Henderson, Zachary

Zach Henderson, Stormwater Practice Leader, brings more than 20 years of experience managing municipal stormwater and clean water programs to his role at Woodard & Curran. He works with municipal clients on planning, compliance, and stormwater asset management to build better stormwater programs. He is an advocate for the clean water industry and heavily involved with regional and national industry associations, including WEFs Stormwater Institute.

Titles from this speaker

A Happy Marriage: Leveraging SSES and IDDE for Sewer and Drain System Management

Abstract

Wastewater AND stormwater infrastructure nationwide are experiencing the effects of age, population growth, funding constraints, and severe weather. Municipal Sewer and Water reports that, 'According to an EPA survey, about 30 percent of [sanitary sewer] pipes are 40 to 80 years old, and roughly 10 percent of pipes are more than 80 years old.' These old pipes are leaking, often undersized and they are prone to clogging. Clean Water Act (CWA) obligations are increasingly requiring municipalities to develop and implement new compliance programs and are compelling changes to interdepartmental/interagency coordination and workflow. Entities involved in sewer and drainage system evaluation and management will find that leveraging seemingly disparate NPDES obligations will result in enhanced capital planning that address both wastewater and stormwater compliance obligations. Siloed NPDES regulatory programs and municipal management entities can drive disparate investigation and investment to meet compliance obligations and asset management needs. NPDES obligations for wastewater entities rely on Sewer System Evaluation Surveys (SSES) to identify problem infrastructure while stormwater entities rely on Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) among others. Management entities often conduct these programs separately with minimal overlap in data integration and analysis, and they may never integrate their capital investments in renewal and rehabilitation into a cost-effective capital plan that address both exfiltration (IDDE) and infiltration (SSES). There is a better path forward. This session will discuss overlapping Clean Water Act-driven compliance program needs that can improve both stormwater and sewer system master planning. By developing an integrated strategy that incorporates an inclusive understanding of both sewer and stormwater system investigation and maintenance needs, municipalities or management entities can maximize compliance and cost-savings and utilize a 'one-water' approach to help obtain the political support necessary to move improvement programs forward. The presentation will feature a discussion of comprehensive SSES and IDDE programs in detail and utilize several cases studies where integrated wastewater and stormwater program results are allowing a more comprehensive consequence of failure analysis, better prioritization of capital investments, and targeted implementation of rehabilitation dollars. The result is a more sustainable effort that meets multiple regulatory obligations and saves money.

This paper was presented at the WEF Collection Systems Conference, June 27-30, 2023.

SpeakerWeidenbenner, Samantha

Presentation time

09:00:00

09:30:00

Session time

08:30:00

11:45:00

SessionSession 16: Integrated Planning

Session number16

Session locationKansas City Convention Center

TopicClimate Change Resilience, Integrated Planning

Author(s)

Weidenbenner, Samantha

Author(s)S. Weidenbenner1; Z. Henderson1;

Author affiliation(s)Woodard & Curran1;

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Jun 2023

DOI10.2175/193864718825158876

Volume / Issue

Content sourceCollections

Word count14

Description: Make it Rain: Funding Projects to Address Climate Change, Water Quality, and Unmet...

Make it Rain: Funding Projects to Address Climate Change, Water Quality, and Unmet Needs

