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

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!

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.

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!!!

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!

Google Science Fair 2011- for kids 13-18 years old

I just think this is very cool!  The Google Science Fair for kids 13-18 years old.
Click here for all of the details!!!