The Stormwater World Podcast

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time.   Key Topics Ty introduces this short bonus clip recorded at the Indiana MS4 Annual Partnership Meeting, held separately from the main award-winner episode Todd Clark, Elkhart County SWCD: His impressions of the Indiana MS4 Partnership, the value of the training and newsletter, and why the annual meeting is a top networking opportunity Todd’s role as Stormwater Project Manager: managing Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan reviews and site inspections for the City of Goshen, City of Elkhart, Elkhart County, the Town of Bristol, and non-MS4 towns (MCM 4 and 5) The unique perspective of serving multiple MS4s at once, and the recurring conference theme that every MS4 is different and openness in sharing information makes everyone stronger The Pay Dirt conference: how Elkhart County brings the agricultural and stormwater worlds together to find common ground on water management The Water Quality of Life Manual: why it is intentionally not called a “technical field guide,” and how it spans construction BMPs, agricultural practices, and small-scale residential actions How small individual actions – from cover crops and grass waterways to rain barrels and rain gardens – collectively add up to a large positive impact on water quality and property values A teaser for a future full episode and deep dive into the manual with Todd and Jim   In this bonus clip of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon shares a conversation recorded at the Indiana MS4 Annual Partnership Meeting in Plainfield, IN, with Todd Clark, Stormwater Project Manager for the Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District. Todd offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Elkhart County coordinates stormwater compliance across multiple communities and explains the thinking behind the district’s new Water Quality of Life Manual. Rather than a dry technical field guide, the manual is designed to reach everyone – contractors, farmers, and homeowners alike – with practical best management practices at every scale. From construction site stabilization to cover crops to backyard rain gardens, the throughline is simple: every small action adds up to cleaner water and a higher quality of life. Be sure to check out the full Water Quality of Life Manual linked below.   Download the Water Quality of Life Manual: Elkhart County SWCD – Water Quality of Life Manual (PDF)   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.   Connect with Todd Clark: Elkhart County Soil & Water Conservation District: https://www.elkcoswcd.org/   Learn more about the Pay Dirt Conference: https://www.elkcoswcd.org/event/pay-dirt/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP: Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com   Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don’t forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Topics  Ty introduces the episode theme: sharing what works at the Indiana MS4 Annual Partnership Meeting   Interview with Nick Parkman, City of Peru: D-Trash the Wabash riverbank cleanup program, 500-plus acres cleaned since 2008, community engagement, and advice for MS4s looking to launch similar events Interview with Josh Boyko, Ferguson: Corporate sponsorship, board involvement, and why community-minded companies invest in the MS4 partnership Interview with Matt Lake, City of Merrillville: Northwest Indiana Stormwater Advisory Group (NICEWAG), regional collaboration, LID requirements, E. coli source tracking, and stormwater fee funding structure Interview with Luke Owen, NPDES Training Institute: How a LinkedIn connection led to eight years of returning to the Indiana conference, hands-on training techniques, and attendees get out of conferences what they put in Interview with Christy Lindbergh, City of Bloomington Utility: Twenty-seven years in stormwater, co-founding the partnership, a monthly stormwater educators network, and pending retirement into Master Gardeners work Interview with Joe Foy, Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District: A career path from fisheries biology to stormwater, twenty years with the City of Elkhart, the Elkhart County MS4 partnership model, and the value of education over enforcement Interview with Reggie Korthals, Executive Director: The origin story of the Indiana MS4 Annual Partnership, growth to 360-plus attendees, the upcoming tiered permit structure, and the conference's impact on LinkedIn engagement for the podcast In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon returns to the Indiana MS4 Annual Partnership Meeting in Plainfield, IN, for a special multi-interview episode featuring award recipients from across the state. The conversations reveal a consistent and compelling theme: the stormwater community in Indiana has built something rare, a culture of open collaboration where MS4 coordinators actively share resources, program ideas, and lessons learned with neighboring communities. From riverbank cleanups to regional advisory groups to decades-long careers devoted to water quality education, this episode is a testament to what happens when people in stormwater stop competing and start cooperating.    The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Nick Parkman: Website: https://www.peruutilities.com/   Connect with Josh Boyko: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-boyko-8253337/   Connect with Matt Lake: Website: https://www.merrillville.in.gov/departments/stormwater_management/index.php   Connect with Luke Owen: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/npdestraining/   Connect with Christy Lindbergh: Retired   Connect with Joe Foy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-foy-804117110/   Connect with Karen Barnhill: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karan-barnhill-18253842/   Connect with Reggie Korthals: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reggie-korthals-2a256316b/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/ Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Topics  Ty introduces Derek Chinners, founder of Pro SWPPP, Houston, Texas.  Derek started in 2006 after a business partner with an erosion control company kept hearing customers ask for SWPPP services.  The 72-hour standard came from the time window many sites had to comply after receiving a SWPPP-related issue or inspection concern. Many customers come to Pro SWPPP because they were told by an inspector that they could not proceed without proper documentation.  Pro SWPPP does not do installation. They focus on SWPPP documentation, compliance support, inspections, and related services. Pro SWPPP uses national certification, regulatory research, and internal systems to manage federal, state, and local requirements. Pro SWPPP is built around doing what they say they will do. Customers are surprised when the company delivers on its timeline. Pro SWPPP guarantees full compliance and builds known revision-heavy jurisdictions into its pricing.  Pro SWPPP now offers certified remote inspections. Their system can monitor precipitation through National Weather Service data and allow inspectors to access site documentation through a QR code. They plan to use drone footage loaded into Pro SWPPP’s inspection portal to improve remote inspection services. Younger team members showed Derek that AI could help check regulations and flag unusual site concerns. The challenge is staying focused on what Pro SWPPP does best: SWPPP documentation, compliance, inspections, and related stormwater services. Quotes “We do what we say we’re going to do. And, I don’t know if you ever hired a contractor or not, but that’s not always the case.” ~ Derek Chinners “We don’t do the install. We just do the paperwork. That’s all we do and we’re the best at it.” ~ Derek Chinners “You no longer are a SWPPP company. You’re a save-the-day company. It’s a customer service company.” ~ Ty Garmon In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon talks with Derek Chinners, founder of Pro SWPPP, about how Derek built a nationwide SWPPP company by focusing on speed, compliance, and customer service. Derek shares how he entered the stormwater industry in 2006, originally offering SWPPP services under the name Express SWPPP, before rebranding to Pro SWPPP and positioning the company as a fast, reliable compliance partner. The conversation covers Pro SWPPP’s 72-hour delivery promise, the challenge of navigating federal, state, and local requirements, the importance of doing what you say you will do, and how technology, remote inspections, drones, AI, SEO, and strong follow-up systems are helping Pro SWPPP expand its services across construction and industrial stormwater compliance.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Derek Chinners: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-e-chinners-a109ba28/ Website: https://proswppp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pro-swppp/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/ Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Topics  Ty introduces Donnacha Tobin from CapCon Engineering. Donnacha explains that stormwater and rainwater drainage professionals are part of a small, connected global industry. Donnacha describes CapCon’s work on the new Terminal 5 project at Changi Airport in Singapore. The conversation shifts to the importance of designing rainwater systems that can handle extreme daily rainfall, especially for critical infrastructure like airports. Donnacha describes how rainwater drainage is often pushed later into the project process. Donnacha discusses CapCon’s manufacturer-agnostic approach. The conversation covers long-term system performance beyond handover. Donnacha explains what is driving better rainwater design, beyond minimum code. Ty and Donnacha discuss the shift away from simply conveying water off site and toward holding, harvesting, attenuating, and reusing rainwater where possible. Donnacha talks about data centers. The discussion moves into international regulations. Donnacha reflects on his “accidental stormwater career”. Donnacha explains how above-ground drainage decisions affect below-ground stormwater infrastructure. Donnacha notes that most people only think about stormwater when flooding occurs. The conversation touches on why rainwater and stormwater reuse should be considered before relying on more complicated treatment. Donnacha closes by inviting listeners to connect with CapCon. Quotes Donnacha Tobin, “Rainwater was just kicked down the road, kicked down the road till it could become somebody else's problem.” Donnacha Tobin, “The benefit of us not being manufacturers is that we're manufacturer agnostic.” Donnacha Tobin, “I think the days of just distributing everything out to the municipal drains and just, you know, it'll be fine, is gone.” In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon interviews Donnacha Tobin of CapCon Engineering about international rainwater and stormwater drainage design, including CapCon’s work on Singapore’s massive Terminal 5 project at Changi Airport. Donnacha explains how early involvement in design can prevent costly drainage problems later in construction, why rainwater drainage should be considered from the roof down, and how stormwater is increasingly being viewed as a valuable resource rather than something to quickly convey away. The conversation also covers international regulations, data centers, water reuse, public perception of stormwater, and the growing need for consistent, resilient, and efficient drainage systems across global markets.  Disclaimer: Nothing discussed in this episode constitutes financial advice. This podcast is for educational purposes only. Please conduct your own research.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Donnacha Tobin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnacha-tobin/ Website: https://capconeng.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/capcon-group/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/ Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Topics  Scott outlines his path into the stormwater industry, from a civil engineer to stormwater-specific roles, from technical design to business development and product innovation. Scott and Ty discuss how the consolidation within the stormwater industry, including acquisitions by large manufacturers and distributors, has shaped product development, marketing, and distribution. Scott reflects on the industry’s evolution from highly competitive to more collaborative and respectful.  Ty and Scott discuss shifting trends, from geosynthetics to underground detention systems, and how market focus changes over time.  Scott explains how Convergent operates as both a technology developer and a partner for innovators, bringing new stormwater solutions to market. Smaller companies face difficulty due to regulatory requirements, testing costs, and time to market.  Scott highlights the importance of helping new technologies succeed. Convergent’s model focuses on accelerating innovation by providing expertise, partnerships, and market access. Convergent’s goal is to grow by expanding its technology offerings and strengthening partnerships with distributors and engineers. The broader vision includes solving complex stormwater challenges more efficiently. Scott introduces the idea of a Stormwater Hall of Fame to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry. Quotes "I think it will be a constant challenge to help the little guys get to the market faster, cheaper." ~ Scott Gorneau “I think there’s a lot of good synergy and respectfulness in the industry today.”  ~ Scott Gorneau In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon interviews Scott Gorneau of Convergent Water Technologies, exploring his career journey from early engineering roles to leadership in stormwater innovation. Scott shares insights on industry evolution, including consolidation trends, the shift from technical work to business development, and the growing importance of collaboration across manufacturers and distributors. The discussion highlights the challenges of bringing new stormwater technologies to market, especially for smaller innovators facing regulatory and financial barriers. Scott also explains how Convergent helps bridge that gap by supporting product development and commercialization, while both he and Ty reflect on where the industry is headed and the need to recognize its key contributors. Disclaimer: Nothing discussed in this episode constitutes financial advice. This podcast is for educational purposes only. Please conduct your own research.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Scott Gorneaus: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gorneaus/ Website: https://convergentwater.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/convergent-water-technologies/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/ Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Topics  Ty introduces the episode and welcomes guests Joe Kramer of Parjana Engineering and Alula Zeryihun of Edge Consulting Labs The origin problem: water has always been treated as a liability rather than an asset The core industry problem: the need to prove that water is actually being infiltrated SRCs (Stormwater Retention Credit) and how the current system is regionally fragmented MRV (monitoring, reporting, and verification): it is the backbone of the Hydrocoin ecosystem Discussion of the third-party verification process and how data is recorded on the XRP Ledger Discussion how AI is being applied to automate manual engineering processes Discussion of why blockchain was chosen over traditional dashboards and spreadsheets History of the Hydrocoin project The "what's in it for me" breakdown: benefits for inspectors, engineers, investors, and project owners What can a token actually be used for? Compliance, offsets, and the mint/burn redemption logic The token is packaging around the verification process, and AI is a tool, not a replacement Quotes "You want to be able to have an ecosystem that does not rely on just one single party for trust. When something is recorded on chain, it is accessible to anyone." ~ Alula Zeryihun "Stormwater is a slow moving ship. We're trying to put some light around it and some interest in it." ~ Joe Kramer "Every drop of oil will eventually be measured. Every drop of water will eventually be measured." ~ Alula Zeryihun In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon talks with Joe Kramer, CEO of Parjana Engineering, and Alula Zeryihun, founder and CEO of Edge Consulting Labs, to unpack Hydrocoin, a water credit tokenization platform built on the XRP Ledger. The conversation covers the core problem Hydrocoin is solving, which is the fragmented, unverified, and regionally siloed nature of stormwater infiltration tracking across North America and beyond. Joe and Alula walk through the MRV (monitoring, reporting, and verification) process that forms the backbone of the ecosystem, explain how AI is being used to automate manual engineering workflows, and discuss why blockchain technology was chosen as the infrastructure for recording and authenticating verified water infiltration data. The episode closes with a broader look at the future of water as a measurable and tradeable global asset. Disclaimer: Nothing discussed in this episode constitutes financial advice. This podcast is for educational purposes only. Please conduct your own research.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Alula Zeryihun: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alula-zeryihun-946322371/ Website: https://edgeconsultinglabs.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/edge-consulting-labs/   Connect with Joe Kramer: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-kramer-52b181323/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://parjanaengineering.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/99322878/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/ Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Topics  Introduction Christina Osborn - Project Manager at JUB Engineers in Salt Lake City with more than 19 yrs of experience in water & wastewater systems. Founder of Women of Water. Kellyn Campbell, CPESC - President of Campbell Environmental Supply & Consulting with 18 yrs in stormwater & erosion & sediment control. Maryella Begley-Garmon, P.E. - Co-founder of Digital Stormwater & licensed professional engineer in TX & LA. The Origin of Women of Water Women of Water started in 2012 after noticing common challenges faced by women in the industry.  The Three Guiding Principles Women of Water was built around three core principles: the three E’s: educate, empower, & engage.” A Parallel Path in the Industry A similar effort developed within the IECA community. Eventually Kellyn discovered the Women of Water organization already existed & reached out to Christina to expand the concept nationally. How the Industry Has Changed  Kellyn Campbell: “When I first came to my first IECA conference in 2008, it felt extremely male dominated.” “The women coming up behind us don’t have to go through that moment of ‘I’m the only woman in this industry.’” Building a National Organization The Women of Water leadership team is developing a framework to help chapters launch across the country. Leadership Opportunities Women who help organize chapters gain experience building professional networks & managing programs. Confidence Through Community Creating safe networking spaces helps women build confidence & leadership skills. What Comes Next Women of Water is currently working to expand nationally & encourage new chapters.  