Snyder & Associates Podcast: Recent Episodes
Snyder Associates
A civil engineering, planning and design firm focused on thinking beyond engineering to improve quality of life within the communities we serve.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working to remove lead from drinking water. Its Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) deadline is October 16, 2024. Our team assists clients in complying with the LCRI initiative by performing lead service line inventories and creating new sampling plans.
As the EPA's inventory deadline approaches, it's crucial to consider the proposed action items ahead. Listen as Lindsay Beaman, P.E., and Toni Tabbert, P.E., share insights into successful strategies for communities, potential funding opportunities, and more.
Podcast Agenda
- Issues behind Lead & Copper (01:19)
- October 2024 Inventory Deadline (4:19)
- Known Inventory Challenges (6:41)
- Available Funding Options (7:40)
- How Communities Are Tackling Inventory & Replacement Needs (10:08)
- What Comes Next for Lead & Copper Regulations? (16:45)
Contact Snyder & Associates
- Tweet us at @Snyder_Assoc
- Follow us on LinkedIn Snyder & Associates, Inc.
- Subscribe to our YouTube
- Check out our website
The San Diego region faces a delicate balance between the growing demand for water and the imperative to preserve and enhance the quality of its water sources. As the population burgeons and climate change introduces new uncertainties, San Diego has grappled with issues such as water scarcity and contamination. The city has embarked on an innovative Pure Water San Diego initiative in response to these challenges. This ambitious project aims to secure a sustainable and resilient water supply by harnessing advanced purification technologies, thereby reducing reliance on imported water sources and mitigating the impact of droughts.
Listen as our wastewater engineer, Lindsay Beaman, P.E., discusses the intersection of water quality concerns and how the transformative goals of Pure Water San Diego encapsulate the city’s proactive approach to safeguarding its most precious resource.
Podcast Agenda
- National and Global Wastewater Experiences (00:15)
- PWX San Diego Conference (00:37)
- Water Quality Contamination – Flowing Across Borders (02:02)
- South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (02:40)
- Pure Water San Diego (06:02)
- Five-Step Purification Process (9:36)
- Pure Water Program Funding (11:21)
- Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant (12:48)
Contact Snyder & Associates
- Tweet us at @Snyder_Assoc
- Follow us on LinkedIn Snyder & Associates, Inc.
- Subscribe to our YouTube
- Check out our website
Balancing a community’s immediate needs and planning for long-term resilience is crucial when obtaining funding for municipal projects. In Nebraska, it’s essential to understand the available avenues for financing and encourage collaboration among stakeholders to ensure efficient management of water resources, resilient infrastructure, and thriving communities in the future. This examination of funding mechanisms aims to highlight the essential financial considerations that drive the success of water and wastewater initiatives in Nebraska.
Podcast Agenda
- Nebraska Funding 101 (00:17)
- Introduction to Funding (01:24)
- Various Steps to Funding (02:23)
- Ensuring Eligibility (03:31)
- Funding Program Sample (06:26)
- Applying for Funding (12:08)
- Specific Funding Requirements (15:47)
- Eagle, NE Case Study (17:45)
Contact Snyder & Associates
- Tweet us at @Snyder_Assoc
- Follow us on LinkedIn Snyder & Associates, Inc.
- Subscribe to our YouTube
- Check out our website
Correcting Inflow & Infiltration in Sanitary Sewer SystemsIt’s important to note that the purpose of sanitary sewers is to transport wastewater to treatment facilities. When water from external sources enters the system, it is classified as Inflow & Infiltration (I/I). This inevitably leads to a decrease in sewer distribution and, as a result, diminishes the overall effectiveness of the wastewater treatment facility. This increased volume of waste can create significant issues. Our water resource engineers are highly skilled in discussing the importance of I/I and the effective methods to detect and eliminate the problem. We strongly recommend listening to Lindsay Beaman, Wes Farrand, and Amanda Rodell as they share their expertise.
Podcast Agenda
- Understanding the Difference Between Inflow & Infiltration (0:31)
- Inflow & Infiltration Increases Operating Costs (1:30)
- Determining if your System has Inflow & Infiltration Issues (2:03)
- Identifying if your Sewer has Inflow or Infiltration (4:18)
- Budgeting & Identifying Funding Options for Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation (6:06)
- Common Sewer Investigative Techniques (7:35)
- Common Infrastructure Improvement Methods (10:52)
- Snyder & Associates’ Experience Solving Inflow & Infiltration Issues (13:49)
- Thinking Big During Capital Improvement Planning to Include I/I Needs (15:16)
- Inflow & Infiltration Success Stories (17:37)
Contact Snyder & Associates
- Tweet us at @Snyder_Assoc
- Follow us on LinkedIn Snyder & Associates, Inc.
- Subscribe to our YouTube
- Check out our website
Creekview Stormwater Wetland Urban Conservation PracticesThe Creekview project is an innovative initiative that redirects a large amount of stormwater drainage from the City of Ankeny to a designated area of Fourmile Creek. This effort aims to boost the natural environment and water quality by expanding the greenway park system and integrating wetland features.
The City of Ankeny, Polk County, the Fourmile Creek Watershed Management Authority, and Snyder & Associates, with a local developer, collaborate on this project. The developer donated the land, while the county is leading and financing the design and construction. The city will own and maintain the site, expanding the growing greenway park system covering nearly 1,000 acres of floodplains along Fourmile Creek. The site will include wetland features, riparian restoration, and educational signage.
During a discussion, Steve Klocke, P.E. and Nichoel Church, PWS, with Snyder & Associates, along with John Swanson, Water Resources Supervisor for Polk County, shared insights into the partnership’s origins and the significant impact of an unusual permit that made it all possible.
Podcast Agenda
- Background Information for Stormwater Wetland Site (1:16)
- Design and Permitting Services Offered by Snyder & Associates (3:58)
- Acquiring Regional Permit 39 (9:05)
- Ensuring Effective Communication with the Army Corps of Engineers (11:15)
- Flexibility in Making Design Adjustments (12:51)
- Creating a Roadmap for Future Projects (15:10)
- Creekview Stormwater Wetland Project Update (16:48)
Contact Snyder & Associates
- Tweet us at @Snyder_Assoc
- Follow us on LinkedIn Snyder & Associates, Inc.
- Subscribe to our YouTube
- Check out our website
Planning for Success, Revitalizing the Fort Dodge Community
While Fort Dodge had experienced a steady decline in population for many years, city leaders have slowed the decline, and the community and region are recently rebounding. By implementing innovative initiatives and building partnerships, new businesses are being attracted to the area, creating fresh opportunities for existing and new residents. Despite facing setbacks, the consulting teams revitalizing the Fort Dodge community recognize the unlimited growth opportunities by focusing on the region's strengths. We understand the importance of the task at hand, believe in the leadership of this great community, and are honored to lead a strong team of consulting professionals to implement a wide array of strategies to turn the tide for the region.
Listen as our Transportation Business Unit Leader, Wade Greiman, P.E., and Fort Dodge's Chief Development Officer, Chad Schaeffer, P.E., discuss the planning and implementation processes of bringing the community's downtown and river districts back to life!
Podcast Agenda
- Background (0:18)
- Re-Envision 2030 Comprehensive Plan (2:40)
- Water Trails & Corridor Plan (4:19)
- Northwest River District Master Plan (5:16)
- Bike & Ped Mobility (7:05)
- Central River District Master Plan (8:49)
- Downtown Streetscape Master Plan (10:27)
- Implementation Strategies (12:15)
- Dam Removals & Stream Mitigation Bank (12:41)
- Lizard Creek Mountain Bike Trail (13:40)
- Northwest River District Phase 1 (15:08)
- Little Dam Park & In-Stream (16:45)
- Webster County Conservation Center (18:04)
- Central River District North 1st Street (19:00)
- Central River District Front Porch & In-Stream (19:39)
- Skate Park (20:19)
- Downtown Alleyway Improvements (21:14)
- Hydro Electric Park and In-Stream Features (20:04)
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Contact Snyder & Associates
- Tweet us at @Snyder_Assoc
- Follow us on LinkedIn Snyder & Associates, Inc.
