Water, our most precious resource, is the lifeblood of our society. It’s the driving force behind our progress and the foundation of our future success. As someone deeply committed to the field of stormwater management, I understand that the key to that success lies in the way we manage our water systems. More specifically, it hinges on the regular maintenance of our stormwater management infrastructure.
I’ve dedicated my career to this cause, and I can’t stress enough how vital it is to recognize the significance of maintenance in our journey towards a sustainable and thriving future. The impact it has on system performance, longevity, and compliance with regulations is critical.
You see, stormwater management is not just about designing state-of-the-art systems and installing them. It’s about ensuring these systems continue to function as intended. It’s about preserving the delicate balance of our environment and safeguarding our communities against the devastating consequences of neglected stormwater infrastructure.
We need to mimic the natural water cycle in our stormwater design, particularly as our cities and built environments expand. As urbanization encroaches upon nature, we inadvertently disrupt the natural flow of stormwater. To compensate, we must develop systems that replicate the natural cycle. However, for this cycle to be effective, maintenance is non-negotiable.
In my role as the Managing Director of Maintenance and Services at Oldcastle Infrastructure, I’ve witnessed a concerning trend. Many stakeholders invest significant amounts in stormwater products and infrastructure, but often, there’s insufficient focus on the maintenance of these assets. It’s a simple truth: within a relatively short time frame—ranging from a few months to just a few years—products that aren’t properly maintained become clogged with sediment and cease to function, and the repair costs can be exorbitant.
But the importance of maintenance goes beyond preventing system failures. It’s also about protecting our environment from the consequences of inadequate stormwater management. Stormwater runoff, laden with pollutants like Total Suspended Solids (TSS), trash, oils, nutrients, heavy metals, bacteria, and more must be properly treated and filtered to safeguard our water bodies.
This is where various best management practices (BMPs), such as infiltration, filtration, low impact developments (LID), and green infrastructure, come into play. However, all these BMPs require ongoing maintenance to ensure they continue to remove pollutants effectively.
The climate crisis further complicates the situation. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns us that climate change will lead to more frequent and intense storms across the United States. And if our stormwater systems aren’t correctly maintained, these intense storms can wreak havoc, leading to flooding and other devastating impacts.
Effective stormwater runoff management offers five crucial environmental benefits, including the protection of wetlands, improved water quality, water conservation, public health, and flood control.
Stormwater management is also subject to federal regulations through the EPA, with states adopting their own programs to meet these standards. And let’s not forget, the responsibility for maintaining these systems largely falls on the owner’s shoulders. It’s a responsibility that isn’t always easy to shoulder, as many owners are unaware of the specific stormwater products and infrastructure on their properties.
In some cases, it’s a matter of educating the owners about their systems and how to properly maintain them. In others, owners may be aware of their systems but may entrust maintenance to individuals who lack a comprehensive understanding of these complex stormwater solutions.
In essence, stormwater management maintenance is akin to caring for your car. You can’t simply wash the exterior and ignore the engine’s needs. Neglecting the maintenance of stormwater infrastructure can lead to costly consequences, both financially and environmentally.
That’s why, at Oldcastle Infrastructure, we’re committed to providing not just stormwater products and solutions but also maintenance programs specifically designed to adapt to ever-changing regulations. We understand that by prioritizing maintenance, we’re not only preserving our environment and protecting public health but also securing our collective future success.
Download Craig’s white paper on Maintenance Solutions for Optimal Stormwater Management here.
Chances are you’ve heard about the ANSI/SCTE load ratings in the underground enclosures industry, but how much do you really know about the history of the specification and why it’s a necessary detail to not overlook?
ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and SCTE (Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers) partnered in 2002 to create ANSI/SCTE 77, a performance specification to ensure the structural integrity of underground enclosures; the specification was most recently updated in 2017. In greater detail, the specification was created by both organizations to rate performance for handholes used in non-deliberate traffic applications. Performance ratings are broken into tiers, or performance levels, based on the exact job needed by the customer.
Why are load ratings needed? Primarily to rate the performance of an underground enclosure in order to meet the needs of a specific project.
Underground enclosures can be used to perform multiple jobs and functions on a jobsite; a high tier-rated box might not be needed for a simple project like protecting water infrastructure on a soccer field.
