What Are PFAS, and Why Are They an Emerging Health Concern?
We use many organic and inorganic chemical compounds to develop everyday products, and these chemicals sometimes make it into our soil and groundwater and eventually into our water supply. Consider a group of fluorinated chemicals called PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. As a group, PFAS are resistant to heat and repel water and oil,… Read More »
Tags: Contaminant, Environmental, Environmental Impact, perfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS, polyfluoroalkyl substances, Remediate PFAS, Remediation, Sampling
It Just Makes Cents: Four Ways to Save Money on Your New Building
Few people in the world can truly say “money is no object” when undertaking a building project. The vast majority have to grapple with limited funds, and they need to get as much value as possible from each project dollar they spend. So how can architects and engineers (AE) help their clients do that? Keeping… Read More »
Tags: Architecture, Building, Building Design, Building Materials, Design, Funding, Green Design, Initial Cost, Leed Certification, Lifetime Cost, Long Term Planning, Operational Costs
A Proactive Program at Work: Investing in Dam Repairs Averts Crisis
Dams are an integral part of our lives, providing recreational opportunities, power generation, flood control, wildlife habitat, and other important functions. More than 2,100 high-hazard-potential dams are operating in the United States, as reported in the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2017 Infrastructure Report Card. Their failure could result in the loss of life for… Read More »
Tags: Dam, Dam Repairs, Disaster Prevention, Flood, Grant Program, Grant Services, Grants, Municipal Dam, Sluiceway Gate, Spillway, Structural Inspection, Water Resources