panddengineers

Q&A With Boya Wang, p+d’s New Civil Engineer

Posted by panddengineerson November 1, 2021in UpdateLeave a comment

Meet one of p+d’s newest full-time hires, Boya Wang, PhD! Boya is a civil engineer with over 5 years of experience in civil engineering, including water supply, wastewater treatment, groundwater protection, soil remediation, mathematical modeling and geostatistical simulation. He has extensive knowledge of and hands-on experience in technical writing and report preparation, public presentation, water treatment process design and operation and environmental laws and regulations. Boya is passionate about resolving emerging environmental issues and providing professional client solutions. He is also eager to take on new challenges.

1. WHY P+D?

I was referred here because my friend, who interned here, said there was a great team here and I could gain experience in different areas of engineering. Also, I wanted to be closer to my fiancée who recently got a job locally.

2. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT ENGINEERING?

When I was primary school, I used to stay with my grandparents when my parents were working. And there was a very clear, very clean river beside their house. By the time I had reached middle school, the river had become very dark and smelly. I wanted to know what I could do to improve conditions, so I decided to become an environmental engineer so I could improve our environment and our communities.

3. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST CHALLENGING ABOUT ENGINEERING? MOST REWARDING?

Challenging: Every situation has unique features. So, figuring out how to adjust and adapt calculations to specific design criteria can be challenging.

Rewarding: I think the most rewarding part is when you successfully design a project and your plans are approved. And you know your work is coming to life.

4. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

In three years, I will take the PE exam so I can become a Professional Engineer.

It’s been great to see Boya cruise through some of the more complex calculations that are required for designing effective wastewater treatment processes. His background in both the theoretical framework of treatment design and the regulatory approvals process from his previous work experience has accelerated his progress on challenging assignments, including developing facilities from scratch. He is quickly proving to be a real asset to P&D.
– Jason & Darren

Q&A With Maya Mansingh, p+d’s New Civil Engineer

Posted by panddengineerson October 4, 2021in UpdateLeave a comment

20210617_131331-e-c-e3 Meet one of p+d’s newest full-time hires, Maya Mansingh! Maya has over 3 years of experience, with much of that experience being from when she interned with p+d to fulfill her co-op requirement at RPI and when she returned for an additional summer internship cycle. At p+d, Maya has assisted our principals with designing complex water and wastewater treatment systems and SCADA systems, writing Engineer’s Reports and developing Map, Plan & Reports (MPRs) for water and sewer district capital projects. Maya’s preternatural project ownership is an invaluable quality that cannot be taught, and her high-quality deliverables rival those of graduate engineers who have been in the industry for much longer. Of course, we were thrilled that Maya decided to return full-time after her graduation this past May.

1. WHY P+D?

I had a very positive experience during my internships here. I was involved in a wide variety of projects, and I found that in my experience, Jason, Darren and everyone here were very knowledgeable and very approachable.

2. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT ENGINEERING?

I was always fascinated by the idea of a design becoming a reality. Each project is different and requires a collaborative approach to problem solving. And each person has a different role, and they all come together to complete the final project.

3. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST CHALLENGING ABOUT ENGINEERING? MOST REWARDING?

Challenging: Each project has unique constraints that need to be met in the design.

Rewarding: Knowing that your work will have a positive impact on people’s lives.

4. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

In the next few years, I would like to gain as much experience as possible and develop my skills. In the long term, I would like to obtain my professional engineering license.

Maya interned with us for two years, during which time we had the chance to get to know her and her work ethic, diligence and early ability to take charge of a project. We think working with us may have piqued her interest in our area of civil engineering. When she reached out to us as she approached graduation, we were ecstatic that she wanted to work here full-time. Now that she’s here, we can see how well she has integrated herself into our work style. She is doing a truly phenomenal job, and we couldn’t be happier.
– Jason & Darren

Q&A With Kathryn Warren, p+d’s Newest Civil Engineer

Posted by panddengineerson October 9, 2020October 11, 2020in UpdateLeave a comment

Meet one of p+d’s newest full-time hires, Kathryn Warren! Kathryn is a civil engineer with over 2 years of experience in civil, structural and municipal engineering. While pursuing her co-terminal bachelor’s and master’s degrees at RPI, she regularly sought out opportunities to take stimulating courses and take on leadership roles. At p+d, she develops site plans for both public and private projects and conducts field inspections. A meticulous professional who demands (and so inspires) excellence, Kathryn jumps at the chance to push herself further—she is a model of determination.

