The Stormwater World Podcast Ty Garmon

Stormwater World Episode 028: Nature Ignores Design that Ignores Nature! with Tom Mortensen, PLA, ASLA from raSmith
 
Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time.
Key Points Discussed
[00:00:00] - Introduction
"Engineers do want to very efficiently get to a solution, which I totally understand and respect." - Tom Mortensen
"I work as this liaison between the right brain, left brain, construct and design." - Tom Mortensen
[00:01:00] - Digital Stormwater Overview
Services offered: Social media management, Google, LinkedIn, and meta ads, SEO and content creation, website builds and updates, AI automations, consulting, and more.
[00:02:00] - Guest Introduction
"Tom Mortensen has over 35 years of experience in site design, landscape architecture, and related design and construction in the construction professions." - Ty
Tom’s experience includes work with the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Boy Scouts of America, Native American Tribes, and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
[00:03:00] - Rainfall Integration and Stormwater Management
"Rainfall integration, which is also known as stormwater management." - Tom Mortensen
Discussion on green infrastructure and its early challenges and developments.
[00:04:00] - Nature and Design
"Nature ignores design that ignores nature." - Tom Mortensen
Importance of taking cues from nature in design to create sustainable solutions.
[00:10:00] - Collaboration in Design
"So this thing called design, what happens is we all get together to do that design, and then you engineer that design, and then you landscape that design, and then you build that design." - Tom Mortensen
Emphasis on multidisciplinary approach and early collaboration to save time and create effective designs.
[00:14:00] - Grant Funding for Green Infrastructure
"There's grant funding available to implement GI, and so if you're going to add 5,000 square feet of impervious on a site, you have to implement some form of GI." - Tom Mortensen
Example of a successful project on a college campus receiving $1.3 million in funding.
[00:20:00] - Project Examples
Colectivo Coffee: "On one half of the roof that drains to the east, we took that roof water, that rainwater, and we put it through a series of troughs and created a big water feature." - Tom Mortensen
Challenges and successes in managing urban sites with creative stormwater solutions.
[00:34:00] - Natural Design Principles
"If you go back to that picture I just showed you, all the trees are on the side slopes, in the uplands. That's where the trees grow. They don't grow down in a low flow channel." - Tom Mortensen
Importance of mimicking natural landscapes in stormwater design.
[00:39:00] - Relationship to Water and Future Outlook
"The earth is not green, it's blue. And I think we need to start thinking differently about our relationship to water." - Tom Mortensen
Discussion on the ongoing challenges and progress in water management and sustainability.
In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon and Tom Mortensen, a senior project manager and landscape architect with over 35 years of experience, discuss the integration of nature into design, emphasizing the importance of green infrastructure and sustainable stormwater management. Tom shares insights on how to effectively balance creative and technical aspects in site planning, the benefits of multidisciplinary collaboration, and the necessity of understanding natural systems. He highlights successful projects and the role of grant funding in promoting green infrastructure, concluding with thoughts on the evolving relationship between humans and water management.
The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any

Stormwater World Episode 027: Stormwater Monitoring Devices & Systems with Dan Penczak from OTT HydroMet
 
Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time.
Key Points Discussed
[00:00:00] - Introduction and Overview of Stormwater Monitoring
Importance of monitoring water levels and predicting problems
Overview of the podcast and shout out to Digital Stormwater
[00:01:00] - Services offered by Digital Stormwater
Social media management, Google, LinkedIn, and Meta ads
SEO and content creation, website builds and updates, AI automations, consulting
[00:02:00] - Introducing Dan Penczak from Ott HydroMet
Dan’s background in water industries and monitoring applications
His role at Ott HydroMet and personal interests
[00:03:00] - Basics of Stormwater Monitoring
Reasons for monitoring stormwater
Relationship between weather and water monitoring
[00:04:00] - Specific Monitoring Devices and Their Functions
Examples of devices like InfoTracker and Pave Drain
How Ott HydroMet approaches monitoring and specific devices used
[00:07:00] - Use of Water Level Monitoring
Methods for measuring water level: pressure transducer, radar, bubbler
Importance of water level data for flood prediction and management
[00:10:00] - Data Collection Methods and Real-time Monitoring
Options for data collection: periodic retrieval, telemetry, cellular or satellite
Use of real-time data for immediate action and alerts
[00:12:00] - Urban Flood Warning and Critical Asset Protection
Applications of monitoring in urban flood warning systems
Importance of protecting critical infrastructure and downstream assets
[00:14:00] - Ideal Monitoring Station Components
Components of an ideal monitoring station: level sensor, data logger, weather sensors
Addition of cameras for visual confirmation and comprehensive monitoring
[00:15:00] - Continuous Monitoring for Water Quality
Importance of continuous monitoring for parameters like pH, turbidity, conductivity
Emerging contaminants like PFAS and the challenges in monitoring them
[00:17:00] - Tips for Effective Stormwater Monitoring Programs
Being intentional about monitoring goals and locations
Starting with critical areas and expanding as needed
[00:20:00] - Budget-friendly Monitoring Solutions
Affordability of monitoring solutions for municipalities
Options for short-term rentals and their use cases
[00:22:00] - Use Cases for Rental and Loaner Packages
Examples of rental scenarios: short-term projects, long-term studies
Benefits of renting equipment for specific needs
[00:23:00] - Training and Technical Support for Monitoring Devices
Availability of training and technical support for users
Intuitive design of devices for ease of use
[00:24:00] - Solar Radiation Monitoring and Other Weather Parameters
Monitoring solar radiation and its applications
Use of weather data in stormwater monitoring
[00:25:00] - Example of a Long-standing Flood Warning System in Texas
Example of a flood warning system in Harris County, Texas
Collaboration and evolution of the system over time
[00:26:00] - Contact Information for Dan Penczak and Additional Resources
Best ways to contact Dan Penczak for more information
Mention of Stormwater Professionals Group on LinkedIn for industry connections
Quotes
Dan Penczak: "Data can be used to not only identify problem areas, but you could also start to try to predict when problems are going to occur." [00:00:00]
Dan Penczak: "The majority of what we do is streams. We do a lot with the federal government and dams, monitoring critical assets." [00:11:00]
Dan Penczak: "We are seeing more and more of what I'd call adaptive stormwater control and folks reaching out to us for sensors, data loggers, and programming." [00:12:00]
Host: "If it were me, I'd have s

Stormwater World Episode 026: Deep Infiltration Systems with Alex Bennett, Technical Marketing Engineer at Torrent Resources
 
Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time.
Key Points Discussed
[00:00:00] Introduction
Host Ty Garmon welcomes Alex Bennett from Torrent Resources.
Overview of the topic: deep infiltration systems and dry wells.
[00:01:00] About Alex Bennett
Alex's background in stormwater compliance and water quality.
Educational background: Master's degree in Environmental Science from UC Santa Barbara.
[00:02:00] Basics of Deep Infiltration
Alex explains deep infiltration and its benefits.
"A lot of folks, even in places where dry wells are used commonly, aren't familiar with them."
[00:03:00] Infiltration Systems Overview
Comparison between surface level and deep infiltration systems.
Importance of treating stormwater to match pre-development drainage patterns.
[00:04:00] Designing Dry Wells
Alex describes the design and sizing of dry wells.
"We're basically taking the same zone of infiltration you would see with a surface level basin, and locating it vertically within the soil column."
[00:06:00] Soil Considerations
Role of geotechnical reports in designing dry wells.
"The geotech is your friend."
[00:08:00] Infiltration Depth
Factors influencing the depth of dry wells.
Minimum and maximum depths based on soil and groundwater conditions.
[00:12:00] Installation and Performance
Typical dry well installation process and dimensions.
"We see really favorable infiltration rates due to the combination of hitting varying soil layers and having a significant column of water."
[00:15:00] Site Constraints and Benefits
Advantages of dry wells in constrained spaces.
"Dry wells can fit into a site and a stormwater treatment train really easily."
[00:17:00] Maintenance
Maintenance requirements for dry wells.
"Maintenance is just done via standard VAC truck... it's really easy."
[00:22:00] Cost Effectiveness
Cost comparison of dry wells versus other BMPs.
"If we have good infiltration rates, dry wells are more cost-effective."
[00:25:00] Regulatory Considerations
Regulatory challenges and successes in approving dry wells.
"The next step is statewide guidance on how to size these dry wells."
[00:28:00] Combining BMPs
Integration of dry wells with other BMPs.
"A very common layout is pretreatment BMP leading into a big detention tank, leading into one to three dry wells."
[00:32:00] Design Tools
Torrent Resources’ design tool for dry wells.
"We have a great online tool to get a quick unit count."
[00:36:00] Final Thoughts
Importance of working with geotechnical engineers.
"There's no one size fits all approach for infiltration or stormwater treatment."
Quotes
Ty Garmon: "It's interesting, you can go vertical instead of horizontal. That's really interesting."
Alex Bennett: "Infiltration of stormwater, once you're getting it into the soil system, there is a significant amount of absorption, adsorption, natural treatment of the standard suite of stormwater pollutants."
In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon discusses deep infiltration systems with Alex Bennett from Torrent Resources. They explore the design and benefits of dry wells, which are vertical stormwater infiltration systems that maximize space efficiency and improve stormwater management. Alex highlights the importance of soil conditions and geotechnical reports in designing effective systems, and explains how dry wells can be integrated with other Best Management Practices (BMPs). The conversation also covers maintenance requirements, cost considerations, and regulatory challenges, providing a comprehensive overview of deep infiltration as a stormwater solution.
The views expressed are that

