The Stormwater World Podcast

Episode 017: “We started this over 25 years ago when nobody knew what it was. It was like magic powder.” Dr. Kyla Wood has spent her whole life in the flocculant and erosion control world. Her father started Applied Polymer Systems, Inc. and she literally grew up in the business. She even attended her first IECA conference when she was 12 or 13. Building on the foundation of learning, she went on to get her Masters from Northern Michigan and her PhD from Clemson University. 
“So basically, what a polymer flocculant is, is it's a very long chain molecule. It's a water soluble polymer that's able to bind to particulates in the water, like sediment and metals, forming them into bigger, larger particles that can then settle out of the water column or be captured. So basically, flocculation is just the process of making little particles into big particles so we can get them out of water,” Kyla breaks down Flocculant 101 for us.There are all kinds of flocculants used for different purposes, but the ones used in stormwater sediment control must be safe to be released into the environment without causing damage. APS uses anionic (negatively charged) polyacrylamide (PAM) formulas that do just that. The negatively charged ions will be repelled by the negative charge of fish gills so that they do not clog them and cause adverse effects in natural waterways. It is important to test samples of the water and/or the soil from a location to ensure you use the correct flocculant. Even if it doesn’t hurt the environment, the wrong mixture won’t be effective. Flocculant is also not meant to replace physical BMPs, they work well together to produce better water quality. Kyla says “Our products are not supposed to replace your traditional BMPs.We want to be using our materials in conjunction with all the other good BMPs that we have for sediment and erosion control. We're an enhancement.” 
In addition to the more well known uses for flocculants like water treatment and erosion control, there are lesser known uses for which flocculants are extremely effective. Flocculant can be used for dust control, demucking, large scale dredging, removing water from sediment, and pond and lake management. To learn more about these uses, visit APS’s website: siltstop.com
Quotes:
“It does look like magic when you take 500 NTU cup of water and turn it into near drinking water in 20 seconds. So it is somewhat magical.” (9:15 | Kyla)
“ So basically, flocculation is just the process of making little particles into big particles so we can get them out of water.” (5:47 | Kyla) 
“the other main [point] would be treating our [physical] sediment control BMPs, if you use the, the granular silt stop with those, you basically turn those sediment control devices into water clarification devices.” (14:39 | Kyla)
“ I think what sets us apart is that from planning, to implementation to maintenance to completion,  we don't charge for anything but products, [but] we're there every step of the way.” (23:12 | Kyla)
The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.Connect with Dr. Kyla Wood, PhD:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyla-iwinski-wood-phd-958890228/
https://www.siltstop.com/
 
Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP: 
Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/
Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57
Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A
Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com
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Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com

