Joel Rogers

The NJDEP's proactive approach in integrating climate resilience into the Statewide Water Supply Plan underscores an important shift towards sustainable water management. Industry professionals should prepare for stricter regulations and increased emphasis on emerging contaminants, ensuring infrastructure is adaptable to evolving environmental challenges. This is an opportunity to innovate and lead in adopting resilient practices. Stay updated on the draft plan here: https://lnkd.in/encndBpn #water #sustainability #wastewater #newjersey

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There has been an increase in detection and awareness of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances chemicals in groundwater and drinking water in the United States. New research from the University of New Hampshire suggests treating tap water for PFAS contamination household-by-household could provide a more affordable solution than treating water systems as a whole {Lemos, S.R., Price, T.C., and Halstead, J.M. 2024. “Economic Valuation of PFAS Remediation in New Hampshire Municipal Drinking Water Systems: A Contingent Valuation Approach.” Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management. Volume 150, Issue 8} Lemos’s team surveyed about 300 people across the state. They found on average, residents are willing to pay a bit more than $150 dollars per year on top of their normal water bill for PFAS remediation, or between $13 and $14 a month. In that scenario, they found that the 72% of residents on the average town’s water system could contribute about $1.2 million, annually. Researchers used Littleton, Mass. and Barnstable, Mass. as points of comparison. Those two towns spent $16 million and $27 million, respectively, on PFAS treatment remediation.

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#Friday Auqa Insights 🌊 Here’s a brief roundup of policy changes and regulatory updates in New Jersey's wastewater management sector. 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: The EPA has initiated new rule makings under Preliminary Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 15, focusing on reducing contaminants like PFAS and nutrients from certain industries. This step is part of ongoing efforts to enhance water quality and reduce wastewater pollution. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐬: New Jersey has updated its Stormwater Management Rules, mandating the inclusion of green infrastructure in major development projects. This policy aims to improve stormwater runoff management and bolster water quality across the state. 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Through the Water Quality Management Planning (WQMP) program, New Jersey continues to prioritize sustainable water resource management, aligning with the Clean Water Act's standards to ensure future development considers water quality and quantity protection. #wastewater #wastewatertreatment #waternews #aquainsights

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On Long Island, groundwater is the sole source of drinking water. Separated by sand and dirt, groundwater is stored in geological formations called aquifers, which could store, transmit and yield usable quantities of water. As a result, chemicals that are used for farming often end up in the drinking water supply. Additionally, Nassau County has lateral saltwater intrusion due to excessive pumping and the relative distance between fresh and saltwater. This allows leaks of salt into freshwater aquifers responsible for 100 percent of the drinking water for Long Island. #groundwater #aquifer #sarahmeyland

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New Jersey has recently introduced several significant policy changes affecting wastewater management. One important update is the draft 2024 New Jersey Statewide Water Supply Plan, which for the first time, assesses the impacts of climate change on the state's water supply. This plan highlights the necessity of addressing temperature, precipitation, and sea-level changes to ensure water quantity and quality. It also emphasizes the need to tackle aging infrastructure and emerging contaminants like #PFAS https://lnkd.in/encndBpn #newjerseywater #waternews #waterindustry #wastewater

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One of the things we do as consultants is to respond to a client’s needs quickly. Recently we were asked to assess potential redevelopment concepts and constraints, for a large NJ site in a pre-due diligence context. We assembled a multifaceted local SLR Consulting team comprised of planning/zoning, water and land use permitting, engineering, and NJ environmental experts. Working with legal counsel, we outlined zoning, site plan, permitting and environmental concerns. At SLR our multidisciplinary teams, and our LSRPs and non-LSRPs, routinely work together to address our clients’ most complex transactional challenges. Ask us how we can assist with your next transaction. #brownfields #duediligence #redevelopment #sustainableremediation

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Spring came a little earlier to Boston this year? Took a little road trip to check out some of our tree filters in the Boston metro area. We purposely chose the same day (and almost the same hour) as we did in 2023 to mark the difference at one particular site. Seems to us that our tree was past peak flower bloom and beginning to churn out leaves, as opposed to last year at the same time. Surrounding grass looked a little greener too. #greeninfrastructure #stormwatermanagment #landscapearchitecture #stormtree

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We are wondering when a Phase II for PFAS risk appropriate. Here is a handy table outlining risk.