- Subscribe to our YouTube
- Check out our website
While Fort Dodge had experienced a steady decline in population for many years, city leaders have slowed the decline, and the community and region are recently rebounding. By implementing innovative initiatives and building partnerships, new businesses are being attracted to the area, creating fresh opportunities for existing and new residents. Despite facing setbacks, the consulting teams revitalizing the Fort Dodge community recognize the unlimited growth opportunities by focusing on the region's strengths. We understand the importance of the task at hand, believe in the leadership of this great community, and are honored to lead a strong team of consulting professionals to implement a wide array of strategies to turn the tide for the region.
Listen as our Transportation Business Unit Leader, Wade Greiman, P.E., and Fort Dodge's Chief Development Officer, Chad Schaeffer, P.E., discuss the planning and implementation processes of bringing the community's downtown and river districts back to life!
Podcast Agenda
- Background (00:18)
- Re-Envision 2030 Comprehensive Plan (02:40)
- Water Trails & Corridor Plan (04:19)
- Northwest River District Master Plan (05:16)
- Bike & Ped Mobility (07:05)
- Central River District Master Plan (08:49)
- Downtown Streetscape Master Plan (10:27)
- Implementation Strategies (12:15)
- Dam Removals & Stream Mitigation Bank (12:41)
- Lizard Creek Mountain Bike Trail (13:40)
- Northwest River District Phase 1 (15:08)
- Little Dam Park & In-Stream (16:45)
- Webster County Conservation Center (18:04)
- Central River District North 1st Street (19:00)
- Central River District Front Porch & In-Stream (19:39)
- Skate Park (20:19)
- Downtown Alleyway Improvements (21:14)
- Hydro Electric Park and In-Stream Features (20:04)
Contact Snyder & Associates
- Tweet us at @Snyder_Assoc
- Follow us on LinkedIn Snyder & Associates, Inc.
- Subscribe to our YouTube
- Check out our website
Aiding Industrial Clients through Design & Compliance
Industrial engineering is a vast field that encompasses a wide range of disciplines and activities. It involves the analysis of complex production and operations to optimize output and minimize costs for clients. As the world of business continues to become more complex, industrial engineering is becoming an invaluable asset for all kinds of organizations.
At its core, industrial engineering focuses on the efficient allocation of resources, including labor, materials, energy, and capital. In our latest podcast, our experts from several industrial backgrounds explore the fundamentals of industrial engineering, as well as its various applications — discussing how industrial engineering principles can be used to optimize output, streamline operations, and reduce costs.
Podcast Agenda
- Improving Industrial Processes (00:18)
- Common Industrial Challenges Our Clients Face (01:41)
- Industrial Trends Across the Midwest (04:42)
- Commonalities Across Industrial Clients (07:02)
- Aiding in Day-to-Day Design Operations (11:21)
- Providing Accurate Virtual Models (17:49)
- Best Available Technologies for Infrastructure Growth (19:23)
- Future Concerns with the Rise in New Technologies (27:11)
- Providing Results for Site Upgrades and Reconstruction of Existing Facilities (31:07)
Contact Snyder & Associates
- Tweet us at @Snyder_Assoc
- Follow us on LinkedIn Snyder & Associates, Inc.
- Subscribe to our YouTube
- Check out our website
Urban Wetland Protection and Restoration
Urban wetlands help fulfill an important function in improving surface water quality and purifying precipitation running off from towns and cities. As municipalities continue to expand and disrupt natural landscapes, learning how we can sufficiently use natural systems to try and mitigate the impending changes is in the best interest of city officials and citizens alike.
Listen as Steve Klocke, PE discusses some of our stormwater wetland projects and the benefits they deliver.
Podcast Agenda
- Urban Wetland Design (0:20)
- Fourmile Creek Stormwater Wetland Example (2:32)
- Practical Lessons Learned (8:27)
Contact Snyder & Associates
- Tweet us at @Snyder_Assoc
- Follow us on LinkedIn Snyder & Associates, Inc.
- Subscribe to our YouTube
- Check out our website
Stream Mitigation Permitting & Requirements
By preserving and restoring wetlands, habitats, and streams in designated regions, we can balance out unavoidable damages and provide no net loss to the environment. However, regulations and requirements often impede progress in this pursuit of balance. The science of stream mitigation is evolving rapidly as does the development of state and Corps policies governing stream assessment and compensation requirements.
Listen in as our environmental scientist Nichoel Church, PWS helps define a clear path to stream and wetland mitigation through their designated permits and requirements.
Podcast Agenda
- Fundamentals of 404 Permitting & Mitigation Requirements (00:18)
- Understanding the Clean Water Act (00:52)
- Types of Wetlands & Streams Commonly Found in Iowa (01:37)
- Defining Jurisdictional Waters (02:50)
- Regulations That Require Permits (04:25)
- Project Scheduling & Permitting (05:39)
- Triggering the Need for a 404 Permit (07:09)
- Calculating Impacts Through the Iowa Stream Mitigation Method (09:45)
- Compensating for Loss of Jurisdictional Resources (11:25)
- Permittee Responsible Mitigation (PRM) (11:57)
- Elements of PRM (13:18)
- Understanding the Benefits of Mitigation Banking (16:28)
- Breakdown of Snyder & Associates Mitigation Banks (17:42)
Contact Snyder & Associates
- Tweet us at @Snyder_Assoc
- Follow us on LinkedIn Snyder & Associates, Inc.
- Subscribe to our YouTube
- Check out our website
Contact Snyder & Associates
- Tweet us at @Snyder_Assoc
- Follow us on LinkedIn Snyder & Associates, Inc.
- Subscribe to our YouTube
- Check out our website
Selecting Right-Sized Treatments for Small-Town Wastewater SystemsIdentifying proper wastewater treatment solutions for small towns requires the acknowledgment that these communities function differently from large urban centers. As small towns across the country find it challenging to keep pace with the changing wastewater limits and regulations, our engineers are prepared to help.
Listen in as our engineer Jeff Godwin, PE, details common wastewater concerns and issues associated with rural systems and explores the multiple treatment options specifically fitted for small-town wastewater treatment systems.
Podcast Agenda
- Common Wastewater Treatment Concerns (00:43)
- Primary Treatment Options for Small Towns (1:18)
- Determining the Correct Treatment Option for Your Community (03:15)
- Creating a Wastewater Facility Plan (03:57)
- Lagoon Improvement Options (08:34)
- Available Funding Options for Wastewater Treatment Systems (13:56)
- Getting Started on Wastewater Treatment System Updates (17:59)
Contact Snyder & Associates
- Tweet us at @Snyder_Assoc
- Follow us on LinkedIn Snyder & Associates, Inc.
- Subscribe to our YouTube
- Check out our website
Utilizing Trenchless Technology in New Projects & Rehab MethodsInstalling new wastewater or water supply pipes in established residential areas is a high-impact process that typically necessitates removing sidewalks, roadways, and driveways, and disturbing existing landscaping. However, trenchless construction technology is an innovative underground construction method that often eliminates the need for excavations.
Listen as two of our experts, Wes Farrand, PE, and Patrick Williams, EI, talk through all aspects of trenchless construction and how you can incorporate this environmentally and financially sound alternative to traditional excavation techniques.
Podcast Agenda
- Why Trenchless Technology Demand Has Increased (1:29)
- Intangible Community Benefits (2:38)
- Understanding Possible Downfalls of Trenchless Construction (3:56)
- New Trenchless Insertion Technologies (7:36)
- Pipe Material & Application Considerations (15:22)
- Trenchless Construction Methods for Rehabilitation Projects (17:07)
- Manhole Recovering as a Secondary Rehabilitation Option (25:09)
- Utilizing Trenchless Construction in Your Community (26:18)
Contact Snyder & Associates
- Tweet us at @Snyder_Assoc
- Follow us on LinkedIn Snyder & Associates, Inc.
