Read their feature on the challenging project that won an ACEC/MA 2022 Engineering Excellence Silver Award and ACEC 2022 National Recognition Award on page 22 here!

More about the project

The post Francesca Barilla & Paul Millett Featured in NEWEA Journal Fall 2022 appeared first on Environmental Partners.

Scott Turner, Director of Planning, wrote the section, “Boston Climate Ready Adaptation Plan” in Chapter 9.

View this high-value report

The post Scott Turner Featured in APA PAS Report appeared first on Environmental Partners.

In her publication, Lauren highlights how a proactive approach of using hydraulic modeling can help effectively manage and maintain water distribution systems.

Congratulations, Lauren!

The post Lauren Underwood Featured in NEWWA Journal Fall 2021 appeared first on Environmental Partners.

Stormwater Struggle

The need to create an Enterprise Fund or Stormwater Utility for communities to fund stormwater improvements is increasingly apparent. With the recently updated state and federal requirements, adding more complexity and prescriptive goals than years prior, all municipalities need to be able to rely on a stable source of revenue to meet the growing demands of the MS4 program, plan for stormwater capital projects to improve existing drainage systems, reduce flooding impacts, and improve water quality in their communities.

Local Impact

With another fiscal year ending, we are seeing MA communities scrambling to secure funding to achieve what is required by their NPDES Small MS4 Permits. The MS4 Permit includes a variety of requirements for each individual Municipality to complete annually, including but not limited to:

• Maintaining public education and outreach programs though websites and social media,
• Mapping, sampling, and maintaining their aging drainage infrastructure,
• Completing catchment investigations and updating outfall catchment delineations,
• Managing construction and post construction practices,
• Promoting the use of Green Infrastructure (GI) and reducing impervious surfaces,
• Installing constructed stormwater BMPs, and
• Managing internal good housekeeping practices.

Funding annual permit requirements can cost over $100,000 per year. Many communities find it difficult to obtain that level of funding and are therefore having trouble keeping up with the program or are still catching up on overdue deliverables from years prior. In order to handle the load of the MS4 program plus their internal department costs for labor, equipment, sweepers, catch basin cleanings, capital projects, etc., communities need funding!

Finding Funds

There are many different stormwater utility fee structures that can be implemented.  Depending on the size of the municipality, establishing a stormwater fee of just $25 quarterly per parcel could generate over $300,000 annually.  Some communities that have existing Stormwater Utility Structures are able to generate well over $500,000 annually. These funds can be used to create enterprise funds to effectively plan and complete more comprehensive programs and improvements such as developing an Asset Management program, constructing stormwater Best Management Practices, , and improving existing drainage systems. These strategies can improve aging infrastructure, lessen flood risks, provide protection from climate change impacts, and protect local waterways – all immense benefits to ensure the health, comfort, and safety of our communities at an annual price-point less than the cost of most monthly cell phone bills.

Imagine planning improvements and repairs to existing drainage systems before they fail. Starting a program to promote the installation of constructed stormwater BMPs to improve your water quality and flood risks. Developing a comprehensive asset management program, and going beyond the annual MS4 requirements minutia. There are many potential scenarios and/or rate structures that could be developed and implemented to allow for MA municipalities to start the long overdue funding of this vital, and often neglected utility. With proactive solutions and support, Massachusetts can be at the forefront of successfully managing stormwater and implement forward thinking strategies, solutions, and interventions.

The post Growing Need for Stormwater Utilities in Massachusetts appeared first on Environmental Partners.

“The AEC Industry has historically struggled with diversity and inclusion. While I believe there is more work to be done, we’ve actually seen great progress in gender inclusivity over the last 20 years, as more women pursue STEM careers. What’s particularly alarming is how underrepresented minorities are in our fields…As a company we asked ‘How can we encourage diversity and create greater opportunities?'”

The first recipient of the Environmental Partners Scholarship, Jean Inoa, was announced in March and we look forward to funding this annual scholarship and seeing the impact these incredible students have on their communities and the engineering industry.

Read The Article (Page 56-57)

Learn More About or Gift to the Environmental Partners Scholarship

The post A Pledge of Support – Increasing Diversity in Engineering appeared first on Environmental Partners.

EP facilitated a community workshop for the Town of Bourne, MA during the Board of Sewer Commissioner’s virtual meeting on May 26th, 2021. With the objective of hearing from residents, EP’s Senior Program Manager Helen Gordon shared “We’re gathering information to make sure we understand where the community’s major concerns are…”

Currently in Phase 1 of the Wasterwater Management Plan, Helen and team are assessing current and future needs and will begin Phase 2 and Phase 3 in 2022.

Learn more about the meeting and read coverage from Cape Cod News

Visit the Town’s Website to learn more about the project!

Have input you would like to share?
Email Bourne.CWMP@envpartners.com

The post Bourne’s Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan appeared first on Environmental Partners.

Scott shares, “Increasingly Green Infrastructure is gaining traction as a stormwater management and climate change adaption strategy. It was great collaborating with my good friend David Rouse to provide an overview of large scale and site specific GI approaches.”

Congratulations!

Read the article on page 48.

Celebrate with us!

The post Scott Turner Featured in NEWEA Journal Winter 2020 appeared first on Environmental Partners.

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200129/plymouths-water-subject-of-public-discussion

The post EP in the News: Plymouth Water Forum appeared first on Environmental Partners.

In December 2015 and January 2016, the town of Plymouth, MA experienced catastrophic ruptures in three locations along its 30 inch cement lined ductile iron force main. Ziad and Jonathan wrote about the assessment of the ruptures and replacement of a new pipe.

Read the article on page 34.

Congrats Ziad!

The post Ziad Kary Featured in NEWEA Journal Fall 2018 appeared first on Environmental Partners.

80 fires, 8,600 customers out of gas service, some 50 miles of gas lines needing replacement in busy residential and commercial neighborhoods, and winter is coming. Within several days, all three public works departments were stressed to the breaking point and collectively reached out to EP for assistance in tracking and documenting reconstruction efforts, and in safeguarding their vital infrastructure systems – particularly water, sewer, stormwater, roads and sidewalks.

Having recently provided long-term emergency management services for major sewer failures in Plymouth and Nantucket, EP’s senior engineering professionals were familiar with the basic concerns and focal points for impacted communities and their public works staffs when disaster strikes. We immediately assembled a response crew of 10 senior engineering program managers and experienced field engineers and were integrating with the community leaders, public works staffs, and gas company representatives in only two days.

With more than 200 construction crews mobilized to engage in reconstruction efforts, it has been essential to compile all relevant GIS mapping and asset layers and equip every response team member with the latest GPS equipped tablets to track and document daily activities and communicate progress with all parties. Particular emphasis is placed on keeping our clients up to date throughout the day, continuously refreshing the data base and flagging locations where the public works assets are being impacted. This then allows the community leaders to provide accurate information to the public as needed. The most common threats to the municipal infrastructure are where gas repair crews are likely to encounter water and sewer services, many of which are unmapped in some areas. It is essential that damaged services and pipelines be repaired properly.

At EP, we could not be more proud of our ability to respond on a moment’s notice and to provide a sustained partnership with our clients and all response parties in overcoming the extreme challenges faced by the entire region. We look forward to the day when a sense of normalcy is returned to the residents of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover.

Written By: Paul F. Gabriel, P.E.
President and Founding Partner
Environmental Partners Group, Inc.

For additional information, Click Here for an article published by Engineering News-Record.

The post Partnership in the Aftermath of Gas Explosions: Assisting Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover, Massachusetts Communities appeared first on Environmental Partners.