November 8, 2021 – The process to attain NJCAT verification and NJDEP certification for the FocalPoint System required laboratory testing to NJDEPs Lab Filter Protocol. Alden Labs was retained by Convergent Water Technologies to carry out this detailed laboratory testing. We are pleased to announce the FocalPoint system is now…
October 4, 2021 – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has approved the FocalPoint High Performance Modular Biofiltration System (HPMBS) — an innovative stormwater technology that is beneficial to engineers, land planners, landscape architects, installers, developers and end-users implementing green infrastructure and low impact development techniques. Because of…
One of the great challenges that Green Infrastructure faces is perception vs. reality. When someone drives up to a site and sees porous concrete that is raveling, permeable pavers that are silted in and shedding water or a biofiltration system that is holding water, we automatically want to believe it’s…
When introducing FocalPoint HPMBS to engineers, landscape architects, public agencies and contractors, we sometimes get asked if the mulch layer is really necessary. Some people want to replace it with various sizes and types of rocks while others contemplate eliminating the top layer altogether. We continue to stress the importance…
Our friends at EHRA, Megan Crutcher, P.E., CFM and Justin Ring, P.E. talk about the true costs of Low Impact Development. The cost comparison analysis they provide is based on their latest single family residential project. Camillia is a 90 acre subdivision by Legend Homes in Fort Bend County, Texas that…
Recently Region 3 released a publication titled, Community Based Public-Private Partnerships (CBP3) and Alternative Market-Based Tools for Integrated Green Stormwater Infrastructure: A Guide for Local Governments. This guide comes out of a multi-year effort by EPA Region 3 and our partners to help Mid-Atlantic communities to address their water quality challenges…
I’ve worked for Construction EcoServices for the last two years and one thing I’ve learned is that something will always go wrong during construction. It doesn’t matter how good the design is, challenges will have to be conquered to reach the ultimate goal of a finished project. One of the…
My favorite stormwater blogger, Barry Fagan, is improbably located in Alabama, improbably employed by a DOT and yet is a fascinating and intellectually challenging champion of change, particularly in the stormwater arena. I only wish he was in a position to give the presentation he outlines below, not just to the…
The short and long term performance of engineered media specified for use in biofiltration systems is something that must be taken into account when utilizing bioretention as the primary solution for stormwater management and stormwater quality. Many times only the short term infiltration rates of a biofiltration media are considered as…
[A tip of the hat to retired legendary Dallas Time Herald sports reporter Blackie Sherrod who introduced the idea of scattershooting, i.e., bouncing through a variety of topics in a single column, often producing interesting tidbits and food for thought.] Did you catch the announcement by the North Texas Land/Water Sustainability Forum…
As both an MS4 community and part of the Milwaukee River Basin, the city of Cudahy, Wisc., is required to remove suspended solids and phosphorus from storm water runoff. Additionally, the city is committed to implementing green infrastructure practices into public works projects, so when the city was tasked with…
With record droughts across the country and rising potable water costs, water harvesting is becoming a more sought after amenity on residential, commercial, and institutional buildings. One of the biggest factors to consider with water harvesting is the return on your investment. This often time become a battle between water…
Industry Guest Blogger, Seth Brown, Joins The Innovation Conversation The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has recently launched a new strategic direction, with innovation being a major focus under this new vision. While the term “innovation” is used these days as liberally as “sustainability” was used a few years ago, WEF…
Land and Water Magazine published an article recently that details the use of the High Performance Modular Biofiltration System (HPMBS) in Harris County, Texas’ first green roadway, Birnamwoods Drive. The HPMBS is an ideal solution for developing LID-based roads and Harris County has now implemented this technology on several roadway projects,…
Making the Case for High Flow Biofiltration Systems We all know the history of Low Impact Development (LID). Developed in Prince George’s County, Maryland in the early ’90s, adopted throughout the Chesapeake Bay, gradually adopted in the Northwest and the Great Lakes and now picking up steam and moving coast…
Two weeks ago, I had the privilege of participating in a landmark event held in Annapolis, Maryland. It was a two-day Roundtable discussion related to how Low Impact Development (LID) and Green Infrastructure (GI) can be utilized more effectively to lower costs, improve performance and ultimately provide the basis for…
Several weeks ago I was honored to be an invited participant at a small White House sponsored conference to explore how to accelerate the nationwide implementation of Green Infrastructure. It was truly an interesting experience and one that I believe it’s safe to say, the 80 invitees and 20 or so…
PART 3: Innovate Not…Because I Can’t Possibly Reach a National Market. Although innovative stormwater quality product offerings which deliver higher performance and reduce costs of compliance are desperately needed in public infrastructure and private development, they are few and far between. As we said a couple of weeks ago, the reasons why…
Innovate Not…..Because the regulations prevent it. Although innovative stormwater quality product offerings which deliver higher performance and reduce costs of compliance are desperately needed in public infrastructure and private development, they are few and far between. The reasons why are numerous, let’s take a look at one of them. Innovate…
Innovate or Die This is the underlying theme in the technology industry. It’s a mantra with a sense of urgency and primal struggle that drives innovation which has fundamentally changed the world many times in the last thirty years. It’s an ‘in your face’ challenge that’s led to the solution…
One of my favorite bloggers, Barry Fagan PE/PLS, CPESC, leads Alabama DOT’s Environmental Program, as well as being ALDOT’s unofficial Chief Environmental Evangelist. His blogs are always entertaining, thoughtful and well reasoned. He’s given me permission to share them with you occasionally, and I believe Barry’s blog this week , offers a…
Houston is undoubtedly more often thought of as an example of urban sprawl than as a model for sustainable development. However, some in the EPA (particularly in Region 3, which encompasses the critically challenged Chesapeake Bay watershed) actually see Houston as a good example of how to move rapidly from…
Barry Fagan nails the value proposition associated with collaboration in this week’s installment. We have a unique opportunity to exploit the power of this process to grow stronger, better, faster – together. But like most things, we can only get as good as we give. Everyone, meet Barry… Barry Fagan…