- Subscribe to our YouTube
- Check out our website
Municipal Water & Wastewater Operator ShortagesAcross the country, communities are facing a shortage of water and wastewater treatment plant operators. This shortage is leaving municipalities in immediate need of assistance from replacements. Without these qualified individuals, communities face the risk of failing to provide essential public health services.
Snyder & Associates is prepared to provide relief by delivering plant operational support. Whether your community needs a completely managed program or just a part-time/temporary solution, Snyder & Associates has licensed operators available to assist. Listen in as Lindsay Beaman, PE and Grade 2 certified Wastewater Operator, and Jarad Diedrich, Grade 3 Wastewater and Grade 1 Water Operator, discuss the solutions our team can offer from a staffing and expertise perspective.
Podcast Agenda
- Roles & Responsibilities of Certified Operators (01:42)
- Operator Workforce Shortage Raises Concerns for Public Health & Safety (03:10)
- Risks Associated with Operator Shortages (06:38)
- Snyder & Associates Offers a Full Range of Operations Staffing Services (07:42)
- Advantages to Municipalities in Hiring a Licensed Operator (10:44)
Award-Winning Collaborative Wetland, Fishpond & Bridge ProjectsWhen put to a vote, residents passed the Linn County Water and Land Legacy bond issue with a 74 percent approval rating. This popular concept demonstrated that county residents overwhelmingly support water quality, floodplain storage, and the preservation of natural areas. To meet these goals, Linn County enlisted the help of Snyder & Associates engineers, who developed a series of award-winning water quality projects in Wanatee Park.
Listen as Nichoel Church, PWS, Lindsay Beaman, PE, and Patrick Williams, EI, discuss how through collaboration with the county, we completed multiple wetland reconstructions, established the first fishable pond in the county, and built a new pedestrian bridge.
Podcast Agenda
- Implementing Water Quality Improvements in Wanatee Park (00:18)
- Wanatee Park Wetland Creation & Restoration (01:38)
- Maintenance & Pedestrian Bridge Enhancements (4:43)
- Erosion Control & Site Solution Benefits (07:43)
- Navigating the Multi-Project Bidding Process (11:54)
- Challenges Faced Throughout Design (12:31)
- Award-Winning Collaboration & Designs (13:44)
Navigating the Revised Lead & Copper Rule Requirements
In a continuing effort to eradicate lead from drinking water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a deadline extension for its Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) to October 16, 2024. From performing lead service line inventories to creating new sampling plans, our team is helping clients comply with the upcoming LCRI initiative.
Listen in as engineer, Emily Stewart, EI, provides the critical details and steps Iowa communities must take to remain in compliance and meet the LCRI deadline.
Podcast Agenda
- Lead and Copper Rule & the Additional Requirements (00:17)
- Step 1 – Lead Service Line Inventory (01:33)
- Step 2a – Record Identification and Analysis (02:43)
- Step 2b – Service Line Material Classifications & Tiers (04:33)
- Step 3 – Sampling Plan (07:10)
- Step 4 – Lead Service Line Replacement Plan (07:59)
- Overview of Items Needed for Deadline (09:14)
- Step 5 – Sampling Techniques & Procedures (09:34)
- Step 6 – Calculating 90th Percentile & Determining Action Levels (10:48)
- Foreseeable Challenges (11:43)
Considerations for Sanitary Assessment Program PlanningA well-structured assessment program provides the critical information needed to evaluate the physical condition and functionality of a community’s wastewater collection system. This data is vital for estimating the remaining service life of infrastructure components and planning for future mitigation projects.
During this podcast, Brett Paige, PE, outlines the many variables a community should consider prior to conducting a sanitary assessment program, and how to use the collected data to gain insights into the performance of your system.
Podcast Agenda
- Assessment Program Planning Tools (00:18)
- Planning for Projected Costs & Inflation (1:32)
- Determining Constructability (1:42)
- Incorporating Conservative Contingencies (2:01)
- Structuring Permitting Timelines (2:23)
- Available Budget vs. System Needs (2:57)
Stay Proactive with Sanitary Sewer Flow MonitoringIn a perfect world, stormwater would never find its way into a community’s sanitary sewer system, let alone, to a treatment plant. However, inflow and infiltration issues are real-world problems that require a complex monitoring process. Implementing flow monitoring inspections identifies problem areas of inflow and infiltration in a sanitary system and helps determine the proper steps for establishing a repair plan.
The process of collecting adequate flow data is a challenging undertaking that if performed incorrectly, could result in costly mistakes. In this podcast, Brett Paige, PE, takes an in-depth look at the flow monitoring process, the techniques available, and some of the ways our experts ensure you’re getting quality data to achieve the best results.
Podcast Agenda
- What’s Included in the Flow Monitoring Process? (0:19)
- Potential Flow Analysis Techniques (2:22)
- Inflow Coefficient Method (2:41)
- RTK (4:10)
- Capacity Evaluation (5:30)
- Mannings Equation (5:52)
Exploring Dam Removal Project Funding
When a dam begins to cause negative environmental impacts or creates safety risks for users of a waterway, removal could be the answer. However, this solution often comes with a hefty price tag. With almost no state or federal funding programs dedicated specifically to dam removal, financing these projects can become a challenge.
In this podcast, environmental experts Jeff Walters, PWS, and Nichoel Church, PWS, explain that with a bit of creative thinking, a combination of several funding sources can be used to successfully fund dam removal projects.
Podcast Agenda
- Acquiring Appropriate Funding (0:18)
- Funding for Dam Removals Private Land Owners (3:35)
- Funding Assistance Requirements for Varying Organizations (5:05)
- Availability of Funding Sources (6:35)
- Timing for Funding Assistance (7:50)
- Cost of Dam Removal vs Dam Modification (9:16)
- Mitigation Banking as a Funding Option (10:49)
Get related content delivered to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter: https://www.snyder-associates.com/newsletter-sign-up/
Trenchless Construction Safely Installs Transmission Main with Minimal Disruption
As the City of Ankeny continues to expand, upgrading the city’s infrastructure is in a constant cycle to support the new housing and business construction — including the need for expanding water main transmission lines. This type of work is notorious for causing disruptions in neighborhoods and delays for motorists.
When confronted with a major water main transmission line project along Irvinedale Drive, our team offered a unique solution to keep public disruptions to a minimum. Listen in as Wes Farrand, PE explains how we used Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) on this project and greatly reduced the need for open-trench construction. This increasingly popular method required no street or trail closures, no utility disruptions, and limited harm to local landscaping.
Podcast Agenda
- Irvinedale Drive Project Background (0:17)
- Determining a Project Route to Limit Disruptions (1:49)
- Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) (3:38)
- Pipe Material Considerations & Selection (4:33)
- Construction of Irvinedale Transmission Main (5:29)
Get related content delivered to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter: https://www.snyder-associates.com/newsletter-sign-up/
Hydraulic Modeling Provides Insight into the Impacts of Flows on Infrastructure
Hydraulic modeling is a commonly used tool in the field of water resources engineering for the analysis and evaluation of water and wastewater utilities. While building models to simulate a real-world situation isn’t a new concept, it’s becoming increasingly essential for decision-making by removing the risk component.
As hydraulic modeling continues to evolve as an essential tool of infrastructure management, breaking down the massive amounts of data available to create an accurate model is becoming a challenge. Listen in as Brett Paige, PE examines the background of standard modeling practices and shares current trends in functionality, application, and data integration.
Podcast Chapters
- Hydraulic Modeling & How It Aids Collection System Evaluations (0:18)
- Typical Hydraulic Modeling Objectives (1:45)
- Model Development and Calibration (2:14)
- Defining the Mannings Coefficients (3:29)
- Capacity Evaluation & Prioritization (4:09)
Lauridsen Skatepark Planning and DesignWhen the idea of building a skatepark along the Des Moines riverfront came before the city council in 2004, no one could have envisioned the seventeen-year journey ahead to make it a reality. After years of grassroots organizing, fundraising, and more than a few design changes, the Lauridsen Skatepark became a reality. Offering over 88,000 square feet of skateable area, it was quickly billed as the largest skatepark in the United States.