Christina Osborn: “We’re ready to go. We just need people who are interested & want to organize & collect a bunch of women under the Women of Water umbrella.” In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, guest host Maryella Begley-Garmon, P.E. speaks with Christina Osborn, P.E., founder of Women of Water, & Kellyn Campbell, CPESC, president of Campbell Environmental Supply & Consulting, about the origins & growth of the Women of Water initiative. The conversation explores how the organization began as a response to challenges women faced in water-related industries & evolved into a supportive network focused on education, empowerment, & engagement. The guests discuss mentorship, leadership development, & the changing role of women in fields such as stormwater, wastewater, & water resources, while also outlining their vision to expand Women of Water into a national organization that connects and supports professionals across the country. The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Christina Osborn, P.E.: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-osborn-3458614b/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.womenofwater.org/   Connect with Kellyn Campbell, CPESC: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellynhcampbell/ Email: [email protected]   Connect with Maryella Begley-Garmon, P.E.:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryella-begley-garmon/ Website: https://digitalstormwater.com/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/ Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Topics  The origins and growth of Exact Stormwater Management Sean explains how the company evolved from small specialty installations into a regional stormwater contractor with national reach. Contractor versus product supplier roles in stormwater Corey clarifies Exact’s focus on installation, inspection, and maintenance. Where BMP failures really begin The discussion introduces design-stage issues that limit BMP performance before construction. Constructability versus design intent Sean explains how contractor experience can help engineers avoid designs that only work on paper. Innovation without installation guidance Corey discusses how new stormwater technologies can fail quickly when installation guidance is missing or ignored. Case study: Fulton Green Street project A large green infrastructure project in Richmond, Virginia that involved unique construction challenges. Maintenance as the third BMP failure point The conversation turns to how neglect leads to long-term system failure and higher costs. The true cost of stormwater maintenance Sean and Corey explain why routine maintenance costs less over time than deferred repairs or full system replacement. “Who Murdered Your BMP?” as education and engagement Corey explains how the concept is used to raise awareness, encourage learning, and share real-world examples, creating educational resources for property managers and other stakeholders. Quotes “As an engineer, I really love the challenge and the strategy of trying to figure out problems and providing quality installation.” Sean Simonpietri  “Some BMPs get murdered right out of the gate because they are not designed in the best way possible to take advantage of the technology.” Corey Simonpietri  “You can make things pretty on paper that you cannot build.” Sean Simonpietri  In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon speaks with Sean and Corey Simonpietri of Exact Stormwater about the three root causes of BMP failures: poor design, improper installation, or lack of maintenance. The conversation introduces their “Who Murdered Your BMP?” concept as both an educational tool and a lighthearted way to highlight real-world failures, while reinforcing the serious consequences. The episode emphasizes the contractor perspective, the importance of routine inspections and maintenance, and why investing in proper upkeep costs less than allowing systems to fail. This is a practical and candid discussion for engineers, property owners, and stormwater professionals. The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Corey Simonpietri: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreysimonpietri/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.exactstorm.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exact-stormwater-management/posts/   Connect with Sean Simonpietri: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seansimonpietri/ Email: [email protected]   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/ Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Topics  Guest Introduction Ty introduces Ken Kristoffersen and outlines his extensive background. Design as the Foundation of Cost Control Ken explains why stormwater designs must reflect real-world site conditions and field experience, not purely theoretical approaches. BMP Selection and Material Quality Discussion on how improper BMP selection and low-quality materials lead to higher long-term costs. Installation Matters Ken shares examples of incorrect BMP installation, why inspectors reject them, and how proper installation prevents wasted effort and expense. Maintenance and Inspection Realities A breakdown of why even properly installed BMPs require ongoing maintenance. Training and Field Judgment Ken emphasizes the need for inspectors to develop critical thinking skills and field awareness, not just classroom knowledge. Water and Air Quality as Public Goods A broader discussion on why clean water and air are essential to quality of life. Public Awareness and Education Conversation shifts to educating the public and younger generations. Building Career Pathways in Stormwater Ken discusses gaps in professional development and the need for structured training for new industry entrants. Final Takeaways and Call for Industry Engagement Ken and Ty wrap up with reflections on accountability, continuous improvement, and engaging the broader stormwater community. Quotes Ken Kristoffersen: “Design documentation has to reflect the real world, not something invented in an ivory tower by someone who has never been in the field.” Ken Kristoffersen: “What was the point of doing it the first time if you cannot do it right?” Ken Kristoffersen: “You can have all the gold in the world, but you cannot drink it. Water is a finite resource.” In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon speaks with Ken Kristoffersen, founder and president of CalSTORM Compliance, about practical ways to control the cost of stormwater compliance while still protecting water quality. Ken explains that cost control starts with realistic, field-informed design, followed by selecting the right BMPs, using quality materials, and ensuring proper installation and maintenance. Drawing on decades of hands-on experience, he highlights how poor design decisions, low-quality products, and lack of follow-up often lead to higher costs over time. The conversation also explores the importance of inspector training, professional judgment, and public awareness, emphasizing that stormwater professionals play a critical role in safeguarding clean water and air and improving overall quality of life.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Ken Kristofferson, MBA/CDSEC/CISEC/CPESC/QSP/QSD/ToR: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-kristoffersen-mba-cdsec-cisec-cpesc-qsp-qsd-tor-8a311420/ Email: [email protected] CAL-Storm: https://calstormcompliance.com/ Ecopliant: https://ecopliant.org/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Topics  Introduction and Background Ty introduces Philip Taylor and outlines his global career. Differences Between International and US Stormwater Approaches Discussion on how US regulation, freshwater resources, and public awareness changed the way stormwater is managed. Proprietary Stormwater Systems and Regulatory Evolution How early distrust of proprietary systems shifted toward standardized testing and approvals. Site Level Regulation vs Watershed Scale Reality A candid discussion on regulatory fragmentation and why cumulative impacts are often misunderstood. Instrumentation, Data, and Active Management Why real time data, monitoring, and smarter flow control are essential. Launching Streamline LLC Phil explains his transition into consulting and focusing on strategic innovation, modeling, and advisory work. Active Flow Control and Digital Infrastructure Partnerships, retrofitting existing infrastructure, and why active systems offer high impact with lower capital investment. Artificial Intelligence in Stormwater and Engineering A deep dive into AI as a watershed moment, including design optimization, risks of over reliance, and how experience still matters. Advice for the Next Generation Career guidance focused on broad experience, mobility, curiosity, and learning across disciplines and geographies. Closing Thoughts Change as opportunity and a teaser for future conference presentations and research. Quotes “Fresh water is really an asset that a country needs. It’s almost a national security issue.” Philip Taylor “Passive management of stormwater just won’t get us where we want to go.” Philip Taylor “AI is a watershed moment in human history. I don’t think people fully comprehend just how big it is yet.” Philip Taylor “Change is opportunity. Opportunity is out there.” Philip Taylor In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon talks with Philip Taylor about his more than 30 years of experience in stormwater management, from early fieldwork in New Zealand and engineering roles in the UK to helping shape the proprietary stormwater market in the United States. Phil shares how stormwater regulation evolved from a flood focused mindset to one centered on water quality, transparency, and performance driven design, while also highlighting ongoing challenges with fragmented regulations and site level approaches that fail to reflect watershed scale realities. The conversation explores the growing importance of real time data, active flow control, and instrumentation, as well as how artificial intelligence is beginning to influence stormwater modeling, design, and decision making. Phil also reflects on launching his consulting practice, Streamline LLC, and closes with advice for younger professionals to seek broad experience, stay adaptable, and view change as an opportunity rather than a threat.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Phillip Taylor: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/p-taylor/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://stline.us/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Topics  Introduction and Guest Background Ty introduces Dr. Jamie Schussler and her work at Oklahoma State University, including the mission of the Schussler Stormwater Lab. IECA University Partners Program Discussion of how the program connects students to industry, supports conference participation, and builds long-term careers in stormwater. Career Path and Graduate Research Journey Jamie walks through her undergraduate background, master’s research at Iowa State, and PhD work at Auburn University. Research with Real World Impacts Installation Changes and 12x Sediment Capture Improvement Sediment Basin Research and Flocculants Land Grant Mission and Hands-On Training Use of Drones and Photogrammetry in Stormwater EPA Stormwater Centers of Excellence and Grants Introduction to the Great Plains Stormwater Center of Excellence and upcoming research initiatives. Quotes “What I am doing matters, because if a waddle can capture twelve times more sediment, that’s a whole lot less sediment getting into our waterways.” Dr. Jamie Schussler “We’re pretty good at collecting data on the university side, and that’s where industry and research really fit together.” Dr. Jamie Schussler “There is a lot of room for tech nerds in the stormwater world.” Dr. Jamie Schussler In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon talks with Dr. Jamie Schussler from the Schussler Stormwater Lab at Oklahoma State University about her path into stormwater research, the role universities play in advancing practical stormwater solutions, and the importance of connecting research with real-world implementation. Dr. Schussler shares how the IECA University Partners Program helped shape her career, discusses impactful research findings such as improving sediment control performance through better installation practices rather than new products, and explains how hands-on training events, land grant outreach, and LTAP programs help bridge gaps between academia, industry, and regulators. They also explore the use of drones and photogrammetry in stormwater inspection, and new opportunities created through EPA-funded Stormwater Centers of Excellence, highlighting a shared focus on relevant, implementable research that improves water quality and supports stormwater professionals across the country.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Jamie Schussler: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcschuss/ Email: [email protected] #GINNing Podcast: https://www.eng.auburn.edu/news/2021/07/ginning-podcast-jaime-schussler.html LTAP: https://www.transportation.gov/grants/dot-navigator/local-technical-assistance-program-ltap IECA University Partners Program: https://www.ieca.org/IECA/IECA/Membership/University_Partners.aspx C4 Conference: https://water.okstate.edu/announcements/water-center-opportunities-announcements/2025_opportunities/construction-conference.html   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Time Stamps 00:01  Ty introduces Andy and his background in geology, hydrology, and stormwater compliance. 01:50  Andy describes his early career in soil and groundwater remediation and the path that led him into stormwater. 04:49  Andy explains why stormwater work is meaningful for him and how he helps facilities navigate regulatory complexity. 09:04  Third party lawsuits and the emotional and financial burden they place on businesses. 10:56  Which sectors are affected most: primarily industrial facilities in California. 14:15  Breakdown of the Clean Water Act, benchmark levels, and how ambiguous standards create vulnerability. 20:57  Discussion of outdated benchmark levels from a 1992 study. 27:57  Is this only a California issue? Why California sees the vast majority of lawsuits. 30:14  How to prepare clients, documentation, training, and meeting the permit to strengthen negotiation positions. 34:09  A case involving a backyard t-shirt maker and how even tiny businesses can be pulled into the permit. 37:05  The only time Andy has seen a lawsuit go away: a massive corporation threatened to fight back in court. 43:46  Guidance for consultants: contracts, communication, clear roles, and professional protections. 55:00  Closing remarks and encouragement for professionals to join the conversation. Quotes Andy Ellsmore “It is a communal and societal challenge that we have. It involves a lot of different players with a lot of different perspectives.” “The ambiguity in the Clean Water Act is really where a lot of this comes from.” “There is no protection for a permittee. You could be sued every other day or twice a day by different groups.” “Most clients want to be in compliance. Everybody cares about water quality.” “You are putting a large target on your back by complying with the stormwater rules.” In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, Ty Garmon talks with licensed professional geologist Andy Ellsmore about the complex world of stormwater compliance and the growing impact of third party lawsuits on industrial facilities, particularly in California. Andy explains how ambiguous Clean Water Act standards, outdated benchmark levels, and limited regulatory enforcement create an environment where nonprofits fill the enforcement gap through 60 day notices and costly settlements. He shares real examples of businesses blindsided by litigation, the financial and emotional toll these actions create, and practical steps both facility owners and consultants can take to protect themselves. The conversation highlights the challenges facing stormwater professionals, the need for clearer regulatory guidance, and the importance of documentation, training, and maintaining clean facilities to reduce risk..   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Andy Ellsmore: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-ellsmore/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.stormwater.pro/ ; https://ellsmoreenv.com/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Time Stamps 00:00 Introduction 02:59 The Formation and Purpose of NMSA 06:00 Advocacy for MS4s at the National Level 09:10 Challenges and Resources for Local MS4 Programs 12:01 Training and Support for MS4s 15:00 The Importance of National Presence for Local Issues 17:52 Membership Structure and Benefits 21:06 National Stormwater Day and Its Significance 32:06 Stormwater Awareness Initiatives 34:10 Celebrating Stormwater Professionals 36:05 Recognizing Stormwater Champions 38:03 Engaging the Community in Stormwater Awareness 39:55 Membership Importance in Stormwater Organizations 41:20 Emeritus Membership and Institutional Knowledge 44:10 Introduction to STEPP Program 49:07 The Value of the Stormwater Sector 53:32 Moving Stormwater to the Adult Table  Quotes Ty Garmon (08:40): “Nobody cares about stormwater unless it’s coming in their house.” Seth Brown (12:49): “We advocate as a 501c3 for our mission… to try to support MS4s… and make them more technically effective, more cost effective…” Seth Brown (23:02): “we don’t want to have a bioretention facility become considered waters of the US.” Seth Brown (47:xx): “can think of [STEP] as the consumer reports for stormwater infrastructure.” In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, Ty Garmon talks with Dr. Seth Brown, Executive Director of NMSA, about why the alliance formed to give MS4 programs a unified national voice, how it advocates on issues like PFAS liability and Waters of the U.S., and the practical tools it offers members. They cover NMSA’s low-cost training and tracking, the open MS4 resource library, and membership options that fit both Phase I and Phase II communities. Seth explains National Stormwater Day on November 16 and how it recognizes the launch of the MS4 program while offering a free webinar and updates from Centers of Excellence. They dig into STEP, NMSA’s third-party testing effort meant to deliver clear, apples-to-apples performance data for proprietary BMPs. The episode closes with a call for stormwater to move from reactive work to proactive leadership and to claim its seat at the table.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Seth Brown: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbrownpe/ Email:  Website: https://ms4nmsa.org/; https://nationalstormwateralliance.org/nmsa-resources/ National Stormwater Day: https://nationalstormwateralliance.org/nmsa-resources/ Stormwater Testing and Evaluation for Products & Practices (STEPP) https://ms4nmsa.org/stepp/ or https://stormwatertesting.org   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Takeaways Flexamat design: Concrete blocks with embedded geogrid over erosion control blankets. Designed to vegetate through 30 percent openings. Mowable surface when established. Install made simple: Delivered in wide, custom-length rolls. Unroll with an excavator. Start at outlets with an 18-inch trench, toe-in the terminal edge, and place tails so flow pushes into the overlap. Where it shines: Channels, slopes, shorelines, emergency spillways, riverbanks, WWTPs, drivable surfaces, airports, pipelines, landfills. Cost vs riprap: Riprap often wins on first cost, but repeated failure and maintenance can flip lifecycle value in Flexamat’s favor. Maintenance: Minimal after establishment. Mow if desired.  Quotes Ron Geater: “My clients seem to prefer a material that’s a set it, forget it. You put it in, it works, you walk away.” Ron Geater: “There is no maintenance. If you do not want a two-foot stand of grass, then mow it.” Ron Geater: “All you need is a decent sized excavator to pick it up, place it, and use the bucket to unroll it.” Host (Ty): “Go watch the excavator set the roll and just bump the bucket to let it glide. It is the best.” Ron Geater: “Put ‘manufacturer’s rep on site at start of installation’ in the specs. If I am there, you are not going to have a failure.” In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, Ty Garmon interviews Ron Geater from Motz Enterprises to discuss Flexamat, a vegetated hard armor solution for erosion control. They explore the product's features, benefits, installation process, real-world applications, cost comparisons with traditional solutions, and best practices for maintenance and installation. Ron shares success stories and challenges faced in the field, emphasizing the importance of proper installation to avoid failures. The conversation highlights the innovative nature of Flexamat and its role in sustainable stormwater management.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Ron Geater: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-geater-1a188045/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.flexamat.com/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed 00:00 Welcome, Guest intro, and session goals “Today we’re gonna talk about achieving SWPPP success and really using sustainable BMPs to achieve results.” ~Joe Moore 05:10 What sustainability means per EPA “To pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony.” ~Joe Moore 08:02 Why stormwater was early to sustainability 10:00 Geotextiles 101 and microplastics concerns 14:59 USFWS 2022 findings on plastic netting and silt fence 18:01 Better specifications and installation details that matter “Are we impacting the animals in a negative way? The answer is of course yes.” ~Joe Moore 23:33 Jobsite realities: straw wattles, wildlife, roadway safety 25:04 Five technologies to know: B-netting, Flexamat, FODS, GatorBox, permeable systems “We really wanted to design one that could be left behind.” ~Joe Moore 33:43 Post-construction ideas: manage runoff where it falls 35:03 Global water context and why choices matter 40:00 Spec book gaps and a Virginia update example 44:01 FAQ: cost and whole-life value versus first cost 46:12 FAQ: regulatory adoption and landfill fate “We gotta pivot and do it a little differently, or put a little bit more forethought.” ~Ty 51:10 Joe’s personal why and first-fish story “I’m a clean water freak.” ~Joe Moore “The first one of the trip always gets a kiss on the lips.” ~Joe Moore In this episode, Stormwater World host Ty hosts Joe Moore of Siltworm and ECS to dig into practical sustainability for construction stormwater. Joe discusses what “sustainable” really means in stormwater practice, especially for SWPPP design that protects water, wildlife, and budgets over the full lifecycle. They unpack risks from polymer-based BMPs, including microplastics and wildlife entanglement, and highlight U.S. Fish and Wildlife guidance favoring loose-weave or natural-fiber blanket options. Joe walks through practical alternatives such as biodegradable perimeter controls, vegetated hard-armor like Flexamat, reusable entrance mats from FODS, and portable dewatering units like GatorBox, while stressing that long-term maintenance and risk often outweigh lower upfront costs. The conversation closes with data trends, why many spec books lag field reality, and Joe’s personal “why” for clean water.