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The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation is giving away "More Than $21.5 Million for Nature-Based Solutions to Lower Emissions and Sequester Carbon" SEE LINKS IN COMMENTS FOR APPLICATIONS AND WEBINAR From the NYSDEC newsletter: " More than $13 million is now available through Round 2 of the Challenge for projects that mitigate the impacts of extreme heat and reduce building emissions with a focus on providing direct benefits to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, including disadvantaged communities. Round 2 - $13 Million Now Available Through Round 2, NYSERDA is seeking proposals from private companies, research institutions, and other organizations for two challenge areas designed to address heat islands and building emissions in underserved communities: Innovations in Green Cooling for Extreme Heat - $5.5 million is available for research, development, and demonstration of tools, technologies, and strategies to increase adoption and benefits of nature-based approaches to passive cooling, prioritizing disadvantaged, heat vulnerable communities to catalyze a greater scale and effectiveness for green infrastructure across New York State. Innovations in Carbon Negative Buildings - $7.5 million is available for demonstration, introduction, and scale up of carbon negative products in New York State that support building energy efficiency. Projects will evaluate market growth potential, feasibility for local manufacturing with local raw materials, and other benefits to local communities. Applications will be accepted through August 20, 2024 by 3:00 p.m. EST. Additional details on the evaluation criteria, including requirements to describe how proposed activities support diversity, equity, and inclusion, can be found within the solicitation. An informational webinar will be held on July 23, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST to provide more details on the challenge, proposal and project requirements, and the application process. " #sustainability #newyork #dei

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Attention to our city and town partners: The deadline to submit Efficient Buildings Fund projects to the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources' project priority list is May 10th at 5:00 PM. We can help with free energy audits and free energy consulting services. Learn more about the benefits of the Efficient Buildings Fund and how to apply! #energyefficiency #cleanenergy

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This week's project highlight showcases the transformation of stormwater channels in Big Flats, New York, exemplifying the power of comprehensive stormwater management. Facing challenges of erosion and inadequate infrastructure, the town invested in a holistic overhaul of its stormwater channel system. By incorporating modern Best Management Practices (BMPs) and innovative solutions, the project aimed to protect against erosion, enhance water quality, and promote sustainable development. Utilizing vegetated channels, heavy-duty turf reinforcement mats, and erosion control blankets, the project team implemented a synergistic approach to mitigate erosion risks and safeguard the surrounding environment. The successful execution of the project not only addressed existing issues but also set a precedent for environmentally responsible construction practices. Explore the innovative approaches outlined in this article to enhance your own stormwater management toolkit and ensure the sustainability of your projects! https://buff.ly/4514FrM #NPDES #NPDESTraining #NPDESTrainingInstitute #TrainingThatMatters #Stormwater #StormwaterManagement #StormwaterProfessionals #StormwaterTraining #MS4Training #MS4sMatter #WaterQuality

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From ski wax to dental floss, PFAS is everywhere. But how does #PFAS play into #biosolids management and the water industry? Dru Whitlock offers some guidance in our latest blog. #StantecWater

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Need help navigating the complex landscape of building decarbonization? Look no further than the Retrofit Playbook for Large Buildings! Developed with support from NYSERDA by Building Energy Exchange, RMI and the Urban Land Institute, this knowledge-sharing platform serves as a comprehensive resource hub, equipping industry professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to plan, finance and execute strategic retrofit projects. Dive deep into success stories and lessons learned by Empire Building Challenge winners, learn about the business case for energy efficiency investments, and get empowered to make informed decisions that align with ambitious climate commitments. JB&B is excited to lead two project teams highlighted in this Playbook: 601 Lexington Avenue and PENN 1. Click below to learn more.

