Whether it’s the pipes that bring you fresh water 24/7/365; or the one flush sanitary sewer systems that wisk it all away before causing sickness and disease; or the many thousands of ditches, drains, storm pipes, creeks and wetlands that protect the environment while also keeping your home or neighborhood from washing away. Minnesota’s Liquid Assets … and … the Women and Men that make it all happen are hard at work!
Little thought is given to our states water-related infrastructure that lives, primarily, underground. This program explores the millions of miles of pipes and that deliver and divert water for us. Co-produced with MN 2050
UPCOMING AIR DATES
#101 — Roads & Bridges | Tuesday, Mar 7 at 4:30am TPT MN
#102 — Industries of Constant Motion | Tuesday, Mar 7 at 5am TPT MN
#103 — Liquid Assets | Tuesday, Mar 7 at 5:30am TPT MN
#101 — Roads & Bridges | Tuesday, Mar 7 at 10:30pm TPT MN
#102 — Industries of Constant Motion | Tuesday, Mar 7 at 11pm TPT MN
#103 — Liquid Assets
Drinking water, storm water, and waste water travel beneath the ground through thousands of miles of pipes. Many of these pipes are over 100 years old and are on the verge of failing. This program explores our underground water infrastructure. Produced with MN 2050.
Tuesday, Dec 27 at 5:30am TPT MN
Tuesday, Dec 27 at 11:30am TPT MN
Tuesday, Dec 27 at 5:30pm TPT MN
Tuesday, Dec 27 at 11:30pm TPT MN
This program explores concerns about Minnesota’s aging water infrastructure. Many drinking water systems, sanitary sewers and storm sewers throughout the state are rapidly approaching the end of their useful life, so communities of all sizes are trying to come up with ways to replace these vital utilities that are routinely taken for granted.
Little thought is given to our states water-related infrastructure that lives, primarily, underground. This program explores the millions of miles of pipes that deliver and divert water for us.
Everyday!
You can watch Liquid Assets Tuesday, May 31 at 5:30am TPT MN.
Episode: Little thought is given to our states water-related infrastructure that lives, primarily, underground. This program explores the millions of miles of pipes that deliver and divert water for us. Everyday!
Watch the entire State of Repair Series. (See below)
Drinking water, storm water, and waste water travel beneath the ground through thousands of miles of pipes. Many of these pipes are over 100 years old and are on the verge of failing. This program explores our underground water infrastructure. Produced with MN 2050.tpt MN Channel 2.2
Tue Jan 26th @ 5:30 am
Tue Jan 26th @ 11:30 am
Tue Jan 26th @ 5:30 pm
Tue Jan 26th @ 11:30 pm
Drinking water, storm water, and waste water travel beneath the ground through thousands of miles of pipes. Many of these pipes are over 100 years old and are on the verge of failing. This program explores our underground water infrastructure. Produced with MN 2050.
26 minutes long tpt MN Channel 2.2
Tue Dec 1st @ 5:30 am
Tue Dec 1st @ 11:30 am
Tue Dec 1st @ 5:30 pm
Tue Dec 1st @ 11:30 pm
Drinking water, storm water, and waste water travel beneath the ground through thousands of miles of pipes. Many of these pipes are over 100 years old and are on the verge of failing. This program explores our underground water infrastructure. Produced with MN 2050.
Tue Jul 28th @ 5:30 am
Tue Jul 28th @ 11:30 am
Tue Jul 28th @ 5:30 pm
Tue Jul 28th @ 11:30 pm
Tue Aug 25th @ 3:30 am
Tue Aug 25th @ 9:30 am
Tue Aug 25th @ 3:30 pm
Tue Aug 25th @ 9:30 pm
Drinking water, storm water, and waste water travel beneath the ground through thousands of miles of pipes. Many of these pipes are over 100 years old and are on the verge of failing. This program explores our underground water infrastructure. Produced with MN 2050.
26 minutes long
tpt MN Channel 2.2
Tue May 26th @ 5:30 am
Tue May 26th @ 11:30 am
Tue May 26th @ 5:30 pm
Tue May 26th @ 11:30 pm
Drinking water, storm water, and waste water travel beneath the ground through thousands of miles of pipes. Many of these pipes are over 100 years old and are on the verge of failing. This program explores our underground water infrastructure. Produced with MN2050.