1. WHY P+D?

I chose p+d because I wanted to have an opportunity to get in-depth experience over a wide range of projects. It was also important to me to find an office where everyone works as a team and I could feel comfortable asking questions. There is something new to learn every day working here, and there’s always a helping hand to collaborate with to ensure robust solutions.

2. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT ENGINEERING?

The aspect of engineering that I enjoy most is that no two projects I have worked on have been the same. I get to do something different each day, which keeps me motivated to always strive to find the best solution for each unique challenge. I also enjoy having the opportunity to get out into the field and see the real-life applications of my work.

3. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST CHALLENGING ABOUT ENGINEERING? MOST REWARDING?

The most challenging part about engineering is bringing together all of the available information on a certain project and then developing a strong solution even when not everything is known. Working around unknowns or through uncertainty is a difficult skill to learn and comes only with experience. I am grateful to be working for Jason and Darren who both have developed and honed this skill over many projects and years of experience.

The most rewarding aspect of engineering, for me, has to be getting to watch a project grow from an arbitrary idea into full-fledged construction. Being able to create something tangible from an imagined concept is empowering. It is also very fulfilling to get to do work that I know will have a direct impact on people’s lives on a daily basis.

4. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

In the near future, my only goal is to gain the largest amount of diverse experience possible. I want to take advantage of every opportunity I have in order to learn and grow to the best of my ability. My long-term goal is to get my professional engineering license and have the ability to take on even bigger and more complex projects.

After having Kathryn intern with us for two consecutive terms, we were really glad she decided to join our firm full-time. We know she’s bright–she earned her master’s from a competitive program in just four years–but she also has a measured demeanor, and we feel she has a lot of potential for growth within the firm. We’re looking forward to challenging her with some new and exciting private projects we are getting started with and to have her contribute to our municipal consultation work as well.
– Jason & Darren

Celebrating Climate Week with Electric Cars

Posted by panddengineerson September 25, 2020in Industry NewsLeave a comment

The transportation sector is our nation’s largest contributor to greenhouse gas pollution. Earlier this week, Governor Andrew Cuomo revealed that the New York State EVolve NY Charger Network, an initiative announced in July to “accelerate the deployment of more than 50,000 charging stations by 2025,” has installed four new Direct Current Fast Chargers in Dutchess County. This expansion of charging stations right here in the mid-Hudson Valley is an exciting reason for us at p+d to celebrate Climate Week, a New York State initiative to spread awareness about climate change and educate residents of the state on ways we may lower our carbon footprints.

An electric car charger was installed even closer to home for us, at the Town of Wallkill Town Hall, just minutes away from our Middletown, NY office. The charger was provided and installed by General Electric (GE) as part of the Town’s Solar Field Project. GE commissioned a 2.4 megawatts solar generation project in June 2016 and provided the charger and required electric power to the Town free of cost.

p+d’s principal and president Jason A. Pitingaro, PE recently purchased a 2019 Volkswagon e-golf, which has a battery range of 186 miles, perfect for his daily commutes to and from our office. Thanks to the electric car charger at the Wallkill Town Hall, Jason never has to worry about running low on charge.

After owning a Prius hybrid since 2008, I thought it was time to take the next step and go fully electric. There are still State rebates and federal incentives, and with the cost of gas continually in flux, it just made sense. Plus, since our office is right next door to the Town of Wallkill and they have such a great system available, it really is convenient. – Jason

In honor of Climate Week, and to celebrate the efforts in the Mid-Hudson Valley to lower our carbon footprint within the transportation sector, we explore the history, usage trends, and benefits of driving electric cars:

Though electric cars may seem like an invention of the future, the very first electric car actually debuted sometime around 1828. One of the first iterations of the electric car came in the form of an electric carriage which was “powered by non-rechargeable primary cells.” Years later, the electric car, after several advancements and modernizations, was very briefly considered America’s preferred vehicle; Medium reports that “one-third of all vehicles on the road” in 1899 were electric vehicles, and that “New York City even had its own fleet of more than 60 electric taxis.”

Since the turn of the (nineteenth) century, the electric car has waned in popularity: as of October 2018, it was reported that 1 million electric cars had been sold since the United States started more thoroughly pursuing the electric vehicle market. While 1 million may sound like a large number, Scientific American provides some context: “EVs still only represent just over 1 percent of the country’s vehicle fleet.”

