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STORMWATER TREATMENT:
FOR THE PRACTICING ENGINEER
(AND SCIENTIST)
Who Should Attend: Engineers and environmental scientists working for consulting firms and local and state governments involved in structural BMP selection and design, development review, maintenance, field studies, development of drainage manuals, stormwater permits, and NPDES program management.
I offer two short courses. If you would like me to hold either course in your community let me know at rpathebook@cs.com.COURSE #1: INTRODUCTION (AND UPDATE) TO STORMWATER TREATMENT
This is my "economy" course given our difficult economic situation. A ONE-DAY course for professionals just getting into the treatment of stormwater, but also "old hands" looking for an update. We briefly discuss the reasons for treating stormwater, and important pollutants and their sources. Presented are common design criteria and sizing procedures for treatment systems in the public-domain such as wet ponds, swales, and bioretention filters. We also discuss why based on field studies we can significantly modify these criteria for more cost effective design: reduce the volume of wet ponds and wetlands by over half; similarly for sand filters. Yet still meet our performance goals: e.g. 80% TSS removal. We cover the latest on proprietary systems, both small vaults (hydrodynamic separators) and filters, including certification programs and status, and why manufacturers have been moving in the opposite direction with more conservative design criteria. The course goes from 9 to about 3:30 which helps with the commute.
UPCOMING SESSIONS FOR THE ONE-DAY COURSE
Course fee is $250. Save $65 by registering early. An additional $50 savings for a 2nd person from your agency or company to attend the same session, space available. Download Registration Form and the Syllabus.
COURSE #2: STORMWATER TREATMENT: DESIGN TO MEET PERFORMANCE GOALS
The TWO-DAY course is for professionals interested in obtaining a more detailed understanding of how our various stormwter treatment systems "work" and how this relates to design and maintenance. We cover all that is presented in the one-day coures and more. We focus on BMP selection and design based on the targeted pollutant. A shift is underway, targeting specific pollutants for removal as percent removal or effluent concentration. States, provinces, and local governments are establishing performance goals for new developments, numeric limits on industrial dischargers with NPDES permits, and benchmarks for construction sites. TMDL plans with attendant loading allocations also affect the requirements of stormwater treatment in many watersheds.
We focus on BMP selection and sizing of commonly used public-domain and proprietary systems to meet performance requirements: TSS/SSC, TPH (oil/grease), metals, phosphorus, nitrogen, bacteria, temperature, and gross solids (litter). Yet do so more cost-effectively than is accomplished with existing stormwater manuals. We also address the question "how low can we get the effluent concentration cost-effectively?" We do so based on the real results found in field studies. We do not cover all eight pollutant types in each session. Rather, we focus on the top five that you as attendees identify as priority for your region based on a short questionnaire that you complete with the registration form. Also covered is the relationship between source control and treatment system performance, and the "rules of treatment train" process selection and evaluation. See the Syllabus for a more detailed explanation.The course content reflects your climatic regime: wet, cold, or semi-arid.
Since 1995 I have given the course over 80 times at 25 locations across the United States and Canada. See Testimonials below from course attendees.
With our tight economy and training budgets the course fee has been reduced from $825 to $600. Early bird reduces this another $130. $300 for a 2nd person from your agency or company to attend the same session-space available. Also, $300 if you attended the course several years ago and want to attend again given the substantial change in course structure and content-space available.
UPCOMING SESSIONS FOR THE TWO-DAY COURSE
The course structure is similar for all locations, but the content and emphasis changes to reflect your regulations, BMP manuals, pollutants of concern, and the treatment systems that most interest attendees. As noted above the course content also reflects your climatic regime. WHY TAKE EITHER OF MY COURSES?
WHY EVEN IF YOUR STATE OR COMMUNITY HAS A BMP MANUAL? The design criteria compiled in our stormwater manuals were first identified in the 1980s when our understanding of the relationship between design and performance was limited. We have not updated design criteria to reflect what we have learned from recent and extensive laboratory and field studies. I distill relevant information in an informative two-day course. Most importantly I address your questions. You also benefit from fellow attendees who share their experience. WHY DESPITE THE EMPHASIS ON LID? Bioretention and porous pavement/pavers are treatment systems. I cover each system - performance, new design criteria, maintenance, and some issues. Despite the emphasis on LID most developments continue to use the traditional layout which involves end-of-pipe treatment. Therefore an understanding of how to make these treatment systems more effective and cost-effective is important. WHY TAKE MY TWO-DAY COURSE? MANY ENGINEERS WONDER WHAT IS REASONABLY ACHIEVABLE FOR PERFORMANCE. For the top pollutants of concern I have compiled field data indicating the performance of our treatment systems. Based on these data I have identified the lowest likely achievable effluent concentration. AND WHAT ABOUT MAINTENANCE. I cover why maintenance is needed, what we know about the effect of the lack of maintenance on performance, the role of design in reducing maintenance costs, the basic elements of an effective maintenance program, how to prioritize, real experience regarding cost,and the use of life-cycle costing in selecting treatment systems. "I was very impressed with the course and outline/manual format. Your course was one of the best I have attended. Thank you." "Class was an excellent stormwater treatment overview with the perfect amount of detail. I am totally pleased that I attended." "Dr. Minton provides a refreshing view and summary of what we know, and more importantly, what we dont know about stormwater and currently accepted methods." "Gary is very a very energetic lecturer, providing his findings along with others in a way that held my attention through the short course." "This was the most comprehensive and in-depth treatment of stormwater quality I have experienced." "A great class to introduce landscape architects to treatment theories. Learn enough to have a useful dialogue with engineers" "Dr. Minton's practical backed course gives engineers the tools to design stormwater systems light years ahead of how we currently implement the methods and processes of stormwater treatment." "Very informative seminar packed full of solid technical design data and pratical experience. Highly recommended." "It is great to see engineering and design make sense. Good to question design criteria. Lets make the Department
of Ecology let us be engineers." "It was really nice to finally learn the origins and bases of some of the methods we all use and take for granted." "I highly recommend Dr. Minton's course to Waterkeepers and technical staff of other environmental groups." Return to top of page If you have questions, contact the author.
Download the Registration Form and please also complete the brief questionnaire that is included. Contact Gary directly at rpathebook@cs.com for the registration form for the Canadian sessions.
MANY ENGINEERS HAVE QUESTIONS AND DOUBTS ABOUT OUR DESIGN CRITERIA. Other short courses accept current design criteria without question. In contrast my two-day course provides the time necessary to examine the origins and technical basis for key design criteria we have been using over that past two decades. This understanding combined with results from recent field studies provides a strong justification for modifying many of the criteria, resulting in more cost-effective design. Examples: wet ponds and wetlands are much larger than necessary; ED basins can be designed to meet the 80% TSS goal, thereby avoiding the negative aspects of wet basins such as mosquitoes and thermal warming; sand beds in filters can be much thinner than 18 inches; depth of bioretention cells can differ depending on the pollutant targeted.
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