, rural and urban economies, and our environment,” said Secretary Salazar, “and small changes in water supplies or the timing of precipitation can have a big impact on all of us. This report provides the foundation for understanding the long-term impacts of climate change on Western water supplies and will help us identify and implement appropriate mitigation and adaptation strategies for sustainable water resource management.”
The report, which responds to requirements under the SECURE Water Act of 2009, shows several increased risks to western United States water resources during the 21st century. Specific projections include:

• a temperature increase of 5-7 degrees Fahrenheit;

• a precipitation increase over the northwestern and north-central portions of the western United States and a decrease over the southwestern and south-central areas;

• a decrease for almost all of the April 1st snowpack, a standard benchmark measurement used to project river basin runoff; and

• an 8 to 20 percent decrease in average annual stream flow in several river basins, including the Colorado, the Rio Grande, and the San Joaquin.

The report notes that projected changes in temperature and precipitation are likely to impact the timing and quantity of stream flows in all western basins, which could impact water available to farms and cities, hydropower generation, fish and wildlife, and other uses such as recreation.
"Impacts to water are on the leading edge of global climate change, and these changes pose a significant challenge and risk to adequate water supplies, which are critical for the health, economy, and ecology of the United States," added Reclamation Commissioner Mike Connor.Reclamation is already working with stakeholders across the West to achieve a sustainable water strategy to meet our nation's water needs. Through the WaterSMART Basin Studies Program, Reclamation is developing and evaluating options for meeting future water demands in river basins where water supply and demand imbalances exist or are projected.


Reclamation is also continuing to implement actions to mitigate and adapt to changing climate. For example, at Hoover Dam, new wide head range turbines are being installed that will allow more efficient power generation over a wider range of lake levels than existing turbines. In addition, through the WaterSMART program, Reclamation continues to work with water users across the West to implement conservation and recycling measures and promote the efficient use of finite water resources. The Department of the Interior has also established Landscape Conservation Cooperatives and Climate Science Centers to help assess vulnerabilities to the natural and cultural resources management by the Department, and spearhead activities to adapt to the stresses of climate change.
“The WaterSMART program provides a strong foundation for the Department’s efforts to improve water conservation and help water-resource managers make sound decisions about water use,” said Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Water and Science, Anne Castle. “As climate change adds to the challenges we face in managing our water supply, meaningful engagement between the River Basin states and the Department of the Interior will continue to be essential.”
To develop the report, Reclamation used original research and a literature synthesis of existing peer-reviewed studies. Projections of future temperature and precipitation are based on multiple climate models and various projections of future greenhouse gas emissions, technological advancements, and global population estimates. Reclamation will develop future reports to Congress under the authorities of the SECURE Water Act that will build upon the level of information currently available and the rapidly developing science to address how changes in supply and demands will impact water management.
The Bureau of Reclamation is the largest wholesaler of water in the country, providing water to more than 31 million people and to one out of five Western farmers for irrigation of more than 10 million acres of farmland. Reclamation is also the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the western United States with 58 power plants generating nearly a billion dollars in power revenues and producing enough electricity to serve 3.5 million homes.
The SECURE Water Act Report, with fact sheets highlighting climate challenges and impacts in the eight western river basins, is available online at http://www.usbr.gov/climate.
More information about Reclamation’s WaterSMART program is available at http://www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART/.

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.

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

Engineering Career Expo for High School Students

We are excited to be volunteering on the committee that is organizing the 8th Annual Lower Hudson Valley Engineering Expo.  This expo is designed to show high school students what a career in engineering can be.


To that end, we are reaching out to corporations, engineering firms, government organizations, engineering societies as well as college and universities so students can find out:


1- What is an engineer?
2- What do engineers do?
3- What kind of job opportunities are available to engineers?
4- How can these kids "get there"?


Last year this event hosted 1,500 students and 35 colleges/universities.


Our special guest speaker is Marshall Brain - Founder of "How Things Work" a program on Discovery Networks.


8th Annual Engineering Expo Details:
Date: Sunday, April 3, 2011
Where: White Plains High School, White Plains, NY
Time: 11AM - 4PM


If you can help support us by sponsoring a booth, please let us know.
If you know a student that would benefit by attending, please let them know.
Attendance is FREE.  