Find out how our team of Landscape Architects and Structural Engineers worked with Polk County Public Works, the City of Des Moines, and California Skateparks to design and build this impressive facility — all in time to host the first Olympic qualifying event for skateboarding.
Podcast Chapters
- Introduction (00:17)
- Improving Youth Recreational Opportunities in Des Moines (1:11)
- Stakeholder & Community Organization (1:48)
- Fundraising for the Lauridsen Skatepark (3:17)
- Designing the Largest Skatepark in the Nation (5:25)
- Skatepark Site Design and Construction Challenges (5:58)
- Creating Slope Stability (6:28)
- Site Utility Coordination (6:52)
- Accommodating Varying Soil Conditions (7:47)
- Adjusting Skatepark Design for Site Conditions (8:33)
- Retaining Wall Systems (9:40)
- Park and Street Course Design (10:02)
- Incorporating Skills Development Components (11:00)
- Specialized Concrete Form Fabrication (11:50)
- Skateable Art Installation (12:54)
- The Dew Tour Considers Moving to Lauridsen Skatepark (14:16)
- Accelerating Construction to Accommodate the Dew Tour and Olympic Qualifying (15:51)
- Lauridsen Skatepark Brings Recognition to Des Moines (18:10)
ADA Transition Plans are Guides to Creating More Inclusive Communities
To attract new residents and visitors, most cities strive to be accessible to people with all levels of physical ability. This is not just a good idea, but a mandate that began with the historic signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. Among other things, the ADA guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities concerning public accommodations and transportation.
Listen as ADA transition planning experts Joe Wilensky and Spencer Wignall, PE provides a detailed description of how communities and businesses can work toward compliance, capture funding to pay for improvements and avoid the costly legal repercussions of being out of compliance.
Podcast Agenda
- Introductions (0:18)
- Civil Rights Historical Progression (00:26)
- ADA Evaluation & Transition Planning (1:50)
- ADA Public Notice & Community Engagement (3:29)
- Appointing an ADA Coordinator & Establishing a Grievance Process (4:20)
- Developing an ADA Project Inventory (5:52)
- Schedule & Budget for your ADA Transition Plan (8:48)
- Requirements of ADA Compliance (10:00)
- ADA Compliance Examples (11:05)
- Developing a Budget to Implement a Transition Plan (14:16)
- Available Grants for ADA Transition Plans (18:08)
- Protecting Communities from Litigation (21:29)
Corridor Optimization & Safety Considerations
Safe and efficient roadway corridors are essential in every modern community — creating the transportation networks that link people with their destinations. The first step in planning a new roadway or improving an existing corridor is a thorough inventory of existing infrastructure. A careful study of key aspects, such as traffic patterns and adjacent land use, helps our transportation planners and engineers develop an understanding of the issues affecting an area. The information gathered during this initial phase will greatly influence the roadway treatment options they recommend.
Listen as our traffic engineering experts Mark Perington, PE, PTOE, Brian Willham, PE, PTOE, PTP, Todd Knox PE, PTOE, and Nate Carhoff, PE, discuss the efficiency and safety factors they prioritize when designing and improving corridors.
Podcast Agenda
- Identifying & Evaluating Corridor Deficiences (0:18)
- Featured Corridor Safety Improvement Projects (4:28)
- Safety & Operational Effects of Geometric Road Design Features (6:39)
- Defining Correctable & Non-correctable Crashes (8:24)
- Considerations to Mitigate Crash Potential (9:43)
- Alternative Intersection/Interchanges Treatment Options (11:55)
- Improving Roadway Treatments (12:22)
- Safety for Different Modes of Traffic (17:19)
- Infrastructure Prioritization & Budgeting (23:09)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Multimodal Transportation Safety Goals & ConsiderationsBeginning in the 1940s, rapid suburban growth led to sprawling communities that made households overly dependent on automobiles. As a result, many communities created well-developed road networks, but with minimal accommodations for non-automobile travelers. As preferences shifted over the intervening years toward more healthy and eco-friendly modes of travel, the Snyder & Associates team has helped lead the way in this transition. Today, our designers consider all factors when designing transportation networks, including walking, bicycling, and public transit — and the critical connections that tie them all together.
Multimodal safety is now a chief consideration of planning efforts as communities encourage recreation and active transportation by adding sidepaths, bike lanes, and trails. These amenities benefit communities by creating increased connectivity between neighborhoods, businesses, and parks. However, they also create conflict points at intersections that must be addressed during the design process. In this podcast, our transportation experts, Rich Voelker, PE, Mark Perington, PE, PTOE, and Brian Willham, PE, PTOE, PTP, discuss the critical components of multimodal transportation planning, including the concept of “complete streets”, ADA compliance, and user comfort.
Podcast Agenda
- Multimodal Planning by Corridor Classifications (0:18)
- Elements of Complete Streets (2:27)
- Evolution of Bike Accommodations on Roadways (5:40)
- Advisory Bike Lanes used for Rural Roadway Sharing (8:45)
- Bicycle Facility Types & Intersection Treatments (11:26)
- Accommodating Sidepaths at Signalized Intersections (17:06)
- Multimodal Safety Considerations (21:27)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Managing Losses in Water Distribution Brings Recognition to the City of Bedford, IA
Water demand is on the rise and resources are diminishing. Water losses from the distribution network can be a contributing factor, however, maintaining a high-quality and efficient distribution system can be expensive.
When the City of Bedford’s water treatment plant could no longer serve the city’s needs, they decided to purchase water rather than upgrade their system. At the time, it seemed like a viable solution until they realized their water main was leaking and the valuable treated water was being lost within their network of cast iron water pipes. Find out how Project Manager, Jeff Goodwin, PE, and the team at Snyder & Associates helped Bedford solve their water supply issues and gain statewide recognition in the process.
Podcast Agenda
00:17 Approaches for Water Loss Management
01:17 Obtaining Funding for Water Infrastructure Projects
02:09 Bedford Recognized as Iowa Rural Water Association (IRWA) City of the Year
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Wastewater Collection System Evaluation and Planning
Managing a sanitary sewer collection system is a complex, multifaceted assignment. Many utilities across the country are responsible for the operation and maintenance of sanitary sewers, manholes, and pump stations. Due to aging systems creating an increased potential for Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs), municipalities are now focusing on the management of their collection system in a more comprehensive, strategic manner.
Brett Paige, PE, discusses establishing the location and condition of specific sewer challenges, the development of hydraulic models for the determination of system capacity, and some technologies available to improve system operation.
Podcast Agenda
- What are Sewer Collection Systems? (0:18)
- Wastewater Collection System Evaluation Overview (2:20)
- What's Included in the Flow Monitoring Process? (9:17)
- Inflow Coefficient Method (12:02)
- RTK (13:17)
- Capacity Evaluation (15:01)
- Mannings Equation (15:24)
- Hydraulic Modeling & How It Aids Collection System Evaluations (15:58)
- Typical Modeling Objectives (17:27)
- Model Development and Calibration (17:56)
- Capacity Evaluation (19:50)
- Condition Evaluations & Available Inspection Technology (20:38)
- Risk Assessments & How They're Used (27:35)
- Assessment Program Planning Tools (30:18)
- Wastewater Collection System Evaluation & Planning Recap (33:39)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Optimizing Operations and Safety at Intersections
With all modes of traffic crossing paths at intersections, they are designed points of conflict. Safety and operations are critical components in limiting the number of these conflicts. Listen in to this second episode of a four-part series on transportation safety as our traffic engineering professionals Mark Perington, PE, PTOE, Toney Boes, PE, PTOE, and Justin Jackson, PE, discuss their process to improve operations and mobility, reduce conflict points, and design safer intersections.