Link to the photos mentioned during the podcast: Sidewalk Photos
Episode 016: “The majority of our impervious surfaces are not in the public realm, they’re not in the street, they’re on private land,” shares Tom Batroney, P.E., CFM (Professional Engineer and Certified Floodplain Manager).  Tom spends not only his professional life, but also his personal time dedicated to stormwater and improving his impact. In 2020 he needed to repair the damaged sidewalk in front of his home. He looked into replacing it back with slab concrete, but after looking at cost and using his stormwater knowledge, came up with a better solution. “We’re so conditioned to just put it back, to just keep doing it. You got sidewalk, just put the new sidewalk back. And people need to see there’s other ways out there, especially when it’s stormwater. I think it’s a change of mindset,” said Batroney. He used a PaveDrain permeable paving system, which turned out to be less expensive, as well as allowing stormwater infiltration. He still has people stop and ask him about it. Doug Buch with PaveDrain says, “We’re getting into more and more of the residential work every year. We’re doing more driveways, most of them heated, and sidewalks around the country.”   
Tom is also on the board for the Upstream Pittsburgh watershed organization. They work with local councils to make sure that residents can put pavers and stormwater management practices on their private property. The work of the organization in helping to get regulations put into place is what allowed Tom to be able to use PaveDrain instead of having to use traditional, non-permeable, concrete paving for his sidewalk project. Be sure to check out their website to see the great things they are doing to help identify smart solutions for our environment that help people live better lives: https://upstreampgh.org/ This is an example of a code they wrote that allows permeable pavers: https://ecode360.com/8423785.  
Doug said PaveDrain is working with a group in Milwaukee right now putting out funding for private land owners to implement products like PaveDrain. The challenge is that it’s hard to find those individuals who own 90% of the impervious area. Including 10-20% of a product like PaveDrain in an impervious area like a parking lot will go a long way towards getting a lot of water back into the ground and keeping it out of MS4s as runoff and all the ancillary things that create costs in the public sphere. 
Quotes:
“Here's Tom’s moto: I don’t point fingers, I point thumbs. I do it myself.” (1:08 | Doug)
“I think this is a good opportunity to to remind everybody, those of you maybe that haven't dealt with permeable paving or haven't dealt with pave drain, specifically: permeable paving one on one, the majority of permeable pavers are out there, the blocks themselves is what's permeable. PaveDrain is a permeable system. So the block itself is not permeable, and you don't fill in the joints with any aggregate; that's where the infiltration comes in.” (20:22 | Ty) 
“The majority of our impervious surfaces are not in the public realm, they’re not in the street, they’re on private land” (35:26 | Tom)
“We’re so conditioned to just put it back, to just keep doing it. You got sidewalk, just put the new sidewalk back. And people need to see there’s other ways out there, especially when it’s stormwater. I think it’s a change of mindset.” (30:21 | Tom) The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.
Connect with Tom Batroney, P.E., CFM:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tombatroney/
https://tombatroney.github.io/
 
Connect with Doug Buch:
https://www.pavedrain.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougbuch/
https://www.hydrocad.net/pavedrain.htm
 
Connect with Ty: 
Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/
Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57
Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A
Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com
Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/
Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Episode 015: THE best management practice for effective stormwater management is communication.  “It's really hard to lead people or influence people or even work with people if you can't communicate,” says Barry. Communication is a learned skill. As you look at the bigger picture of our stormwater world and why we haven’t accomplished our goals, it all boils down to a lack of communication. That’s been Barry’s mission for the past few years, to help folks get better at managing communication. Barry speaks about the 5 pillars of construction. He feels you have to manage your communication first, then manage stormwater, erosion, and sediment. Effective communication is simply when our intended message is received by the intended audience or listener.  
Stormwater professionals have the ability and a responsibility to influence others from wherever they may be sitting in the organizational structure. We can't hope to influence people we aren't willing to hang out with. The general public still doesn’t even get what stormwater is. (Ty) The Clean Water Act was passed over 50 years ago, with goals to restore the quality of our water by 1985. We passed that goal almost 40 years ago. “It's all how we’re communicating with the public. We talk to (only) each other all the time…we were able to put together an event called The ASA Table Talks, and we brought in not just stormwater inspectors and stormwater professionals. We brought in mayors and Public Works directors and City Engineers, and we talked about funding and opportunities for funding and the real source of those flooding issues in that area. And I think we're gonna have to do more than that. And, you know, laying on the ASCE report for that sort of thing, and actually talk to people about it, just keep talking to each other.”
Keep an eye out for Barry’s upcoming article in the IECA Environmental Connection Magazine’s October print version and on their website:https://www.ieca.org/IECA/Resources/Environmental_Connection_Magazine_.aspx.
Quotes:
“Barry loves dirt. He loves water. He loves the challenge of keeping those two separate” (1:18 | Ty)
“Well, I think communication is the best management practice and for us, the reason I got into communication…Well, number one, I suck at it..” (4:05 | Barry)
“For the first time in the history of that report card and 2021 ASCE added stormwater infrastructure, as you know, one of the critical elements of our nation's infrastructure, which is absolutely great news that we're finally at the adult table, with the bad news our first grade is a D.” (7:46 | Barry)
“We're all in positions of influence matter where we sit in the organizational structure, we all have that circle of influence, we've got an obligation to get better every day and all that we do” (38:24 | Barry)
The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.Connect with Barry Fagan:
Company Website: https://faganllc.com/
Email: barry@faganllc.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barryfagan/
  