Registration opportunities and full details are on our website: www.BeAnEngineer.Org


It is going to be a GREAT day for the kids!!!
Hope to see you there.

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

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!

.

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 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. 

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!

 

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.

Stormwater - News of the weird

Just read this on slashdot - stormwater news of the weird - here is the link for Slashdot

"The LA Times reports that Orange County officials are locked in a legal battle with a couple accused of violating city ordinances for replacing the grass on their lawn with wood chips and drought-tolerant plants, reducing their water usage from 299,221 gallons in 2007 to 58,348 gallons in 2009. The dispute began two years ago, when Quan and Angelina Ha tore out the grass in their front yard. In drought-plagued Southern California, the couple said, the lush grass had been soaking up tens of thousands of gallons of water — and hundreds of dollars — each year. 'We've got a newborn, so we want to start worrying about her future,' said Quan Ha, an information technology manager for Kelley Blue Book. But city officials told the Has they were violating several city laws that require that 40% of residential yards to be landscaped predominantly with live plants. Last summer, the couple tried to appease the city by building a fence around the yard and planting drought-tolerant greenery — lavender, rosemary, horsetail, and pittosporum, among others. But according to the city, their landscaping still did not comply with city standards. At the end of January, the Has received a letter saying they had been charged with a misdemeanor violation and must appear in court. The couple could face a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine for their grass-free, eco-friendly landscaping scheme. 'It's just funny that we pay our taxes to the city and the city is now prosecuting us with our own money,' says Quan Ha."

Meet us at the NYS Conservation District Employee Training and Tradeshow

We hope you will meet us at the NYS Conservation District Training and Tradeshow.  We are going to be showing the TerreKleen hydrodynamic separator, the TerreBox - box culvert with patent pending water-tight seal and the TerreArch - storm water infiltration arches. 

Come visit us at the show

NYS Conservation District Employee Training and Tradeshow
Binghamton, NY
March 9, 2010

Mysteries of the Great Lakes - IMAX movie at American Museum of Natural History

Yesterday I went to the American Museum of Natural History in NYC and saw the IMAX movie "Mysteries of the Great Lakes".   Honestly, I had not spent a lot of time thinking about the Great Lakes but because of my interest in water, it was eye opening in many ways - not only seeing how big the Great Lakes are , but to be made aware of their natural beauty.  In focusing on water, it was most interesting to me to learn that The Great Lakes contain 20% of the world's fresh water supply and that it takes a drop of water 400 years to travel from the headwaters of Lake Superior to the edge of Lake Ontario.  Looking at the map was helpful.  

I was also most interested in the focus on wildlife that survives on life in the Great Lakes - including Eagles, Caribou and Sturgeon.  The segments on Sturgeon were amazing as they had been tracking this species' population for the past 20 years and had been tracking/studying a specific female sturgeon for the past 20 years.  Amazingly, the one scientist could identify her simply from the markings on her head.  At her most recent capture/release event her age was 120 years old!  Through their research they learned how to look at the scales or fins (can't remember which one) and, like reading rings in a tree trunk, scientists learned how to read the environmental conditions of the Great Lakes.  

Sturgeon of the Great Lakes had thrived by the millions for millions of years but had significantly declined in numbers due to over-fishing and pollution.   During the film, several pictures were shown from long ago ( maybe 100 years ago?) where the subjects of the pictures were proud of their businesses and lives and could display their most recent abundant catch of sturgeon.  From a 2010 perspective, it was hard to get beyond the waste and destruction, the man-hours and work dedicated to improving the environmental conditions of the Great Lakes and  reviving the sturgeon population.   It seems there are still 42 "hot spots" - where lake quality is highly degraded due to pollution coming from industrial waste and waste water treatment plants.  Hopefully clean-up in the lake can continue and we can learn to make better environmental choices.

This was a great movie and I encourage you all to see it.  Here are the showtimes for the IMAX showings at the New York Museum of Natural History.  You might want to check out some of the exhibits including the  Silk Road Exhibit.  One word of advice for the Silk Road, enjoy the journey, but don't get caught up in stamping your "passport".

Cigarette Butt Litter

After reading the Keep America Beautiful report on litter and thinking more about the toll it takes on our economy and our communities, I have been more focused and more observant about litter. We followed-up on Friday with a meeting with the Keep America Beautiful folks and spoke further about their programs and one of the issues that was specifically mentioned was cigarette butt litter. While I have seen more than my share of cigarette butts out in the field, I was unaware that 1 in 5 pieces of litter is actually a cigarette butt.