Despite the fact that electric cars make up the minority of America’s vehicle fleet, there is no shortage of companies producing them. Early this year, U.S. News provided a comprehensive list of the best electric cars of 2020, naming the well-known brands Fiat, Honda, Nissan, Tesla, BMW, Kia, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Chevrolet, Audi and Jaguar as among the best producers of certain models.

The ideal consumers for electric cars are those who have easy access to charging stations, whether at home, at their place of business, or at a nearby public facility such as a mall or gas station, those who do not need to worry about traveling a far distance in one trip, and those who are seeking ways to lower their carbon footprint. Ipsos, an independent market research company, conducted a study in 2017 that posed the question, “Is There a Target Market for Electric Vehicles?” The researchers found that while the market is quite narrow, with millennials comprising most of the EV community because of their “broad tech knowledge,” “Adoption among consumers can also be enhanced with advances in battery technology and expanded charging station infrastructure.”

So where can an EV owner charge their car in New York State? The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s website offers an interactive charging station locator map that allows users to input their zip code, fuel type, charger type, and connector type. Having to frequently scope out locations to fuel up your car may prove burdensome for drivers, but there are several benefits to owning an electric vehicle. As enumerated by the U.S. Department of Energy, EVs “reduce the emissions that contribute to climate change and smog, improving public health and reducing ecological damage.” EVs can also save you money!

Lastly, some humor, free of charge:

Q: What do you call someone who stole an electric car?

A: A Joule Thief!

p+d Celebrates National Intern Day

Posted by panddengineerson July 30, 2020July 30, 2020in UpdateLeave a comment

Today is National Intern Day, and p+d would like to extend a huge thank you to all of the interns we have had since our founding. Many of our interns have been hired as full-time engineers, and we feel grateful to witness their growth from students studying theory and design models to full-fledged civil and environmental engineers applying their calculations to the designs of real-life structures and systems.

In celebration of National Intern Day, we’re sharing our thoughts on the importance of obtaining an internship if you plan on entering the engineering field.

Obtaining an internship demonstrates commitment and curiosity. We truly value curiosity here at p+d; it’s how our founders Jason and Darren got started: Jason getting his hands dirty at a wastewater treatment plant while beginning his studies as a civil engineering student, and Darren, at a very young age, pulling apart a pen to examine its inner-workings. Engineering is a hands-on job, so employers like to see that students have sought out ways to get physically involved in the field and are eager to move beyond their textbooks and classrooms.

We give our interns major responsibilities and significant roles to play in the projects we manage. Our goal is to make their experience here as similar to their future lives as full-time engineers as we can. Our interns correspond directly with clients, learn key skills in clear and transparent communication, draft plans and engineer’s reports and visit project sites to observe existing conditions and needed improvements. We also encourage our interns to collaborate with one another, run their ideas by our seasoned principals and ask project-specific questions that will help them develop their problem-solving skills.

One of the most important lessons to take from an internship, and perhaps the hardest learned, is that engineering is never as tidy or formulaic as it can appear to be in the classroom. Working with ever-changing processes and regulations, aging systems and various clients inevitably leads to some organized chaos—which we have learned to love! But you have to know how to adapt to curveballs.

If you are currently an engineering student and are ready to get your hands dirty, here are some awesome resources we found to get you started on your journey. And what an exciting journey to be on! Firstly, the College of Engineering at San Jose University put together this comprehensive list of engineering internship myths you might want to check out in case you have any fears or doubts about the importance of obtaining an internship.

Next, we suggest conducting some independent research of engineering firms near you. Check their websites to see if they offer an internship program, or reach out to their human resources department to inquire. We also strongly suggest utilizing your career resource center if you are a college student. They typically have many professional connections, and they can let you know about any upcoming internship fairs. They can also give you professional advice on your resume and cover letter.

And once you’ve landed an internship—CONGRATULATIONS! Affiliated Engineers, a technical consulting firm, offers this list of tips on how to make the most of your engineering internship.

We are proud of our interns and are impressed daily by their growing technical skills and knowledge. p+d is honored to help young engineers get started on their careers. From all of us here, happy National Intern Day!

