Description

1) Going with the Flow: Developing Enhanced GIS Datasets to Support NPDES Compliance and Stormwater Initiatives
Neal Banerjee, PE, CFM, LJB, Inc., nbanerjee@ljbinc.com
Co-presenters: None

Abstract: Many communities in country have stormwater programs that are charged not only with the task of managing/addressing stormwater operations, maintenance, and program needs, but also complying with Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit (associated with the EPAs National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)). One requirement of the permit is to maintain a map of the “major” outfalls. This has proved to be challenging for many communities as the definition of what constitutes a major outfall has been ambiguous and/or difficult to determine. ESP supported the City of Raleigh, NC in a recently completed initiative to identify outfalls not only for NPDES compliance, but also to support a number of general stormwater/water quality initiatives. ESP developed GIS workflows and performed evaluations to identify and classify over 2,700 outfalls. In addition, ESP developed several enhanced citywide data products (e.g. drainage area and %impervious aware networks) to support a variety of stormwater initiatives. This presentation will provide an overview the City’s initiative and share workflows, lessons learned, and discussion on enhanced datasets.

2) Resilient infrastructure. Great idea. Where do I start?
Joe Waln, PE, CFM, Barr Engineering Co., jwaln@barr.com
Co-presenters: None

Abstract: This presentation will show how communities can more efficiently invest in resiliency projects by using infrastructure vulnerability assessments based on qualitative risk assessments. We strive to make our communities more resilient, but it is not always obvious which projects are the most impactful. Some infrastructure deficiencies may be highly visible, but the consequences of failure are small. Other problems may be hard to see, and the consequences of failure are severe. Using GIS datasets, asset management tools, and system modeling, communities can quantify failure risk as a function of the likelihood of failure and the consequences of failure. The complexity of these calculations can be scaled based on the available data. Risk of failure scores can be used to prioritize projects for replacement, repair, and maintenance. Potential projects can also be cross-referenced with other objectives such as water quality improvement, utility upgrades, and road repairs to achieve multiple objectives at the same time. This presentation will discuss the general principles for developing an effective infrastructure vulnerability assessment and highlight examples of how different public entities have used vulnerability assessments to prioritize investments in storm sewer systems, sanitary systems, and slope stabilization.

Playing Favorites: City of Fort Worth’s Channel Rehabilitation Project Development Program (CRPDP)
Mio Matsumura, P.E., CFM, Walter P Moore, MMatsumura@walterpmoore.com
Co-presenters: Justin Naylor, P.E., CFM, PMP, City of Fort Worth, justin.naylor@fortworthtexas.gov

Abstract: Asset management is an integral part in guiding capital improvement project planning. Since cities operate within budget restrictions, it is crucial that they develop a programmatic method to most effectively allocate funds. This presentation will provide an overview of the development of the City of Fort Worth’s channel rehabilitation program. Steps for program development included the creation of a project charter, stakeholder involvement and development of channel rating criteria. Criteria was separated into Consequence of Failure and Probability of Failure categories to calculate the Business Risk Exposure for each asset. An alternatives analysis was prepared for the top ranked channels which included evaluation of various construction materials and phasing with consideration to USACE Section 404 permitting restrictions and cost-effective prioritization of critical repairs. Through this effort, a framework was developed to objectively select projects based on business risk to move forward to preliminary design.