Connect with Ty:
Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/
Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57
Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A
Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com
Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/
 
Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Episode 014: “As I look at basins we've done over the years, and I see that water quality orifice getting smaller and smaller, and it being at the bottom of the pond, it's just kind of always been an idea of mine, is this the best way to do it?,” asks Jamie McCutchen, P.E., principal of Rymar Waterworks. Jamie developed the Marlee Float to address this problem by withdrawing water from the surface of the pond instead of the bottom. For years this has been a solution used during construction, but now Rymar has developed a permanent post construction model. Today, Jamie joins host Ty to discuss his experiences working with stormwater ponds outfalls and the development process for this new product. 
Jamie always wanted a more permanent product that could be left in place after construction was complete. However, most skimmer products were made of PVC, which breaks down when exposed to sunlight. It took 10 years to do it, but Rymar has finally introduced their post-construction surface water withdrawal skimmer. Even though nationwide standards have never been established, ASTM has recently released their own standards, so the new Rymar filter has been tested to show it meets these standards. 
If you are an engineer looking for an innovative solution, Rymar is looking for engineers to specify their filter to help with the regulatory approval process. Reach out to Jamie to see how you can work together. 
Quotes:
“So I'll give you a kind of interesting story. So it was a pond that was never maintained…It had a door outlet structure, you could see holes in the structure, but they were like three feet above the bottom of the pond. And we're like, what's going on? So we did a bunch of digging and found out that the pond was actually supposed to have a two inch outlet, but it was six feet below the current bottom of the pond. So muck had built up over 18 to 20 years.” (16:53 | Jamie)
“I actually have an easy fix for that (maintenance)” (29:39 | Jamie) 
“People figured out, hey, if you let the cleaner water off the top and drain the pond from the top down, you end up with more sediment being trapped in your basin.” (3:13 | Jamie)
“As I look at basins we've done over the years, and I see that water quality orifice getting smaller and smaller, and it being at the bottom of the pond, it's just kind of always been an idea of mine, is this the best way to do it?” (3:13 | Jamie)
The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.Connect with Jamie McCutchen:
Company Website: https://rymarwaterworks.com/
Email: jamie@rymarwaterworks.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiemccutchen/
 
Connect withTy:
Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/
Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57
Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A
Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com
Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/
 
Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Episode 013: “The multi sector permit really is detail oriented, unlike construction where you do have a lot of leeway,” explains Amesha Morris, owner of Acorn EnviroComply. At Acorn, Amesha specializes in stormwater pollution prevention planning and stormwater training. She has years of experience with boots on the ground in the Industrial Stormwater scene in North Texas. Today, Amesha joins host Ty to discuss her experiences working in the industrial stormwater sector. 
 
In the construction sector, people typically have more knowledge when it comes to stormwater, such as maintaining post construction control structures. However, Amesha has found that on the industrial side, people have less knowledge about stormwater. Industrial sites require more complex inspections, certifications, and permits since the structures are typically going to stay in place for the next 15 to 50 years. Creating an erosion control plan for a short term construction site does not always translate over to being able to plan for a permanent industrial site. Also, in Texas, Amesha has noticed that the EPA has been much more active and strict with its inspections, leading to a 20 fold increase in noncompliance charges. So, it pays to be knowledgeable about the codes and regulations for industrial stormwater as there is much less leeway than there is for construction. 
 
When it comes to working in Dallas Stormwater and the North Texas region, there are loads of fantastic resources available including the North Central Texas Council of Governments. Additionally, permanent industrial sites have their EPA codes and permits all listed online at echo.epa.gov. 
 