Q&A with Zi Ye, p+d’s Newest Environmental Engineer

Posted by panddengineerson July 24, 2020July 23, 2020in UpdateLeave a comment

Meet one of p+d’s newest full-time hires, Zi Ye, PhD, EIT! Zi is an environmental engineer with over 7 years of experience in the field. She has conducted environmental assessments, handled environmental permitting, ensured environmental regulatory compliance and researched cutting-edge wastewater treatment practices. Zi’s extensive knowledge stems from her in-depth and hands-on experience in laboratory testing, analysis, research and design. Last year, Zi obtained her PhD in Environmental Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology. We asked Zi to share her thoughts on p+d, engineering and future goals.

WHY P+D?

I chose p+d because the variety of projects fascinated me, and I can gain professional experience. Besides those benefits, Jason and Darren are two very knowledgeable leaders who guide me in every way.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT ENGINEERING?

Engineering is “applied science.” Working in engineering is seeing textbooks turn into reality. I enjoy applying my knowledge to solve real-life problems. I also enjoy the rewarding feeling after conquering each challenge. As an engineer, I would be pleased to see my design lead to improvements in people’s lives.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST CHALLENGING ABOUT ENGINEERING? MOST REWARDING?

The most challenging part of engineering is combining model calculations with real cases, especially under strict conditions. Sometimes the model runs very well, but the design is non-constructible. The most rewarding part is seeing my design work out and be constructed.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

My short-term goal is to get my professional engineering license (in one year), and my long-term goal is to work on more projects and gain more experience.

Zi’s background makes her an ideal candidate for our firm. In a short time, she has already proven to be a conscientious, thorough and professional team member. She brings a depth of wastewater process knowledge and research to our work, challenging us to approach old problems with novel solutions. She is a perfect fit for p+d, and her specialized experience is rare in the profession right now. We’re lucky to have her here. – Jason & Darren

Q&A with Andrew Thompson, p+d’s Newest Civil Engineer

Posted by panddengineerson July 2, 2020July 2, 2020in UpdateLeave a comment

Andrew Thompson has recently joined p+d as a full-time civil engineer following his successful internship at our firm. Andrew has over 2 years of experience in civil, structural and municipal engineering, and he completed concrete structure designs and onsite construction management in the Dominican Republic following his graduation from the University of New Haven with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. We asked Andrew to share his thoughts on p+d, engineering and future goals.

Q: WHY P+D?

A: I chose to join p+d because I believed it to be valuable to gain experience out of my “comfort zone.” Most of my experience has dealt with structures and geotechnical engineering, so I’m looking forward to continuing to grow my knowledge in other fields of civil engineering. So far, working at p+d has allowed me to gain diverse experience and continue growing as an engineer.

Q: WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT ENGINEERING?

A: The thing I enjoy the most about engineering is the fact that there are always unique challenges that surround every project. I enjoy the design process and also being able to see the design come to life as well, from plans to reality.

Q: WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST CHALLENGING ABOUT ENGINEERING? MOST REWARDING?

A: The biggest challenge in engineering is designing around strict project constraints and trying to optimize projects to the greatest extent. The biggest reward is seeing your designs/drawings/ideas being constructed and utilized.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

A: The main goal I have in the future (within 5-7 years) is to obtain a Professional Engineering license and to eventually obtain a master’s in a civil engineering field that I consider to be the most beneficial. At this point in time, I don’t have a specific program in mind. An ongoing and future goal would be to continue designing new projects and expanding my knowledge in all fields of engineering.

We are pleased to welcome Andrew to our full-time staff after a productive six-month internship. In just a short time, we witnessed considerable growth in Andrew both as an engineer and colleague. His experience in different disciplines of engineering has already benefited our firm, and we are confident he will continue to grow. We’re looking forward to reaching new goals with Andrew on our team. – Jason & Darren

The Importance of Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Investment

Posted by panddengineerson June 1, 2020June 1, 2020in Industry NewsLeave a comment

As stated so eloquently by The Value of Water campaign, “…virtually all sectors of the economy rely on water.” In their report completed in 2017, water, wastewater and stormwater engineers associated with the campaign enumerated the vast number of business sectors that rely on sound water and wastewater infrastructure to successfully conduct and maintain their work, “from semiconductor manufacturing, to agriculture, to hotels and restaurants.”

