Sustainable Stormwater Maintenance and Design

Chuck Eaton, P.E., LEED-AP, NICET, NETTCP

Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) are typically chosen based on site constraints, construction cost, and design criteria provided in local or state guidelines. Rarely is the sustainability and cost of maintenance considered by the cities, towns, and private parties who will eventually own and maintain them. In this segment, I will discuss the challenges often faced by owners after a BMP has been set in place and how its sustainability and efficiency can be ensured with the adoption of new guidelines, practices, and designs. Case studies of local projects provide a real-life view of storm water management challenges and practical measures implemented to resolve these issues.

• Limitations of the typical process in which BMPs are chosen and approved by a municipal commission or board.
• Typical BMP failures.
• Costs associated with maintenance.
• Designs that reduce BMP maintenance costs and create sustainability.
• Review of a sample BMP design ordinance for public works.

Presented by Chuck Eaton, PE, LEED-AP, NICET, NETTCP

CHA Consulting, Inc.

Chuck Eaton is a Senior Project Manager at CHA Consulting, Inc. (CHA) a full-service engineering consulting and construction management firm. Mr. Eaton has extensive experience with the design and improvement of stormwater drainage and treatment systems. He has served as the Consulting Engineer and Town Engineer for multiple municipalities in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He is an advocate in the use of innovative and green stormwater solutions and has worked with numerous area municipalities, DOTs, and commercial clients to incorporate these new techniques into their designs and regulations. Mr. Eaton served on the committee to update and expand the 2014 Rhode Island Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook and is an IECA Northeast Chapter Board Member.