Crisis Preparedness

During any crisis, but particularly during our current crisis, we all need to be prepared for the worst case scenario. While many businesses are facing mandatory and recommended closures, those in the municipal industry must remain functional. One area of health and environmental concern is water and wastewater treatment operations. Please reach out to us if you are in need.

STEM/STEAM Day

Today is #STEMSTEAMDay which inspires kids to explore and pursue their interests in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. Today we’re celebrating just a few of our employees and the people and experiences in their lives that brought them here.

SYDNEY JERNIGAN | Graduate Engineer

KATIE BALTZLEY | GIS Specialist

DAVID KRESLEY | IT Specialist

ALEX NAWOTKA | Environmental Specialist

SYDNEY JERNIGAN | Graduate Engineer

I have always loved math. Even as a kid. I loved using formulas and critical thinking to come up with an answer. I remember in 5th grade we had these math workbooks. We were assigned a page every night to complete- about eight problems. My teacher would scold me for completing 10 pages at a time, because I was moving so far ahead of the class. In high school, when it was time to start thinking and talking about college, I knew I loved math and wanted to apply those skills. But, I had no idea what I wanted to do. My geometry teacher, Ms. Gallagher, first told me to consider engineering. I did some research and realized that was exactly what I was looking for. The idea of engineering is to use critical thinking to create solutions. This is what I’ve always loved growing up. (It was also a bonus that throughout college I was constantly doing math homework like in 5th grade). It’s thanks to Ms. Gallagher, my high school teacher, that I ended up where I am today. I can’t imagine having any other career now. 

KATIE BALTZLEY | GIS Specialist

I had amazing parents growing up. My dad, an avid outdoorsman, always taught me about the importance of protecting wildlife and stream health. I have memories of spending summers playing in local creeks, and pulling over in the car to help box and snapping turtles cross the road. (I still do this, to this day!) My mom always encouraged me to look up to the sky. She would wake me up at 3 AM to catch a lunar eclipse. Or, we’d lay out blankets on the lawn so we could stay up late and watch meteor showers. My dad’s love for the beauty of nature and my mom’s enthusiasm for the world around us both led me to my future. I went on to major in Geography with a focus in Environmental Science and minor in Meteorology. Now, I get to create interactive maps that help educate others on source water protection and the wonderful world around them.

DAVID KRESLEY | IT Specialist

My love for technology began with my dad. One time, a computer that he used broke and he told me to “try to fix it” even though I was only in the 2nd grade and had no clue how to even begin. The inside of the computer reminded me of Legos. There were a bunch of important pieces that belong in their place, all serving their own purpose for one final result. In 5th grade I got a brand new computer that was setup right next to my dad. Here, I started to learn the parts of computer, and how to upgrade whole computers or individual components to make them more powerful. Every computer I’ve had since that first Dell tower has been built with my own hands. The idea that I can make a computer look how I want it to look and make it as powerful as I want it to be is still an idea that gives me a sense of wonder. From sitting next to me in my early memories to running Ethernet cable through our walls and attic- my dad helped to create my foundation of knowledge and understanding. Now, I’m an IT Specialist and do what I love every single day.

ALEX NAWOTKA | Environmental Specialist

There are so many moments in which I found my love for science. I remember finding awesome-looking stones at the edge of the forest when I was eight and taking them home with me. (I actually still have them.) I can remember really falling in love with my future career in middle school. My teacher set up a sand table experiment for us. You have sand and mud in a large, shallow crate, and you carve whatever stream shapes you like in the sand with your fingers, and add water. Through this experiment, you get to see a miniaturized version of erosion and channel meandering, and how sand moves with water versus how mud moves with it. I still remember thinking that was the coolest experiment we did all year! Years later when I had to choose a major in college, that sand table was one of the memories that helped me to make my decision.