But what happens when these profoundly significant resources begin to age and become unreliable, or even dangerous? What happens when the United States, and the world at large, does not allocate the proper amount of funds to crumbling water and wastewater infrastructures?

water tanks — Historic water tank in Warwick, NY

We are now seeing the consequences of poorly funded infrastructure due to our current unprecedented circumstances brought on by COVID-19. The Guardian cited a study in early March from the UN World Water Development report that expressed serious concern over “underfunding of water infrastructure around the world.” Such underfunding prevents access to clean water, which has become the first line of defense against COVID-19 as the CDC advises everyone to wash frequently with soap and water. However, even before and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, underfunded water infrastructure has led many communities to suffer challenges related to poor drinking water quality and the unaffordability of access to clean water.

In her address to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure within the U.S. House of Representatives, Angela Lee, director of Charlotte Water in North Carolina, explores the economic strain non-federally funded water infrastructure can have on low-income families. When the federal government does not support infrastructure projects, water and sewer rates soar, making it increasingly difficult for ratepayers with lower incomes to keep up. Lee states, “In many communities [in the U.S.] the lowest 20 percent of earners pay almost one-fifth of their income towards their water bill.” Drawing from her own observations in Charlotte, NC, Lee reveals, “Charlotte Water serves just over 285,000 accounts but provided 58,636 payment arrangements in 2018. Public Utilities may be forced to delay much needed projects to avoid overburdening customers.”

Luckily, in late April, members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environmental and Public Works (EPW) John Barrasso and Tom Carper, released two bills, the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2020 (AWIA 2020) and the Drinking Water Infrastructure Act of 2020 (DWIA 2020). The AWIA 2020, helpfully summed up here,

includes approximately $17 billion in new federal authorizations for infrastructure investments across the United States, which are intended to increase water storage, provide protection from floodwaters, deepen nationally significant ports, maintain the navigability of inland waterways across the country and repair aging wastewater and irrigation systems.

The DWIA 2020 includes an estimated $2.5 billion and, according to a memo released by the senate committee, seeks “to provide resources and technical assistance to communities facing drinking water emergencies that present substantial danger to health.” The bill will also provide “robust funding for grant programs to help water utilities invest in and deploy new and emerging, but proven, technology essential to improve water and energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and expand ratepayer affordability.”

The grant programs the DWIA 2020 could potentially support within New York State include the NYSEFC’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which funds municipally and privately owned public water systems that provide drinking water; the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA), which provides water quality protection across New York; the USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal, Rural Development Grant Program, a program that supports clean and reliable drinking water systems in rural areas; and the Community Development Block Grant, which funds water and sewer main improvements. Other funding programs available in NYS are the Engineering Planning Grant, which seeks to advance water quality projects to construction, and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which finances wastewater and water quality improvement projects to municipalities throughout New York State. Follow the embedded links for more information on the benefits each grant provides, and how to apply. You can also follow this link for a comprehensive list of other grants offered in New York State.

What funding has already been included in NYS’s 2020 budget? The Executive Budget, as formally announced by New York State, includes $2.5 billion for clean water infrastructure, “beginning with a new $500 million appropriation to support drinking water infrastructure, wastewater infrastructure, and water quality protection” and $300 million for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), which includes funds allocated to water quality improvement.

p+d continuously strives to remain aware of all funding opportunities and assist the communities we serve through obtaining and administering grant funding. We have worked on a wide variety of grant-funded projects. For example, p+d assisted the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson with obtaining $1 million in WIIA/IMG grant funding for improvements to the Taylor Road Well Field; these improvements were needed in order to increase resiliency and add additional capacity to the Village’s water supply. We similarly assisted the Town of Gardiner in obtaining an Engineering Planning Grant for an I/I study of their collection system. We’ve also administered Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) funding for the Village of Suffern’s Phase 2 Sewer Abatement, which addressed areas in the Village’s collection system that were found to have elevated levels of infiltration and inflow (I/I). Lastly, p+d has worked on a variety of projects associated with the Town of Wallkill’s EFC grant funding, which they received specifically for the development of several new projects within their wastewater collection system. p+d was tasked with managing these funds for the Town while designing the upgrades.

Water & Wastewater Engineers Help in the Fight Against COVID-19

Posted by panddengineerson May 11, 2020in Industry News1 Comment

It is heartening to see so many in our field seeking innovative ways to help our country battle the coronavirus. Here are a few key ways water and wastewater engineers have pitched in to keep everyone safe and healthy:

Global technology company Xylem is repurposing water pumps in to ventilators. Aquatech reports that the water company has been utilizing their Jabsco flow control pumps, typically used “in the recreational boats and vehicles and food and pharmaceutical markets,” to create ventilators that will be delivered to several hospitals once the design has been approved.