Tiers of load ratings are basic ways to say exposure: how much load – how heavy something can be – needs to be planned for, based on the project. Basic tiers are listed below, along with examples for each:
- Light duty: pedestrian traffic only
- Tier 5 & Tier 8: sidewalk applications, with a safety factor for occasional non-deliberate vehicular traffic Tier 15: driveway, parking lot, and off-roadway applications subject to occasional non-deliberate heavy vehicular traffic (standard passenger vehicles)
- Tier 22: driveway, parking lot, and off-roadway applications subject to occasional non-deliberate heavy vehicular traffic (Trucks and larger vehicles)
- AASHTO H-20 (deliberate traffic, different specifications): deliberate vehicular traffic applications
In the testing process of each tier of load rating, a metal plate that simulates the surface area of a tire is used in a three-part testing procedure. These three steps are the lateral sidewall load test, the vertical sidewall load test, and the cover vertical load test. A total of 10 testing cycles are completed, with the 11th cycle taken to failure. The three-point test is representative of a vehicle approaching and driving over a box. First, as the vehicle approaches the box, the ground shifts and applies a lateral force to the sidewall of the box.
Next, the vehicle begins to pass over the box, which applies a vertical load to the sidewall of the product. When the vehicle passes over the center of the box, the vertical load shifts to the center of the cover.
Products must meet the required load rating for each of the three tests, plus a safety factor, while staying within a maximum vertical and lateral deflection limit.
An enclosure may bear the required load to pass a specific load rating, but it can still fail if the deflection limit is exceeded. Think of it like a surprise pothole: if a car drives over the box, and the cover bows in, this causes a safety concern despite the box bearing the weight of the vehicle. While companies can list tiers on their enclosures as long as one series of tests have been completed, it’s important to follow up with continuous testing for a true measure of safety.
When determining what product performance rating is needed for a specific application, contractors should consider if the enclosure is going to be used in a deliberate or non-deliberate traffic/pedestrian traffic location. (To qualify: deliberate traffic equates to the middle of the roadway with vehicular traffic passing over the handhole regularly; non-deliberate traffic translates to sidewalk applications (a car might drive over it, but it’s not the travel way).
Several other areas of testing exist within ANSI/SCTE 77, and they involve multiple topics of consideration: chemical resistance testing (salt on roads mixes with road fluids, creating multiple chemical compounds to be aware of); sunlight/UV testing (if the handhole is outside, performance needs to be verified after continuous exposure); water absorption (tests the strength of the enclosure after exposure to moisture); flammability (wherein the enclosure is buried with hay packed on top, which is then set aflame); impact testing; and friction testing (ensuring ADA compliance in that no one will slip on the enclosure).
Conclusion: When choosing enclosure products, research the options and choose products that not only meet, but exceed, the standard and specifications put forth by ANSI/SCTE 77. Selecting the right product with the appropriate performance for your specific application ensures that the installation will perform as expected down the road.
Have you ever considered the potential hazards of standing water on airport runways? It may seem innocuous, but it’s a risk that can’t be underestimated. Airports boast vast, flat expanses, and when rainwater accumulates, it forms standing pools that attract birds and wildlife, creating a perilous situation for both aircraft and the environment.
Here’s a sobering fact: The Federal Aviation Administration records an average of 47 aircraft strikes every day, and a significant 97% of these involve bird strikes, often occurring during takeoffs and landings—precisely where these runway ponds tend to develop. These collisions have resulted in tragic consequences, including over 300 fatalities and nearly 300 aircraft losses worldwide between 1988 and 2021.
This is the exact challenge that the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR) in Oregon faced. The airport needed to construct a secondary runway to accommodate future growth, but it wasn’t just about expansion. They required an innovative stormwater solution that would ensure long-term sustainability, comply with environmental regulations, and minimize their environmental footprint.
Introducing the Boxless BioPod™ Biofiltration System with StormMix™ Media from Oldcastle Infrastructure—a cutting-edge green infrastructure solution. This system not only effectively removed pollutants but also reduced maintenance costs and demonstrated the airport’s unwavering commitment to sustainability. It’s a win-win-win-win scenario—benefiting aircraft, passengers, wildlife, and the environment.
In a recent article featured in The APWA Reporter, we delve into how this innovative solution met the airport’s challenges and created a safer, more sustainable environment for aviation.
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Looking for the right BioPod™ solution for your project? Our Selection Tool simplifies the process of identifying the ideal system that aligns with your site’s unique biofiltration needs. By utilizing site-specific information, this tool guides you through the selection process and offers comprehensive product details upon its conclusion.
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In our modern world, data is as valuable as gold, shaping industries, innovation, and our interconnected lives. Think of data centers as the mighty fortresses where this invaluable resource is stored and managed.