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Joe Moore: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemoore6/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://erosionconstructionsolutions.com/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time? Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com  Key Points Discussed 00:02 – Introduction: Ty introduces John and highlights his new book. “John wrote an encyclopedia for stormwater. No, I’m just kidding. He wrote a book and we want to talk about that book.” – Ty Garmon 01:56 – Why Write a Book? John explains his motivation and how California’s credentialing requirements played a role. 04:20 – Credentials and Experience: John details his background, licensing, and the importance of underlying certifications. 11:17 – SWPPPs as Dot-to-Dot Drawings John compares writing SWPPPs to kindergarten dot-to-dot exercises. “Each little thing we do on a job site when it comes to stormwater management isn’t a standalone event. They all interrelate, they all connect.” – John Teravskis 15:26 – The Donut Counter Analogy John explains how formulaic SWPPPs can overlook pollutants. 19:10 – Common Disconnects Discussion of static SWPPPs, vague specifications, and the importance of detail. 25:39 – Beyond California The book includes requirements for all 50 states. 29:01 – Resources and Templates John shares that the book comes with SWPPP templates and supporting reference tools. 33:23 – Re-Categorizing BMPs John introduces “raindrop BMPs,” “speed bump BMPs,” and others for easier understanding. “Fast moving water is the enemy of erosion control. So we were very intentional about recategorizing these BMPs.” – John Teravskis 35:28 – The Maintenance Challenge Conversation about implementation and team buy-in. “You’re talking about the biggest disconnect of them all. This is where most programs become disconnected.” – John Teravskis 40:55 – Who the Book is For: John explains that he wrote it with construction workers in mind, but it’s valuable for professionals across the stormwater field. 47:00 – Acknowledgments John thanks his company and peer reviewers who helped shape the book. 49:32 – Dedication Ty reads the dedication from the book, emphasizing its purpose for those who want to understand the “whys and hows.” 50:47 – New App: GetStorm.io;  John introduces an upcoming SWPPP-writing app designed to support stormwater professionals. In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, Ty welcomes back John Teravskis of WGR Southwest to talk about his new book, The Raindrop Connection. John shares the story behind writing the book and explains why connecting the “dots” of stormwater management is essential for effective SWPPP programs. He highlights the risks of formulaic approaches and the importance of collaborative SWPPPs. The conversation covers nationwide applicability and John’s upcoming SWPPP-writing app, offering stormwater professionals practical tools to strengthen compliance and field implementation.   The views expressed are those of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies, past, present, or future. Connect with John Teravskis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-teravskis-5aaa9339/ Stormwater Awareness Week on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7198777181257240576/comments/ Website: https://www.stormwaterawareness.org/ Monthly Dirt newsletter: https://wgr-sw.com/lists/?p=subscribe&id=1 Book: https://amzn.to/4g7th7G WGR Southwest: https://wgr-sw.com/ SWPPP Radio: https://swpppradio.org/ App: GetStorm.io   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed [00:02:00] Introduction to Jamie McCutchen and Rymar Waterworks  [00:05:00] Basics of Skimmer Basin Design   Jamie outlines the three fundamental principles: basin volume, dewatering time, and flow rate. [00:08:00] State Standards for Sediment Basins [00:13:00] Why Specifying Skimmer Flow Rates Matters   “If you just say ‘three-inch skimmer’ and don’t specify the flow rate, you might end up with one that flows half or double what you intended.” — Jamie McCutchen [00:14:00] Free Skimmer Design Tools from Rymar   Jamie walks through their web-based tool to help engineers specify acceptable flow ranges and choose the right skimmer. [00:21:00] Good vs. Bad Skimmer Installations [00:23:00] Using Skimmers for Post-Construction   “If we’re pulling water from the surface during construction, which is cleaner, why not do that post-construction too?” — Jamie McCutchen [00:28:00] Modeling Skimmers in HydroFlow [00:32:00] Filtration-Based Water Quality Design   Jamie introduces a two-stage filtration skimmer system designed to handle flow up to the two-year storm event and tested to ASTM standards. [00:38:00] Benefits of Skimmer + Filtration Systems   “You're treating even the smallest trickles, not just first flush volumes. And the skimmer makes filter maintenance much easier.” — Jamie McCutchen [00:42:00] Volume-Based vs. Filtration-Based Design Comparison [00:51:00] Summary of Results   “With the filtration skimmer system, you're reducing pond size, treating more runoff, and improving water quality.” — Jamie McCutchen [00:53:00] The Marlee Float and Digital Sitebox [01:00:00] The Origin of the Marlee Float   “My daughter Marlee was elbowing me all night and I couldn’t sleep. That’s when I thought of the skimmer design.” — Jamie McCutchen   In this episode of Stormwater World Live, host Ty speaks with Jamie McCutchen, P.E., founder of Rymar Waterworks, about the design and application of skimmers in stormwater drainage systems. Jamie explains the fundamentals of skimmer basin design for both construction and post-construction use, emphasizing the importance of flow rate specification and sharing examples from state guidelines. He introduces a new filtration-based design that improves water quality treatment by combining surface-level skimming with a two-stage filter, supported by ASTM-tested results. The discussion includes practical modeling steps using HydroFlow, tips on skimmer installation, and a comparison of filtration-based versus volume-based water quality designs. Jamie also shares the origin story behind the Marlee Float and highlights innovations like the Digital Sitebox for jobsite compliance. The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Jamie McCutchen: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiemccutchen/ Website: https://rymarwaterworks.com/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/ Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Stormwater World Episode 052: Company Culture, Sales Processes, AI & more! with Dan Strauss from Syman Erosion Control   Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed [00:02:00] – Meet Dan Strauss Ty introduces Dan. [00:04:00] – Business in the Stormwater World Dan discusses a gap in the industry: “We’re really not talking about business. We’re not talking about why we’re all here: because we want to make money.” — Dan Strauss [00:07:00] – Becoming Employee-Owned Dan explains Syman’s growth: “We went from having two people in the business and now we have about 85.” — Dan Strauss [00:13:00] – Sales & Marketing in Technical Fields Dan emphasizes the importance of outreach: “You can’t just go to a conference and say, ‘cool, check this out.’” — Dan Strauss “Best known beats best.” — Ty [00:18:00] – Hiring Matrix & Growth Strategy Dan on professionalizing operations: “If you feel like you want to grow, you need help. We recently have come up with a hiring matrix.” — Dan Strauss [00:24:00] – Maintaining Company Culture Dan shares how they retain team morale: “A lot of it has to do with autonomy. Here’s the tools you need to do your job, and then walk away.” — Dan Strauss [00:29:00] – What Syman Erosion Control Does Dan gives the overview: “We design from the ground up.” — Dan Strauss [00:32:00] – AI in Stormwater Dan and Ty discuss how AI can enhance productivity. [00:38:00] – Using AI to Train Teams “How do we extrapolate that information out of someone’s head unless he’s sitting here with me training me?” — Dan Strauss [00:46:00] – Technology, Drones & Inspection Dan on evolving practices: “They were using the AI software to identify BMPs. It is making us money.” — Dan Strauss [00:50:00] – What’s Next for Syman “Our next big thing is opening up our fourth location, that’s going to trigger our executive team to change a little bit.” — Dan Strauss   In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, Ty interviews Dan Strauss, Business Development Manager at Syman Erosion Control. They explore the intersection of business development, company culture, and technology in the stormwater industry. Dan shares how Syman grew from two people to an employee-owned company with over 85 staff, highlighting the importance of hiring intentionally, maintaining a strong culture through autonomy and leadership, and using tools like AI to streamline training and operations. The conversation also touches on how the industry could benefit from more focus on business growth and marketing at conferences, and how AI is already reshaping how stormwater professionals access and apply information. The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Dan Strauss: Email: [email protected] Website: https://symancompany.com/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed [00:02:00] Introduction Ty introduces Dr. Kyla Wood as “the Wizard of Flocculent,” and she kicks off her technical presentation. [00:04:00] Origins and Safety of PAM Dr. Wood explains how polyacrylamides (PAMs) originated in mining and have been adapted for stormwater. “What we really focus on is making sure we’re using high-quality products that have been toxicity tested” – Dr. Kyla Wood [00:06:00] Why Use Flocculants? Discussing why traditional BMPs often fall short in treating fine particles like silts and clays. “Even when we do everything right, we can have a pretty high turbidity.” – Dr. Kyla Wood [00:10:00] What Is Polyacrylamide (PAM)? A deep dive into PAM’s uses, safety profile, and why anionic forms are preferred in passive treatment systems. [00:14:00] How PAM Works: The Science of Flocculation Explains the polymer chain reaction and visual examples of clear vs. untreated water. “It kind of looks like a grain of sand, when it gets wet, it'll unwind.” – Dr. Kyla Wood [00:17:00] Ensuring Safe Use: Product Selection and Certification Key considerations: anionic charge, toxicity testing, and NSF certification. [00:19:00] Fundamentals for Effective Use Formulation, dosage, mixing time, and flock capture techniques. “One polymer does not work on all soil and water.” – Dr. Kyla Wood [00:27:00] Polymer-Enhanced BMPs Use of flocculants in erosion control, sediment basins, and drain treatments. [00:43:00] Enhanced Vegetation & Hydro Seeding The role of PAM in plant growth and hydro seeding applications. [00:45:00] Lesser-Known Uses: Demucking & Dust Control Unique and practical applications of PAM for sediment removal and reducing dust.  “PAM offers a really great non-salt option.” – Dr. Kyla Wood [00:51:00] Final Thoughts Ty and Kyla wrap up the session with appreciation and a nod to upcoming experiments.  “Use us as a resource if you have any questions, that’s what we’re here for.” – Dr. Kyla Wood   In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, Ty hosts Dr. Kyla Wood, Chief Science Officer at Applied Polymer Systems, for a technical deep dive into flocculants, specifically anionic polyacrylamide (PAM), and their role in stormwater management and erosion control. Dr. Wood explains how PAM works at the molecular level to bind fine particles like clay and metal, improving water clarity and enhancing traditional BMPs. She shares practical guidance on formulation, dosage, mixing, and flock capture, as well as real-world examples of polymer-enhanced BMPs, erosion control techniques, and innovative uses like demucking and dust suppression. The episode emphasizes environmental safety, regulatory compliance, and the importance of proper product selection and application.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Dr. Kyla Wood, PhD:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyla-iwinski-wood-phd-958890228/ Website: https://www.apsfloc.com/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed 00:00 – 03:40 | Opening and Introduction • Ty warms up the crowd and introduces his background in stormwater and digital strategy. 05:21 – 07:49 | Gauging AI Use in the Room • Ty surveys the audience’s experience with AI. • Introduces the session goal: show tactical uses of AI, especially ChatGPT. 07:49 – 10:15 | Why Prompts Matter • The better the input, the better the output. • Uses stormwater inspection report examples to illustrate prompting quality. Quote: "The quality of the answers you get from AI depends on the quality of the questions you ask. It's not the AI, it's you." – Ty Garmon 10:15 – 12:40 | Real-World Applications in Stormwater • Use AI to: Write reports; Summarize PDFs; Simplify language for stakeholders; Create outreach content; Clarify technical information Quote: "What if you could say, ‘Hey, could you summarize this and explain it back to me as a five-year-old?’" – Ty Garmon 12:40 – 14:38 | The New Capabilities of AI Tools • ChatGPT now remembers conversations, acts like a second brain. • Shares how shared accounts can confuse context. 14:38 – 17:50 | Prompting Principles • Add detail • Give it a role and audience • Define the output format • Ask for clarifying questions • Iterate through conversation Quote: "Tell it who it is. You're a stormwater expert, you're speaking to engineers." – Ty Garmon 17:50 – 21:35 | Fine-Tuning the AI’s Voice • Use personality types to guide tone. • Recommends 16personalities.com and using your own personality in prompts.   22:33 – 29:19 | Live Q&A and Data Privacy • Audience questions around SWPPP support, privacy, and ethical use. • Ty explains OpenAI’s privacy policy, toggling web access, and content citation tools. Quote: “Never copy and paste anything that I get and assume it's rock solid... have AI double-check the other AI." – Ty Garmon 29:19 – End | AI-Generated Co-Presenter and Closing • Demo of AI-generated Ty using HeyGen and Eleven Labs. • QR code shared to access slides and software list. In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon shares his engaging and practical presentation at the Ohio Stormwater Conference where he explains how stormwater professionals can use AI, especially ChatGPT, to save time, improve communication, and streamline workflows. Emphasizing the importance of effective prompting, Ty shares real-world applications such as writing inspection reports, simplifying regulatory language, and creating outreach content. He encourages attendees to treat AI like a new employee by offering clear, detailed instructions to get better results. Ty also introduces tools for personalizing output using personality types like ISTJ. The session concludes with a thoughtful discussion on data privacy, ethical use, and a demo of an AI-generated co-presenter, leaving attendees with actionable insights and renewed confidence in the potential of AI.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed 00:06 Ty introduces the first live-recorded episode and Reggie Korthals from OHM. “You're such a rock star around here... this is the first time we've ever done an episode live.” – Ty Garmon 00:55 Reggie shares the early days of Indiana’s MS4 meeting and its “friendly competition” with Ohio’s. “With guidance from EPA Region 5, I got this going.” – Reggie Korthals 02:19 Record Attendance & History of Growth  “This is 400 registered, the highest I've had in 17 years.” – Reggie Korthals 03:35 Ty reads a comprehensive bio of Reggie’s 25+ year career in stormwater. 06:30 Reggie recalls a formative moment with President John F. Kennedy. “He came over and took my hand… and said, ‘Public service.’” – Reggie Korthals 08:41 She shares her role in founding the MS4 Partnership and stepping back after 17 years. “This is my last one. I'm going to retire at 17 years.” – Reggie Korthals 11:04 Insight into Indiana’s expanding stormwater programs. “400 is 94–96% of the permitted entities.” – Reggie Korthals 13:00 Advice for newer participants and elected officials. 15:02 Agriculture & Stormwater Intersections  “It was very educational, understanding each other's point of view.” – Ty Garmon 15:54 Potential for broader regional partnerships and legacy reflection. “I'd love to see Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky do something together.” – Reggie Korthals 16:53 Final Thoughts: Communicating with Electeds. Reggie emphasizes education and messaging. “Explain what you're doing for all your constituents.” – Reggie Korthals 18:45 How to make stormwater a public priority. “We talk to each other a lot. How do we make stormwater cool enough to get the public interested?” – Ty Garmon 19:44 Closing Reflections  “Water doesn’t care where the MS4 ends or begins. The better we can work together as a team, the better water we can get.” – Reggie Korthals In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon sits down with Reggie Korthals, a seasoned environmental professional and founder of the Indiana MS4 Partnership, to reflect on her 25+ year career in stormwater management. Reggie shares how the MS4 Annual Meeting grew from county fairgrounds to a nationally recognized event, celebrates the record-setting 400 attendees this year, and announces her upcoming retirement after 17 years of leadership. From her early inspiration by President Kennedy to her commitment to mentoring the next generation, Reggie emphasizes the importance of collaboration, clear communication with elected officials, and ongoing public education to improve water quality. Her closing message is a reminder that "water doesn’t care where the MS4 ends or begins”—underscoring the need for unified action across communities.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Reggie Korthals: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reggie-korthals-mpa-ms4ceci-788a49160/ Indiana MS4 Partnership LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/indiana-ms4-partnership/posts/?feedView=all Website: https://www.indianams4.org/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed [00:03:00] • Ty introduces Navy and Dan: “Together they launched Kai Pono Solutions, combining their love for the ocean with serious business and engineering know-how.” – Ty Garmon [00:05:00] • Navy shares her entrepreneurial journey: “I knew I had to do something I was passionate about. I wanted to do something around ocean conservation.” – Navy McKee [00:07:00] • Dan recalls his original stormwater design: “Every single time, the streets were flooding. I always just thought, this is silly.” – Dan McKee [00:10:00] • Dan introduces Navy to stormwater: “I broke out some old drawings I had, and we went for a walk opening manhole lids.” – Dan McKee [00:12:00] • What makes their solution different: “Nobody is really doing what we're doing. We filter water at the curb gutter line, not inside the storm drain.” – Navy McKee [00:16:00] • Development timeline: “The turbocharge happened in 2020. We’ve been doing testing, R&D, and manufacturing over the past five years.” – Navy McKee [00:20:00] • Branding and public engagement: “We really want to make it different. We want to make stormwater cool.” – Navy McKee [00:23:00] • Product modularity and scale: “They’re kind of like Legos for engineers. You can add as many of these basins as you want.” – Navy McKee [00:27:00] • Data-driven innovation: “We want to help people understand flow rates, contaminants, and maintenance cycles.” – Navy McKee [00:30:00] • Emphasis on realistic maintenance: “If you don’t maintain our device, it’s not going to flood your city.” – Navy McKee [00:33:00] • Call for connections and partnerships: “We just want to be your friends and meet more people in the space.” – Navy McKee In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon is joined by Navy and Dan McKee, co-founders of Kai Pono Solutions, who share the story behind their innovative curbside stormwater filtration system designed to prevent clogging and flooding while delivering clean discharge water. What began as a long-shelved design by Dan evolved into a modern solution through Navy’s passion for ocean conservation and a startup-minded approach to stormwater. Together, they discuss the product’s unique features, including its modular design, ease of maintenance, and flexibility with filtration media, as well as their journey navigating regulatory hurdles, startup funding, and industry adoption. Their mission is clear: to build a cleaner, more accessible future for water quality, one storm drain at a time. The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Navy McKee: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/navy-mckee/ Kai Pono LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kai-pono-solutions/ Kai Pono Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaiponosolutions/?hl=en Kai Pono Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Kai-Pono-Solutions/100063887362828/?