Blogs

Broken 16 Inch Water Main

By Dave Jenkins posted 15 hours ago
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This mess was caused by a broken 16 inch waterline. Fortunately, all of the muddy water was contained in a 72″ storm pipe with a valve. Water was then pumped to a Chitosan-enhanced Sand Filtration (CESF) system for treatment to 5 NTUs for discharge to a creek. Knowing this project was going to be constructed over several winter seasons, we specified the CESF system in the contract. Always Be Prepared! Photo: Dave Jenkins, CPESC
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IECA Pulse: PFAS and Its Impact on Stormwater Management: What You Need to Know

By Jerry B. Sanders posted 8 days ago
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Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been widely used in various industrial and commercial applications since the 1940s. They are commonly found in firefighting foam, non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and many other consumer products. PFAS are known as "forever chemicals" because they do not break down easily in the environment and can persist for decades. Recent studies have shown that PFAS can contaminate the environment, including our water resources. Stormwater runoff is one of the main pathways for PFAS to enter the environment. Stormwater is water that runs off from rooftops, roads, and other impervious ...
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Speak at IECA 2024 Annual Conference & Expo - February, 2024

By Joanna Fetherolf posted 8 days ago
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IECA invites you to submit an abstract for the 2024 IECA Annual Conference & Expo! The IECA Annual Conference serves as a platform to share case studies, exchange knowledge, best practices and showcase the latest advancements in the field. One of the primary goals of the conference is to highlight the incredible work accomplished by our members and community on an international scale. This is an exceptional opportunity to present projects, research findings, innovative solutions, and success stories to a diverse and engaged audience. By participating in the conference, you will have the chance to elevate your work, gain recognition and contribute to the ...
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Biodegradable wattles

By Dave Jenkins posted 14 days ago
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Biodegradable Wattles I wrote this biodegradable wattles specification for a riverbank habitat restoration project. I wrote the last three sentences for this particular project, which has a 3:1 slope above an intertidal river. We will place 12 inches of compost before installing native plants this winter; without the wattles, wet compost will slide to the base of the slope. BIODEGRADABLE WATTLES Wattles shall consist of 100% biodegradable straw, coir, excelsior or compost encased in 100% biodegradable fabric or mesh. Wattles shall be a minimum of 8 inches in diameter free of cuts tears and damage. The installation of straw wattles shall be ...
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I Can't Get Away From Erosion Control

By Dave Jenkins posted 28 days ago
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I can’t get away from it. It doesn’t matter where I go, I always see some type of construction erosion issue. I went to visit relatives in Portland, Maine, flying in and out of Boston Logan International. In the terminal, waiting for my flight back home, I saw a construction project on the ramp; it had rained a few says before, hard. Obviously, the stockpile had not been covered before the storm and sediment washed off the pile into the drain. I worked at an airport that operates under strict turbidity effluent limits; here is how they do this kind of work: (1) rarely do they allow stockpiles on the ramp because they rarely reuse the excavated material (it ...
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CESCL Pro Tip No. 1 Grout Storm System Structures

By Dave Jenkins posted Apr 21, 2023
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Check to make sure all manholes, rings, pipes, and other storm-related materials are grouted as soon as possible. Often, grouting takes place after most or all structures are installed. If it rains in the mean time, muddy water can easily enter the storm system. If the system has been connected to a live system, that means non-compliant discharges. If it is not connected, the system will have to be cleaned out before it becomes live. Check out the full video on CESCL tips at: https://lnkd.in/gN6rQkRG #shorts #ieca #cescl #storm #grouting #pnwieca
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Too Much Rain

By Dave Jenkins posted Apr 19, 2023
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Sometimes there’s just too much rain. We were building a new runway, had several hundred acres of open ground, when the big rains came. We were using the stormwater ponds to collect all of the water for a 10 year 7 day storm event. All of the water in the ponds was being treated with chitosan-enhanced sand filtration systems before discharge. The storm of November 6, 2006 was something over the 50 year 24 hour event and something under the 100 year 24 hour event. With the rainfall and the pond over topping, water was discovered draining from the base of the pond. Rock and ecoblocks were placed as an emergency fix to keep the pond from a catastrophic failure. ...
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Volunteer Appreciation Month

By Jerry B. Sanders posted Apr 19, 2023
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As a non-profit association professional, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of volunteering. Volunteers are the lifeblood of any organization, and their contributions are invaluable. Volunteering not only benefits the organization but also the volunteers themselves. At IECA, we are fortunate to have a dedicated group of volunteers who serve on the board of directors and our chapter board members. Their hard work and commitment to our mission help us make a positive impact in the world. Volunteering provides numerous benefits to the volunteers themselves. Here are just a few: Personal Growth: Volunteering allows individuals to develop new skills ...
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Secondary Containment Fail

By Dave Jenkins posted Apr 12, 2023
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Why did they fail to put everything into secondary containment? #SecondaryContainment Photo: Dave Jenkins, CPESC ​
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Hydroseeding on the Edge

By Dave Jenkins posted Apr 05, 2023
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Finishing the hydroseeding bonded fiber matrix (BFM) along shoulder of runway at Sea Tac International Airport. The area has been amended with compost, track walked, BFM applied to cover 95% minimum. After the BFM cures, the area will be watered to obtain 85% grass cover as soon as possible. 100% nitrogen fertilizer used, 50% slow release, 50% regular. Because of rainfall, nitrogen in the soil is washed out. Phosphorus and potassium test okay in the soil, no need to add more. Time restrictions requiring opening the runway as soon as possible necessitate these measures. Photo: Dave Jenkins, CPESC
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Is This Silt Fence Necessary?