Podcast Agenda
- Key Components in Selecting Intersection Treatments (00:19)
- Benefits of Using Predictive Methods in Traffic Engineering (2:29)
- Population Density Effects Intersection Design (5:02)
- Maintaining Safety & Multi-Modal Accommodations with Private Development (7:46)
- Roundabouts are One of The Safest Intersections (10:13)
- Public Perception of Traffic Signals (13:02)
- Considerations when Signalizing Intersections to Improve Safety (13:58)
- Snyder & Associates’ Fundamental Approach to Intersection Design (17:33)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Transportation System Safety Goals and Considerations
The primary consideration of transportation system design is the safety of the people who use the roadways and intersections in each network. Traffic engineers strive to create efficient systems that reduce conflict points while also considering multimodal forms of transportation.
Listen as our transportation experts, Wade Greiman, PE, Rich Voelker, PE, and Mark Perington, PE, PTOE, discuss the critical components of a transportation network and the processes and steps they use to keep communities safe.
Podcast Agenda
- Design Components of a Safe & Efficient Transportation Network (00:20)
- The Effects of Vehicle Speed on Traffic Safety (3:01)
- Addressing Multimodal Traffic Safety Conflicts (5:10)
- Funding Available for Traffic Safety Improvements (8:09)
- Traffic Engineering Resources at Snyder & Associates (13:29)
- Snyder & Associates Holistic Approach to Traffic Engineering (15:24)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Pleasantville Capital Improvement Program Planning Client Case Study
For many small communities, creating an initial Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) can seem like a daunting task. However, beginning the process using a practical and comprehensive approach is the key to success. Listen in as Municipal Engineering expert, Nate Carhoff, PE explains how our team guided the city leaders from Pleasantville, Iowa through the creation of their first CIP. Our all-encompassing strategy included input from all city departments and considered their primary budgetary “needs,” along with their long list of “wants.” This thoughtful and efficient process has positioned the community for long-term success and created a framework for future Capital Improvement Planning.
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Pleasant Hill Capital Improvement Program Planning Client Case Study
An effective Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) can help cities prioritize projects and chart a course for the future. Join in as Civil Engineer and Planning expert, Eric Cannon, PE shares the successes that have resulted from over a decade of partnership with Pleasant Hill, Iowa.
While the communities original CIP process consisted of a roughly sketched-out “wish list” of projects drawn up on a whiteboard in the basement of the public works building, we’ve since worked with leaders to help formalize their plan. By providing concept planning and cost estimates, we’ve given them a better understanding of their community needs and the associated project costs. These updated features have helped Pleasant Hill adapt to its rapid growth and better coordinate with state and local entities to plan and complete large projects.
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Running Track Design, Construction & Budgeting
Choosing the appropriate type of surfacing for your running track is critical to ensuring optimal performance and the safety of your athletes. It is important to begin the planning process in late summer or early fall to be able to accommodate the spring track season.
Landscape Architects Tim West, PLA, and Clay Schneckloth, PLA host this webinar episode on running tracks. They will outline details to help get you started on your planning, discuss running track systems, design processes, construction methods, costs, and leave you with tips that will help you avoid issues during each step in the process.
Podcast Agenda
- Track Construction Components (0:17)
- Base Mat Systems (1:26)
- Design Considerations (3:24)
- Asphalt Surfacing (4:38)
- Design Schedule (5:29)
- Construction Schedule (6:10)
- Budget (6:36)
- Track Maintenance (7:59)
Click here to see the full length webinar version of this podcast!
Pavement Management Plan Success Story
Every community faces complex issues when maintaining and repairing its infrastructure. Snyder and Associates’ Civil Engineer Andy Burke, PE shares how a visual representation of Knoxville, Iowa’s pavement management plan has helped the city prioritize projects, stay focused on its goals, and plan future improvements.
Listen in as Burke outlines the planning process, the document is produced, and how Knoxville’s city leaders have deployed it to benefit their community.
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Adair Capital Improvement Program Planning Client Case Study
Discovering funding sources is an essential piece of a successful Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Snyder and Associates’ municipal engineering expert Dave Sturm, PE, PLS shares the process that helped the town of Adair, Iowa attain the necessary funding to plan and complete projects that improved their local infrastructure without raising taxes.
Our team helped city leaders prioritize projects and create a realistic budget that brought the community’s future into focus. We also recommended they partner with a financial planner to help develop a sound fiscal strategy. Additionally, we assisted the city in identifying and applying for federal funding available for their projects. These efforts resulted in millions of dollars in grants and loans which enabled Adair to complete vital projects without passing down costs to residents. Listen in to hear more about how our team helped this thriving community create and execute its first CIP.
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Synthetic Turf: Sports Field Surfacing
Synthetic turf is a popular and versatile solution for sports field surfaces. The durability of synthetic turf allows for increased scheduling of both practice and gameplay for multiple activities, including field hockey, marching band, football, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, and rugby.
Landscape Architect Tim West hosts this webinar episode on synthetic turf field surfacing. He’ll outline what to consider when planning and maintaining a synthetic turf sports field.
Podcast Agenda
- Introduction (0:17)
- Advantages of Synthetic Turf (0:39)
- Common Synthetic Turf Systems (3:04)
- Split Film Systems (4:27)
- Blended Fiber Systems (4:46)
- Shock Pads (5:40)
- Sub Soil and Granular Base (6:25)
- Storm Water Management (6:45)
- Filed Temperature (7:23)
- Synthetic Turf Design Schedule (8:02)
- Synthetic Turf Construction Schedule (8:33)
- Synthetic Turf Construction Budgeting (9:37)
- Longevity of Synthetic Turf Systems (10:37)
Click here to see the full length webinar version of this podcast!
As the Midwest’s leader in the development of multi-use trails, our planners are committed to advancing the safety and efficiency of active transportation networks. Sidepath trails provide safe, efficient routes for non-motorized travel along higher speed or high-volume roadways located within the road’s right-of-way. These shared-use facilities are particularly beneficial in areas with minimal intersection or driveway access, allowing unimpeded travel on the pathway.
In both rural communities and urban cities alike, trails are known as a mainstay for creating an active transportation and recreation network. In this podcast, Snyder & Associates' Planner Mindy Moore, AICP, explores usage options, proper intersection design and control, and the need for increased awareness among users of sidepath trails. As a biking enthusiast herself, she shares both personal and professional expertise on the subject, as she talks through different elements of sidepaths and the many benefits they provide to a community in pursuit of improved biking facilities.
Sidepath Trail Design Podcast Agenda
- What is a sidepath? (0:27)
- Why do people like Sidepaths? (00:55)
- Concerns About Sidepath Trails (2:26)
- Areas of Conflict (3:19)
- Bicycle Crash Studies (4:54)
- What to Consider When Planning a Sidepath (7:54)
- Rural Sidepath Trails (9:17)
- Improving Intersection Crossings (10:20)
- Proposed Revisions to the FHA’s Manual and Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) (10:54)
- Sidepath Education and Awareness (14:34)
- Key Takeaways (15:09)
Visit our website to get in touch with our trail design and planning experts and view the full presentation.
Subscribe here so you don’t miss our future podcasts, it's free! - https://www.snyder-associates.com/newsletter-sign-up/.
Ask us questions in the comments, we’d love the opportunity to help with your next project!
Sports Surfaces: Tennis Court Design and Construction
By far, the most common issue with asphalt tennis courts is pavement cracking. In spite of this, it continues to be frequently used on many tennis court surfaces due to the attractive price tag. Armed with this knowledge, Clay Schneckloth, PLA, Landscape Architect with Snyder & Associates, shares details on special design components, surface products, and proper construction scheduling for tennis courts.