_rdr Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.kaiponosolutions.com/ Video Link:    Connect with Dan McKee: Email: [email protected]   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed 00:01 – Opening + Guest Intros Ty welcomes Joe and Amanda Amanda’s role as MS4 coordinator in Porter County Joe’s experience as a vendor and MS4 partner volunteer “What we're going to talk about today is something near and dear to my heart—Indiana stormwater and MS4 programs.” – Ty 03:07 – Public & Private Sector Collaboration Strong relationships between regulators and vendors The MS4 Partnership bridges both sides “It’s one of my favorite things about the organization—problem-solving with people across the industry.” – Joe 04:46 – Real-World Interaction Across Sectors Amanda has consulted Joe directly on field issues The value of practical cross-communication “It helps to know there are passionate people on both sides working toward the same end.” – Amanda 06:29 – Conference History and Growth Launched in 2007 with no funding Now a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit Volunteer-led board, annual growth in attendees “I remember not having any revenue at all... and now we walk in with professional A/V teams and packed agendas.” – Joe 10:22 – Who Should Attend? MS4s, consultants, local elected officials, engineers Targets both newcomers and seasoned professionals State education hour requirements attract regulars “Whether you’re brand new or 30 years in, the sessions are designed to provide value.” – Amanda 13:32 – MCM-Focused Education Goes beyond construction to cover all six MCMs Regional successes and permit update discussions “We don’t just focus on construction—this is about every MCM in the MS4 permit.” – Joe 15:34 – 2025 Agenda Preview Theme inspired by EPA’s “Stormwater Never Travels Alone” Morning sessions include national perspectives and regional case studies Afternoon focuses on illicit discharge, construction, social media education “We're trying to reduce pollutants and invest in our communities through stormwater practices.” – Amanda 20:00 – National Integration National speakers like Luke Owen and Corey Rayburn Cross-state discussions (Ohio River Basin, ORBA, SENCO) “We don’t need to rewrite the script—we need to see what’s working elsewhere and bring it here.” – Joe 23:04 – Evolving Board & Mission Board made up of working MS4 professionals Passionate about real-world problem solving Peer-to-peer program building and funding support “We’re hearing directly from MS4s and feeding that back into the conference design.” – Amanda 25:26 – Support Beyond the Main Conference Helping fund local and regional training initiatives Support for Coastal Program, NYSWAG, and more “This board is now capable of extending its reach well beyond one annual event.” – Joe 31:18 – IDEM Construction Workshop Day (May 12) Separate IDEM-led workshop on inspections Main annual meeting happens May 13 “If you want the latest from IDEM on inspections, that first day is where you need to be.” – Amanda 33:47 – Vendor and Networking Focus Over 90 minutes built-in for vendor interaction Vendors treated as educators and key partners “There’s a lot of education in those vendor booths—this event values those conversations.” – Joe Key Quotes “One of my most favorite things about the entire organization is the ability… to problem solve with folks like Amanda.”– Joe Moore “It helps to know there are passionate people on both sides of the coin working toward the same end.”– Amanda Vandenoever “We don’t need to rewrite the script—we need to see what’s working elsewhere and bring it here.”– Joe Moore “We're trying to reduce pollutants and invest in our communities through stormwater practices.”– Amanda Vandenoever “There’s a lot of education in those vendor booths—this event values those conversations.”– Joe Moore In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon is joined by Amanda Vandenoever and Joe Moore to preview the 2025 Indiana MS4 Annual Meeting, taking place May 12–13 in Plainfield. They discuss the growth of the event from its grassroots beginnings in 2007 to a leading educational platform for stormwater professionals across Indiana. The conversation highlights the collaboration between regulators, consultants, and vendors, the comprehensive agenda covering all six MCMs, and the value of national perspectives being brought to a local stage. With sessions on green infrastructure, construction inspections, social media outreach, and more, the event promises to be both practical and inspiring for MS4 professionals.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Check out the Conference: Indiana MS4 Annual Meeting: https://www.indianams4.org/2025-annual-meeting-ms4 Indiana MS4 Partnership LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/indiana-ms4-partnership/posts/?feedView=all   Connect with Joe Moore: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemoore6/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://erosionconstructionsolutions.com/   Connect with Amanda Vandenoever: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-vandenoever-594a28126/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://portercountystormwater.org/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/portercountystormwatermanagement   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed [00:00:00] • “Erosion control is like insurance. The thief who's going to come rob your house is that storm...” — Mark Myrowich [00:02:00] • Introduction to guest Mark Myrowich and his background in erosion control innovation. • Creator of several industry firsts, including the hydraulic biotic soil amendment category. [00:04:30] • What is Ditch 2.0? Reimagining the ditch as more than a drainage channel. • “Let’s not just make it a conveyance of water… what else can we build into a ditch?” — Mark Myrowich [00:08:00] • Building soils that retain water and support long-term vegetation health. • “You’re not just protecting structure—you’re protecting value.” [00:10:30] • “How much carbon can we store in a ditch, and should we be designing infrastructure with that in mind?” — Mark Myrowich [00:12:30] • Origins of biotic soil amendments from Northern Canada’s moss-based ecosystems. • Using hydroseeding to deliver life directly into poor soils. [00:16:00] • Challenging the "we’ve always done it that way" mentality. • Cost comparisons between traditional topsoil hauling and using biotic amendments. [00:18:00] • “The cost of what you want to spend on erosion control should be proportionate to what you're trying to protect.” — Mark Myrowich [00:25:30] • Understanding plant growth basics: food, air, light, and temperature—not necessarily soil. [00:27:30] • “Mother Nature takes 50 to 100 years… we can do it in weeks.” — Mark Myrowich • Mimicking natural processes for faster soil health and vegetation success. [00:30:00] • The story behind industrial hemp as an alternative to coconut fiber in erosion control. • Hemp as a sustainable, North American-grown material for erosion blankets. [00:32:00] • Mark’s upcoming innovation: a 100% natural, netless, stapleless hemp blanket. [00:34:00] • The Rifle Staple Gun: Designed for contractors who want speed and comfort on the job. • Also used in landscaping, farming, and film production. [00:35:30] • Community connection: Facebook group “Hydroseeding/Erosion Control Professionals” with over 4,000 members. [00:37:30] • Final thoughts: “Think quantum, not linear. You're not just building ditches, you're building the future.” — Mark Myrowich   Key Quotes “Erosion control is like insurance. The thief who's going to come rob your house is that storm—and you don’t know when he’s going to hit, or how hard.” ~ Mark Myrowich “Let’s not just make it a conveyance of water. What else can we do? What else can we build into a ditch to provide more benefit?” ~ Mark Myrowich “If we can hold water in the soil, we can reduce downstream flooding, grow stronger vegetation, and even store carbon. That’s Ditch 2.0.” ~ Mark Myrowich “Mother Nature takes 50 to 100 years to build healthy soil. We can now do that in weeks by mimicking her biology.” ~ Mark Myrowich “If you're young in this industry, don't think everything's been invented. Think quantum, not linear—you're not just building ditches, you're building the future.” ~ Mark Myrowich In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon talks with Mark Myrowich from ECBVerdyol introduces “Ditch 2.0”—a new way to think about ditch design that goes far beyond moving water. Mark shares how erosion control can become a tool for building healthier soils, reducing downstream flooding, and storing carbon. He explains the science behind biotic soil amendments, the value of biomimicry, and how small shifts in design can lead to big environmental gains. The conversation blends practical insights with innovative thinking, encouraging engineers and contractors to rethink the purpose and potential of the humble ditch. The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Mark Myrowich: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bioticearth/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://ecb.ca/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/BioticEarth   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/ Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed Timestamps & Key Topics [00:04:00] – NRCS Project: Riverbank Armoring Without Riprap Eroding farmland and an at-risk road along the West Fork of the Des Moines River Used Tesco units filled with native soil and armored with ArmorMax Entire project required zero imported aggregate “This entire couple thousand feet of riverbank required exactly zero aggregate.” – Kevin Good [00:14:00] – Extreme Rainfall: Highway Armoring with Flexamat Interstate 680 (Iowa) vulnerable to Missouri River overtopping 3 miles of Flexamat installed to prevent scour and failure Fast response using asphalt and soil over tied concrete mats “We didn’t even get the mat all the way in before the water came again.” – Kevin Good [00:25:00] – Bridge Scour Protection: 2-Ton Rock Bags Wisconsin DOT bridge on Lake Superior had up to 14 feet of scour Installed 100+ two-ton rock bags using a rowboat and crane Allowed sediment to filter in and stabilize the footings “You can’t use geotextile in the middle of a stream—but you can use these.” – Kevin Good [00:34:00] – Aging Infrastructure: Concrete Canvas in Culverts Henry County’s 84" culvert had rusted out at the invert Installed concrete canvas lining in one day Local crews saved over $110,000 vs. full replacement “If you catch it early, you can fix a culvert for a tenth of the price.” – Kevin Good [00:41:00] – Irrigation Canal Lining with Concrete Canvas Twin Loops Irrigation District in Nebraska Used 6-foot-wide rolls to reline cracked concrete canals Installed in rainy conditions with minimal crew “We rolled out new material and gave this canal another 100 years.” – Kevin Good [00:47:00] – Stormwater Inlet Protection: A Source Control Case Study Des Moines neighborhood tracked sediment from just two inlets Over 200 lbs of dried sediment collected in one year Led to public education campaign for homeowners “One month the fire department had to respond—the storm sewer was on fire from dried sediment and hydraulic fluid.” – Kevin Good Key Quotes “If you catch it early, you can fix a culvert for a tenth of the price.” – Kevin Good, on using Concrete Canvas to repair rusted culverts before failure “This entire couple thousand feet of riverbank required exactly zero aggregate." – Kevin Good, describing an NRCS riverbank stabilization project using Tesco units and ArmorMax  "The mat will hold up to the hydraulics… and not undermine the interstate." – Kevin Good, on Flexamat being used to protect Iowa highways from overtopping "You can’t use geotextile in the middle of a stream—but you can use these." – Kevin Good, on deploying 2-ton rock bags for bridge scour protection in flowing water “One month the fire department had to respond—the storm sewer was on fire from dried sediment and hydraulic fluid.”  – Kevin Good, recounting a dramatic moment during inlet filter testing in Des Moines In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon talks with Kevin Good from Coleman Moore Company. Kevin shares real-world stormwater project insights, showcasing practical solutions for erosion control, culvert rehabilitation, and flood resilience. From riverbank stabilization using ArmorMax and Tesco units to highway protection with Flexamat and bridge scour repair with two-ton rock bags, Kevin walks through field-tested applications that save time and money. He also discusses innovative uses of Concrete Canvas in aging infrastructure and irrigation canals, as well as stormwater inlet protection efforts tied to public education. Packed with visuals, data, and field experience, this episode is a hands-on look at stormwater products in action.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Kevin Good: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevintgood/ Email: [email protected] Concrete Canvas USA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coleman-moore-company/posts/?feedView=all Website: https://www.colemanmoorecompany.com/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed Timestamps & Key Topics [00:00:00] – Introduction "If we're going to clean up this world, it's going to require some elbow grease." – Brian Deurloo Explanation of how the Gutter Bin is cleaned and maintained. [00:02:00] – Meet Brian Deurloo & Frog Creek Partners Brian’s background in mining engineering and oil & gas. The inspiration behind Frog Creek Partners and the Gutter Bin stormwater filtration system. "I literally shot up in bed with an idea for a filter that goes in storm drains." – Brian Deurloo [00:06:00] – The Cigarette Butt Problem The moment in Boston that sparked Brian’s focus on stormwater pollution. "One smoked cigarette butt placed into a liter of water with ten minnows will kill half the fish in four days." – Brian Deurloo [00:12:00] – Stormwater Pollution & Data Collection How the Gutter Bin collects data on pollution levels. "We built an app that tracks where every Gutter Bin is installed, when it was last cleaned, and how much pollution has been captured." – Brian Deurloo Impact data from Vail, Colorado, where 22,000 pounds of pollution have been diverted. [00:18:00] – Raising Public Awareness on Stormwater The lack of general public knowledge about stormwater pollution. "The average person still has no clue. 13 years in, nobody understands what I do." – Ty Brian’s vision for a major public awareness campaign, possibly a Super Bowl ad. [00:23:00] – Custom Storm Grate Covers & Public Engagement The initiative to design storm grate covers with custom branding to make stormwater filtration visible. "We put logos and colors on storm grates so people notice them and ask, 'What is that all about?'" – Brian Deurloo [00:27:00] – Mosquito Vector Control & Trash Capture Regulations How California’s stormwater regulations influenced Gutter Bin design. "Our filters allow for mosquito larvicide application without needing removal, making them fully compliant with California’s vector control regulations." – Brian Deurloo [00:32:00] – UN Conference in Saudi Arabia on AI & Water Security Brian’s experience speaking at COP16 on AI’s role in water security. "I deleted the invitation email twice, thinking it was a scam!" – Brian Deurloo AI’s potential for analyzing decades of water quality data to make informed environmental decisions. [00:39:00] – AI & Digital Twins in Stormwater Management How AI can create digital twins of stormwater infrastructure to predict flooding, pollution sources, and water quality trends. "AI can clear the logjam of water data and help cities make smarter decisions on stormwater management." – Brian Deurloo [00:44:00] – The Future of Frog Creek Partners & Call to Action Brian’s vision for scaling up stormwater pollution prevention across major watersheds. "My goal is to install 10,000 or even 100,000 Gutter Bins in a single project, diverting millions of pounds of pollution." – Brian Deurloo A call for partnerships with corporations, municipalities, and environmental organizations to expand stormwater filtration solutions. Key Quotes "If we're going to clean up this world, it's going to require some elbow grease. Nothing's going to come easy, but you can try to make it as easy as possible." – Brian Deurloo "One smoked cigarette butt placed into a liter of water with ten minnows will kill half the fish in four days." – Brian Deurloo  "AI can clear the logjam of water data and help cities make smarter decisions on stormwater management. We’ve been collecting this data for decades—now we need to put it to work." – Brian Deurloo "The average person still has no clue. Thirteen years in, nobody understands what I do." – Ty Garmon In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty interviews Brian Deurloo, President and Founder of Frog Creek Partners, to discuss stormwater pollution, the development of the Gutter Bin filtration system, and the role of AI in water security. Brian shares his journey from the oil and gas industry to environmental entrepreneurship, detailing how a trip to Boston sparked his passion for stormwater filtration. They dive into the alarming impact of cigarette butts on waterways, the importance of data-driven stormwater management, and how AI can help analyze decades of water quality data for better decision-making. Brian also recounts his recent experience speaking at the UN’s COP16 conference in Saudi Arabia and his vision for large-scale watershed protection through innovative partnerships.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Brian Deurloo: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-deurloo-008a2414/ Email: [email protected] Concrete Canvas USA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/frog-creek-partners/ Website: https://frogcreek.partners/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed [00:00:00] - Introduction Host Ty introduces the topic and guest, Nathan Ivy. Quote (Ty): "We're going to be talking a whole lot of concrete, which I know is near and dear to my wife’s heart as a civil PE." Nathan shares the origin of Concrete Canvas and its initial use as rapidly deployable shelters for humanitarian aid. [00:04:00] - What is Concrete Canvas? Concrete Canvas is a flexible, fabric-like material that hardens when hydrated. Quote (Nathan Ivy): "It’s a three-dimensional spacer fabric filled with concrete. You roll it out, anchor it, hydrate it, and in 24 hours, you have between 70 to 80 percent of the ultimate compressive strength." [00:06:00] - How It Works GCCM (Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mat) has three thicknesses for different applications. Quote (Nathan Ivy): "Type 1 is the thinnest, used for light erosion control. Type 3 is the thickest and strongest, used for the most extreme environments." [00:10:00] - Applications & Case Studies Used in tank storage facilities, drainage channels, and industrial sites. Quote (Nathan Ivy): "We lined a drainage ditch for Chevron in Houston in just three hours, preventing further erosion and water loss." Also used for landfill protection and irrigation canal lining. [00:16:00] - Installation Challenges & Lessons Learned Common installation mistakes: not using anchor trenches, improper surface preparation. Quote (Nathan Ivy): "If you're just going to peg it down, you might as well go to Walmart and buy a tarp because water will get underneath and wash it out." [00:20:00] - Cost & Efficiency Compared to Traditional Methods Costs around $4-$6 per square foot installed, significantly cheaper and faster than shotcrete or poured concrete. Quote (Nathan Ivy): "We expect a lifespan of up to 120 years for slope protection applications." [00:27:00] - Environmental Considerations & Water Flow Can be installed underwater and maintains structural integrity. Used to reduce seepage in irrigation canals, with one project in California showing a 96% reduction in water loss. [00:33:00] - Global Uses & Future of Concrete Canvas Widely used in Japan for weed suppression around road signs. Expanding in U.S. markets like petrochemical containment, drainage, and erosion control. [00:37:00] - Final Thoughts Nathan shares his contact info for technical questions. Ty wraps up, mentioning that his wife, a civil engineer, will love this episode. Key Quotes "We expect a lifespan of up to 120 years for slope protection applications. Drainage applications can be more like 50 years, depending on water flow and environmental conditions." – Nathan Ivy "We lined a quarter-mile irrigation canal in California in just three and a half days, and after testing, they saw a more than 96% reduction in seepage." – Nathan Ivy "Municipalities are always hurting for budget, and this seems like a solution that saves money and lasts longer—why aren’t more of them using this?" – Ty Garmon In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon speaks with Nathan Ivy, Technical Manager at Concrete Canvas USA, about an innovative erosion control solution known as geosynthetic cementitious composite mats (GCCM). Nathan explains how Concrete Canvas works, its durability, and its cost-effective applications in stormwater management, petrochemical containment, and infrastructure repair. They discuss real-world projects, including a Chevron drainage ditch relining and an irrigation canal in California that saw a 96% reduction in water seepage. Nathan also shares key lessons learned from installation mistakes and how municipalities can use this technology to extend infrastructure life while saving costs.