Quotes:
Check out Talking Under Water: One Water One Podcast, brought to you by the editors of Stormwater Solutions, Wastewater Digest, Water World and Water Quality Products. The podcast dives into One Water topics, including water scarcity, smart water, emerging contaminants, and more. You can subscribe on iTunes, Google Play, SoundCloud and Spotify and you can follow them on Twitter @tuwpodcast. And when you go make sure you say hello to my friends Katie Johns and her CO Bob Crossen and tell them that I sent you over there.” (0:34 | Ty)
“At least in the state of Texas, the EPA has been a lot more active.” (14:22 | Amesha) 
“Know what your SIC code is, because some people will overshoot some of their needs and undershoot some of their needs.” (15:53 | Amesha)
“The multi sector permit really is detail oriented, unlike construction where you do have a lot of leeway.” (16:26 | Amesha)
The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.Connect with Amesha Morris:
Company Website: https://acornenvirocomply.com/
Email: amesha@acornenvirocomply.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amesha-m-954b2a65/
Connect with Ty: 
Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/
Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57
Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A
Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com
Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/
Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Episode 012: “We have a product that you can drive trucks over, flow water, and contain 96% of sediment retention,” explains Rich Quinley. Sediment control from stormwater is of the utmost importance within the construction industry. The old standard of silt fences and straw wattle can lead to angry visits from stormwater compliance inspectors. Luckily, Rich and Nelson Quinley have the solution with their DuraWattle product, a flexible sediment control barrier that is made to serve as a straw wattle and silt fence alternative in higher traffic areas. Today, Rich and Nelson join host Ty to explain the benefits of using DuraWattle.
 
Construction zones are high traffic areas subjected to repeatedly being driven over by very heavy trucks full of equipment. Without DuraWattle, this heavy traffic leads to perimeter barriers needing to be replaced multiple times throughout the length of a job in order to remain in compliance. Thankfully DuraWattle can withstand not only heavy vehicle traffic, but also has been tested and proven to withstand severe stormwater events, retaining 96% of sediment. Instead of having to replace the perimeter barriers three or four times each job, oftentimes DuraWattle can be reused for years. The ease of shipment, distribution, and delivery combined with its superior performance makes DuraWattle a great alternative to silt fences and straw wattle. 
 
If you are looking for an alternative solution to perimeter barriers for sediment control, reach out to Rich and Nelson for a sample of DuraWattle and view the video of their TRI Environmental field test on their website.
Quotes:
“I'd like to give a shout out to my friend Katie Johns and her co-host Bob Crossen and have you listen to Talking Underwater: One Water One Podcast brought to you by the editors of Stormwater Solutions, Wastewater Digest, Water World and Water Quality Products. The podcast dives into one water topics including water scarcity, SmartWater, emerging contaminants and more. You can subscribe on iTunes, Google Play, SoundCloud and Spotify. And you can follow them on Twitter at TUWPodcast.” (0:50-1:23 | Ty)
“It survives vehicle traffic, and so it cuts down on the non compliance and having to repair less durable sediment barriers.” (3:10-3:23 | Rich)
“I can get orders for full trucks and get them shipped out the same day or next day. So we have a really quick turnaround on getting the product out.” (17:57-18:05 | Nelson)
“We have a product that you can drive trucks over, flow water, and contain 96% of sediment retention.” (26:11-26:20 | Rich)
“DuraWattle helps keep the stormwater inspector away.” (28:13-28:17 | Rich) 
The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.
Connect with Rich and Nelson Quinley:
DuraWattle Free Sample https://www.durawattle.com/request-a-sample/
DuraWattle LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/durawattle
Connect with Ty: 
Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/
Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57
Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A
Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com
Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/
Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Episode 011: “In its simplest form, green infrastructure is this idea of using decentralized, often nature based systems that can be used to manage and treat stormwater at its source,” explains Rob Woodman, National Manager of Green Stormwater Infrastructure with Ferguson Waterworks. Ferguson is making waves in the stormwater industry by integrating innovative practices with traditional ones. Today, Rob joins host Ty to discuss the benefits of combining green infrastructure with pre-existing more conventional methods. 
 
More and more states are beginning to have regulations regarding green infrastructure and low impact development. However, there is still a tendency for people to lean toward using the old traditional methods that they are used to. Although the innovative methods typically cost more up front, it is a worthwhile investment as these systems offer higher financial returns over time. By retrofitting innovative systems to support aging traditional infrastructure, you can begin switching to green infrastructure in a cost-effective manner while extending the life of the original systems. 
 