Sun Mar 15th @ 8:30 pm
Sun Mar 22nd @ 2:30 am
Sun Mar 22nd @ 8:30 am
Sun Mar 22nd @ 2:30 pm
26 minutes long
State of Repair: Industries of Constant Motion
This program travels the Mississippi River in St. Paul, films on the shoreline of Lake Superior, visits numerous airports and catches glimpses of trains to learn how ports, rail and airports keep Minnesotans and Minnesota’s economy moving. Produced with MN 2050.
26 minutes long
Sun Mar 15th @ 8:00 pm
Sun Mar 22nd @ 2:00 am
Sun Mar 22nd @ 8:00 am
Sun Mar 22nd @ 2:00 pm
State of Repair: Roads & Bridges
The dairy industry, tourism, mom-and-pop shops around the corner, and multi-national corporations all rely on the infrastructure of our roads and bridges. While many Minnesotans may take roads for granted, this program illuminates the idea that we all depend on a free-flowing, easy-to-navigate system that allows for safe and easy transport of people and goods. Produced with MN 2050.
tpt MN Channel
Sun Jan 18th @ 1:30 am
Sun Jan 18th @ 7:30 am
Sun Jan 18th @ 1:30 pm
Sun Mar 15th @ 8:30 pm tpt Life Channel
Sun Jan 18th @ 11:30 am
State Of Repair: Industries In Constant Motion
tpt MN Channel
Sun Jan 18th @ 1:00 am
Sun Jan 18th @ 7:00 am
Sun Jan 18th @ 1:00 pm
Sun Mar 15th @ 8:00 pm tpt Life Channel 2.3
Sun Jan 18th @ 11:00 am
State of Repair: Roads and Bridges
tpt MN Channel 2.2
Tue Jan 20th @ 4:30 am
Tue Jan 20th @ 10:30 pm
On the set of “Liquid Assets MN” … TPT Producer Jeff Weihe talks to Duluth Mayor Don Ness about Water and Sewer Infrastructure …
Liquid Assets MN explores concerns about Minnesota’s aging water infrastructure. Many drinking water systems, sanitary sewers and storm sewers throughout the state are rapidly approaching the end of their useful life, so communities of all sizes are trying to come up with ways to replace these vital utilities that are routinely taken for granted. The rural cities of Brandon, Hoffman, and Battle Lake are featured, in addition to the city of Duluth and communities within the Twin Cities area, to demonstrate how each of them are grappling with the task of maintaining a high quality standard of water in this time of tight budgets. Co-produced by tpt’s Minnesota Channel and Central States Water Environment Association-Minnesota Section More info: http://www.tpt.org/?a=programs&id=21634
Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at 4:00 AM
Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at 10:00 AM
Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at 4:00 PM
Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at 10:00 PM
More info about Liquid Assets MN airtime’s can be found here:
In the meantime –just for fun– we included the cover letter that was sent with the Liquid Assets DVD. This particular letter was used for our water, sewer and storm operators.
Thanks to our sponsors and partners (see right hand column) thousands of DVDs were sent to Schools, Lawmakers, Cities, Counties, Communities across the great State of Minnesota!
This program explores concerns about Minnesota’s aging water infrastructure. Many drinking water systems, sanitary sewers and storm sewers throughout the state are rapidly approaching the end of their useful life, so communities of all sizes are trying to come up with ways to replace these vital utilities that are routinely taken for granted. The rural cities of Brandon, Hoffman, and Battle Lake are featured, in addition to the city of Duluth and communities within the Twin Cities area, to demonstrate how each of them are grappling with the task of maintaining a high quality standard of water in this time of tight budgets. Co-produced by tpt’s Minnesota Channel and Central States Water Environment Association-Minnesota Section.