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Nathan Ivy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-ivy-4542b823/ Email: [email protected] Concrete Canvas USA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/concrete-canvas-usa/ Website: https://www.concretecanvas.com/us/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed [00:00:00] – Introduction Todd discusses a focus group that shaped the Pay Dirt event. "We really want to take away the excuse of 'I didn’t know.' We wanted them to be comfortable knowing the regulations and why they exist." – Todd Clark [00:02:00] – About Todd Clark Todd shares his background in conservation, stormwater management, and agriculture. He discusses his experience managing Elkhart County’s stormwater and MS4 regulations. [00:08:00] – The Birth of Pay Dirt How COVID-19 forced them to rethink contractor education. Bringing together stormwater and agriculture under one event. "Why do farmers get a pass? We realized stormwater affects both industries, and we needed a conversation between them." – Todd Clark [00:15:00] – Branding the Event for Success The importance of giving the event a unique identity. "We wanted people to ask, ‘When is Pay Dirt next year?’ That’s when you know you’ve built something lasting." – Todd Clark [00:20:00] – Structure of the Event Two-day event: One day for agriculture, one for stormwater. Unexpected crossover—stormwater professionals interested in agriculture topics and vice versa. [00:30:00] – Changes for Pay Dirt 2025 Moving to a larger, upgraded venue. Combining agriculture and stormwater tracks for more interaction. "Some sessions will force people to make tough choices—because they apply to both stormwater and ag." – Todd Clark [00:33:00] – Expanding the Conversation A speaker from Minnesota will present on large-scale stormwater retention projects in agriculture. Collaboration with the University of Notre Dame to identify ideal retention locations. [00:36:00] – The Vendor Experience & Evening Reception How vendors play a crucial role in stormwater innovation. Pay Dirt 2025 will include a networking reception with a keynote from the former superintendent of Indiana Dunes National Park. [00:40:00] – Water Quality = Quality of Life "In Elkhart County, it’s about water quality of life—because good water quality means a better quality of life for everyone." – Todd Clark [00:45:00] – The Future of Pay Dirt Balancing growth with maintaining a meaningful, impactful event. Expanding digital access so more people can benefit from Pay Dirt. "We have to erase county lines, erase state lines—water doesn’t care about borders." – Todd Clark Key Quotes "We really want to take away the excuse of 'I didn’t know.' We wanted them to be comfortable knowing the regulations and why they exist." – Todd Clark "Why do farmers get a pass? We realized stormwater affects both industries, and we needed a conversation between them." – Todd Clark "Water doesn’t care where agriculture stops and an MS4 starts. It’s all connected, and we need to work together." – Todd Clark "In Elkhart County, it’s about water quality of life—because good water quality means a better quality of life for everyone." – Todd Clark In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon speaks with Todd Clark from the Elkhart County SWCD about Pay Dirt 2025, a unique event that brings together agriculture and stormwater professionals to address water management challenges. Todd shares how the event started, its impact on bridging gaps between industries, and the changes coming in 2025, including a larger venue, combined educational tracks, and a stronger focus on collaboration. He emphasizes the importance of water quality as a foundation for community well-being and the need for proactive stormwater solutions. With growing attendance and national interest, Pay Dirt is shaping up to be a must-attend event for stormwater and agricultural stakeholders alike.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Todd Clark: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-clark-2b3859329/ Email: [email protected] Pay Dirt Website: https://www.elkcoswcd.org/pay-dirt/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed 00:01 - Introduction Ty Garmon: "Welcome back to the Stormwater World podcast... today I’m excited to have Jerry Sanders, President of the IECA." 02:39 - Jerry's Journey and IECA’s Impact Jerry Sanders: "When I first attended IECA in 1997, I realized what I had been missing... I met people from all over the world and learned techniques I hadn’t seen before." 05:12 - Business Growth Through IECA Jerry shares how becoming a material and technique expert allowed his business to thrive and eventually be sold to Cardinal Strategies. Jerry Sanders: "Once I started learning, my business exploded." 07:08 - Giving Back to IECA Jerry discusses his transition to IECA leadership and his focus on building member engagement. "Every member is an asset. The more they get involved, the better the association becomes." 09:05 - From Discussion to Action: IECA Initiatives Jerry highlights recent progress in implementing education programs and international outreach. 15:07 - The Value of Conferences and Networking Ty Garmon: "You’re not the decision-maker today, but you will be tomorrow." Jerry encourages attendees to connect with vendors and peers to expand their knowledge. 19:01 - International Outreach and Bioengineering Innovations Jerry explains the global exchange of erosion control techniques and challenges. 23:41 - The Future of IECA Jerry Sanders: "Membership is growing, and our regional education efforts are stronger. The future is bright." 25:50 - Closing Thoughts Jerry Sanders: "Stormwater is an ongoing problem. The only way it gets solved is if we all pull together. IECA is one of the best bridge builders out there." Key Quotes "Every member is an asset... involvement pays off for the association." - Jerry Sanders "The more you know, the better off you are." - Jerry Sanders "You’re not the decision-maker today, but you will be tomorrow." - Ty Garmon In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon speaks with Jerry Sanders, President of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA). Jerry reflects on his career journey, the impact of IECA on his business growth, and his commitment to giving back through leadership. He highlights the importance of education, global collaboration, and member engagement within IECA, sharing insights into upcoming initiatives and the value of networking at the annual conference. Jerry emphasizes that solving stormwater challenges requires collective effort and invites listeners to join the IECA Annual Conference in Richmond, VA, this February.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Jerry Sanders: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-sanders-1865089/ Email: [email protected]   Connect with IECA: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/930007/ IECA Website: https://connect.ieca.org/home 2025 Annual Conference February 25-28 in Richmond, VA: https://ieca2025.eventscribe.net/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed 00:00 - Introduction Ty introduces the guests and the topic: “We’re going to talk about IECA and how it supports professionals in the erosion control and stormwater industry.” 03:06 - Julie on IECA’s Education Mission “IECA champions education forward... It’s not just about products. It’s about solving real-world problems.” – Julie Morelli 04:48 - Jeff on IECA’s Programs Jeff explains the University Partnership Program: “It’s about providing students opportunities to network, present, and connect with industry professionals.” 07:53 - Julie on Building Careers Through Relationships “Your career is a series of relationships. IECA creates a space for those connections that can last a lifetime.” – Julie Morelli 10:44 - Ty on the Value of Relationships Ty highlights industry camaraderie: “This industry can feel lonely. Relationships you make in IECA help you tackle challenges together.” 11:41 - Julie’s IECA Experience “IECA taught me to speak everyone’s language—contractors, regulators, engineers—and bridge those conversations to shared outcomes.” – Julie Morelli 14:24 - Jeff on Professional Growth Jeff reflects on his involvement: “IECA gave me a new perspective, and now I’m sitting through classes, learning, and growing professionally.” 23:29 - Regional Conference Announcement Jeff announces the next South Central Chapter conference: “October 7-8, 2024, in Oklahoma City. The region has shown growing enthusiasm for stormwater quality.” 27:18 - Julie as Keynote Speaker Jeff praises Julie’s expertise: “Julie walked off the jetway and knocked it out of the park as our keynote. She’s a phenomenal speaker and educator.” Final Thoughts Jeff and Julie share why IECA is more than just conferences. It’s a platform for education, leadership, and building meaningful industry relationships. “Put yourself out there. Join IECA, attend events, and engage with the community to get the most value.” – Jeff King Key Quotes Julie Morelli on the Value of IECA: "Your career is a series of relationships. IECA creates a space for those connections that can last a lifetime." Jeff King on Professional Development: "IECA gave me a new perspective, and now I’m sitting through classes, learning, and growing professionally." Ty Garmon on Industry Camaraderie: "This industry can feel lonely. Relationships you make in IECA help you tackle challenges together." In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon speaks with Jeff King, President of the South Central Chapter of IECA, and Julie Morelli, Vice President of Technical for the chapter, about the benefits of joining the International Erosion Control Association (IECA). They discuss IECA's focus on education, networking, and professional development, highlighting programs like the University Partnership Program and the Young Professionals Program. Julie shares how IECA has helped her bridge communication between stakeholders in the stormwater industry, while Jeff emphasizes how the organization has enriched his professional growth and industry relationships. The guests also announce upcoming events, including the 2024 South Central Chapter Conference in Oklahoma City.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Jeff King, CPESC: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-king-a0ba9282/ Email: [email protected]   Connect with Julie Morelli, PG, REM, CPESC, ENV SP: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-morelli-9437344/   Connect with IECA: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/930007/ IECA Website: https://connect.ieca.org/home 2025 Annual Conference: https://ieca2025.eventscribe.net/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Stormwater World Episode 039: CISEC is now Ecopliant! with Shauna Nevin from Ecopliant Environmental.   Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed 00:00 – Introduction: Ty introduces Shauna Nevin and Ecopliant Environmental, diving into how CISEC has evolved into Ecopliant. "It's always cool to get to talk to your friends. Thanks for taking the time to come on the podcast." – Ty Garmon 01:16 – What is CISEC? Shauna explains CISEC as Certified Inspectors in Sediment Erosion Control and details its significance in construction site compliance. "You take trainings and a full examination, and once certified, you're qualified to inspect construction sites officially." – Shauna Nevin 04:08 – Training Options: Details on in-person, live webinars, and self-paced online training for CISEC certification. "You can go live online, live in person, or webinar style at your own pace." – Ty Garmon 07:03 – Upcoming Training: Announcement of live training sessions at the IECA conference in Richmond, Virginia, February 24–25. 09:45 – Rebranding: Shauna discusses the evolution of CISEC into Ecopliant Environmental, expanding services beyond certification. "CISEC is still CISEC. We just rebranded under Ecopliant to align with growing global needs." – Shauna Nevin 13:46 – New Offerings: Introduction of the CISEC Institute, lunch-and-learn sessions, continuing education credits, and a new Certified Designer program. "The more education we can provide, the better people can do their jobs in the field." – Shauna Nevin 17:35 – California Updates: Shauna discusses new California regulations and their implications for CISEC certifications. 22:12 – Certified Designer Program: Overview of the advanced certification for sediment and erosion control designers. "Effective sediment and erosion control requires expertise in engineering, soil science, meteorology, and more." – Shauna Nevin 25:12 – Resources: Ty highlights the value of training manuals provided by CISEC and Ecopliant. "Those manuals are pretty thick… and pretty cool, as far as stormwater is concerned." – Ty Garmon Key Quotes "Our goal is to offer opportunities for continuing education in the field, no matter where you are." – Shauna Nevin "If you've got the certification, go ahead and keep it—it’s your ticket to opportunities across states." – Ty Garmon In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon speaks with Shauna Nevin of Ecopliant Environmental about the evolution of CISEC (Certified Inspectors in Sediment Erosion Control) under the Ecopliant brand. They discuss the comprehensive training and certification process for CISEC, new offerings like lunch-and-learns, continuing education credits, and the Certified Designer program. Shauna highlights how Ecopliant's expanded resources and partnerships, such as with the IECA, are helping professionals stay compliant and excel in the field of sediment and erosion control. The episode also covers updates on California regulations and the importance of maintaining certifications to ensure career flexibility and readiness.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Shauna: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-nevin-ba5984331/ Ecopliant Environmental, Inc. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecopliant-inc/ Website: https://ecopliant.org/ Email: [email protected]   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Stormwater World Episode 038: StormCon Canada with Luca Curti, Business Development Manager.   Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed 00:00 – 01:22: Welcome and introduction of guest "We’re talking Canadian StormCon today with Mr. Luca Curti. He’s the business development manager with 10 years of experience." – Ty Garmon 01:22 – 02:16: What is CSA B184? “CSAB 184 is a standard for arch chambers… stormwater management facilities in arch chamber form.” – Luca Curti 03:31 – 05:39: Unboxing the StormCon swag "You guys have got good swag, Luca!" – Ty Garmon 09:04 – 13:15: Real estate challenges drive stormwater innovation “We’re looking to eliminate conventional stormwater management ponds and build underground.” – Luca Curti 14:01 – 16:44: Why CSA standardization for stormwater crates matters “Not all crates are created equal… These systems are meant to last 50+ years.” – Luca Curti 18:03 – 20:41: Designing for structural integrity and maintenance “We’ve considered fail-safes… Ensuring accessibility for inspection and maintenance was key.” – Luca Curti 22:55 – 24:26: Public education and stormwater awareness “The general public often doesn’t get it… We need to think ahead, 50+ years down the line.” – Luca Curti 26:02 – 27:56: Future growth opportunities for StormCon Canada “We’re primarily in Ontario now, but stormwater needs exist in the U.S. too.” – Luca Curti 29:11 – 30:49: Closing thoughts and what’s next for StormCon “Water knows no borders. Anytime we can work together for cleaner water is a good thing.” – Ty Garmon Key Quotes “Water doesn’t know borders. That’s the important thing.” – Ty Garmon “It’s all about unlocking real estate that would otherwise be lost.” – Luca Curti “We’re not just thinking for now. We’re thinking about the next 50+ years.” – Luca Curti   In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon speaks with Luca Curti, Business Development Manager at StormCon Canada, to discuss innovative stormwater management solutions in Canada. Luca explains the push for CSA standardization of stormwater crates, highlighting their structural integrity, maintenance accessibility, and long-term benefits for urban real estate. The conversation touches on replacing traditional stormwater ponds with underground solutions like GreenStorm, which maximize land use in high-cost areas while ensuring effective water management. Luca emphasizes the importance of forward-thinking infrastructure that serves growing populations and withstands decades of use.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Luca Curti: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luca-curti-790789119/ Stormcon Products Inc. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stormcon-ca/ Website: https://stormcon.ca/ Email: [email protected]   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Stormwater World Episode 037: Lets Talk About Your SWPPP with Kristin Holland, PE, CPESC from CoyleSWPPP.   Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed Introduction (0:01) Ty Garmon: “Today we are going to talk about something extremely important, which would be your SWPPP.” Guest: Kristin Holland, Professional Engineer and CPESC, discusses SWPPP design, inspections, and overcoming common industry challenges. SWPPP as an Afterthought (2:11) Kristin Holland: “The erosion and sediment control is a very small part of the budget, and the design is even smaller. It's not one of the deadlines that make or break a project.” Challenges of SWPPP being overlooked until late in the construction process. What is a SWPPP? (5:31) Kristin Holland: “A SWPPP’s job is to take a construction site, which is inherently dirty, and make it as clean as you can.” Ty Garmon: “It’s a living, breathing thing. It changes during the project.” Key Challenges in Implementation (8:18) Kristin Holland: “Incorrect installation of BMPs is the main issue we see—rock on the wrong side of a ditch check or not trenched in properly.” Notable Projects (12:15) Insights into the Brent Spence Bridge project: Progressive design-build approach allows early SWPPP integration. Kristin Holland: “Being involved before 30% plans means we avoid after-the-fact changes.” Communication is Key (22:39) Kristin Holland: “A lot can be solved with a phone call. Communication is the best BMP.” The importance of contractor collaboration to prevent unnecessary costs or efforts. Lessons Learned (17:59) Managing community expectations on a project that discharged into a local pond. Kristin Holland: “It wasn’t a failure, but a lesson in managing expectations and showing good faith efforts.” Future of Stormwater Management (30:46) Cross-state collaboration and evolving SWPPP requirements: Kristin Holland: “More people care about the environment, and I hope that keeps trending upwards.” Memorable Quotes Ty Garmon: “Your SWPPP is not a transaction; it’s a relationship.” Kristin Holland: “Communication is the best BMP. A lot of issues can be avoided with a quick call.” Kristin Holland: “We’re trying to keep the dirt and the water in their own lanes.” In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon speaks with Kristin Holland, owner and VP of Coyle SWPPP Professionals, to discuss the critical yet often overlooked role of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) in construction projects. Kristin highlights common challenges such as late-stage planning, incorrect BMP installations, and the need for better communication among contractors. She shares insights from notable projects, like the Brent Spence Bridge, where early SWPPP integration proved beneficial, and underscores the importance of treating SWPPPs as dynamic, collaborative tools rather than static requirements. With a focus on innovation and environmental responsibility, Kristin envisions a future where stormwater management becomes a greater priority across the construction industry.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Kristin Holland, P.E., CPESC: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinemilie/ Coyle SWPPP Professionals LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coyle-swppp-professionals/ Website: https://coyleswppp.com/ Email: [email protected]    Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Stormwater World Episode 036: Mapping is Management with Ray Valley from Biobasemaps.   Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed [00:00:00] Introduction Host's welcome and background on GIS and mapping. Introduction of Ray Valley and Biobasemaps. [00:02:30] Defining "Mapping is Managing" Quote: "You can't protect what you don't measure. You can't restore what you don't measure." – Ray Valley How mapping enables effective resource management. [00:06:00] Applications in Stormwater Management Use of Biobasemaps for detention ponds and stormwater assessment. Quote: "Most communities don’t even know how much storage is left in their ponds." – Ray Valley [00:09:45] Leveraging Consumer Technology Use of sonar and GPS for affordable and scalable mapping. Steps for data collection, processing, and visualization. Quote: "You can put an intern on that boat, and they’ll get the exact same output as a hydrographer with 20 years of experience." – Ray Valley [00:17:30] Fit-for-Purpose Mapping Discussion on selecting the right methods for different projects. Applications and limitations of Biobasemaps for stormwater ponds. [00:29:45] Customer Support and Training Insights into Biobasemaps’ commitment to user education and support.   