Wastewater engineers have also been assisting with the testing of water samples from sewer systems. These tests can detect the spread of COVID-19. Bay Area researchers have been tracking their local wastewater treatment plants by testing the samples for “traces of genetic material from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.” This testing of the sewer systems could supplement the need for nation-wide COVID-19 testing of individuals. Some evidence suggests that when a person first contracts the virus, they can shed some of their viral load into their fecal matter. At the University of Michigan, associate professor Krista Wigginton is leading a team of civil and environmental engineers in similar testing, and her team is seeking to answer the question “Can we slow the spread through sewer surveillance?”

Following NY’s shelter-in-place order, it might also become imperative for environmental, water, and wastewater engineers to test water quality in buildings that have been on shut down for prolonged periods of time, as stagnant water could pose health risks. According to phys.org, “water left sitting for long periods of time could contain excessive amounts of heavy metals and pathogens concentrated in pipes nationwide.” Associate professor of civil and environmental engineering Andrew Whelton is conducting a study to determine how safe the water in shut-down buildings will be after the pandemic. Once results of the study are available, researchers will “advise public health officials, building owners and water utilities on how to safely recommission buildings with low or no occupancy due to the pandemic.”

We are so proud to belong to a field that can offer such profoundly versatile and flexible skills, especially in times of severe need such as these. While times seem uncertain, it is helpful to know that we are all putting our heads together in pursuit of a healthier future.

Changing Seasons & Changing Engineering

Posted by panddengineerson April 27, 2020in Industry NewsLeave a comment

With the changing seasons comes changes in our methods of engineering. What does it mean for p+d when the trees start to bloom, the ground becomes a bit softer, and the air becomes a bit warmer?

The construction projects that we manage and oversee are largely affected by these changing weather conditions. Specifically in the spring and summertime, the increase of rainfall and moisture in the air can force us as consultants to alter the materials we had originally planned on using in some of our projects. Materials such as “wood, hot melt adhesives and paints” are very susceptible to warming temperatures and moisture in the air as they tend to become less adhesive to particular surfaces. Heat can also cause certain materials to expand, “lead[ing] to misaligned joins during construction.” Winter inevitably brings issues as well—when contractors are met with a frozen ground, it becomes quite difficult for them to conduct key construction tasks such as excavation. Another issue unique to winter-weather conditions is the potential freezing of concrete, which can become “weak, brittle and even flaky” during the pouring process.

Changing weather conditions are so important for engineering and construction firms to consider that the National Center for Atmospheric Research, based in Boulder, CO, created “a prototype web tool, Climate-i Construction […] that applies seasonal outlook data to construction risks.” This invaluable tool tracks weather patterns months in advance to help engineers and construction workers to determine potential weather-related issues that might impact significant construction activities such as pouring concrete or operating a crane. This month specifically, our projects may be impacted by muddier conditions and increased temperatures that may alter our chosen materials.

For us in the water and wastewater industry, we must also contend with changing temperatures and the effects this climate shift might have on the water that exists within the plants where we complete our work. Increased temperatures inevitably alter water chemistry, sometimes causing “higher electrical conductivity” in groundwater, a source from which some water treatment plants receive their supply. High conductivity means that the water contains a large amount of “mineral salts of elements like sodium, calcium and magnesium” and is thus “related to high TDS (total dissolved solids).” For p+d, this means our water treatment designs must place a heavier focus on reducing TDS during the treatment process. While developing designs for septic systems, we also must take in to consideration the best weather conditions under which to perform perc tests, which “measures the rate at which water is absorbed (percolates through) the soil.” The drier the soil, the more easily it will absorb moisture, leading to much better results. During winter and spring when the ground is typically saturated with either snow or rainfall, the perc test is less likely to be effective.

Many wastewater treatment plants have seasonal disinfection limits, meaning the wastewater effluent is not required to be disinfected during late fall, winter and early spring due to reduced microbial action brought on by low temperatures. Operators are now getting their disinfection systems in order for disinfection in the late spring, summer and early fall. WWTP operators also look forward to warmer weather because of the increased microbial action in the wastewater, making it easier to comply with ammonia, TKN and denitrification requirements.

Changes in temperature bring special challenges to our industry that we are always eager to anticipate and address. This season in particular always keeps us on our toes and allows us to use our problem-solving skills to constantly adjust to these changing conditions. We hope you all have a wonderful spring!