This program explores concerns about Minnesota’s aging water infrastructure. Many drinking water systems, sanitary sewers and storm sewers throughout the state are rapidly approaching the end of their useful life, so communities of all sizes are trying to come up with ways to replace these vital utilities that are routinely taken for granted. The rural cities of Brandon, Hoffman, and Battle Lake are featured, in addition to the city of Duluth and communities within the Twin Cities area, to demonstrate how each of them are grappling with the task of maintaining a high quality standard of water in this time of tight budgets. Co-produced by tpt’s Minnesota Channel and Central States Water Environment Association-Minnesota Section.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 4:00 AM
Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 10:00 AM
Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 4:00 PM
Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 10:00 PM
For information on upcoming broadcasts and quick access to viewing quality programs online, visit program’s unique program page at http://www.tpt.org/?a=programs#21634
This program explores concerns about Minnesota’s aging water infrastructure. Many drinking water systems, sanitary sewers and storm sewers throughout the state are rapidly approaching the end of their useful life, so communities of all sizes are trying to come up with ways to replace these vital utilities that are routinely taken for granted. The rural cities of Brandon, Hoffman, and Battle Lake are featured, in addition to the city of Duluth and communities within the Twin Cities area, to demonstrate how each of them are grappling with the task of maintaining a high quality standard of water in this time of tight budgets. Co-produced by tpt’s Minnesota Channel and Central States Water Environment Association-Minnesota Section.
This program explores concerns about Minnesota’s aging water infrastructure. Many drinking water systems, sanitary sewers and storm sewers throughout the state are rapidly approaching the end of their useful life, so communities of all sizes are trying to come up with ways to replace these vital utilities that are routinely taken for granted. The rural cities of Brandon, Hoffman, and Battle Lake are featured, in addition to the city of Duluth and communities within the Twin Cities area, to demonstrate how each of them are grappling with the task of maintaining a high quality standard of water in this time of tight budgets. Co-produced by tpt’s Minnesota Channel and Central States Water Environment Association-Minnesota Section.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 4:00 AM
Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 10:00 AM
Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 4:00 PM
Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 10:00 PM
For information on upcoming broadcasts and quick access to viewing your programs online, visit your program’s unique program page at http://www.tpt.org/?a=programs&id=21634
Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 4:00 AM
Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 10:00 AM
Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 4:00 PM
Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 10:00 PM
This program explores concerns about Minnesota’s aging water infrastructure. Many drinking water systems, sanitary sewers and storm sewers throughout the state are rapidly approaching the end of their useful life, so communities of all sizes are trying to come up with ways to replace these vital utilities that are routinely taken for granted. The rural cities of Brandon, Hoffman, and Battle Lake are featured, in addition to the city of Duluth and communities within the Twin Cities area, to demonstrate how each of them are grappling with the task of maintaining a high quality standard of water in this time of tight budgets. Co-produced by tpt’s Minnesota Channel and Central States Water Environment Association-Minnesota Section.
Dan Kraker (Minnesota Public Radio) knocked it out of the park (!) with his piece on Minnesota’s critical water infrastructure. I absolutely love that he took the time to gather the facts AND find the best people to tell the story!
We placed the actual audio below … take a listen!
Dan Kraker came to Minnesota Public Radio in the summer of 2011 after nearly ten years at Arizona Public Radio in Flagstaff, where he won two national Edward R. Murrow awards for his coverage of Native American issues. After a decade spent exploring the desert canyons of the southwest, he’s thrilled to rediscover the lakes and rivers of northeast Minnesota. He lives in Duluth with his wife and three daughters.
This program explores concerns about Minnesota’s aging water infrastructure. Many drinking water systems, sanitary sewers and storm sewers throughout the state are rapidly approaching the end of their useful life, so communities of all sizes are trying to come up with ways to replace these vital utilities that are routinely taken for granted. The rural cities of Brandon, Hoffman, and Battle Lake are featured, in addition to the city of Duluth and communities within the Twin Cities area, to demonstrate how each of them are grappling with the task of maintaining a high quality standard of water in this time of tight budgets. Co-produced by tpt’s Minnesota Channel and Central States Water Environment Association-Minnesota Section.
KSTP Channel 5 Multi Media Journalist Mitch Pittman did a great job telling the story of how wastewater treatment is improving the quality of the Minnesota River. Not an easy task … believe me!
Kare 11 News reporter Lindsey Seavert did a story about wasting infrastructure … more than 1/3rd MN sewer systems at a breaking point.
A good piece of video-journalism considering the political, economic and environmental complexities of this issue. Not to mention, squeezing it all into a 2 min spot!