Podcast Agenda
- Introduction (0:18)
- Overview of Tennis Court Surfacing Project (0:42)
- Tennis Court Surfacing is a Complete System (1:11)
- Cohesive Design (1:42)
- Tennis Court Special Design Components – Rock Subbase & Subdrain (2:19)
- Tennis Court Special Design Components – Asphalt Mix Design (3:09)
- Special Design Components – Tennis Court Surfacing Products (3:52)
- Asphalt vs Post-Tension Concrete for Tennis Court Surface (5:48)
- Tennis Court Construction Methods (6:54)
- Tennis Court Construction Considerations – Schedule & Verification (7:21)
- Tennis Court Surface Repair Options (8:29)
- Tennis Court Maintenance (9:43)
Click here to see the full length webinar version of this podcast!
A Risk-Based Approach to Sewer System Maintenance Planning
With costly rehab decisions at stake, risk management is a tool used to prioritize wastewater collection system resources for rehabilitation. Preventative maintenance ensures sanitary sewers remain in proper working condition and helps prevent potential problems. Utilizing the data collected from inspections, our wastewater engineering team applies risk analysis methods to assess the health of networks and create an asset management plan for sewer rehabilitation.
Sewer systems are part of a city’s hidden, underappreciated infrastructure. Each day, this network of pipes enhances our quality of life and contributes to a community’s long-term sustainability, growth, and success. Every time you shower, brush, or flush, the sewer system is playing an essential part in maintaining public health.
Join Wes Farrand, one of our Project Engineers, as he talks through a risk-based approach to sewer system maintenance. Wes has presented this topic at multiple conferences and will discuss industry standards and practices while also sharing useful recommendations for mitigation.
Podcast Agenda
- Functioning Sanitary Sewers (1:45)
- Sanitary Sewer Maintenance (2:26)
- Causes of Sewer Deterioration (4:05)
- Assessing Risk & Anticipating Failure (6:08)
- Sewer Inspection Technology (8:55)
- Data & Asset Management (11:44)
- Evaluation of Sewer Risk Assessment (13:15)
- Likelihood of Failure (LOF) (13:56)
- Consequence of Failure (COF) (15:31)
- Maintenance Planning Based Upon Calculated Risk (17:27)
- GIS Mapping for Sewer Assessments (18:06)
- Budget Forecasting & Capital Improvement Planning (20:21)
- Sewer Risk Summary (21:53)
Click here to see the full length webinar version of this podcast!
Biosolids Management: Reports, Regulations & Land Application
Treating community wastewater is a requirement for the safety of public health and the environment. Biosolids are nutrient-rich organic material that results from the wastewater treatment process. There are several options to dispose of this solid residue and manage biosolids including incineration, landfilling or other forms of surface disposal. After treatment and processing, biosolids can also be recycled and then applied as fertilizer to create a safe and beneficial agricultural product.
While farmers and gardeners alike have used recycled biosolids to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers for decades, biosolids must be treated and tested to meet strict federal and state requirements prior to application. During this podcast, Patrick Williams, a wastewater engineer with Snyder & Associates, reviews details on the laws and specifications for the land application of biosolids. Williams also explains the specific obligations and steps for the wastewater facility operators to comply with the reporting and recordkeeping regulations of land applying biosolids.
Podcast Agenda
- Biosolids Management (0:16)
- Biosolids Classifications (5:25)
- Biosolids Land Application (10:35)
- Reporting & Regulations for Biosolids Application (14:41)
- Dewatering Sewage Sludge for Biosolid Land Application (18:25)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Developing and Deploying a Street Design Guide
Since no two communities are exactly alike, Street Design Guides must also vary in scope and detail to be customized for specific needs and goals of a transportation system. The primary goal of a Street Design Guide is to create a formal reference document to provide guidance on future transportation improvements.
While customized for individual community needs, all Street Design Guides follow a similar set of steps. Check out the following on-demand webinar as Brian Willham, PE, PTOE, PTP, Transportation Planner & Engineer with Snyder & Associates explores the steps to formally document your technical street design guidance. While the process may seem overwhelming to some community leaders, Willham carefully outlines the critical steps and shares case study examples.
Podcast Agenda
- Comprehensive & Multimodal Transportation Systems (0:30)
- Street Design Guides Provide a Working Toolbox (1:30)
- Collaborating with Dedicated Stakeholders to Understand Traffic Demands (2:19)
- Distinguish between Various Streets Types on Future Land Use Map (3:53)
- Establishing Street Design Criteria Table (4:19)
- Defining & Differentiating Street Types (6:34)
- Traffic Calming Design Techniques (8:02)
- New Street Design Guide Influences Future Decision-Making (9:35)
Click here to see the full-length webinar version of this podcast!
Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Techniques
Aging infrastructure and increasingly stringent compliance regulations are a primary concern for members of the drinking water and wastewater industry. As municipalities across the nation struggle with these challenges and the financial burden associated, rehabilitation remains a highly cost-effective method in maintaining sanitary sewer system infrastructure over the long term.
Components of sanitary sewer collection systems have incurred defects such as collapsed pipes, cracked pipes, offset joints, and cracked manholes. In an attempt to reduce the cost and disruptions associated with excavation and replacement, sanitary sewer collection system rehabilitation has become more popular. Listen in as our expert, Wes Farrand, PE, shares the details on the advantages and disadvantages to determine which rehabilitation method is appropriate for extending the life of collection system assets.
Sewer Rehabilitation Podcast Agenda
- Chemical Grouting (0:17)
- CIPP Lining (2:59)
- Sliplining Trenchless Pipe Rehabilitation (9:47)
- Pipe Bursting (11:06)
- Additional Sewer Rehabilitation Techniques (12:02)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Wastewater Treatment Disinfection Options
Wastewater disinfection treatment prevents the spread of waterborne diseases by reducing microbes and bacterial numbers to a regulated level. Disinfection is typically the final phase in removing organisms from the treated water before the effluent is discharged back into the water system.
With a variety of physical and chemical disinfection methods available, Water Resources Group Leader Darin Jacobs, PE, provides an overview of common wastewater disinfection options and criteria used to select the ideal option for your community. Historically, the chemical agent of preference for municipal wastewater treatment has been chlorine due to its properties and cost. However, the growing expense of chlorine and concerns of toxicity have accelerated the usage of physical methods such as ozonation or ultraviolet (UV) light. Listen in to learn more.
Webinar Agenda
- Wastewater Treatment Disinfection Options (0:20)
- Common Systems Available for Wastewater Disinfection Treatment (01:19)
- UV Disinfection Treatment Systems (01:44)
- What is UV Disinfection? (02:29)
- Energy Required for UV Treatment (03:57)
- What Affects UV Transmittance? (05:05)
- Testing Effluent for Transmittance (06:52)
- Basic Principles of UV Transmittance (UVT) (8:49)
- Overview of Wastewater UV Disinfection Systems (13:50)
- Advantages & Disadvantages of UV Disinfection Systems (14:18)
- Natural Wastewater Disinfection Systems (17:42)
- Advantages & Disadvantages of Natural Disinfection Systems (19:05)
- Chemical Wastewater Disinfection Systems (19:56)
- Chlorination Wastewater Disinfection Systems(21:07)
- Advantage & Disadvantage of Chlorination Disinfection Systems (22:07)
- Dechlorination Wastewater Disinfection Systems (24:21)
- Ozone Wastewater Disinfection Systems (25:23)
- Advantage & Disadvantage of Ozone Disinfection Systems (26:08)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Are Comprehensive Plans Becoming too Comprehensive?
Comprehensive planning is an essential process that helps communities chart a course for future development, identify goals, and prioritize projects. In recent years comprehensive plans have broadened their scope to address issues including climate change, community character, equitable food systems, public health, and more.
This podcast features planning experts, Charlie Nichols, Mindy Moore, Lorin Ditzler, and Charlie Dissell, discussing their experiences with comprehensive planning and sharing details on how to improve the planning and implementation process.
