Where is the world's greatest amount of fresh water stored?

A. In the ground
B. In snow, ice caps, and glaciers
C. In lakes and rivers
D. In the atmosphere

The correct answer is B. Here are some more stats, to put it into perspective . . .

• Of all the water on Earth, only 2.5% is fresh water (the rest is salt water)
  
• Of that 2.5%, 68.7% is found in ice caps, glaciers, and permanent snow 
  
• 30% is in our ground, as groundwater
  
• 0.26% is in our lakes (0.006% is in our rivers)
• 0.04% is in our atmosphere
  

Water is an extremely precious resource! 

Starting this year, Harrisonburg residents will see a new fee included with their real estate tax bill: the Stormwater Utility Fee. The total fee varies based on your property’s total impervious area—the area taken up by rooftops, driveways, and other solid surfaces—but, as an example, a property with 1,900 square feet of impervious area will cost you about $42 a year.

Although the fee may not break your bank, there are a few simple steps the City suggests (Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Manual for Residential, Draft 12-2-14) that could help reduce your Stormwater Utility Fee by up to 50%:

• Disconnect your roof downspout and redirect the rainwater to a pervious area, like your lawn or rain garden.
  
• Don’t have a rain garden? You could install one.
  
• Create a vegetated filter strip—a path of meadow grasses, trees, or other vegetation.
  
• Install rain barrels/cisterns to catch and temporarily store your rainwater.
  

Also, if you're so inclined, you could reduce your total impervious area—but these measures can be costly:

• Replace hard surfaces (like asphalt or concrete) with permeable hardscapes (like paving blocks or grid pavers). 
  
• Install a vegetated “green” roof.
  

If you’ve already implemented any of these stormwater management best practices, or you plan to, you’ll need to let the City know by April 1, 2015 in order to get credit for this year.

There are standards to follow and specific steps to take in order to qualify for the credit—but you’ll find everything you need to know on the City of Harrisonburg’s Stormwater Utility Information site: http://www.harrisonburgva.gov/stormwater-utility

Concerned about how the Harrisonburg Stormwater Utility Fee will impact your non-residential / business property? Contact us and we’ll help you through.

Mention "Civil Engineering" and people usually ask, "What is that exactly?" Sure, if you were to say, "Structural Engineering" or "Environmental Engineering," they'd have a pretty good idea. But "civil"... not so much.

Although "civil" can mean "courteous and polite," (and all engineers should be this, of course), this "civil" refers to "citizens" and "public life." As in, "non-military."

Military Engineering is considered the world's oldest form of engineering (think, fortifications, catapults, and other ancient wartime structures). Civil Engineering is the second-oldest (think, pyramids, aqueducts, and other infrastructure not intended for military purposes). Today, all engineering projects---whether for military or civil purposes---are designed by Civil Engineers.  

Whenever you drive across a bridge, walk along a sidewalk, park in a parking lot, shop at a mall, go to a playground, or even if you just stay home in your neighborhood---you're interacting with an infrastructure that was likely designed by a Civil Engineer. 

Are you planning any projects that require a Civil Engineer? Let us guide you. 

We're here to provide high-quality civil engineering services, plus the one-on-one attention your project deserves. Contact us to get started.