Partnerships for Sustainability
The Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) is in the process of implementing SWIFT, the Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow. SWIFT involves the use of recharge wells to add SWIFT Water™ (highly treated wastewater that is put through additional rounds of advanced water treatment to meet drinking water quality standards) into the Potomac Aquifer, a process that will replenish groundwater while significantly reducing the need for wastewater discharge to local water bodies. As part of the SWIFT work at the James River Treatment Plant, HRSD has committed to develop the James River Land Improvements, which include a sustainable trail network, living shoreline enhancements, and resilient stormwater management measures. Although all the project elements are interrelated, the primary focus of this presentation will be the planning, design, permitting, and multi-agency coordination effort associated with the project’s stormwater management measures. The project includes an innovative and sustainable approach to stormwater management. Rather than attempt to fit best management practices into the constrained trail corridor, the design team identified an existing open recessed area that offered potential to serve as a regional BMP. The resulting stormwater design provides capacity not only for the proposed trails, but results in excess capacity for other improvements at the site and for increased storm intensity over time.
Author Bio
J.D. is a Principal and Senior Project Manager for stormwater and utility engineering projects in VHB’s Virginia Beach, Virginia, office. A Professional Engineer registered in Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland, as well as an Envision Sustainability Professional, his experience on complex public-sector projects enables him to effectively assemble design teams that deliver resilient and sustainable solutions. J.D. is skilled in water resources master planning, hydrologic/hydraulic analysis, water distribution, wastewater collection systems, and sewage pumping station design.