Podcast Agenda
- Panel Introductions (00:20)
- Making Comprehensive Plans More Useful (02:22)
- Balancing Community Objectives and Implementation (03:57)
- Community Vision vs Planning (06:04)
- Preventing Community Planning Fatigue (08:12)
- Geographical/ District Plans (09:06)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Strategic Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Planning
Snyder & Associates' municipal experts Lindsay Beaman, PE, Dave Sturm, PE, Nate Carhoff, PE, Andy Burke, PE, and Eric Cannon, PE outline a detailed approach to Capital Improvement Program (CIP) planning including strategies to help prioritize your goals then identify funds to reach them.
Beginning with preparation for the planning process, which includes budgeting and identifying financial resources. Then moving into project prioritization and scoping to help determine whether maintenance or replacement is appropriate for aging assets. Concluding with one of the most important elements, recommendations for gathering community and key stakeholders feedback.
Podcast Agenda
- Preparing for Capital Improvement Program Planning (0:49)
- Determining Budgets & Identifying Financial Resources (2:04)
- Developing Priorities for Capital Improvement Planning (4:01)
- Evaluating Maintenance Verse Replacement/Reconstruction (6:23)
- Involving the Public in Prioritizing & Planning (11:12)
- Coordinating & Communicating with a Variety of Stakeholders (16:50)
- Capital Improvement Program Planning During Economic Uncertainty (19:14)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Creating an Implementable Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
From large, sprawling cities to rural farming towns, capital improvement planning is essential for communities of all shapes and sizes. Used to organize proposed capital improvement projects and public expenditures by priority, schedule, funding and financing availability, and estimated expenses over a multi-year period.
During this podcast, Wade Greiman, Kelli Scott, and Kathleen Conner walk through the beginning stages of developing a Capital Improvement Plan. They explore best practices for gathering input from your community and how Snyder & Associates supports clients in their journey to obtaining project funding.
Podcast Agenda
- Capital Improvement Plans Require Big Picture Thinking (0:20)
- Planning Based on Community Goals (2:58)
- Prioritizing Projects & Initiatives for Capital Improvement Plans (10:16)
- Identifying Available Funding Sources (14:04)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Correcting Inflow & Infiltration in Sanitary Sewer Systems
Sanitary sewers are designed to transport wastewater to treatment facilities. When water from other sources enters the system, known as Inflow & Infiltration (I/I), the efficiency of the wastewater treatment plant decreases as this increasing volume of waste hits the system.
Listen in as our water resource engineers discuss the significance of I/I and examine techniques used to identify and eliminate the problem.
Podcast Agenda
- Understanding the Difference Between Inflow & Infiltration (0:34)
- Inflow & Infiltration Increases Operating Costs (1:35)
- Determining if your System has Inflow & Infiltration Issues (2:08)
- Identifying if your Sewer has Inflow or Infiltration (3:34)
- Budgeting & Identifying Funding Options for Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation (5:38)
- Common Sewer Investigative Techniques (9:34)
- Common Infrastructure Improvement Methods (11:52)
- Snyder & Associates’ Experience Solving Inflow & Infiltration Issues (14:55)
- Thinking Big During Capital Improvement Planning to Include I/I Needs (17:30)
- Inflow & Infiltration Success Stories (19:49)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Air Quality Permitting & ComplianceIn compliance with the EPA’s Clean Air Act any facility that emits air pollutants above specified levels must obtain an air quality permit. Permits can be general or individualized and specify pollutant limits, how facilities must operate equipment to control pollution, and how to monitor and report emissions.
Compliance with ever-evolving state and federal regulations can create a complex air permitting path for many companies. This podcast features our air permitting expert Brent Blanchard, sharing details to help you understand who needs an air permit, the different variations, the permit process, what to do if you’re not in compliance, plus a preview of future of air permitting.
Podcast Agenda
- Overview of Types of Air Permits (00:20)
- Regulations Based on Particulate Matter & Emissions (03:14)
- Project Complexity Determines Timing for Obtaining an Air Permit (05:37)
- Post-Permitting Operations & Assistance (06:57)
- Compliance in Air Permitting (08:29)
- Prominent Issues found in Air Permitting (11:26)
- Future of Air Permitting (13:10)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Dam Removal Permitting Requirements & Regulatory CoordinationProactively addressing regulatory challenges associated with dam removal or modification helps prevent delays and added expenses that can occur during a project. Early coordination and communication with the various stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, speed up the review process while providing stakeholders a voice in the project.
Two of our environmental experts, Jeff Walters, PWS, and Nichoel Church, PWS, sit down and discuss the regulation intricacies that many clients find difficult throughout dam projects. They’ll explain how we work with agencies to get your project approved, get permits in place in a timely manner, and move forward with construction at an appropriate season. Based on years of experience and success, these two share their insights into this detailed and time-consuming process and how they’re prepared to leverage their knowledge for your project’s benefit. Podcast Agenda
- Dam Removal Permitting Timeline and Ideal Project Start Date (0:18)
- Obtaining Permits to Remove a Dam (4:30)
- Successes in Dam Modification and Removal Permitting (6:26)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Extreme Climate Events Necessitate Resilience in Landscape DesignThe Midwest is no stranger to extreme weather such as unexpected, unusual, severe, or unseasonal events. Unfortunately, these weather phenomena are becoming more frequent, requiring design professionals to minimize the effects these catastrophes can have on the built environment.
Our experts wrap up a three-part series on climate change, sharing their experience in promoting resilient design measures. Listen in as they respond to the vulnerabilities created by unpredictable weather patterns.
Podcast Agenda
- Flood Hazard Mitigation (00:20)
- Designing for Recreational Areas with Stormwater Control (02:02)
- Comprehensive Planning with Municipalities (03:29)
- Characteristics Recommended for Recreational and Stormwater Management Areas (05:11)
- Project Scheduling and Reducing Delays (06:54)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Climate Change Podcast: Shifts in Plant Hardiness & Material Selection
While the changes may appear gradual, native plant materials are struggling to adapt to the fluctuations in temperature, water cycles, and other environmental conditions. During this second episode of a three-part series on climate change Landscape Architects Tim West, Clay Schneckloth, Andy Meessmann discuss shifts in plant zone hardiness and the evolving plant material landscape.
Podcast Agenda
- Evolving Plant Hardiness Zones (0:20)
- Successful Use of Seed Mixes (0:47)
- Mulching & Covering to Combat Increased Rainfall (2:54)
- Incorporating Biodiversity Throughout Designs (4:43)
- Diversity Requirements Through Municipalities (5:25)
- Preventing Disease in Trees (6:39)
- Creating Environmentally Sensitive Designs in Culturally Important Areas (7:07)
- Selecting Adaptable Plant Species (9:27)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Design Strategies that Create Sustainable Public Spaces
As one of the world’s most critical environmental issues, climate change impacts are felt most intensely at the local level. While the effects of excess heat and increasingly intense rain events can be daunting, there is rising recognition that recreational spaces such as parks can be part of the solution for climate change. By cleaning urban air, providing shade, and absorbing excess moisture parks can ease the effects of climate change on the communities that surround them.
Snyder & Associates’ designers are tasked with creating sustainable projects that can mitigate the impacts produced by changing weather and rainfall patterns. Listen in as Landscape Architects Tim West, Clay Schneckloth, and Andy Meessmann share the park and recreation design strategies they use to address climate change.
Podcast Agenda
- Creating Multipurpose Spaces to Increase Resiliency (0:20)
- Incorporating Trees into Sustainable Designs (2:46)
- Custom Park Designs and Other Sustainable Options (4:59)
- Increasing Infiltration through Permeable Pavers (5:43)
- Adding Best Management Practices (BMP’s) to Park Design (7:34)
- Budgeting Constraints and Sustainable Design (10:16)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Environmental Regulations for Municipal Projects Podcast
Environmental regulations are changing at an exponential rate. Around the world, municipalities have seen a significant increase in regulation, consisting not only of new rules but also more stringent, uniform enforcement.
This podcast features Environmental Scientist Jeff Walters as he hosts Atlantic Business Unit Leader Dave Sturm, PE, PLS, to discuss environmental regulations pertaining to municipal projects and the federal funding available for them.