Abstract

According to an October 2022 article published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the year had below average precipitation, but by the end of September, the country had sustained 15 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, including several significant rainfall events. In the first nine months of 2023, the National Centers for Environmental Information reported 24 such events, of which included 18 severe storms, two floods, and one tropical cyclone. As of October 10, 2023, these weather events caused 373 deaths across the country, with unprecedented economic impact in the Northeast and southern California. It is clear to weather experts that the increased occurrence and severity of rain-related events are no longer a future problem but are happening now. Significant rainfall events are more intense and occurring more frequently than before, taxing infrastructure systems in a myriad of ways. Communities across the country often designed infrastructure planned for less severe storms, if they planned at all. Capacity limitations and aging infrastructure have resulted in floods that wreak havoc on roads, buildings, and other utilities. Furthermore, many communities lack the stormwater funding resources to rebuild resilient infrastructure needed to limit further impact of future severe weather events. Moreover, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulatory requirements continue to increase, necessitating additional investments in stormwater treatment and other clean water initiatives. It is apparent that creative approaches to funding the future of stormwater will be necessary. The Massachusetts Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) has a unique grant program designed to fund asset inventory and management planning projects. Historically, these funds were used to develop conventional asset management plans for wastewater and stormwater systems, with a focus on condition assessment. Increasingly, these funds are being used for stormwater systems and include stormwater capacity analysis as a primary component of risk assessment. This is a relatively new development for the program. The state expects this grant money will help establish current conditions of stormwater systems and drive more funds in the SRF to finance stormwater infrastructure. In addition to the SRF program, Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program provides grants to fund the identification of climate hazards and infrastructure vulnerabilities, including water quality vulnerabilities, as well as the development and prioritization of action plans to improve resilience to climate change, building climate resilience, equity, and climate justice. In 2021, Senate Bill 1954 was signed into law, establishing the Resilient Florida Program for a coordinated approach to the state's coastal and inland resilience. The legislation funnels a significant investment toward protecting inland waterways, coastlines, and shores, and provides aid to communities that want to prepare for the impacts of sea level rise, intensified storms, and flooding. In February 2023, the state's governor announced more than $275 million in grants was being awarded to 75 resilience projects, which will help safeguard homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure from damages incurred by storm surge and flooding. While California has experienced significant drought conditions over the past decade, the state's Department of Water Resources (DWR) released $9.2 million in grants in 2023 to fund five projects aimed at restoring streams and creeks to more natural environmental conditions, which will help reduce flood risk in several communities. This funding is part of DWR's Riverine Stewardship and Urban Stream Restoration programs designed to protect listed fish species, while also addressing flood risk reduction and ecosystem enhancement of urban streams. State experts are anticipating 2024 will be another wet year with strong El Nino conditions. The state government has earmarked more than $430 million in its recent budget for flood response and projects designed to mitigate future flood damage. Furthermore, municipalities and county governments can leverage financial assistance under the California Disaster Assistance Act when natural disasters occur. Funds through this program can cover up to 75 percent of cost for activities, such as basic engineering for construction projects, repair, permanent restoration, and replacement of public facilities. This presentation will examine each state's unique approach to accessing regional and federal funding resources that enable projects aimed at improving infrastructure resiliency, addressing water quality, and mitigating damage caused by heavy rain and flooding events. Presenters will provide case studies from communities that have already applied for and receive funding for risk and vulnerability assessments, as well as the resulting projects prioritized during the evaluation process. Attendees will learn how this work goes hand in hand with the regulatory framework of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) and NPDES permitting.

This paper was presented at the WEF Collection Systems and Stormwater Conference, April 9-12, 2024.

SpeakerHenderson, Zachary

Presentation time

13:30:00

15:00:00

Session time

13:30:00

15:00:00

SessionClimate Change Resilience

Session number08

Session locationConnecticut Convention Center, Hartford, Connecticut

TopicClimate Change Adaptation, Climate Change Mitigation, Coastal Systems, Flooding, Funding, Green Infrastructure, Regionalization, Resiliency

Author(s)