Regulatory Update: America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018

America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018: Risk Assessments and Emergency Response Plans

New Requirements for Drinking Water Utilities

On October 23, 2018, America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) was signed into law requiring community water systems serving more than 3,300 people to complete a risk assessment and develop an emergency response plan.

RISK AND RESILIENCE ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Applies to each community water system serving a population of greater than 3,300 persons.

• Requires an assessment of the risks to, and resilience of, its system.

Elements of the Assessment:

• The risk to the system from malevolent acts and natural hazards.

• The resilience of the pipes and constructed conveyances, physical barriers, source water, water collection and intake, pretreatment, treatment, storage and distribution facilities.

• The cyber security of electronic, computer and other automated systems which are used by the system.

• The monitoring practices of the system.

• The financial infrastructure of the system.

• The use, storage, or handling of various chemicals by the system.

• The operation and maintenance of the system.

• The assessment includes an evaluation of capital and operational needs for risk and resilience management for the system.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN REQUIREMENTS

• Applies to each community water system serving a population of greater than 3,300 persons.

• Requires an emergency response plan that incorporates the findings of the assessment within 6 months of certifying completion of its risk and resilience assessment.

Elements of the Response Plan:

• Strategies and resources to improve the resilience of the system.

• Plans and procedures that can be implemented, and identification of equipment that can be utilized, in the event of a threat to the ability of the community water system to deliver safe drinking water.

• Actions, procedures and equipment which can prevent or lessen the impact of a malevolent act or natural hazard on the public health and the safety and supply of drinking water.

• Strategies that can be used to aid in the detection of malevolent acts or natural hazards that threaten the security or resilience of the system.

DOWNLOAD EPA FACT SHEET

We can help.

Spotts, Stevens and McCoy has the experience to assist you in assessing your system and preparing your response plans.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Dan Standish, Sr. Operations Specialist, Water and Wastewater Engineering
daniel.standish@ssmgroup.com

DOWNLOAD THE UPDATE

2018 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence

Lyn O'Hare | SSM and Shannon Rossman | Berks County Planning Commission

Berks County Source Water Protection Program

Spotts, Stevens and McCoy as a proud partner with Berks County Water and Sewer Association, is excited to announce that the Berks County Source Water Protection Program was a 2018 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence recipient.  The program incorporates new and existing protection zones to maintain safe drinking water in Berks County, identifying possible sources of contamination for both surface water and groundwater. The program combines education and water quality improvements to the Schuylkill River and Chesapeake Bay Watersheds.  The program promotes the “One Water” concept, which integrates source water protection with the reduction of stormwater and wastewater impacts. 

The Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence are awarded each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Each year the Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence provide statewide recognition to businesses and organizations involved in a cross-section of environmental initiatives from cleaning up watersheds, saving energy, eliminating pollution, reducing waste and more. The awards highlight those projects that promote innovative technological advances, partnerships, public service and environmental outreach as well as encourage pollution prevention, demonstrate economic impact or employ innovative technology.

Brian Hassinger, PE joins SSM as Sr. Project Manager

Brian Hassinger, PE | Sr. Project Manager

Spotts, Stevens and McCoy (SSM) welcomes Brian Hassinger, PE as Senior Project Manager to the firm’s Water and Wastewater Engineering and Operations department. Mr. Hassinger brings 35 years of civil and water/wastewater design, engineering, operations and management experience to SSM.

Hassinger will be providing client management, project management and operations management support and engineering expertise to SSM’s extensive water/wastewater and municipal client base. His focus will be maintaining and expanding existing client relationships, helping our clients identify opportunities to increase the efficiency of their operations, fostering new relationships and actively representing and promoting the firm across the water, wastewater and municipal arenas.

Spotts, Stevens and McCoy is a family-owned regional engineering, environmental, and surveying firm serving local and global clients. SSM offers extraordinary experience in the planning, design, and construction management of wastewater and water systems, piping systems, pumping stations, and treatment plants.

Our work touches everyday life; from the water you drink, to the air you breathe, to the buildings and communities where you live, work and play.