If you are looking to integrate innovative and traditional practices, consider visiting the Ferguson Geo and Stormwater Solution website to learn more about green infrastructure. 
 
Quotes:
“In its simplest form, green infrastructure is this idea of using decentralized, often nature based systems that can be used to manage and treat stormwater at its source.” (1:47-2:01 | Rob)
“One of the biggest challenges in the consulting world today is that young engineers aren't getting out in the field a lot. They're not getting to see what is happening post construction.” (9:37-9:47 | Rob)
“In every project you learn something, and we really make sure we are out in the field when these systems are getting installed.” (16:32-16:37 | Rob) 
“We've definitely seen what the addition of green infrastructure has done from a retrofitting standpoint to support undersized and aging, conventional grade infrastructure.” (20:08-20:21 | Rob)
The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.Connect with Rob Woodman:Company Website: https://fergusongss.com
Rob's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-woodman-pe-cpesc-ngicp-23520b5b/
Ferguson Green Infrastructure Video: https://youtu.be/jGfo8AwNpQc
2023 GSI Designer Survey: https://forms.gle/zYfo7fHMP1FCWQk96
Upcoming Conferences:
EWRI | ASCE International Low Impact Development Conference: https://www.lidconference.org/
StormCon: https://www.stormcon.com/
CASQA: https://www.casqa.org/events/annual-conference
 
Connect with Ty: 
Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/
Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57
Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A
Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com
Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/
Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Episode 010: “If we can get somebody to try our Aqua Shield product, and they see how easy it is to install, and they see how much time that they can save, how much money they can save, we will get a lot of repeat business,” explains Eric Rominger, Vice President of AquaShield, Inc. Aqua Shield is the leading green infrastructure device that has been both verified and certified in the state of New Jersey. Today, Eric joins host Ty to discuss green infrastructure and water quality.
 
Aqua Shield’s products, the Aqua Swirl and the Aqua Filter work together to filter the most polluted part of the stormwater, that first inch of rain or so, to improve water quality for rivers, streams, and creeks. Instead of being built out of concrete like most water filtration systems, Aqua Shield uses polymer coated steel or high density polyethylene. Another advantage is that these systems are completely customized with a site-specific design and are ready to go directly into the ground the moment they arrive on site. This saves time, energy, and money across the board. Where it really shines in green infrastructure is in evacuating the water from bio swales, which it does with industry leading efficiency.
 
If you’re looking for a simple, cost-effective, green water quality management solution, take a look at the Aqua Swirl and Aqua Filter products. The team has nearly 50 years of combined experience, not just in the stormwater industry, but in working with one another. That is nearly unheard of in this day and age, and contributes heavily to the overall success and sustainability of the company. 
 
Quotes
“What separates us is really on the product side is we manufacture all the products out of polymer coated steel or high density polyethylene as opposed to a concrete structure.” (12:54-13:05 | Eric)
“When they arrive on the job site, these units are literally coming right off of the truck right into the ground. And we're just plumbing the pipes and connecting the inlet outlet stub outs.” (13:19-13:27 | Eric)
“What really makes us different is because we're such a small but mighty team, we've got a long longevity.” (13:34-13:41 | Eric) 
“If we can get somebody to try our Aqua Shield product, and they see how easy it is to install, and they see how much time that they can save, how much money they can save, we get a lot of repeat business.” (15:41-15:52 | Eric)
“We're able to now evacuate that swale getting ready for that next rain event. And it's tremendous technology because we're able to do that at very high flow rates up to seven gallons per minute per square foot.” (24:54-25:07 | Eric)
The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.Connect with Eric Rominger:Company website: AquaShield: https://www.aquashieldinc.com/
Eric Rominger LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-rominger-b1a83b4/
Company LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/aquashield-inc-/
Eric Rominger Email: erominger@aquashieldinc.com
Connect with Ty: 
Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/
Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57
Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A
Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com
 
Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/
Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
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Episode 009: “WaterWatch Pro is a mobile app that uses digital NOAA data to track rainfall,” explains Gene Norman, President of WaterWatch Pro. Gene’s career as a meteorologist and interest in weather monitoring led him naturally into the world of stormwater management and stormwater compliance. Today, Gene joins host Ty to talk about his product WaterWatch Pro and how it is changing the way people work in the stormwater industry.
 