Within the sprawling campuses of hyperscale and co-location data centers, a transformation is unfolding. Join us as we explore how these data centers are changing the United States’ digital landscape, as companies engage in a relentless race to construct colossal data campuses to meet the ever-growing demand.
The Need for Speed in Data Center Construction
Ben Gehrts, Commercial Director for the Central US at Oldcastle Infrastructure, perfectly sums up the phenomenon: “It’s like an ongoing race for storage.”
To put this race in perspective, Gehrts takes us behind the scenes:
“Imagine working with just 30-40% of the project’s details in hand. We must be readily available and understand the urgency required to complete the work. The project’s schedule plays a pivotal role.” Speed is the essence of this digital race, and Karen Brock, Oldcastle’s Commercial Director for the Northeastern market, highlights the pressure on contractors, noting that “the return on investment doesn’t materialize until the facility is fully operational.”
Oldcastle Infrastructure’s Vital Role in Data Center Evolution
Oldcastle Infrastructure takes center stage in this dynamic environment.
Gehrts proudly states, “In the realm of underground infrastructure, we excel in managing projects.” We bring our expertise to various aspects, including stormwater management, sanitary systems, cable management, and the creation of impressive vaults, some as large as 10 feet by 20 feet.
We also offer maintenance solutions when the need arises.
Statista, the global provider of business and consumer information, predicts that revenue from the data center market will exceed $342 billion in 2023, with an annual growth rate of 4.66%. By 2027, the market is projected to reach a staggering $410 billion. This growth is visible in the proliferation of data centers across the nation. “Think of the cloud as a vast farm field in Iowa,” Gehrts suggests, underscoring the far-reaching impact of this market. Karen Brock adds, “Witnessing a site evolve into a complete data center campus is truly remarkable.”
Navigating the Challenges of Data Center Infrastructure
While constructing infrastructure for data systems, meticulous attention to detail is crucial. Brock explains, “What’s most intriguing is the heightened focus on data security and the need for customized accessories. For instance, every vault we produce is assigned a unique serial number for tracking, ensuring it is watertight, and often requiring specialized hardware for secure access.”
Moreover, Gehrts emphasizes the importance of serving both the general contractor and the owner, stating, “We provide certainty. Drawing from our wealth of experience, we refine and enhance our designs based on lessons learned from previous projects, ensuring success for the next client.”
In this ongoing quest for storage, data centers stand as pioneers, where technology giants, corporations, and our interconnected world unite to secure the future of data. The journey is well underway, and Oldcastle Infrastructure leads the way, dedicated to ensuring that the information highway remains robust and secure as we continue to navigate the digital age.
Embark on a journey to enhance your AEC career with Oldcastle Infrastructure and Informed Infrastructure. Our AIA-approved sponsored courses, covering green infrastructure, drywells, and stormwater maintenance, provide the key to professional growth and regulatory compliance. Whether you’re an aspiring architect, engineer, or construction professional, our courses cater to a diverse audience.
Green Infrastructure Mimics the Natural Water Cycle
Explore the innovative realm of green infrastructure (GI), designed to replicate the natural water cycle during stormwater events. Traditional land development directs rainwater runoff away from the site, while undeveloped land allows natural processes like infiltration to occur. Green infrastructure introduces decentralized Best Management Practices (BMPs) to facilitate stormwater treatment by diverting rainwater into the subsoil.
Our course delves deep into this groundbreaking approach, helping you understand its significance and principles.
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Drywells Address Both Flood and Drought Stormwater Mitigation Challenges
Discover the solutions to urban flooding and drought challenges with underground infiltration galleries and drywells. These systems reduce runoff and restore natural hydrology by promoting infiltration and groundwater recharge. To meet regulatory requirements, they align with programs like the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
Our course equips you with the knowledge and skills to implement these systems effectively.
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Stormwater Maintenance: Legal Compliance and Environmental Benefits
Learn to manage stormwater effectively, ensuring it functions correctly, controls flooding, improves water quality, enhances public safety, and meets regulatory standards.
Our course covers a wide range of stormwater systems and emphasizes the importance of compliance with legal standards while highlighting the benefits of effective maintenance.
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In partnership with Informed Infrastructure, Oldcastle Infrastructure is proud to sponsor AIA-approved courses that empower you with essential knowledge and the ability to embrace innovative solutions. By exploring green infrastructure, drywells, and stormwater maintenance, you can elevate your career, meet regulatory standards, and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient environment.
