Florida Forebay Wetland Cleans Stormwater and Provides Landscape

Our Stormscrubber wetland has passed its eighteen month install date anniversary and still providing successful stormwater treatment, storage and landscape credit.

We installed the StormScrubber in May 2009 on the site of an upscale cafe in the Springfield Historic restoration district in Jacksonville, Florida.

The prior to the install, the site had serious flooding and stormwater problems.

The StormScrubber Wetland solved the stormater runoff issue and provided landscape beauty and credit all in  one package.

The site presented several significant issues.  There was the potential for system clogging because of the sandy and silty nature of the soils.  A permeable paver system using historic bricks was installed to direct the stormwater into the wetland system.

The wetland was planted with Florida native species that could tolerate both inundation and drought.

The wetland system incorporates a special self pruning system to keep roots from filling up the infiltration-void storage chamber.


To date the StormScrubber has preformed as expected, cleaning runoff, storing the rainwater underground and using the collected stormwater to irrigate the landscape feature plant species.

The new paradigm in site design is the combination of landscape units with rainwater storage.  Call us today for more information on how Green and Sustainable BMPs can help maximize your project's design efficiency.

StormScrubber 2009

StormScrubber 2010

Floating Wetland Cleans Stormwater, Gainesville, Florida

ACF's Floating wetland - aka - the ScumSucker after three months in Gainesville, FL downtown stormwater pond (Tumblin Creek Park).  Cleaning Stormwater, Creating Habitat, Providing Native Beauty!

Launching 3 Floating Wetlands at UF - Floating Wetlands and Clean Water

Launching 3 ACF Floating Wetlands in Gainesville March 2010

Click the above link for the video!

Nutrients in Stormwater - Article from the Miami Herald

Many views exist on nutrients in stormwater - the causes, the solutions, the impacts and more.  I believe it is always good to read and understand different perspectives.   The Miami Herald Article here contains many thoughts - and depending upon how the reader makes his or her livelihood and their respective eco-political views - they may or may not agree.

Miami Herald Article - NEW EPA WATER RULES WORTH EVERY PENNY

However, we here in Florida will be faced with a new statewide Unified Stormwater Rule this year and/or EPA's version of the same.

As Floridians, we should take the time to understand the factors contributing to how our rivers and lakes and waterbodies became the focus of environmental attention, and become proactive in keeping our natural resources in a healthy state - leave our planet a better place than when we arrived.

Environmental responsibility and clean water - lets all do our part - beginning wiht uinderstanding the issues...

Kevin

Slow it, Spread it, Sink it (it = stormwater), LID and Green Streets - Click Here

Slow, it, Spread it, Sink it. Stormwater needs to go back into the ground, as most did before development occurred.

Click on the Title here for an attached newsletter from San Mateo, an example of a municipality utilizing green design practice to keep pollutants and nutrients out of the adjoining estuary.

Slow it, Spread it, Sink it.

San Mateo has a great LID Design Manual full of ideas and design drawings. Due to the manual's size, I've divided up the chapters and in some instances the pages and included all into a folder. Click on the link and open each chapter as needed.

Excellent design examples can be found throughout the entire manual. Let me know if you find the information useful - you can email me - ksonger@acfenvironmental.com

Cellular Confinement Systems for Pervious Roadways, Parks, Streets, Parking Lots and Sustainability

Cellular Confinement Systems were refined by the U.S. Corps of Engineers and today offer an option of creating structural, pervious Green Roads, Parking Lots, Fire Access Lanes and more.

The Cellular Confinement System Design Guideline Brochure found at the link to the right (pdf file) provides information on how these systems can be used.

I was fortunate to spend the day recently with Hadas Levin of PRS, a cellular systems manufacturer.

Importantly, cellular confine systems can be used to produce pervious surfaces using the native soil - crushed and recycled asphalt - recycled concrete - fill from the site. In other words, there is usually no need to haul away excavated material - even though the excavated material may have a lower quality.

Furthermore, the system may be used to build tall, vertical living walls with a very small footprint.

Check out the attached design guideline for additional sustainable ideas!

Functioning and Beautiful Wetland Created in an Upland - UF's Teaching Wetland by Dr. Mark Clark

If you haven't had the opportunity to visit the teaching wetland/stormwater pond at UF then be sure to walk the boardwalk through the system next time you are on the UF campus.

The SEEP Wetland is a creation of Dr. Mark Clark's and is truly a work of science and art. Many of you have heard my comments on just how hard it is to create a wetland in an upland area without existing hydrology. Florida's rainfall totals may hit the 50"+ mark every year. However the storms creating 50" of rainfall usually occur with unpredictable timing - sometimes we have several months of intense drought. Without native groundwater, surfacewater or other water supply, created wetlands tend to "dry up" and die...But not at the UF SEEP!

Mark designed the system with three major components, including a shallow forebay catching every little bit of precipitation. And the design is working, growing, cleaning stormwater, providing habitat for wildlife and a sense of place for people.

Perfect for bring back volumetric green to the Urban Core.

This is a Stormwater Pond...Can you Tell?

Combining Stormwater, Landscape and other site design features is the approach to take when maximizing site usefulness. The stormwater volume storage in the picture above is located under the white stone. Water loving plants are grown in special containers that keep roots out of the stormwater system but allow the plants to drink up the stormwater. Did you know that Florida's water management districts allow for evapotranspiration to be considered as part of volume recovery calculations? More importantly - the site takes advantage of combining required functions - stormwater and landscape into one cost effective and functional unit. And the system is rated for H20 loading so it is structural! The new paradigm in site design is Low Impact Development!