WaterWatch Pro is a tool that taps into the digital NOAA data to not only track rainfall, but also share that rainfall data with industry professionals. It creates a digital half mile grid rainfall map that updates every hour, places clients into that map, tracks the data for 24 hours, and then sends a notification of the total. The app is also able to give raw, unadjusted data on rainfall amounts every 15 minutes. Being able to have this data clearly available on a mobile app makes it much easier to track stormwater compliance and prove when there is an irregular or excessive amount of rainfall in an area.
 
While some in the stormwater industry will continue to prefer the old standard method of physically monitoring a rain gauge outside, many professionals will benefit from having more technologically advanced tracking methods. By being more informed about the weather and having the ability to pull up the data at their fingertips, people can better prepare themselves and their properties for storms. 
 
Quotes:
“WaterWatch Pro is a mobile app that uses digital NOAA data to track rainfall.” (5:22-5:28 | Gene)
“What I think about our product is I think of it as inspector repellent.” (8:26-8:30 | Gene)
“The challenge is that there's some latency into when we can notify people about the rainfall events.” (12:46-12:51 | Gene)
“We were able to identify a different data source that gives us data every 15 minutes. Now, one of the key differences between this data and the regular hourly data is that the 15 minute data is ‘raw’, it hasn't been corrected by gauges or any other things.” (15:08-15:25 | Gene)
“I wouldn't be necessarily afraid of the weather, I'd be informed about the weather. Do all you can to make yourself ready, because that next storm is coming.” (28:24-28:35 | Gene) 
The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.Connect with Gene Norman:
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/genenorman/Website: https://waterwatchpro.com/Connect with Ty: 
Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/
Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57
Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A
Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com
Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up
Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
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Episode 008: “People are upset when it impacts their property or their quality of life, but overall as the public we're not seeing that,” explains T Luke Owen, president, principal consultant, and training provider of the NPDES Stormwater Training Institute. Luke has provided environmental industrial wastewater and stormwater training for over 30 years. Today, Luke joins host Ty to discuss the importance of getting the public to really care about water and understand the ways they can improve the quality of their own watersheds. 
 
In order for municipalities to stay in compliance with their NPDES permit, they must complete MS4 training that addresses the six minimum control measures for stormwater quality and management. These include public education and outreach as main components of the program. It is critical for the public to have a general appreciation of the quality of their local water and to realize how much has gone into maintaining that quality. People need to understand that their actions and inactions can have a direct impact on water quality. If they don't really care about water, they will just keep on doing business as usual and not make necessary changes to keep their local water reservoirs clean. 
 
Instead of worrying about the broader issues like climate change, it is better for individuals to focus on what they can actually do to make a difference in the water quality of their own local watersheds. Without wide scale public concern and involvement, there is no hope for water quality to be maintained or improved.Correction: In the episode, Luke misstated that the Cuyahoga River caught fire for the first time in 1861. After recording the episode, Luke corrected himself, saying that the Cuyahoga River actually caught fire for the first time in 1868.
 
Quotes:
“Getting people in touch with just being grateful for the water we have, because without that gratitude, then a design professional putting together an erosion plan or a stormwater pollution prevention plan is just a job.” (3:58-4:11 | Luke)
“Without enforcement we don't have clean water.” (13:49-13:51 | Luke)
“People are upset when it impacts their property or their quality of life, but overall as the public we're not seeing that.” (14:23-14:30 | Luke)
“We just need to focus on our personal responsibility, what can we do that is going to make a difference in the water quality in our watersheds.” (21:25-21:32 | Luke)
“You can't have a healthy environment and have a weak economy, and you can't have a weak economy and have a healthy environment.” (38:11-38:16 | Luke)
The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.Connect with T Luke Owen:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/npdestraining/
Website: https://npdestraining.com/
email: tlowen@npdestraining.com
Phone: (678) 469-5120Connect with Ty: 
Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/
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