Notable Quotes: "Mapping is not the end goal; it’s the means to an end." – Ray Valley "We can determine a lot of things when we can see the data." – Ty Garmon "For mapping your community’s stormwater ponds, this is perfect. You could knock out 50 ponds in a summer." – Ray Valley In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon speaks with Ray Valley, aquatic ecologist and founder of Biobasemaps, to explore the transformative role of mapping in water resource management. Ray emphasizes that effective management begins with accurate measurement, explaining how Biobasemaps leverages consumer sonar and GPS technology to create affordable, scalable bathymetric maps for stormwater detention ponds, lakes, and other water bodies. He discusses the concept of "fit-for-purpose" mapping, showcasing how this approach delivers practical, cost-effective solutions for communities managing stormwater infrastructure. Ray also highlights the importance of visualization in decision-making and shares Biobasemaps’ commitment to user training and support, making advanced mapping accessible to professionals and beginners alike.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Ray Valley: LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-valley-0016944b/ BioBase LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/biobasemaps/posts/?feedView=all Website: https://www.biobasemaps.com/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Stormwater World Episode 035: Stormwater Awareness Week Workshop - SWPPP Radio & Stormwater World Podcast Collaboration.   Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed [00:00:00] Introduction Host: "We got some bonus content for you! If you missed Stormwater Awareness Week, there’s always next year, or you can go to stormwaterawareness.org and check out recorded workshops." Key Highlight: SWPPP Radio and Stormwater World team up for a joint podcast, discussing technology’s role in stormwater management. [00:03:00] Podcast Introductions Ty Garmon: "Hey, we’re back with another episode of the Stormwater World Podcast. Really excited to be here with the Stormwater Awareness folks and SWPPP Radio team." Matt Lewis (SWPPP Radio Host): Welcomes listeners and discusses the podcast’s focus on foundational training for inspectors. [00:04:30] The Impact of Podcasts in Stormwater Education Ty Garmon: "Podcasts bridge the gap in information for industry professionals and the public." Highlight: Insight into how podcasts serve as a tool for learning, even aiding new inspectors. [00:10:00] Technology in Stormwater: Guest Highlights Doug Buch (PaveDrain): "We’re proving how much water is being captured during storm events...and how that impacts maintenance costs." Matt Lewis: Discusses SWPPP Radio’s use of podcasts to provide professional development hours for listeners. [00:17:00] The Role of AI in SWPPP Development Jonathan Mast (AI Expert): "AI is a tool to amplify skill, not replace it. It needs guidance from experienced professionals." Key Insight: The potential for AI to streamline SWPPP processes, though it’s not a perfect substitute. [00:26:00] Inspections Go Digital: Cloud Comply Amy Grove (Cloud Comply): "Our goal is to eliminate redundant data entry, so inspectors can focus on compliance, not paperwork." Highlight: Demonstration of how Cloud Comply’s inspection app streamlines stormwater inspections. [00:43:00] Innovative Tools: PaveDrain and Data Tracking Doug Buch: "The InfilTracker in PaveDrain projects measures real-time stormwater infiltration, helping municipalities understand system performance." [00:54:00] Future of Technology in Stormwater Ty Garman: "Hopefully, technology will speed things up and push the stormwater industry to embrace innovation." John Taraskas: Reflects on the growth of Stormwater Awareness Week and the role of education and communication technology in reaching a global audience. Key Quotes: Jonathan Mast: “AI can get us 90% there, but it’s no substitute for the skill of trained professionals.” Matt Lewis: “Technology should reduce redundancy. If it’s done right, it keeps inspectors engaged and improves accuracy.” Doug Buch: “Every municipality should ask, ‘Are we getting the bang for our buck on stormwater infrastructure?’ Technology can help answer that.” Takeaways The Value of Podcasting: An effective, accessible way to share industry insights and professional development. Adopting AI: It’s a tool to assist, but expertise remains crucial. Digital Inspections: Tools like Cloud Comply reduce time spent on admin work, making field inspections more efficient. Real-Time Data Collection: Innovative systems like PaveDrain's InfilTracker provide accurate data on stormwater capture, aiding cost-effective maintenance. [01:00:00] Conclusion Hosts thank participants and listeners, looking forward to the continued growth of Stormwater Awareness Week and future innovations in the stormwater sector. In this special joint episode of SWPPP Radio and Stormwater World, hosts Matt Lewis and Ty Garmon bring together industry experts for Stormwater Awareness Week to discuss how technology is transforming stormwater management. Guests, including Doug Buch from PaveDrain, Aimee Grove from CloudCompli, and Jonathan Mast, an AI specialist, explore the role of digital tools, from podcasting and AI to inspection apps like Cloud Comply, in educating professionals and streamlining compliance. With examples like the InfilTracker, which measures stormwater infiltration in real-time, the conversation highlights the industry's shift towards innovation and the potential of technology to make stormwater practices more efficient and cost-effective. The episode emphasizes the value of these tools as enhancements to expertise, not replacements, underscoring a forward-thinking approach to stormwater management. The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.   Connect with John Teravskis and Matt Lewis: Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-teravskis-5aaa9339/ SWPPP Radio: https://swpppradio.org/ Website: https://www.stormwaterawareness.org/   Connect with Doug Buch: https://www.pavedrain.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougbuch/   Connect with Jonathan Mast: LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanjmast/ Website: https://whitebeardstrategies.com/   Connect with Aimee Grove: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimee-grove/ Website: https://www.cloudcompli.com/ email: [email protected]   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/ Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Stormwater World Episode 034: Creating the MS4CECI Online Course with Luke Owen from NPDES Training Institute. Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed [00:01:00] Introduction to MS4CECI: Luke explains the acronym and how the course covers both compliance and enforcement aspects of the MS4 operator's job. "The MS4 operator has to comply with their permits, but they also have to enforce as part of their job." — Luke Owen [00:03:00] The Role of Effective Training: Luke shares his belief that effective education and training are critical for clean surface water, emphasizing the importance of motivational techniques in teaching. "I really believe that we all want clean water... you've got to connect with people and inspire them along the way." — Luke Owen [00:05:30] The Evolution of Stormwater Regulations: Luke reflects on his experience working in different states and the differences in stormwater enforcement across regions, particularly in the West and Southeast U.S. "When I moved here [Georgia] 20 years ago, I had no idea the impacts of stormwater." — Luke Owen [00:17:00] Transitioning to Online Training: Despite initial reluctance, Luke discusses the challenges and successes of moving from in-person training to creating the MS4CECI online course. "I thought you cannot be as effective online, but you do the best you can." — Luke Owen [00:20:00] Course Structure and Target Audience: Luke talks about who the MS4CECI course is designed for, from DOTs to military bases and private consultants. "It's not just cities and counties; it's military bases, DOTs, and consultants." — Luke Owen [00:32:00] The Importance of Understanding Permits: Luke highlights how inspectors need to understand their permits thoroughly and adapt to their specific regional conditions. "The procedure doesn’t change, but the permit conditions vary across the country." — Luke Owen [00:41:00] Final Thoughts on the Course: Ty and Luke wrap up the discussion, emphasizing the importance of ongoing training and how this course serves as a tool to equip MS4 inspectors. "Gratitude drives compliance. The MS4 inspector is the foundation of our future water quality." — Luke Owen Notable Quotes: Luke Owen: "Effective training digs down into more than just presenting data. You’ve got to hit the motivation within all of us." "The MS4 inspector is the foundation of our future water quality." "It’s really tough to continue traveling. I thought, what if I could package all my knowledge and deliver it to the masses?" In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon speaks with Luke Owen, founder of NPDES Training Institute, about the creation of the MS4CECI (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Compliance and Enforcement Certified Inspector) online course. Luke shares insights from his 30 years of experience in stormwater management and explains how this course is designed to train MS4 inspectors on both compliance and enforcement. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from in-person to online training and emphasizes the importance of effective, motivational education for stormwater professionals. The episode highlights the course's practical applications for inspectors across various sectors, including cities, counties, DOTs, and private consultants. The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with T Luke Owen: LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/npdestraining/ Website: https://npdestraining.com/ Course: https://npdestraining.com/ms4-compliance-and-enforcement-certified-inspector-online/ email: [email protected] Phone: (678) 469-5120 Luke’s Previous Episode: https://stormwaterworld.com/podcast/do-you-care-about-water-luke-owen-president-of-npdes-training-institute/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/ Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Stormwater World Episode 033: Lake Management & Stormwater with Sonja (That Pond Girl) Wixom, MS from TIGRIS.   Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed [00:00:00] Introduction Ty introduces Sonja and shares her background in lake and stormwater management, including her work with TIGRIS Aquatic Services. [00:03:00] The Importance of Communication in Lake Management Sonja discusses how communication is crucial for lake and stormwater management. Quote: “No one knows what you're doing unless you're communicating about it.” — Sonja Wixsom [00:06:00] Differences Between Lake Management and Stormwater Sonja breaks down the distinctions between lake management and stormwater services, highlighting the different stakeholders and challenges. Quote: “People come to lake managers with problems that they need help with.” — Sonja Wixsom [00:09:00] The Disconnect Between Lake Management and Stormwater A discussion about the lack of awareness and the disconnect between stormwater professionals and lake managers. Quote: "I do see it as being totally separate fields." — Sonja Wixsom [00:12:00] Managing Stormwater Ponds vs. Natural Lakes Sonja explains the blurred lines between stormwater ponds and lake management, and the challenge of community expectations. Quote: “People want their pond to be a lake. Sometimes it's just about managing expectations.” — Sonja Wixsom [00:26:00] Common Issues in Lake and Pond Management Sonja highlights national water quality concerns, invasive species, and harmful algal blooms. Quote: “Water quality and harmful algal blooms have really risen to the top.” — Sonja Wixsom [00:32:00] Sonja’s Work with Tigris and Advice for Pond Owners Sonja shares advice for pond owners, stressing the importance of understanding water inputs and building relationships with knowledgeable professionals. Quote: "Google isn’t always your friend. Reach out to professionals near you and build a good relationship.” — Sonja Wixsom “What would I tell a pond owner for management? One point I’d like to make is that management is an ongoing task for as long as the pond is there. It’s not a one and done action.” — Sonja Wixsom In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon and guest host Maryella Begley-Garmon deep dive into the complexities of lake management and how it intersects with stormwater services with That Pond Girl, Sonja Wixom, MS. Sonja shares her insights from working across different regions, emphasizing the critical role of communication and proper management strategies. From handling invasive species to bridging the gap between stormwater and lake management, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge for professionals in the field. Whether you’re a pond owner or a lake management expert, Sonja’s experience provides practical advice and valuable takeaways. The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Sonja Wixom, MS from TIGRIS: Connect with Sonja on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonja-wixom-that-pond-girl/ Email: [email protected] TIGRIS Website:https://tigrisusa.com/ Women of Aquatics: https://womenofaquatics.org/ That Pond Girl Podcast: https://thatpondgirlpodcast.buzzsprout.com/   Connect with Maryella Begley-Garmon, PE:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryella-begley-garmon-p-e-16772157/ Email: [email protected] Digital Stormwater Website: https://digitalstormwater.com/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed [00:02:00] Introduction: The host introduces Thomas Strange and Neal Fogleman, co-founders of Digital Site Box, and provides a quick overview of their backgrounds in civil engineering and stormwater management. [00:05:00] The Archaic System of Paper Documentation: Neal Fogleman describes the inefficiencies of the traditional documentation process: "We pull up to a site, and all our documentation is scattered across the ground from the storm the night before." – Neal Fogleman [00:07:00] Contractor and Municipal Inspector Responsibilities: Thomas Strange outlines the typical contractor responsibilities and how inspections take place. He also introduces the role of the municipal inspector. "It’s the contractor's job to ensure that the permit box is up and available, with all documentation there." – Thomas Strange, IV [00:14:00] The Digital Site Box Solution: Neal explains how Digital Site Box allows for remote access to documents and simplifies compliance. "The municipalities can access all the documents they need from anywhere without visiting the site. It's transparency for everyone involved." – Neal Fogleman [00:18:00] Eliminating Paperwork and Physical Inspections: Thomas dives deeper into how the software allows inspections to be completed remotely, saving significant time and reducing the need for physical paperwork. [00:22:00] Rain Logs and Real-Time Data Access: The co-founders discuss how the software integrates with weather data to automatically track rainfall, eliminating the need for manual rain logs. [00:25:00] Homebuilders and Safety Applications: Neal highlights how Digital Site Box has extended its use cases beyond stormwater to homebuilders and safety compliance. "Homebuilders saw it and said, 'Man, I have to post my permit on the window, and now I can do it digitally.'" – Neal Fogleman [00:35:00] Pricing and Affordability: The founders discuss the pricing structure of Digital Site Box, emphasizing its affordability and value compared to traditional documentation methods. "For $75 per site per year, you eliminate thousands in printing and courier costs." – Thomas Strange, IV [00:39:00] What’s Next for Digital Site Box: The episode wraps up with a teaser about future developments and integrations with other major software platforms. Notable Quotes: "The Achilles heel of my job site used to be paper." – Thomas Strange, IV "We’re replacing the plastic box, so it doesn’t need to be thousands of dollars." – Neal Fogleman In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon explores the world of site inspections, compliance, and stormwater management with two experts: Thomas Strange, IV, and Neal Fogleman, co-founders of Digital Site Box. Their innovative software streamlines site documentation, ensuring better communication between contractors and municipalities. They discuss how Digital Site Box replaces outdated permit boxes and allows for real-time access to essential documents. Tune in to learn how this tool saves time, cuts costs, and enhances compliance in the construction and stormwater industries. The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Thomas Strange, IV, Co-Founder of Digital Site Box: Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-strange-iv-770a161b0/ Email: [email protected]   Connect with Neal Fogleman, Co-Founder of Digital Site Box: Connect with Chad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-fogleman-160347298/ Email: [email protected]   Digital Site Box Website: https://digitalsitebox.us/landing Digital Site Box LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-site-box   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/ Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Stormwater World Episode 031: Outdated Procurement Processes and more with Chad Smeltzer from Bidcurement.   Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed [00:00:00] - Introduction and Overview Chad discusses the use of AI in stormwater management to identify and score pipe defects. Quote from Chad: "You put these cameras in there, and now you use AI to look at all the cracks and all the codes in these pipes." [00:01:00] - Digital Marketing for the Stormwater Industry Ty introduces Digital Stormwater's services and emphasizes their impact in the stormwater sector. Quote from Ty: "We put more stormwater people in front of your stormwater products and services." [00:02:00] - Meet Chad Smelter Introduction to Chad Smelter and his extensive experience in the public works sector. Quote from Ty: "Chad's got over 15 years of experience in the public work sector, and he's a serial entrepreneur." [00:03:00] - Chad’s Journey and Early Career Chad shares his career path, from working in public works at a young age to starting his own company. Quote from Chad: "I started out working at public works when I was 15 with my dad at a water wastewater treatment facility." [00:04:00] - Innovations in Sewer Management Discussion on the evolution of sewer management and the development of new technologies to handle grease control and root control. Quote from Chad: "We started treating with bacteria, and it started working really well." [00:10:00] - Challenges in Infrastructure Management The challenges faced in the public works sector, particularly in managing infrastructure and maintenance. Quote from Chad: "We have an issue here with the engineering firms and the utilities—they didn't know exactly where their sewers were." [00:13:00] - The Role of AI in Infrastructure Management Chad explains how AI is used to assess the condition of pipes and prioritize repairs. Quote from Chad: "They train a model based on the defects, and if the defects are consistent throughout the country... you start to build a model that every time it goes through their system, it'll pick out that image." [00:22:00] - Introducing Big Curement Overview of Chad's new venture, Big Curement, and its goal to simplify the procurement process in public works. Quote from Chad: "There's gotta be a better way to write specifications and bid on projects more efficiently." [00:31:00] - Challenges in Stormwater Infrastructure Ty and Chad discuss the importance of addressing stormwater issues, from flooding to pollution. Quote from Ty: "How do we now turn the messaging around to get it to the public... because water is going to become this crazy commodity." [00:44:00] - Final Thoughts and Contact Information Chad shares his final thoughts on the importance of adopting technology and networking in the public works sector. Quote from Chad: "Get uncomfortable with using social media... It's a great tool to get your content out there." In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon interviews Chad Smelter, a seasoned public works professional and entrepreneur, to discuss innovations in stormwater and sewer management. They explore the use of AI technology to identify and prioritize pipe defects, highlighting the importance of modernizing infrastructure and procurement processes. Chad shares his journey from working in public works to founding Bidcurement, a company focused on improving procurement through technology. They also discuss the broader challenges and opportunities in stormwater management, emphasizing the need for better public awareness and infrastructure design to address flooding and pollution issues. The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Chad Smeltzer, President and CEO at Bidcurement: Connect with Chad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadsmeltzer/ Bidcurement Website: https://bidcurement.com/ Email: [email protected] Infrastructure Hot Seat Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@theinfrastructurehotseat   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Stormwater World Episode 030: From the Field to the Classroom: Industrial Stormwater with Brad Flack, SME and Sr. Instructor from StormwaterOne.   Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed [00:00:00] - Introduction The host introduces Brad Flack, who has over 20 years of experience in stormwater management. The conversation will cover adult education, fieldwork, and Brad's journey in the stormwater industry. [00:02:00] - Brad's Journey into Stormwater Quote: "I didn't create this economic boom... I just surfed the heck out of it." - Brad Flack Brad shares how he accidentally entered the industry and his early experiences with on-the-job training. [00:06:00] - Transition to Education and Training Quote: "I have been studying in my craft and my industry to know what I'm talking about." - Brad Flack Discussion on how Brad moved from hands-on fieldwork to focusing on training and education, including the certifications he's earned. [00:09:00] - Field Experience and Ongoing Client Work Brad talks about maintaining a small number of clients to stay connected with the real-world applications of stormwater regulations. [00:12:00] - Developing an Industrial Stormwater Course Quote: "We're literally in the final throes of getting all the last... exams and all the knowledge checks and all that stuff." - Brad Flack Brad discusses the upcoming launch of an industrial stormwater course, detailing the efforts to make it engaging and informative. [00:20:00] - Practical Tips for Site Inspections Quote: "If it rains right this second, will this pollutant discharge off my site?" - Brad Flack Brad provides a crash course on key considerations for site inspections, emphasizing the importance of proactive management of potential pollutants. [00:29:00] - Memorable Experiences Brad shares stories from his time as a stormwater consultant at the Houston Zoo, including a rescue of a turtle and an encounter with a baby elephant. [00:35:00] - Benefits of Online Training Quote: "We're trying to qualify you from nothing or from very little to now." - Brad Flack Discussion on the advantages of online stormwater training and how it helps professionals gain practical, applicable knowledge. [00:44:00] - State of the Stormwater Industry Quote: "It's very short-sighted to be like, 'Well, I need special permission'... You're not helping." - Brad Flack Brad shares his thoughts on the challenges facing the stormwater industry and the importance of personal responsibility in environmental protection. [00:49:00] - Hands and Feet Mission Work Quote: "I can't fix the world, but I can help out 200 people now have access to clean drinking water." - Brad Flack Brad talks about his missionary work in Honduras and the Dominican Republic, highlighting the impact of providing clean water access. [00:50:00] - Conclusion and Upcoming Events Brad lists upcoming speaking engagements and training sessions. He also invites listeners to connect with him on LinkedIn or via email for further discussion. Quotes Highlight "If it rains right this second, will this pollutant discharge off my site?" - Brad Flack "We're trying to qualify you from nothing or from very little to now." - Brad Flack In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon interviews Brad Flack, a seasoned stormwater expert with over 20 years of experience.  Brad shares his journey from hands-on fieldwork to becoming a leading educator in the industry. He discusses the importance of proactive site management, the challenges of maintaining compliance, and the value of ongoing education through programs like those offered by StormwaterOne. Brad also recounts memorable experiences from his career, including unique challenges at the Houston Zoo, and highlights his passion for missionary work in Honduras and the Dominican Republic, where he helps provide clean drinking water to communities in need. The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Brad Flack, (QPSWPPP QCIS QISM CESCL CPESC CESSWI QSM) SME and Sr. Instructor at StormwaterOne: Connect with Brad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradflack/ StormwaterOne Website: https://stormwaterone.com/ Email:    Mission Organizations: Hands and Feed Honduras closed down during COVID. Living Waters International: https://water.cc/ Harvest Community Church: https://harvestcc.net/   Where to find Brad: StormCon: https://www.stormcon.com/sc24 IECA South Central Conference & Expo: https://whova.com/web/IxmqNIZiZ9OkjrSHH2xo%40coM2Ps8HlvXWMLT1GPCBHY%3D/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Stormwater World Episode 029: Stormwater Awareness Week with John Teravskis & Rebekah Burnett with WRG Southwest, Inc.   Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed [00:01:00] Ty introduces the podcast and its parent company, Digital Stormwater. "We put more stormwater people in front of your stormwater products and services." - Ty [00:02:00] Introduction of guests, John Teravskis and Rebekah Burnett. "I'm super excited to share with you an event that's coming up later this year called Stormwater Awareness Week." - Ty [00:03:00] John and Rebekah introduce themselves and discuss their involvement in stormwater awareness. "Stormwater Awareness Week is coming up. It's the last week of September." - John Teravskis [00:06:00] Emphasis on the event being free for both hosts and attendees. "It's free. It's completely free for everyone involved." - Rebekah Burnett [00:08:00] Registration details for attendees and hosts. "Registration opens to the public on September 2nd." - Rebekah Burnett [00:10:00] Requirements for hosting a workshop. "You need to have a topic. It needs to be a one-hour discussion." - John Teravskis [00:17:00] The history and evolution of Stormwater Awareness Week. "We started very simply back in 2012." - John Teravskis [00:21:00] Expansion of the event during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We shifted from 25 percent online to a hundred percent online and Stormwater Awareness Week, 2020 happened." - John Teravskis [00:22:00] Growing national and international participation. "We had over 30 individuals from over 30 states attending." - Rebekah Burnett [00:25:00] Encouraging general public involvement. "One year we had a workshop that was a kayak tour of a local lake." - Rebekah Burnett [00:28:00] Emphasis on the event's inclusivity and neutrality. "We truly believe this belongs to everyone." - John Teravskis [00:31:00] Call to action for listeners. "Consider giving a workshop, tell somebody about Stormwater Awareness Week, and attend a workshop." - John Teravskis Quotes Highlight "How do we create engaging workshops that the general public may actually be willing to listen to?" - John Teravskis "It's free. It's completely free for everyone involved." - Rebekah Burnett "We truly believe this to belong to everyone." - John Teravskis In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon interviews John Teravskis and Rebekah Burnett about Stormwater Awareness Week, a free educational event aimed at promoting stormwater knowledge. They discuss the event's history, which began in 2012, and its evolution to include online workshops, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to nationwide and international participation. The guests emphasize the inclusivity and neutrality of the event, encouraging listeners to host or attend workshops and spread the word. The event is set to take place from September 23-27, with registration opening on September 2. The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with John Teravskis and Rebekah Burnett: Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-teravskis-5aaa9339/ Connect with Rebekah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-burnett-64b6b5207/ Stormwater Awareness Week on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7198777181257240576/comments/ Website: https://www.stormwaterawareness.org/ Sign up for Monthly Dirt and/or The Rain Events newsletters: https://wgr-sw.com/lists/?p=subscribe&id=1   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Stormwater World Episode 028: Nature Ignores Design that Ignores Nature! with Tom Mortensen, PLA, ASLA from raSmith   Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed [00:00:00] - Introduction "Engineers do want to very efficiently get to a solution, which I totally understand and respect." - Tom Mortensen "I work as this liaison between the right brain, left brain, construct and design." - Tom Mortensen [00:01:00] - Digital Stormwater Overview Services offered: Social media management, Google, LinkedIn, and meta ads, SEO and content creation, website builds and updates, AI automations, consulting, and more. [00:02:00] - Guest Introduction "Tom Mortensen has over 35 years of experience in site design, landscape architecture, and related design and construction in the construction professions." - Ty Tom’s experience includes work with the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Boy Scouts of America, Native American Tribes, and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. [00:03:00] - Rainfall Integration and Stormwater Management "Rainfall integration, which is also known as stormwater management." - Tom Mortensen Discussion on green infrastructure and its early challenges and developments. [00:04:00] - Nature and Design "Nature ignores design that ignores nature." - Tom Mortensen Importance of taking cues from nature in design to create sustainable solutions. [00:10:00] - Collaboration in Design "So this thing called design, what happens is we all get together to do that design, and then you engineer that design, and then you landscape that design, and then you build that design." - Tom Mortensen Emphasis on multidisciplinary approach and early collaboration to save time and create effective designs. [00:14:00] - Grant Funding for Green Infrastructure "There's grant funding available to implement GI, and so if you're going to add 5,000 square feet of impervious on a site, you have to implement some form of GI." - Tom Mortensen Example of a successful project on a college campus receiving $1.3 million in funding. [00:20:00] - Project Examples Colectivo Coffee: "On one half of the roof that drains to the east, we took that roof water, that rainwater, and we put it through a series of troughs and created a big water feature." - Tom Mortensen Challenges and successes in managing urban sites with creative stormwater solutions. [00:34:00] - Natural Design Principles "If you go back to that picture I just showed you, all the trees are on the side slopes, in the uplands. That's where the trees grow. They don't grow down in a low flow channel." - Tom Mortensen Importance of mimicking natural landscapes in stormwater design. [00:39:00] - Relationship to Water and Future Outlook "The earth is not green, it's blue. And I think we need to start thinking differently about our relationship to water." - Tom Mortensen Discussion on the ongoing challenges and progress in water management and sustainability. In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon and Tom Mortensen, a senior project manager and landscape architect with over 35 years of experience, discuss the integration of nature into design, emphasizing the importance of green infrastructure and sustainable stormwater management. Tom shares insights on how to effectively balance creative and technical aspects in site planning, the benefits of multidisciplinary collaboration, and the necessity of understanding natural systems. He highlights successful projects and the role of grant funding in promoting green infrastructure, concluding with thoughts on the evolving relationship between humans and water management. The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.   Connect with Tom Mortensen: Connect with Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommortensen1/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.rasmith.com/ Presentation:    Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Stormwater World Episode 027: Stormwater Monitoring Devices & Systems with Dan Penczak from OTT HydroMet   Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed [00:00:00] - Introduction and Overview of Stormwater Monitoring Importance of monitoring water levels and predicting problems Overview of the podcast and shout out to Digital Stormwater [00:01:00] - Services offered by Digital Stormwater Social media management, Google, LinkedIn, and Meta ads SEO and content creation, website builds and updates, AI automations, consulting [00:02:00] - Introducing Dan Penczak from Ott HydroMet Dan’s background in water industries and monitoring applications His role at Ott HydroMet and personal interests [00:03:00] - Basics of Stormwater Monitoring Reasons for monitoring stormwater Relationship between weather and water monitoring [00:04:00] - Specific Monitoring Devices and Their Functions Examples of devices like InfoTracker and Pave Drain How Ott HydroMet approaches monitoring and specific devices used [00:07:00] - Use of Water Level Monitoring Methods for measuring water level: pressure transducer, radar, bubbler Importance of water level data for flood prediction and management [00:10:00] - Data Collection Methods and Real-time Monitoring Options for data collection: periodic retrieval, telemetry, cellular or satellite Use of real-time data for immediate action and alerts [00:12:00] - Urban Flood Warning and Critical Asset Protection Applications of monitoring in urban flood warning systems Importance of protecting critical infrastructure and downstream assets [00:14:00] - Ideal Monitoring Station Components Components of an ideal monitoring station: level sensor, data logger, weather sensors Addition of cameras for visual confirmation and comprehensive monitoring [00:15:00] - Continuous Monitoring for Water Quality Importance of continuous monitoring for parameters like pH, turbidity, conductivity Emerging contaminants like PFAS and the challenges in monitoring them [00:17:00] - Tips for Effective Stormwater Monitoring Programs Being intentional about monitoring goals and locations Starting with critical areas and expanding as needed [00:20:00] - Budget-friendly Monitoring Solutions Affordability of monitoring solutions for municipalities Options for short-term rentals and their use cases [00:22:00] - Use Cases for Rental and Loaner Packages Examples of rental scenarios: short-term projects, long-term studies Benefits of renting equipment for specific needs [00:23:00] - Training and Technical Support for Monitoring Devices Availability of training and technical support for users Intuitive design of devices for ease of use [00:24:00] - Solar Radiation Monitoring and Other Weather Parameters Monitoring solar radiation and its applications Use of weather data in stormwater monitoring [00:25:00] - Example of a Long-standing Flood Warning System in Texas Example of a flood warning system in Harris County, Texas Collaboration and evolution of the system over time [00:26:00] - Contact Information for Dan Penczak and Additional Resources Best ways to contact Dan Penczak for more information Mention of Stormwater Professionals Group on LinkedIn for industry connections Quotes Dan Penczak: "Data can be used to not only identify problem areas, but you could also start to try to predict when problems are going to occur." [00:00:00] Dan Penczak: "The majority of what we do is streams. We do a lot with the federal government and dams, monitoring critical assets." [00:11:00] Dan Penczak: "We are seeing more and more of what I'd call adaptive stormwater control and folks reaching out to us for sensors, data loggers, and programming." [00:12:00] Host: "If it were me, I'd have stuff all over the place if I was running a program. I'd want to know everything going on." [00:18:00] Dan Penczak: "While these solutions are pretty robust and scientific grade, they are made affordable to the average municipality that is strapped for budget." [00:19:00] In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon discusses the importance and applications of stormwater monitoring devices and systems with Dan Penczak from Ott HydroMet. Dan shares his extensive experience in water industries, focusing on the importance of monitoring stormwater control measures. He explains the various technologies used to monitor water levels and quality, their benefits, and how they can predict and mitigate flooding. Dan emphasizes the importance of data in identifying problem areas, ensuring compliance, and protecting critical assets. He also highlights Ott HydroMet's range of monitoring solutions, from simple sensors to advanced real-time data collection systems, and underscores the affordability and practicality of these tools for municipalities. The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Dan Penczak: Connect with Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danpenczak/ Stormwater Professionals: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/127166/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.otthydromet.com/en/ Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rUJOJbtD56dX3mjDuPUioJqDqYYiIWL9/view?usp=sharing   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Stormwater World Episode 026: Deep Infiltration Systems with Alex Bennett, Technical Marketing Engineer at Torrent Resources   Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed [00:00:00] Introduction Host Ty Garmon welcomes Alex Bennett from Torrent Resources. Overview of the topic: deep infiltration systems and dry wells. [00:01:00] About Alex Bennett Alex's background in stormwater compliance and water quality. Educational background: Master's degree in Environmental Science from UC Santa Barbara. [00:02:00] Basics of Deep Infiltration Alex explains deep infiltration and its benefits. "A lot of folks, even in places where dry wells are used commonly, aren't familiar with them." [00:03:00] Infiltration Systems Overview Comparison between surface level and deep infiltration systems. Importance of treating stormwater to match pre-development drainage patterns. [00:04:00] Designing Dry Wells Alex describes the design and sizing of dry wells. "We're basically taking the same zone of infiltration you would see with a surface level basin, and locating it vertically within the soil column." [00:06:00] Soil Considerations Role of geotechnical reports in designing dry wells. "The geotech is your friend." [00:08:00] Infiltration Depth Factors influencing the depth of dry wells. Minimum and maximum depths based on soil and groundwater conditions. [00:12:00] Installation and Performance Typical dry well installation process and dimensions. "We see really favorable infiltration rates due to the combination of hitting varying soil layers and having a significant column of water." [00:15:00] Site Constraints and Benefits Advantages of dry wells in constrained spaces. "Dry wells can fit into a site and a stormwater treatment train really easily." [00:17:00] Maintenance Maintenance requirements for dry wells. "Maintenance is just done via standard VAC truck... it's really easy." [00:22:00] Cost Effectiveness Cost comparison of dry wells versus other BMPs. "If we have good infiltration rates, dry wells are more cost-effective." [00:25:00] Regulatory Considerations Regulatory challenges and successes in approving dry wells. "The next step is statewide guidance on how to size these dry wells." [00:28:00] Combining BMPs Integration of dry wells with other BMPs. "A very common layout is pretreatment BMP leading into a big detention tank, leading into one to three dry wells." [00:32:00] Design Tools Torrent Resources’ design tool for dry wells. "We have a great online tool to get a quick unit count." [00:36:00] Final Thoughts Importance of working with geotechnical engineers. "There's no one size fits all approach for infiltration or stormwater treatment." Quotes Ty Garmon: "It's interesting, you can go vertical instead of horizontal. That's really interesting." Alex Bennett: "Infiltration of stormwater, once you're getting it into the soil system, there is a significant amount of absorption, adsorption, natural treatment of the standard suite of stormwater pollutants." In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon discusses deep infiltration systems with Alex Bennett from Torrent Resources. They explore the design and benefits of dry wells, which are vertical stormwater infiltration systems that maximize space efficiency and improve stormwater management. Alex highlights the importance of soil conditions and geotechnical reports in designing effective systems, and explains how dry wells can be integrated with other Best Management Practices (BMPs). The conversation also covers maintenance requirements, cost considerations, and regulatory challenges, providing a comprehensive overview of deep infiltration as a stormwater solution. The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Alex Bennett: Connect with Aaron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexbennett2/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://torrentresources.com/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/ Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed Innovation and Its True MeaningTy Garmon (03:15): "Innovation