Leave Earth a Better Place

Stormwater runoff is generated from rain and snowmelt events that flow over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, and does not soak into the ground. (United States Environmental Protection Agency).

That’s right, rain and Stormwater have a direct path into our bodies of water. When rain falls onto homes and buildings it “runs off” instead of infiltrating into the ground and vegetation. But- Stormwater runoff takes any and all pollutants and contaminants it finds along the way.

Managing the water that falls on the land is an increasingly complex issue- one that we know all about. SSM’s has been designing Stormwater management systems to meet ever evolving state and local regulations over the past 50 years. Stormwater management has always been a significant part of land development design. However, the focus has shifted from merely conveying water through a site effectively to controlling the volume of runoff through infiltration. This generally requires innovation in design to effectively utilize both land space and the area dedicated for development.

SSM has decades of experience both designing and reviewing Post-Construction Stormwater Management (PCSM) Plans as well as Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs). Our experience reviewing a wide variety of plans from various engineering firms (in the role of municipal engineer) gives us significant insight into our role as designers for land development projects. We are well acquainted with the local municipal and PaDEP permitting and approval requirements and processes, as we routinely obtain NPDES construction site Stormwater permits. While much of our Stormwater design work is in conjunction with land development plans, some are also stand-alone projects.

We are proud leaders in the field of stormwater management and have refined a comprehensive list of services that are designed to meet a variety of Stormwater management needs.

• Storm Sewer Design

• BMP and Infiltration Design

• Erosion and Sedimentation Control

• NPDES Permits

• PaDEP Encroachment Permits

• FEMA Approvals

Solar Carport Design - SSM provided storm sewer upgrade design for an approximately 8-acre parking lot that was being retrofitted with solar canopies over all parking spaces. Our design included determining the spacing of downspouts along the panels, and designing a new pipe conveyance system for the roof panel drainage, that ultimately tied into the existing storm drainage system along the lower portions of the lot.

Park Additions - SSM provided stormwater management facility design as a subconsultant to Simone Collins Landscape Architecture for additional recreation facilities at an existing Township Park. We performed field survey and provided base plans, infiltration testing and designed infiltration facilities for five new and/or expanded facilities.

Township Park - SSM provided stormwater management facility design as a subconsultant to Simone Collins Landscape Architecture for a new Township Park on a 20-acre former industrial site. We performed field survey and provided base plans, infiltration testing and designed collection, conveyance and infiltration facilities for the proposed recreation facilities, pavilion and parking areas.

Be a Part of the Solution

SSM is proud to be a part of ongoing street projects with the City of Reading. We have provided a variety of services including field survey, engineering and design services, as well as ongoing construction phase services.

SSM has been completing multiple municipal street and road improvement projects just like these every year for over 35 years. These street projects provide community residents and neighbors not only smoother drives but safer and pride-worthy streets. SSM’s municipal experience is comprehensive- including development of a number of Long-Term Maintenance Programs for clients. This means determining the quality level to which they want to maintain their roads and then planning ahead to do so in a cost-effective manner. This also establishes a long-term budget projection to aid with financial planning. We have extensive experience designing yearly Street Improvement Projects, employing a variety of repair techniques, and guiding the project through the procurement process. Our team manages the Street Maintenance Program Procurement, works hand in hand with the Public Works Department, and provides insight to ensure a cost effective street maintenance program is achieved. From start to finish- idea to construction, we’ve got you covered.

SSM has been an integral part of local municipalities since 1932. We know municipal communities- we know the people they serve, and we know the needs they address. Keeping your roadways and municipal infrastructure in good condition is key to serving your community.

Congratulations to the City of Reading, on continuing their road projects.

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of it all!

Be Like a Tree

More than ten years ago, a team at SSM planted these Japanese Cherry Blossom trees. They were mere saplings then. Since then, they’ve rooted. They’ve grown. They’ve bloomed.

Our roots go back to 1932. We were mere saplings then. Just a few team members looking to engineer solutions that make the world a better place. Since then, we’ve also grown. We’ve branched out and expanded our services. We’ve been resilient. We’ve stayed rooted in our values and in our mission. We’ve absorbed and soaked in the nutrients and the resources that our communities have offered us. And- perhaps our favorite- we’ve helped our clients’ visions bloom.

But as James Penny Cash once said, “Growth is never by mere chance. It is the result of forces working together.” SSM is the blooming, beautiful tree that greets you- because of the many forces that have worked together.

It is the Civil Engineering team, that has turned SSM into the resource that communities, institutions, and businesses turn to for forward-thinking solutions to everyday challenges. It is our Facilities team that has taken expertise, and powerful integrative approaches and turned SSM into the best, single-source solution for any facilities engineering challenge, no matter how many facets. Our Environmental team, that blooms by their ability to be a resource for cost-effective, well-engineered solutions whether it’s water and wastewater engineering to water resources. It’s our Survey and Data team that brings the force of not only accuracy, but expertise and care. And it’s our newest branch, our Energy and Sustainability team, that waters the seeds of growth for future generations while breaking down the barriers to our clients’ success and energy challenges.

These are the forces that have led to our growth, our resilience, our rooted care and grounded values. These are the forces of SSM.

Allow for Growth

What could your organization do with 5-10% more cash to invest?

If you could find those funds in your existing operations budget- what could you do with it? What if it allowed new forces to work together? What initiatives would you move forward? Building expansions, product line enhancements, technology improvements?

Most businesses and organizations are in a constant state of strategic development- looking for new ways to improve their business and grow their sales. The catch, however, is that cash often fuels growth. The key is unlocking those funds.

One of the larger expenses for any organization is their utilities and operations/maintenance costs. While often these costs are viewed as fixed- there are ways to reduce them while also contributing to making the world a better place.

Enhancing the efficiency of an HVAC system with a sustainable, long-term energy conservation plan can maximize your energy efficiency in turn decreasing your costs. Like we said- what could your organization do with 5-10% more cash to invest?

In addition to supporting strategic Sustainability and Resiliency goals an investment in your energy usage can increase your organization’s bottom line. The benefits include reduced energy bills, reduced operating expenses, increased life of your equipment, and insulation from rising energy prices.

We have the technical experts on our team. We serve the City of Philadelphia as their energy advisor for design and construction services as well as several additional municipalities and facilities improving operations.

Step #1: Energy Audit. Assess your existing base systems and find where your organization can increase your savings.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Paul Spiegel, PE, LEED AP
Director, Energy and Sustainability Services
paul.speiegel@ssmgroup.com