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time.
Key Points Discussed
Innovation and Its True MeaningTy Garmon (03:15): "Innovation is one of those keywords that you get into management and you just like to throw around... There's a certain kind of person that like looks at something and says, it needs to be better."
Dr. Aaron Fisher (05:41): "Management likes to give permission to innovate, but it's not always as simple as just saying, here's your permission slip to innovate."

Challenges of Innovation in CorporationsTy Garmon (07:50): "So it's the fear of getting yelled at. And certainly in regulations, stormwater regulations and stormwater and like just engineering in general, it's I've done this before. It worked."
Dr. Aaron Fisher (10:13): "We don't have a lot of middle management...a lot of people are aligned with the bottom line."

Fiberglass Rebar as an Innovative ProductDr. Aaron Fisher (19:13): "What we've done with concrete is we've added a second material into a mega composite... But one of the big struggles with concrete is the corrosion that occurs."
Ty Garmon (21:33): "If you're going to build a stormwater structure and you're not considering this, you're overlooking it."

PaveDrain SystemDr. Aaron Fisher (28:36): "It's a heavy-duty, low maintenance, permeable pavement...it's a second generation system."
Ty Garmon (35:55): "Innovation in the stormwater world does not mean new and untested."

Cultural and Organizational InertiaDr. Aaron Fisher (44:59): "If you recognize people for innovating, regardless of whether the innovation was a success, that's rewarding, that's recognition for trying things."

Future of Stormwater ManagementTy Garmon (54:20): "You need to challenge yourself without necessarily breaking the bank because yes, can we build a sea wall that can resist 10 feet of sea level rise? Yeah, we just built an 11 foot sea wall."

Quotes
Ty Garmon: "Innovation is not the greatest thing since sliced bread, but it can help a lot of things. It can help you avoid a lot of things."
Dr. Aaron Fisher: "We're trying to sell a product category that we've never sold before and we're innovating and we didn't have a plan for this."
In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon talks with Dr. Aaron Fisher, Vice President of Business Development at Ernest Maier, about innovation in the stormwater industry. They explore the true meaning of innovation, the challenges faced within corporate structures, and the importance of fostering a culture that encourages innovative thinking. Dr. Fisher highlights two key products, fiberglass rebar and the PaveDrain system, discussing their benefits and the hurdles in promoting new technologies. The conversation underscores the need for practical, tested solutions to address evolving stormwater management challenges and emphasizes that innovation doesn't always mean unproven but rather improved and reliable methods.
The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.Connect with Aaron Fisher, PhD, PMP:
Connect with Aaron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-fisher-phd-31020811/
Email: afisher@emcoblock.com
Website: www.ernestmaier.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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Stormwater World Episode 024: Andy Erickson, PhD, P.E. is the Research Manager at St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota, Chair - ASTM Committee E64 on Stormwater Control Measures; Chair - University of Minnesota Water Council.
 
Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time.
 