Henderson, Zachary

Author(s)Z. Henderson1

Author affiliation(s)Woodard & Curran 1

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Apr 2024

DOI10.2175/193864718825159394

Volume / Issue

Content sourceCollection Systems and Stormwater Conference

Word count15

Stormwater Capture: Identifying Stormwater Needs Without a (Capital) Plan

Abstract

For the past several years, the Water Environment Federation 'Recommendations to Improve the Stormwater Program in the U.S.' included 'Improve[ing] Stormwater Infrastructure Needs Data Collection.' The recommendation asks State Revolving Fund program managers to ensure that stormwater assets are included during Clean Watershed Needs Survey (CWNS) data to support advocacy for increased stormwater funding. Historically, less than half of states have reported stormwater asset needs in the CWNS. Today, few communities conduct proactive condition assessment and comprehensive master planning for stormwater systems and lack an understanding of long-term compliance costs. For stormwater needs to receive national recognition, program managers need to understand the condition of their assets, short and long-term costs, and the staffing and labor necessary to sustain their programs. If we can't clearly define our infrastructure, resiliency, compliance, and planning needs, we can't expect to get critical funding for it. In 2022, the EPA is conducting the next round of CWNS. This is an important opportunity for stormwater programs. The states often relying on local wastewater utilities to generate documentation that meets EPA standards. To meet these standards, all documents must clearly define the NEED, the SOLUTION, and the COSTS of the solution. Typical wastewater supporting documents include Asset Management Plans, Intended Use Plans, various grant and loan applications, and Facility Plans, among others. Stormwater programs may have documents like Preliminary Design Reports for clean water obligations under Combined Sewer Overflow Long-Term Control Plans, Watershed Management Plans (name varies among states) for impaired waters with implementation cost estimates, grant or loan applications, or Stormwater Master Plans, among others. Many stormwater programs, however, do not have these more traditional engineering reports or capital. EPA has suggested that alternative documentation is permittable, if approved by the agency. This presentation will provide an overview of alternative documentation approaches considered in EPA Region 1, the documentation generated for stormwater needs, and a detailed overview of the approach taken with the state CWNS coordinators. It will complement the EPA CWNS update proposed in an abstract from the EPA National Office, providing additional details on alternative documentation. It could be set up as part of a panel discussion suggested by NMSA on the future of the CWNS and how the stormwater community can better position for future needs documentation.

This paper was presented at the WEF Stormwater Summit in Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 27-29, 2022.

SpeakerHenderson, Zachary

Presentation time

10:45:00

11:15:00

Session time

10:45:00

12:15:00

Session number01

Session locationHyatt Regency Minneapolis

TopicCapital Planning, Funding

Author(s)

Z. Henderson

Author(s)Z. Henderson1

Author affiliation(s)Woodard & Curran Inc1;

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Jun 2022

DOI10.2175/193864718825158462

Volume / Issue

Content sourceStormwater Summit

Word count10

What's the Latest? Views on MS4 Permits from across the country

Abstract

This moderated panel discussion (session) will provide insights on MS4 General Permit requirements from around the country. There are over 7000 regulated MS4 dischargers across the United States, and while the general permits tend to largely contain similar provisions, there are unique requirements and innovative approaches to compliance developing in different regions for individual and group permits. This panel has been developed and includes several representatives from WEF's National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards Program winners and other communities working towards proactive permit compliance and program development. Panelists represent both Phase 1 and Phase 2 communities and come from delegated and non-delegated states. The panelists will provide updates on recent permit requirements in their region and will cover a specific area of regulatory focus within their compliance program that has created challenges, innovation and that may set a precedent for other areas of the country.

With more than 7,000 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permits issued across the United States, permitted stormwater dischargers are largely held to similar requirements regardless of region. However, unique requirements and innovative approaches differ regionally for individual and group permits. Through conversation with WEF’s National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards Program recipients and other communities working toward proactive permit compliance, insight is gained on unique regional challenges, innovative approaches, and areas of success that may inform other Phase I and Phase II communities in program development.

SpeakerHenderson, Zachary

Presentation time

11:05:00

11:55:00

Session time

11:00:00

12:30:00

SessionViews on MS4 Permits from Across the Country

Session number420

TopicPolicy and Regulation, Stormwater, Green Infrastructure, and Wet Weather, Utility Management and Leadership, Watershed Management, Water Quality, and Groundwater

Author(s)

Zachary Henderson