is one of those keywords that you get into management and you just like to throw around... There's a certain kind of person that like looks at something and says, it needs to be better." Dr. Aaron Fisher (05:41): "Management likes to give permission to innovate, but it's not always as simple as just saying, here's your permission slip to innovate." Challenges of Innovation in CorporationsTy Garmon (07:50): "So it's the fear of getting yelled at. And certainly in regulations, stormwater regulations and stormwater and like just engineering in general, it's I've done this before. It worked." Dr. Aaron Fisher (10:13): "We don't have a lot of middle management...a lot of people are aligned with the bottom line." Fiberglass Rebar as an Innovative ProductDr. Aaron Fisher (19:13): "What we've done with concrete is we've added a second material into a mega composite... But one of the big struggles with concrete is the corrosion that occurs." Ty Garmon (21:33): "If you're going to build a stormwater structure and you're not considering this, you're overlooking it." PaveDrain SystemDr. Aaron Fisher (28:36): "It's a heavy-duty, low maintenance, permeable pavement...it's a second generation system." Ty Garmon (35:55): "Innovation in the stormwater world does not mean new and untested." Cultural and Organizational InertiaDr. Aaron Fisher (44:59): "If you recognize people for innovating, regardless of whether the innovation was a success, that's rewarding, that's recognition for trying things." Future of Stormwater ManagementTy Garmon (54:20): "You need to challenge yourself without necessarily breaking the bank because yes, can we build a sea wall that can resist 10 feet of sea level rise? Yeah, we just built an 11 foot sea wall." Quotes Ty Garmon: "Innovation is not the greatest thing since sliced bread, but it can help a lot of things. It can help you avoid a lot of things." Dr. Aaron Fisher: "We're trying to sell a product category that we've never sold before and we're innovating and we didn't have a plan for this." In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon talks with Dr. Aaron Fisher, Vice President of Business Development at Ernest Maier, about innovation in the stormwater industry. They explore the true meaning of innovation, the challenges faced within corporate structures, and the importance of fostering a culture that encourages innovative thinking. Dr. Fisher highlights two key products, fiberglass rebar and the PaveDrain system, discussing their benefits and the hurdles in promoting new technologies. The conversation underscores the need for practical, tested solutions to address evolving stormwater management challenges and emphasizes that innovation doesn't always mean unproven but rather improved and reliable methods. The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Aaron Fisher, PhD, PMP: Connect with Aaron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-fisher-phd-31020811/ Email: [email protected] Website: www.ernestmaier.com   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/ Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Stormwater World Episode 024: Andy Erickson, PhD, P.E. is the Research Manager at St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota, Chair - ASTM Committee E64 on Stormwater Control Measures; Chair - University of Minnesota Water Council.   Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time.   00:00-01:01 -  Introduction Host Ty Garmon introduces the topic of extreme weather events and their impact on stormwater infrastructure, highlighting the frequent occurrences and aging infrastructure across the country. 01:01-03:22 - Guest Introduction Introduction of Dr. Andy Erickson, his credentials, background in stormwater research, and his contributions to stormwater management literature and community education. 03:22-05:35 - Discussion on Extreme Weather Events and Infrastructure Dr. Erickson discusses the increase in extreme weather events and the challenges it presents to existing stormwater infrastructure.  Quotes:"Extreme weather events are a big challenge and everybody sees it. It's in the news. It doesn't matter where you live." - Dr. Andy Erickson "Our infrastructure is aging and wearing out and we have to replace it, it's undersized for what we see today." - Dr. Andy Erickson 05:35-07:49 - Technological Advancements in Stormwater Management Discussion on advancements in stormwater management technology and smart systems.  Quotes:"Smart systems...can do this through algorithms and through automated ways... It all is actuated remotely in the cloud." - Ty Garmon 07:49-09:45 - Statistical Insights and Future Projections Dr. Erickson shares statistical insights on the increasing frequency and intensity of rain events and the need for updated infrastructure designs to accommodate these changes. 09:45-12:12 - Adaptation Strategies for Existing Infrastructure Strategies for adapting existing stormwater infrastructure to cope with increased rainfall and extreme events, including the use of smart systems for better management. 12:12-14:33 - In-depth Technical Discussion Detailed discussion on specific technologies and methods for enhancing stormwater management, including smart ponds and green infrastructure. 14:33-16:55 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Ty Garmon wraps up the discussion, highlighting the key points discussed and the importance of adapting stormwater management practices to meet future challenges.  Quote:"We're basically saving the world from extreme weather today." - Ty Garmon This episode explores the increasing challenges posed by extreme weather events on aging and undersized stormwater infrastructure. Dr. Erickson, an expert in stormwater research from the University of Minnesota, explores the impact of frequent extreme precipitation events and the technological advancements in stormwater management, such as smart systems and green infrastructure. Throughout the episode, he shares insights on the necessity for updated design standards and adaptive strategies to better manage stormwater in the face of changing climate patterns, emphasizing the integration of new technologies and the reevaluation of existing systems to enhance resilience and efficiency. The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Links Andy mentioned during the Pod: "Climate Change Adaptation ofUrban Stormwater Infrastructure." MnDOT Report no. MN 2023-21. https://www.cts.umn.edu/research/project/climate-change-adaptation-of-urban-stormwater-infrastructure https://researchprojects.dot.state.mn.us/projectpages/pages/projectDetails.jsf?id=23871&type=CONTRACT https://mdl.mndot.gov/items/202321 Links to signup for newsletters: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/y4awdPX  or http://z.umn.edu/MNStormwaterSeminarSignup   Connect with Andy Erickson, PhD, P.E.: Connect with Andy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-j-erickson-ab64a413/ Email: [email protected]   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/ Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time.   00:00 - Introduction Host Ty Garmon introduces the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and its relevance both within and beyond the field of stormwater. Ty discusses the pervasive impact of AI and introduces the guest, Kristen Kautz. 05:15 - Kristen Kautz on AI's Integration and Impact Quote: "AI has been around since the 1950s... People have already been interacting with it and using the technology, even if they didn't know they were using the technology." - Kristen Kautz 3:05 - Discussion on AI Development and Generative AI Quote: "When they launched this platform called ChatGPT... it just fit into the way that I already look at tech. We're techno-optimists." - Kristen Kautz 5:00 - AI in the Workplace and Misconceptions Quote: "It's not just a search engine, but people who get it, and we're starting to get that kind of those networks around us." - Kristen Kautz 8:53 - Future of AI and Ethical Considerations Quote: "We may be getting all over the place here, but people ask me too, like when they generate something from chat GPT or any AI model, what are the chances that you and I will get the same answer? It's almost infinitesimally non-existent that will happen because of the way how AI dissolves and rebuilds." - Kristen Kautz 11:57 - AI and Job Automation Kristen elaborates on how AI can aid in reducing workload and freeing up human resources for more critical tasks. 12:27 - Practical Applications of AI Kristen talks about the multimodal capabilities of AI platforms and how they can handle tasks like reading images and automating responses. 50:25 - Closing Remarks Ty and Kristen conclude the discussion by emphasizing the significance of embracing AI technology to enhance operational efficiency and innovation in various sectors. 53:11 - End of Podcast This episode explores the nuances of AI and its transformative impact on industries, emphasizing its longstanding presence and evolving capabilities. The quotes chosen illustrate Kristen Kautz's insights on the integration and potential of AI in modern practices.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Links Kristin mentioned during the Pod: ChatGPT: https://chat.openai.com/ Claude AI: https://claude.ai/ Perplexity: https://www.perplexity.ai/   Connect with Kristin Kautz, CPSM: Connect with Kristin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinkautz/ Jam Idea Agency: https://www.jamideaagency.com/#/ [email protected]   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because best known beats best every time.   Special EditionEpisode: “Who doesn’t love a good origin story?” In this episode, host, Ty Garmon and Maryella Begley-Garmon, P.E. discuss how their company, Digital Stormwater, and the Stormwater World Podcast got started.   “What I've always loved about being an engineer, is the things that I did actually made a difference in making people's lives better.” Maryella is a civil engineer with over 25 years of experience in stormwater and drainage. When she was a “baby engineer” just out of college, she had a project that had a profound impact on her personally and how she looked at the work she was doing. “I just remember…realizing what I was doing was actually making an impact in individual lives. And that was so powerful for me as a young engineer. I was like this is what I want to do. I want to make a difference to people.” That is where her passion comes from and why the work she does with Digital Stormwater is important to here: bringing awareness in the stormwater industry to products that need greater visibility so they can make the impact they are supposed to make. “It doesn't matter how great your product is, if nobody knows it's there, it's not going to have the impact that it could have, it's not going to do its job to make stormwater cleaner to make people's lives better, if nobody knows that it exists.”   “It's important to keep in mind, just the whys about everything, you know why you do a lot of things,” Ty explains. “ I tell that to people all the time, you can't be in this industry for 12 years and not get it on. 12 years ago, I really didn't know a whole lot about stormwater. I didn't really understand the impacts. Now I definitely care about water in general and then specifically, what's going on in stormwater, way more than I did 12 years ago, when I ventured into this industry.” Ty went down the digital rabbit hole looking for ways to market the product he was selling at the time. He felt like digital was the way to go. Conferences are great, but there are so many people who can’t go to them and then never hear about the products that are exhibited at them. He was talking with his friend Doug Buch from PaveDrain about his ideas for social media “And Doug said, ‘yeah, man, whatever you're talking about, I need to do that. Whenever you do, let me know.’” So that is how Digital Stormwater began in 2019. What began as a 1 man effort on nights and weekends is now a full blown digital marketing agency. Ty explains, “So we take on all things. So what was an idea that was built around social media and exposure has come full blown business to business visibility for everyone in the stormwater industry. And it doesn't matter what you need, if it's digital, we can provide it for you.”    Quotes: “ What we're trying to do is we're impacting stormwater one click at a time” (00:05 | Ty) “ What I've always loved about being an engineer, is the things that I did actually made a difference in making people's lives better.” (2:27 | Maryella)  “I think it's important to keep in mind, just the whys about everything, you know why you do things.” (5:36 | Ty) “It doesn't matter how great your product is, if nobody knows it's there. It's not going to have the impact that it could have, it's not going to do its job to make stormwater cleaner to make people's lives better, if nobody knows that exists.” (06:57 | Maryella)  “We all need to put our heads together and get that information out to the general public because they still don't have a clue.” (12:16 | Ty) The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Maryella Begley-Garmon, P.E.: Email: [email protected] LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryella-begley-garmon-p-e-16772157/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalstormwater/ Website: https://digitalstormwater.com/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/ Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because best known beats best every time. Episode 022: “People think about a tree person or an arborist they think, ‘Well, yeah, he's a tree hugger.’ Yeah, okay, fine. I am. But it's just because they make me feel good. The benefits of trees have actually been qualified and quantified.” John Palmer is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist. In this episode, John and host, Ty Garmon, discuss how trees impact stormwater in urban environments and how to keep those trees healthy.  “When it comes to the practical, and when you're talking stormwater, trees, remove pollutants from water. They actually increase infiltration into soils… Trees can pull an amazing amount of water out of saturated soils. There are some estimates that a large tree can pull 100, maybe more, gallons of water a day out of saturated soils. So trees are actually a stormwater control measure. They are a stormwater utility,” John explains. There are different aspects of what the trees do in our stormwater environment that also include erosion control and streambank stabilization. “Tree roots grow differently than the way most people think. Mature trees do not have deep roots, and most tree roots are in the top 18 inches of soil. Just imagine a wine glass on a dinner plate. You have canopy, trunk, and roots. Roots do not just stop at the edge of the drip line or the canopy, they can actually extend two to three times the diameter, and they don't grow deep,” John explains. This is how trees help with erosion control. A single tree has a large root structure that helps hold soils in place. As we continue to build, it is important to educate both designers and constructors how to properly protect existing trees and how to choose the correct new trees to be planted, and how to plant them correctly. There are 10 volumes of ANSI standards on how to do this. “It's more important to save a large tree than it is to plant new trees…because you're already getting large benefits. You plant a small tree, you get small benefits. When you plant a new tree, it's not a tree, in my mind, it's a shrub on a stick. And that's the benefits that we're getting from it,” John explains. Putting a root protection zone 20 feet from the trunk of a tree with an 80 foot canopy doesn’t work because the roots extend out 2 to 3 times the diameter of the canopy. Driving construction equipment over the roots compacts the soil around them, damaging the roots and the tree. Quotes: “I call it the pinball effect. When a raindrop hits the top of the tree, it bounces, it splits, it runs off, and it's like a pinball, the old pinball games” (15:48 | John) “ It's more important to save a large tree than it is to plant new trees.” (24:50 | John) “I think that tree protection zone with the orange snow fence, that's a that's a false sense of security that allows somebody to check a box, but it's not really protecting the tree at all..” (24:50 | John) “The more we understand the less damage that we can do.” (34:21 | John) The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Links John mentioned during the Pod: ANSI A300 Standards for tree care: https://tcimag.tcia.org/tree-care/standards-regulations/introducing-the-newly-designed-ansi-a300-tree-care-standards/ ISA: http://www.treesargood.org/ Morton Arboretum: https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/benefits-of-trees/#overview   Connect with John Palmer: Email: [email protected] https://www.gotostage.com/channel/9cf935c1e5f24639954d2bf77fb41a9f https://www.linkedin.com/in/veritymediatreetraininglecturesandconsulting/ https://twitter.com/CrankyArborist   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP: Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/ Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because best known beats best every time.   Episode 021: “I have inadvertently turned into what some people would call a stormwater nerd, or I call myself a clean water freak because I think it's way cooler to be excited about it.” Joe Moore has had an interesting journey from unintentional polluter to informed advocate actively making decisions to clean up stormwater. The construction industry was hot at the time Joe graduated from college, and he got a job with a large homebuilder. He was working near the Stillwater River in Cincinnati so he was able to do the things he loved like fishing and canoe trips. Joe is an outdoorsman at heart, going back to when he was around 5 and his dad would take him out to the shores of Lake Michigan. “I didn't realize the impact I was having as a polluter to a waterway that I was using. And so I look back on all that now and say what a blessing or what an opportunity that I got to see that,” Joe says of that time. Then Joe started his own construction company and found that he was being required to buy and use products that simply didn’t work.    That was the birth of Siltworm.  It wasn’t that he didn’t want to comply with stormwater regulations, he did. He just wanted to do it in a way that actually made a difference. Joe’s construction company was being forced to spend literally thousands of dollars on products and methods that didn’t work, so he decided to create something that would. Joe started looking at filter sock technology using compost for sediment control. At first, they kept it under the envelope of their construction company as a pet project. As regulations started to change and catch up to address what was and wasn’t working, they realized that their pet company project could be helpful to others in the industry. They didn’t just stop with what they had, they dug in to make it better. They split the construction business from Siltworm and doubled down on it.    It was a process of failing forward. “When we were filling with compost, our sediment retention numbers were in the mid 60s to low 70s.” The data for silt fencing products were sometimes as low as the mid 20s. Problems arose because the composted material was having organic growth, so they started looking at alternatives. There was an opportunity to recycle wooden pallets to use as the filter filling instead of compost. This also increased the sediment capture rate by 10-15 basis points. Looking into the differences between the materials to understand the sediment capture difference, Joe decided to try kiln dried softwoods and the sediment capture numbers went up to 97%! When you look back at why you are doing what you do, this addressed so many things. “Being able to have a clean product, recycled, kiln, dried softwoods gave us an opportunity to keep a lot of material that was going to a landfill out of it. We're really proud of this. In five years, we've kept over 60 million tons of that material from going into landfills.” Joe and Siltworm are continuing to innovate, most recently with the introduction of Bioworm and the regional installation company, Storm Water Pollution Prevention Services. Joe is creating a legacy in an industry he is quite passionate about, where he gets to protect this limited resource we have in our waterways.   Quotes: “I call myself a clean water freak because I think it's way cooler to be excited about it, right?” (01:23 | Joe) “I made a decision to get in this industry because I was spending a bunch of money on something that wasn't working,” (32:46 | Joe)  “Stormwater is gross. Stormwater should be taught, treated just like wastewater. As far as I'm concerned, we need to fix the water for everybody.” (52:48 | Ty) “I've still never met someone who doesn't want clean water.” (48:07 | Joe) The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Check out these Conferences Joe mentioned during the Pod: Ohio Stormwater Conference: https://ohstormwaterconference.com/ Indiana Stormwater Conference: https://www.inafsm.net/2024-annual-conference Indiana MS4 Annual Meeting: https://www.indianams4.org/2024-annual-meeting   Connect with Joe Moore: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemoore6/ [email protected]   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!