Florida Stormwater Association Conference this week in Tampa!

Check out the three new floating wetland info diagrams available on this blog to the right under the FSA Floating Wetland Info Diagram links. The FSA conference looks to be packed full of information and opportunity. Hope to see you there.

Federal Judge Rules EPA can step in and set Florida's water quality standards...

On November 16th, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle said he will approve a legal settlement calling for the federal government to set water quality standards for nutrients (pollutants) in Florida .

The State of Florida already restricts nitrogen and phosphorus discharges however environmental groups say the state is not doing enough.

To see the full consent decree click here.

To view the Google results of articles and blogs discussing the issue and impacts to various components of Florida's environment and economy, click here.

Landscape and Stormwater Combo - ACF StormScrubber cleans and stores stormwater

ACF's StormScrubber is an example of one of the newest in technologies for cleaning stormwater. As nitrogen and phosphorus become limiting factors in urban development, plant based stormwater and wastewater treatment system are being implemented nationwide. Plants are efficient at uptaking nutrients, nutrients otherwise contributing to algae blooms and dead waterbodies. As site development becomes more constrained with respect to available space, stormwater and wastewater treatment can turn to plant based systems as a method of sequestering nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc, copper and other contaminants. Once sequestered, these pollutants may be removed through biomass harvesting and composted on-site for reuse in the landscape. Removing nutrients from the water cycle is the most efficient way of cleaning our water supply. Look to the ACF StormScrubber as a simple yet efficient plant based water treatment system.

Remember the Atlantis Mini RainTank when your site has a high groundwater level. The Mini-module or 'half RainTank" is only 9.36" in height yet holds a full 2.36 Cubic Feet of volume. Exfiltration systems are 'Green', recharging the surficial ground area with much needed water. Moreover, the Atlantis RainTanks are manufactured from post-consumer recycled material, making them environmentally friendly and 'LEED' compliant. Call ACF today to learn more. 800-448-3636.

Sorption Media, Drain Cells and Rain Tanks - New Generation Stormwater Treatment

Pictured here you see the structure of a stormwater system designed to fit directly under permeable pavers and permeable concrete. The black plastic framework is the Atlantis Draincell, a 2" thick, H-20 loading structural void system (95% void space). The DrainCell is filled with a University of Central Florida Product called sorption media. The DrainCell is set directly on top of a series of Atlantis RainTanks (volume storage). A 2" layer of #89 leveling stone will be spread across the fabric covering the DrainCell and Sorption Media and Permeable Pavers set on top of the stone. Bottom line - the Permeable Pavers allows stormwater to infiltrate down through the pavers, down through the #89 stone, down through the non-woven fabric, down through the Sorption Media packed DrainCell into the RainTanks for exfiltration or recycling as irrigation. The Sorption Media removes nitrogen and phosphorus while the DrainCell allows for volume (quantity) storage within inches of the bottom of the pavers. Saves $$$ on piping, inlets and drop boxes. Removes N & P from the stormwater runoff. Great for sites with high groundwater. New paradigm in stormwater and parking.

Protect All Exfiltration Systems & All Storm Sewer Inlets with Trash Guard and ACF Debris Guard!

Protecting storm sewers is easy with ACF Environmental BMPs. TrashGuard and ACF's Debris Guard offer the perfect solution to preventing trash from entering storm sewer systems.

Florida's New Unified Stormwater Rule for 2010

Jacksonville - Riverside 5 Points pond algae - A sign of degraded water quality.

OK - If you possess an interest in Florida's surface water quality you should understand the proposed new stormwater rule scheduled for adoption in July of 2010.

The rule has been proposed in a very rough draft format and can be downloaded at:

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wetlands/erp/rules/stormwater/index.htm

However FDEP will be releasing an updated Draft Rule supposedly by the end of November 2009 - just in time for Thanksgiving!

The rule will encourage use of plant and eco friendly based stormwater systems such as modular wetlands, floating wetland islands, bioswales, green roofs and treatment trains.

To help you thoroughly understand the rule, we will go through the Technical Advisory Committee comments one by one here in the blog and discuss the issues associated with each component of the rule and treatment systems specified.

The ACF Green team has been working diligently to identify available technologies and coordinate approval of those systems with FDEP and Florida's Water Management Districts.

Check back - or better yet sign up to follow the blog.

Look forward to the discussion!
Kevin Songer

Opportunities for public comment on the new rule are scheduled as follows:

DATES	CITY	LOCATION	TIME
January 5, April 6	Tallahassee	DEP BMC Room 609 2600 Blair Stone Road	10 am – 3 pm
January 7, April 7	Pensacola	Hagler Auditorium, Pensacola Community College, 1000 College Blvd	10 am – 3 pm CST
January 12, March 23	Jacksonville	Baymeadows Way	10 am -3 pm
January 13, March 24	Live Oak	SRWMD Headquarters, Governing Board Room,	10 am – 3 pm
January 19, April 1	Tampa	SWFWMD Tampa Service Center, Governing Board Room, 7601 US Hwy. 301	10 am – 3 pm
January 20, March 31	Orlando	Supervisor of Elections, Conference Room, 110 West Kaley	10 am – 3 pm
January 26 March 16	West Palm Beach	SFWMD Storch Room SFWMD B1 Auditorium	130 – 5 pm 1230 – 5 pm
January 27 March 17	Fort Myers	SFWMD Service Center 1st Floor Conference Room	10 am – 3 pm