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Experienced Land Development & Permitting Professionals Explore Regulatory Challenges
Our land development and permitting professionals understand the importance of delivering timely and competitively priced services for your site development project. There are various stages and approvals required in accomplishing this task. Still, our staff possesses the regulatory knowledge, technical skills, and project management expertise critical to helping our clients select effective solutions.
Listen in as Environmental Scientist Jeff Walters hosts Brent Culp, one of Snyder & Associates’ site development experts, discussing environmental regulations pertaining to land development projects.
Podcast Agenda
- Land Development Project Timing (0:18)
- Land Development Project Hurdles (3:40)
- Importance of Early Scope of Services Understanding (6:47)
- Changes in Project Clientele (8:28)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Environmental Regulations for Industrial Projects
The industrial segment is directly impacted by shifts in the U.S. political climate. This requires a forward-looking strategy to anticipate how potential regulation changes may affect development and operations.
Regulations provide environmental protections, but they can also produce challenges in productivity and profitability. Listen in as our expert Environmental Scientist, Jeff Walters, PWA hosts Darin Jacobs, PE to discuss key industry trends in environmental regulations. During this podcast episode, they discuss industry issues, common hurdles, client support, predictions on future industry trends, and supply insights on design, engineering, and construction services.
Podcast Agenda
- Stringent Effluent Regulation Limits for Wastewater (0:18)
- Pre-Treatment vs. Full Effluent Discharge Permitting (1:04)
- Environmental Hurdles for Industrial Permitting (2:20)
- Financial Assistance (3:43)
- Snyder’s Role in Assisting Industrial Clients (5:26)
- Permitting for Industrial Projects (10:37)
- Foreseeable Industry Trends (14:33)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Water Infrastructure Funding Sources Podcast
Join Lindsay Beaman, PE and Kelli Scott, PE as they host an experienced Snyder Civil Engineer for an in-depth discussion on drinking water and wastewater project funding. During this second episode, of a two-part series (check out episode one), the funding discussion takes a deeper dive into the steps to acquire funding using a real-life project example.
Podcast Agenda
- Upgrading Facilities to Improve Compliance Issues (0:19)
- Changes in Block Grant Requirements (1:18)
- Planning Financing Process (2:42)
- Engineering Design Financing Process (3:54)
- Financing Process During Construction (4:22)
- Financing Post Construction (7:01)
- Compliance Schedule Amendments (7:49)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Water Infrastructure Funding Sources
Over the past several decades, significant advancements have been realized in the effort to improve water quality. A portion of the credit belongs to the operational gains made at wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities. Maintenance and regulatory compliance are crucial to keeping these facilities functioning efficiently. However, timely and adequate funding are the drivers that make these improvements possible for communities.
In this podcast Business Unit Leader, Lindsay Beaman hosts Civil Engineer, Kelli Scott for an in-depth discussion on the funding for drinking water and wastewater projects.
Podcast Agenda
- What type of funding is available for water and wastewater projects? (0:20)
- Maximum Contaminant Limits (MCL) (1:44)
- Water Infrastructure Project Compliance Requirements (2:57)
- Applying for Water Infrastructure Funding (4:32)
- Can cities apply for more than one type of funding at a time? (6:26)
- Bank Funding (7:08)
- Schedule for Acquiring Funding Assistance (7:48)
- Income Eligibility in Water Infrastructure Project Funding (9:50)
- Additional Water Infrastructure Funding Opportunities (11:56)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Sports Field Planning & Construction Scheduling Process
In a short timeframe, there are countless deadlines to be met, schedules to be managed, contractors to coordinate, and safety and compliance regulations to be followed. A seamless effort requires a seasoned leader, one who understands what it takes to navigate a professional construction project to a successful end.
Every sports field construction project, regardless of its complexity, requires a professional level of project management. During this podcast, Clay Schneckloth, PLA with Snyder & Associates, shares details on the sports field planning and construction scheduling process. From irrigation and drainage to turf and amenities, several factors go into designing a state-of-the-art sports complex and each selection affects the timing of construction. View a sample schedule and gain insights to improve the planning and design process.
Podcast Agenda
- Outline of Sports Field construction Schedule (0:19)
- Optional Sports Field Amenities Affect Scheduling (3:08)
- Cost Estimate Planning (5:45)
- Material Selection: Sod Versus Seed Establishment & Maintenance (7:43)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Public Bid Projects: Facility Design & Construction
There is a close relationship between the design and construction process in the site planning for a public facility. Design is the process of creating the description of the new facility and is represented in detailed plans and specifications. Construction makes the design a reality through the process of identifying required activities and resources, implementing the design created by the architect or engineer.
Join a few of our development professionals, Tim West, PLA, LEED AP, Eric Cannon, PE, and Clay Schneckloth, as they cover details on the design and construction process for a typical public bid project with an architectural component. They will also discuss tips for navigating the construction phase, as well as sharing sample building schedules for both six-month and 12-month projects.
Podcast Agenda
- Preliminary Design Phase (1 month) (0:45)
- Design Development Phase (2-3 months) (1:14)
- Understand Soil Quality & Groundwater Table (2:06)
- Construction Documents Phase (2-3 months) (4:20)
- Value Engineering Phase (5:07)
- Bidding Phase (1 month+) (6:01)
- Tips for Scheduling Construction & Site Work (8:07)
- Snyder & Associates Provides Construction Services (11:48)
- Sample 12-Month Building Construction Schedule (13:54)
- Sample 6-Month Building Construction Schedule (14:41)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Private Development Project Site Planning & Construction
A creative, cost-conscious approach to land planning drives our private development team. Regardless of project size, our goal remains consistent—to make the best use of available resources and minimize construction costs.
From tight budgets to fast-tracked schedules, permits, and regulations, there’s no shortage of hurdles to clear. Listen in as one of our experts shares his experience in navigating private land development project planning and the construction scheduling process.
Podcast Agenda
- Pre-Acquisition Due Diligence is Critical for Real Estate Development (1:45)
- Declaring Property Easements, Inclusions, or Obstructions (3:32)
- Utilities and Land Access Due Diligence (6:29)
- Confirming Property Platting Status (8:33)
- Private Development Construction Schedules (9:10)
- Environmental & Engineering Reports (10:20)
- Awarding Contracts for Private Development Projects (11:10)
- Timing of Bidding Effects Construction Costs (11:46)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Transportation Planning & Environmental Analysis for Transportation Projects
Addressing environmental concerns is critical to virtually every transportation project. Our experience managing a variety of transportation projects for municipalities, counties, and state departments allows our team to be well-versed in transportation environmental issues and analysis techniques. With a commitment to our clients and responsible practices, we work diligently to reduce environmental impacts through responsible practices.
During this podcast, our experts sit down to chat about delivering a proactive, integrated approach to environmental review and permitting. Environmental Scientist Jeff Walters, PWS, and Transportation Project Manager Gabe Nelson, PE, discuss the environmental services Snyder & Associates provides to our transportation clients.
Podcast Agenda
- Understanding the Difference Between Federal & Local Environmental Regulations (0:19)
- Identifying Potential Environmental Impacts During Project Planning (2:47)
- Agency Relationships are Important to Regulatory Compliance (7:53)
- Increased Industrial Development Requires Transportation Facility Upgrades (10:11)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here
Environmental Regulations and Permitting for Water & Wastewater Treatment Projects
Listen in to learn about the permitting challenges many municipalities face with their wastewater facilities and find out details on how our experts can put their experience to work for your benefit. Environmental scientist, Jeff Walters, PWS, and wastewater engineer Lindsay Beaman, PE discuss the stringent, evolving water quality standards and the success associated with proactive project planning.
Podcast Agenda
- Meeting NPDES Permit Requirements (1:44)
- Varieties of Waste Materials (2:19)
- Common Environmental Hurdles (4:18)
- Snyder & Associates Assistance Options (5:55)
- Industry Trends (8:28)
View the full transcript on our website here
Sign up to receive content related to this from our newsletter here