The Mission Statement of Rogue Valley Sewer Services (RVS) of Jackson County,  Oregon states that it will, “….  provide and maintain all sewer and storm drain systems within its boundaries, and provide customers with competent and professional services in the most cost-effective manner possible while maintaining the quality of life and the health, safety, and welfare of Rogue Valley constituents.”

A key part of this endeavor was the Jewett Elementary School Project in the city of Central Point, Oregon.

A crucial outfall of the local watershed drains storm runoff into Mingus Creek at the Jewett Elementary School location. Because of its potential for pollution transfer, this area needed to be retrofitted with a Best Management Practice (BMP) to reduce pollutants from reaching Mingus Creek. These pollutants are from recently built out commercial and industrial areas.

The lead engineer for this project was Maynard Flohaug. In the beginning of the project Maynard determined that an optional online – offline BMP was needed. A complete design package with that option and pricing had to be found.

To discover the products and vendors that could do the job, Maynard went to Water Online (www.wateronline.com) and accessed their library of available BMPs. There he found six possible vendors and solicited proposals from them. After receiving the proposals Maynard determined that three of the six could handle the job and do it cost effectively. One of the vendors was Environment 21. The project was then placed out to contractor bid.

When RSV received the bids from the contractors a serious problem surfaced, the project was over budget. Six months of debate and decision passed before RVS decided to do the contracting themselves. It then called Environment 21 to see if they would still honor their bid. Environment 21 acquiesced and the project was on its way.

The Environment 21 Engineering Team, in discussion with RSV, determined that the Environment 21 “Unistorm Online” was the best device to use.

Thus the complete design, including site hydraulics/hydrology was completed by the Environment 21 professional engineer staff.

Wilbert Precast, an Environment 21 affiliate, was chosen to manufacture and deliver the “Unistorm Online.” With Brock Materne of Wilbert Precast as the point of contact the schedule was put into place.

A unique situation presented itself at the onset. Power lines directly over the site coupled with the weight of the “Unistorm Online” made crane work very difficult for the project. But, based on information supplied by RVS and Wilbert Precast, Environment 21 was able to design the “Unistorm Online” to fit the project without compromising its time constraints, product cost, or installation cost.

The Unistorm Online was cast, delivered and installed without a hitch. According to Maynard the service supplied by Environment 21 staff and Wilbert Precast was “Excellent – The structure was delivered within the time frame and RVS had no problem installing it.”

Environment 21 was helpful, according to Maynard.

“Especially with meeting our time frame and keeping RVS posted on the delivery date and time,” he said, adding that he would specify Environment 21 for future projects.

Brock echoed Maynard’s thoughts, saying that Environment 21 was helpful to his company, Wilbert Precast, and, “…a pleasure working with.”

Due to the efforts of RVS, Wilbert Precast, and Environment 21 the project was successfully completed ahead of schedule helping to continue keeping Mingus Creek clean. SLDT