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This article by Olivia Tempest Prados and Cristina Novo on water reuse in the U.S. highlights key advancements and challenges in the field. Understanding these developments is important, as it allows those of us in the field to adapt to regulatory changes, leveraging advanced technologies like reverse osmosis for contaminant removal, and improving economic and public acceptance of water reuse projects. By staying informed, we can drive sustainable practices, ensure compliance, and contribute to resource recovery, ultimately enhancing the efficiency and resilience of water management systems. https://lnkd.in/eGY2fuGK #wastewater #water #wastewater #waterreuse

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Passaic Valley Water Commission planning to meet new EPA drinking water guidelines by 2029 (Clifton, N.J. – April 25, 2024) – This month, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) issued the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to harmful per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as ‘forever chemicals.’ These manufactured chemicals can be found in food packaging, non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, stain resistant carpets and firefighting foam. Over time, PFAS naturally breaks down and accumulates in air, soil and water and can be ingested by the human body. Identified health risks include reproductive issues, developmental delays in children, increased cancer risks, compromised immune function, hormonal interference, elevated cholesterol, and liver damage.   Last week, Passaic Valley Water Commission (PVWC) was featured in a News 12 New Jersey story, where Executive Director Jim Mueller explained how PVWC is planning to comply with the new federal drinking water mandate. PVWC would like to remind its customers that it has been successfully removing PFAS since August 2022, when the company completed the installation of a resin ion exchange system to remove high levels of PFAS in West Milford’s Nosenzo Pond well system. This system complies with the new federal regulations for PFAS.   The difference between Nosenzo Pond and the PVWC Little Falls Water Treatment Plant (LFWTP) is the volume of water treated. Since the amount of water treated is significantly larger at the LFWTP (80 million gallons per-day), PVWC worked with an external consultant, Cornwell Engineers, and the Water Research Foundation (WRF), to develop a pilot testing program to evaluate options to remove additional PFAS at the LFWTP. The pilot began operation in February 2024 and WRF is performing a national peer review using subject matter experts to review the methodology of the pilot testing program and validate the results. PVWC will be using the results of the pilot program to identify optimization opportunities for the existing treatment process as well as necessary upgrades to comply with the new PFAS standards by the 2029 deadline.   PVWC will keep its customers updated regularly on water quality via annual consumer confidence reports (CCRs), press releases, and social media. The company is also looking to continue hosting town hall meetings for customers to engage with our water professionals.   If you have not registered for our free notification system, please visit https://lnkd.in/e_QiTbGK.   Passaic Valley Water Commission, recipient of the 2023 Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies Gold Award for exceptional utility performance, serves over 800,000 consumers in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris and Passaic counties. Please follow us on X (@PVWC), Instagram (@passaic_valley_water) and/or Facebook (@thePVWC).

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🚀 Introducing the New Retrofit Playbook for Large Buildings! 🌟 RMI, in collaboration with NYSERDA, Building Energy Exchange, and Urban Land Institute, has rolled out a new collection of resources: The Retrofit Playbook for Large Buildings. The Playbook hosts unique, in-depth resources that share successful strategic decarbonization strategies emerging from the Empire Building Challenge. Building owners can access step-by-step guidance and financial insights to reduce emissions over time. On the site, you’ll find case studies from industry leaders, engineering solution modeling tools to support your planning, and financial planning resources. You can even send us your resources or case studies to be considered for publication. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gwi6Wxsy Visit the site: bit.ly/retrofitplaybook #GreenBuildings #Decarbonization #CleanEnergy #ClimateAction #NYSERDA #casestudies

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Explore The Retrofit Playbook for Large Buildings, a valuable resource from RMI, NYSERDA, Building Energy Exchange, and Urban Land Institute offering building owners guidance to decarbonize at their own pace. #decarbonization #SustainableBuildings #GreenBuildings

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The ongoing debate surrounding landfill safety bills in New Hampshire highlights a critical concern: limited landfill space. Proposed legislation suggests pausing new permits until 2028, which highlights the importance of sustainable waste management strategies. Pausing new landfill permits creates an opportunity to re-evaluate waste management practices and decrease our reliance on out-of-state waste disposal. By prioritizing waste reduction and exploring alternative disposal methods, we can significantly extend the lifespan of existing landfills and minimize environmental impact. 🌱♻️ #WasteManagement #LandfillSpace #Sustainability

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