By Dave Jenkins posted Mar 29, 2023
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Is this silt fence necessary? Overlooking the fact that this silt fence installation needs some maintenance, I wonder if it was ever really needed in this location? The slope grades to the fence are minimal and not very long, and the roadside ditch line is graded so that water will drain away from the road. This type of silt fence installation is appropriate at the base of long, steep slopes, or if there is risk of sediment travelling off site. Also, all of the materials used will likely be land filled and not reused, including the wire backing and the “T” posts. If this were my site, I would have installed orange safety fence with steel “T” posts, maybe ...
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Creek Diversion for Restoration Work

By Dave Jenkins posted Mar 15, 2023
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Some of the steps to consider, plan for, and specify during creek restoration work in a salmon creek: Install fish screens, Electro-shock fish, Relocate Fish, Install check dams to keep water out of the work area Pump and convey creek water, Complete work, Slowly re-introduce creek, Pull out check dams, Remove fish screens #CreekDiversion #Restoration Video: Dave Jenkins, CPESC ​​
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Silt Fence Overlap

By Dave Jenkins posted Mar 15, 2023
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#siltfence #overlap Here is a method for joining two pieces of silt fence. Video: Dave Jenkins, CPESC ​​​​​​
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Horizontal Silt Fence

By Dave Jenkins posted Mar 08, 2023
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On vacation, while walking around South Congress district south of downtown Austin, I discovered a new best management practice-horizontal silt fence. This makes access to the work area so much easier! Photo: Dave Jenkins, CPESC ​
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Geotextile-Foam Check Dam

By Dave Jenkins posted Mar 01, 2023
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Yet another example of poorly installed and maintained check dams. Even worse, it’s hard to install geotextile-foam check dams incorrectly. Here is an installation detail to use as a guide for proper installation: Geotextile-encased Check Dam #Geotextile #checkdam Video: Dave Jenkins, CPESC ​​
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Kimberly Edelman

By Heather Gravning posted Feb 24, 2023
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Ms. Kimberly Edelman is the newly-elected Secretary for the MAC Board (PA-Representative). Ms. Edelman obtained a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Resource Management and a Minor in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from The Pennsylvania State University in 2002. She is also a Professional Wetland Scientist and a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control. Ms. Edelman has always enjoyed science and the outdoors, no doubt the primary driver that led to her career in the environmental consulting field. Ms. Edelman is currently a Senior Project Manager at The ELM Group, Inc. (ELM), responsible for managing and conducting environmental field assessments ...
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Congratulations to the Winners of the 2022 MAC Scholarship

By Heather Gravning posted Feb 24, 2023
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Logan Rockwell is a recent graduate of Penn State Harrisburg with a degree in Civil Engineering focusing on land development and environmental sustainability. While studying at Penn State Harrisburg, he researched and tested erosion controls on small scale construction sites under the guidance of Dr. Shirley Clark (CE Program Chair) and completed many courses in hydrology, structural analysis, hydraulic design, and AutoCAD Civil 3D drafting. He finished his academic career with Magna Cum Laude honors and a cumulative 3.97 GPA. He is currently an Engineer in Training, with completion of the FE Civil Exam and is excited to pursue his professional license. ...
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Construction Erosion Control Inspection June 2013

By Dave Jenkins posted Feb 22, 2023
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Inspecting a small but busy construction project, checking for things that might be out of compliance with specifications and permits. #ErosionControl Video: Dave Jenkins, CPESC ​ ​
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Dan Fisk

By Heather Gravning posted Feb 22, 2023
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My name is Dan Fisk, and I am a MAC IECA Board Member. I am the Past President of the MAC IECA and I enjoy helping shape the great work that the Mid-Atlantic Chapter accomplishes. I’ve been a member and involved with the IECA since 2006 while I was first working toward CPESC and CESSWI certifications. I grew up in the Finger Lakes area of Upstate NY, and spent most of my summers on the St. Lawrence River in the 1000 Islands region near the US/Cananda border. I attended SUNY Cobleskill where I received a bachelor's degree in Wildlife Management. Immediately following graduation, I moved south to Northern Virginia and began working for Wetland Studies and Solutions, ...
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How many erosion prevention materials can you find?

By Dave Jenkins posted Feb 18, 2023
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