As a radioactive element, radium is present in varying amounts in rocks and soil within the Earth's crust. While surface water is usually low in radium, groundwater can contain high levels of radium, potentially leading to radium in drinking water. Radium is typically found in drinking water in regions where it is present in the granite bedrock sur...
Sludge is a solid byproduct produced during wastewater treatment. It contains a mixture of water, nontoxic organic compounds, toxic pollutants (heavy metals and chemicals), inorganic compounds, pathogens and other microbial pollutants. It is typically classified into two types:Primary sludge. This is a byproduct of the preliminary treatment of wast...
Keeping bodies of water clean is a priority for everyone, which is why the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates MS4 permits. What are MS4 permits? Short for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems, MS4 permits are required for municipalities that have water discharging into state or federal waters. Because that encompasses n...
The key objective of drinking water treatment and water filtration is to prevent water-borne illnesses and help communities access safe drinking water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates approximately 155,000 public water systems that provide drinking water to 90% of the country's population. The agency requires utilities to c...
Before sewage/wastewater is discharged or reused, it must be properly collected from homes, businesses and industries. A wastewater or sewer collection system is primarily designed to collect and move flows to a downstream treatment plant. As sewage flow moves, it encounters pressure and gravity. The construction of sewer structures such as collect...
A typical pedestrian bridge is designed to carry pedestrians, bicyclists and light maintenance vehicles. A well-engineered pedestrian bridge should comply with The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) pedestrian guide specifications and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines to ensure safet...
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) intends to implement a new rule (32 Ill. Administrative Code 622) that addresses the ways radioactive water treatment residuals may be safely handled. IEMA is still accepting comments on these proposed rules. Expected to be in place by the end of this year, the incoming state guidelines will affect se...
In a sewage or wastewater collection system, raw sewage travels underground through sloped pipelines (also called gravity pipelines). However, when the elevation of the source is not sufficient for gravity flow, digging for sewer pipes in excessive excavation depths is necessary. Installing a wastewater lift station at specific points in a gravity ...
Transportation planning is a collaborative process that involves users, including businesses, community groups, motorists, environmental organizations and freight operators, of the transportation system. Whether planning for the short or long term, transportation forecasting is integral to transportation planning. The better the transportation plan...
For industries required to obtain an Illinois General Stormwater Permit, subtle changes went into effect this summer that will change a company's environmental responsibilities. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for stormwater discharges from industrial acti...
Construction on roads and highways disrupts traffic flow and poses potential safety hazards for workers, pedestrians and motorists. A traffic control plan or TCP offers a detailed outline to manage traffic in and around construction or roadwork sites. Essential purposes of a traffic control plan are:Maintenance-of-traffic issues. A traffic control ...
Many rural communities across the United States rely on wastewater treatment processes that fall short of environmental and public health protection standards. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have introduced several funding mechanisms to improve water and wastewater infrastructure in smal...
There's no lack of rain in Libertad, Peru, but there is a shortage of clean, usable water. This Village, deep in the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest, is home to monkeys, iguanas, piranhas and native Peruvians whose ancestors once lived on these lush riverbanks. This region gets 112 inches of rain every year, so much so that it even rains daily during th...
What will traffic conditions in your community look like in the coming years?Are you worried an ever-increasing traffic flow will jeopardize the safety of your neighborhood streets?How do you ensure an accurate projection of traffic data to improve the quality and safety of traffic operations in your community? Transportation forecasting attempts t...
Groundwater monitoring refers to monitoring water underground in saturated zones of soil and rock. Within these saturated zones, groundwater fills the cracks and spaces in rock and soil. Collectively, these underground layers of water-bearing permeable rock and rock fractures hold 97% of global freshwater resources. "In the United States, groundwat...
Various Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS chemicals) are commonly used in industrial, commercial and consumer products. These manufactured substances are also called forever chemicals because of their resistance to heat, water and oil, which hinders their natural degradation. When PFAS chemicals leach into water through landfills, industria...
For brownfield redevelopment projects, a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) might uncover evolving environmental concerns, including leaking underground storage tanks, contaminated soil or water and illegal waste disposal, among others. If a Phase I ESA identifies Recognized Environmental Conditions, including emerging contaminants of conc...
Blazing hot summer days can be brutal for everyone, but particularly for people working outside. Heat-related illness is a real concern for employers whose teams are working in the elements. That's why it's crucial for managers and workers to recognize the dangers of overheating – and how best to prevent it. Keep reading for a rundown of the main c...
Lagoon wastewater treatment systems are mostly found in small, rural and tribal communities in the U.S. and are used as the only method of treating community wastewater. Small communities of fewer than 3,000 residents usually prefer sewage lagoons because of their energy efficiency and low costs. However, recent wastewater treatment requirements, i...
To help public sector officials minimize fire and explosion hazards, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) publishes preventative requirements, fire codes and building standards. Used in alignment with state building codes, the NFPA 820 standard is specific to wastewater collection, transportation and treatment plants. Methane generated b...