00:00-01:01 -  Introduction
Host Ty Garmon introduces the topic of extreme weather events and their impact on stormwater infrastructure, highlighting the frequent occurrences and aging infrastructure across the country.
01:01-03:22 - Guest Introduction
Introduction of Dr. Andy Erickson, his credentials, background in stormwater research, and his contributions to stormwater management literature and community education.
03:22-05:35 - Discussion on Extreme Weather Events and Infrastructure
Dr. Erickson discusses the increase in extreme weather events and the challenges it presents to existing stormwater infrastructure. 
Quotes:"Extreme weather events are a big challenge and everybody sees it. It's in the news. It doesn't matter where you live." - Dr. Andy Erickson
"Our infrastructure is aging and wearing out and we have to replace it, it's undersized for what we see today." - Dr. Andy Erickson

05:35-07:49 - Technological Advancements in Stormwater Management
Discussion on advancements in stormwater management technology and smart systems. 
Quotes:"Smart systems...can do this through algorithms and through automated ways... It all is actuated remotely in the cloud." - Ty Garmon

07:49-09:45 - Statistical Insights and Future Projections
Dr. Erickson shares statistical insights on the increasing frequency and intensity of rain events and the need for updated infrastructure designs to accommodate these changes.
09:45-12:12 - Adaptation Strategies for Existing Infrastructure
Strategies for adapting existing stormwater infrastructure to cope with increased rainfall and extreme events, including the use of smart systems for better management.
12:12-14:33 - In-depth Technical Discussion
Detailed discussion on specific technologies and methods for enhancing stormwater management, including smart ponds and green infrastructure.
14:33-16:55 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Ty Garmon wraps up the discussion, highlighting the key points discussed and the importance of adapting stormwater management practices to meet future challenges. 
Quote:"We're basically saving the world from extreme weather today." - Ty Garmon

This episode explores the increasing challenges posed by extreme weather events on aging and undersized stormwater infrastructure. Dr. Erickson, an expert in stormwater research from the University of Minnesota, explores the impact of frequent extreme precipitation events and the technological advancements in stormwater management, such as smart systems and green infrastructure. Throughout the episode, he shares insights on the necessity for updated design standards and adaptive strategies to better manage stormwater in the face of changing climate patterns, emphasizing the integration of new technologies and the reevaluation of existing systems to enhance resilience and efficiency.
The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.Links Andy mentioned during the Pod:
"Climate Change Adaptation ofUrban Stormwater Infrastructure." MnDOT Report no. MN 2023-21. https://www.cts.umn.edu/research/project/climate-change-adaptation-of-urban-stormwater-infrastructure
https://researchprojects.dot.state.mn.us/projectpages/pages/projectDetails.jsf?id=23871&type=CONTRACT
https://mdl.mndot.gov/items/202321
Links to signup for newsletters: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/y4awdPX  or http://z.umn.edu/MNStormwaterSeminarSign

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time.
 
00:00 - Introduction
Host Ty Garmon introduces the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and its relevance both within and beyond the field of stormwater. Ty discusses the pervasive impact of AI and introduces the guest, Kristen Kautz.
05:15 - Kristen Kautz on AI's Integration and Impact
Quote: "AI has been around since the 1950s... People have already been interacting with it and using the technology, even if they didn't know they were using the technology." - Kristen Kautz
3:05 - Discussion on AI Development and Generative AI
Quote: "When they launched this platform called ChatGPT... it just fit into the way that I already look at tech. We're techno-optimists." - Kristen Kautz
5:00 - AI in the Workplace and Misconceptions
Quote: "It's not just a search engine, but people who get it, and we're starting to get that kind of those networks around us." - Kristen Kautz
8:53 - Future of AI and Ethical Considerations
Quote: "We may be getting all over the place here, but people ask me too, like when they generate something from chat GPT or any AI model, what are the chances that you and I will get the same answer? It's almost infinitesimally non-existent that will happen because of the way how AI dissolves and rebuilds." - Kristen Kautz
11:57 - AI and Job Automation
Kristen elaborates on how AI can aid in reducing workload and freeing up human resources for more critical tasks.
12:27 - Practical Applications of AI
Kristen talks about the multimodal capabilities of AI platforms and how they can handle tasks like reading images and automating responses.
50:25 - Closing Remarks
Ty and Kristen conclude the discussion by emphasizing the significance of embracing AI technology to enhance operational efficiency and innovation in various sectors.
53:11 - End of Podcast
This episode explores the nuances of AI and its transformative impact on industries, emphasizing its longstanding presence and evolving capabilities. The quotes chosen illustrate Kristen Kautz's insights on the integration and potential of AI in modern practices.
 
The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.
Links Kristin mentioned during the Pod:
ChatGPT: https://chat.openai.com/
Claude AI: https://claude.ai/
Perplexity: https://www.perplexity.ai/
 
Connect with Kristin Kautz, CPSM:
Connect with Kristin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinkautz/
Jam Idea Agency: https://www.jamideaagency.com/#/
KLK@JAMIdeaAgency.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
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!