EPA’s New Policy on Green Infrastructure for CSO and Related Quality Challenges Saves Cities Money

Some cities have already spent tens of millions, and EPA has estimated many would need to spend billions of dollars to address CSO (combined sewer overflow) issues. Many older communities built their infrastructure before we understood problems from allowing overflow into rivers from sewer lines that combine storm runoff with domestic sewage. However, costs for ripping up streets and installing a new double system of piping are high. Further costs for storing, pumping, and treating the separated stormwater have been staggering. Large tunnels or storage cisterns have been built by many cities, often after legal action and/or fines have forced action. Paying the bill in perpetuity to operate such systems poses a burden on taxpayers, while using high energy levels and starving some urban streams from healthy flow regimes—a highly unsustainable outcome. Recent policy decisions from EPA now allow a much more affordable and ecologically beneficial alternative, and many communities are eager to embrace it. The EPA’s October Memorandum “Achieving Water Quality Through Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Plans” states … “One of the most basic objectives of the Clean Water Act is to keep raw sewage and pollutants carried by stormwater out of our nation’s waters.” And further … “EPA strongly encourages the use of green infrastructure and related innovative technologies, approaches, and practices to manage stormwater as a resource, reduce sewer overflows, enhance environmental quality, and achieve other economic and community benefits.”

One early adopter of this approach was the City of Cambridge, MA, who are engaged in construction of a major urban stormwater management wetland, all part of the cleanup of Boston Harbor and its tributaries mandated by the courts. After years of hard engineering solutions for its stormwater woes, the City opted to pursue a green infrastructure alternative that promised to save them over $15 million in capital costs, and even more for operations, compared to other identified alternatives. Located within the Alewife Reservation, part of greater Boston’s Emerald Necklace of urban waterfront greenways, the project fulfilled performance requirements while meeting community goals, based upon a unique collaboration between multiple agencies and stakeholder groups.

Bioengineering Group provided creativity and expertise in the form of wetland science, restoration hydrology, and ecological engineering, as well as education site planning, landscape architectural design, and construction phase support to the project team responsible for the overall CSO program. This interdisciplinary team experienced with development of complex engineered ecosystems successfully designed a multifunctional wetland that meets combined objectives of stormwater detention, water quality improvement, wildlife habitat enhancement, recreation and education for children and adults alike, all while saving millions of dollars.  READ MORE

Current and Emeritus Staff, Clients, Collaborators, Family, and Friends Celebrated our 20th GREENiversary

300 guests joined an evening of cocktails, local and organic food, reminiscing, and pride, featuring multi-media presentations highlighting the firm’s accomplishments on October 7th. We enjoyed an opportunity to remember, reflect, network, and visit with old friends during the glory of Indian Summer in New England, graced by 80 degree weather and a golden harvest moon. Warm greetings and much laughter accompanied sharing of anecdotes, information, and inspiration. It was a night to be remembered.

Congressman John Tierney and State Representative John Keenan both offered praise and recognition for the firm and its founder whose work has positively impacted community and environment.

Many people remarked that they knew and respected a part of our repertoire of work, but had learned a great deal more about the depth and range of our offerings, and of the awards for research, innovation, sustainable project design, and business success we had garnered over the years. Bioengineering Group honored its chosen non-profit, the Center for Urban Watershed Renewal and highlighted its mission and record, while also promoting the role of science, technology, engineering, math, and entrepreneurship for the next generation of leaders, especially girls. Thanks to everyone for joining our proud celebration of 20 Years of Sustainability Leadership.

What Our People Are Up To

SHARING THEIR KNOWLEDGE

After a well-received session at last year’s GOVGreen Conference and Exposition, hosted by the Center for Environmental Innovation and Leadership (CEIL), Al Hurt, VP of Sustainable Energy Innovations, was invited to organize this year’s GovGreen Conference . Both he and CEO Wendi Goldsmith present at the December GOVGreen conference, sharing our up-to-the-minute experience  bringing together the best of government and industry practices. This event is where stakeholders and government connect and participate in transforming green policies into actionable plans.

Wendi was keynote speaker at the recent Zweig Letter Hot Firms Annual Conference, where she addressed the issues of sustainability and stewardship.

Bioenginesering Group’s staff are often called-upon to share their expertise. Beth Fenstermacher, Landscape Designer, presented at UMass, where she shared with the next generation of students of landscape architecture, practical sustainable project case studies from her work at Bioengineering Group. Phil Rury, Senior Ecologist presented “Stabilizing Stream Banks: An Introductory Workshop” at the Westchester County Department of Planning and Soil and Water Conservation District where he reviewed bioengineering techniques and their application in stream bank stabilization projects. Dr. Erin Bennett, Environmental Biochemist, built on his past role of speaker and contributor to serve as organizer for the 2011 Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Conference (SETAC), whose mission is to support the development of principles and practices for protection, enhancement, and management of sustainable environmental quality and ecosystem integrity. Erin has also been an active member of our long-standing research and development relationships with Engineer Research & Development Center's (ERDC) Environmental Lab and our ecologically based strategies for management of contaminated sediments and other emerging needs and issues.

What You Do Matters!

Choosing Your Next Printer or Copier

We recently replaced our office printer and before doing so, did our research on the various models that were built/would operate as sustainably as possible. We found that most met Energy Star standards, but of those, some manufacturers considered every step of the process in an effort to create a more sustainable unit, starting with production, to use, to recycling.  This included:

• Life cycle assessment system helps to reduce C02 emissions by more than 30% over previous models
• Compact design with less packaging for efficient transportation
• Designed with 100% recycled plastic and bio-based plastic for certain components
• Meets Energy Star standards
• PQ toner and Advanced RAPID fusing system helps reduce overall energy consumption by minimizing heat and power requirements
• Power consumption for sleep mode is 1w or less
• Meets and exceeds Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive

Next time you are in the market for a printer/copier, be sure to check out the differences so that you can make the best choice.

What you BUY AND USE EVERY WEEK matters!