After our meeting, I did a little more research and looking around and found an LA Times article "Fuming Over Cigarette Butt Litter" (written by David Lazarus, November 30, 2008) citing that the City of Los Angeles picks up 600,000 cigarette butts a month and more than 7 million butts per year.

Virginia Beach exceeded its budget to clean storm drains by $3,000,000.00 and a significant portion of this amount was due to cigarette butts.

Once in the environment, it is important to remember that cigarette butts don't disappear. 95% of all butts are made from cellulose acetate that don't break down. Butts easily travel through storm drains and end up in local rivers, lakes and streams. Ultimately, they can be mistaken as food and pose a threat to marine and wildlife.

Cigarette butts are a significant source of pollution. While education and access to proper ashtrays/disposal is key, cigarette butt littering is rampant. While we have never been approached specifically to target cigarette butts, this is one of the types of trash that we can prevent from entering the stormwater systems.

For more information about cigarette litter, click here
For a look at how we can help you improve your storm water quality, click here

Trash control - an $11.5 billion dollar problem and a major contaminant for stormwater

Stormwater contaminants are, for the most part, usually the same. The issues that we typically see in our business center on: heavy metals, hydrocarbons, phosphorous, and sediment loading. Another MAJOR issue our clients have is TRASH CONTROL.

It might not be an issue that you have thought about, but I spent some time this afternoon looking to see if anyone had calculated the amount of trash and debris that finds its way into Long Island Sound. While I didn't find information specifically targeted for Long Island Sound, I did find a nation-wide study funded by the non-profit organization, Keep America Beautiful, detailing the volume of trash/litter found in the US, the toll it takes on the American economy and behaviors that contribute to littering. The results of their survey were released on December 3, 2009.

Some shocking key findings from their report:

Litter conservatively costs our nation $11.5 billion per year. These are direct costs, including cleanup and prevention programs, and are carried largely by businesses and taxpayers. Not included in this figure are significant indirect costs:

• Decreased property values. 93% of homeowners, 55% of real estate agents and 90% of property appraisers surveyed stated that a littered neighborhood would decrease their assessment of a home’s value
• "Opportunity Costs” such as decreased commerce and tourism in blighted areas
• Health effects and related costs of littered environments

The study concludes that at least 51.2 billion pieces of litter are left on roadways in the U.S.; an average of 6,729 pieces of litter per mile.

Cigarette butts comprise 38% of all items littered on the highways, streets, parks and playgrounds (in urban, suburban and rural areas of America).

The Keep America Beautiful Report detailed littering behaviors, identified factors that encouraged littering and made suggestions on how to reduce litter. I think it is an important report and encourage you to read their findings in full. For executive summary and full report, click here.

More on trash control tomorrow.

Easy retrofit solution for stormwater systems and trash control

One of our municipal clients here in CT contacted us one day because he was often called by a local resident with complaints about trash, bottles, cans and other debris which had been thrown out car windows and would travel through the storm water system and end up in this resident's wetlands/backyard. The area is more of a suburban almost rural area, so you can imagine that all of this trash was even more visible and a real eyesore to anyone driving by. The resident was just plain tired of cleaning up after everyone else and the town needed a long term solution, extremely low maintenance solution to correct the problem. What could we suggest?

After a quick survey of the area, we saw the offending storm structure and realized the best alternative in this case would be our self-cleaning, stainless steel, wedgewire screen and orifice place.

If you are not familiar with wedgewire screens, they are very cool and have a wide range of applications - not only as trash and debris screens at hydro plants around the world, but also as fish exclusion in ponds/streams and another common use is in detention ponds to prevent trash/debris and small animals from getting into the system.

In this case, sediment, trash and debris would be prevented from entering the system, yet water could still flow through the system at high flow rates. It was an easy fix for this problem and the complaints stopped!

The top picture shows the screen after the first major rain storm. You can see the leaves stuck to the screen. When the system dries out, the leaves will fall off. The system is constantly working.

The picture of the red grate is the top of the structure and if the water gets high enough, it will flow into the system this way.

Our screens are highly engineered and designed for site specific applications.