Here is the Video:
The full report, as well as a link to the MN 2020 report on Minnesota’s Sewer Systems referenced in the video can be found here:
There is an upcoming broadcast of the program you produced in partnership with the MN Channel of tpt.
Liquid Assets Minnesota
Your upcoming broadcast will occur on the statewide MN Channel. It is seen statewide via all six Minnesota public television stations (MPTA), over the air free for viewers, as well as on cable services. Broadcast on the MN Channel are simultaneous – your dates and times for the Twin Cities are the same for all other Minnesota stations as well (a list of all MPTA stations carrying the MN Channel through their digital services is attached).
Your program will be repeated many times in the coming year, statewide, on the MN Channel. To receive over-the-air broadcasts, viewers will need a digital TV or a digital conversion box. It will also be generally available to all cable and DirecTV households.
Your next statewide digital MN Channel showing is scheduled for:
Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 3:00 AM
Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 9:00 AM
Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 3:00 PM
Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 9:00 PM
For information on upcoming broadcasts and quick access to viewing your programs online, visit your program’s unique program page at http://www.tpt.org/?a=programs#21634. This is a great link to share!
Please contact us if you have questions or concerns. We welcome feedback!
This Friday on Almanac, reporter David Gillette follows up on the Duluth portion of Liquid Assets Minnesota to learn how the big flood of June impacted the sanitary sewer, storm sewer and drinking water infrastructure that we examined last year. He talked to many of the same folks we interviewed, including Mayor Don Ness, Stephen Lipinski, Marianne Boren and Eric Shaffer. Live at 7pm on TPT-2. (7/20/12) Or check the website at http://www.tpt.org/?a=almanac
PLEASE … help us spread the word …
In my 25 years in infrastructure we have NEVER had this kind of exposure to the general public; nor have we had unfettered access to such a dedicated team of infrastructure professionals like these Duluthians!
-andrew
PS; Email this to your entire list! We will also post this on the website, twitter and facebook if you would like to pass it along that way www.BlueprintMN.com
Several thousand copies of the DVD are being mailed out in chunks to a … VERY … large list of MN Cities/Communities/Townships/Water Wastewater treatment plants/MN Legislators/Cable TV outlets … and MORE!
If you did not receive your copy of the DVD don’t sweat it.
In a moment we will tell you how to get your hands on your very own copy.
But first …
We want you to take a long hard look at the sponsors in the right hand column who made this Documentary and DVD outreach initiative possible.
Each of these sponsors … NEVER ONCE … made demands; or asked, “What’s in it for me?”
Matter of fact …. if they did make demands … and ask, “What’s in it for me?” (because the nature of non-profit Public TV) we had to quietly let them go.
It is thru the generosity and trust … of each of these sponsors … combined with several hundred volunteer hours donated by your partner team … that made this Documentary and subsequent DVD possible.
Which BTW …
Continues to air all over the Midwest, is still garnering national attention and receiving awards … AND … was recently nominated for a regional Emmy!
Oh, and let’s not forget the other superstars in this MASSIVE campaign to raise infrastructure IQ …
YOU!
That’s right …
Wether you helped spread the word (our primary marketing tool) or you were one of the many Engineers, Planners, Managers, Council Members, Regulators and Frontline workers who dropped what they were doing and talked to TPT cameras about Minnesota’s Critical Water Infrastructure. We could not have done it with-out you!
Thank-you ALL!
How to get your Copy of Liquid Assets MN:
If you don’t already own a copy of ”Liquid Assets MN” your partner team and sponsors have made arrangements to see that you DO get one!
Here’s the deal …
SEH (Short Elliot Hendrickson) has kindly agreed to not only store the DVDs; but also process and ship DVD requests from their office!
All you have to do is:
1. Email Carol Gelley at cgelley@sehinc.com and ask for a copy of Liquid Assets MN DVD.
2. Include your name, title, organization, phone, address and email
And finally …
3. A short description of what you will be using it for
Note: First come, first serve. One DVD per customer. More copies are available to those communities that are implementing outreach initiatives. Vendors, Sponsors and Partners that pre-ordered their DVDs in bulk … will be shipped sometime in the first half of July
-andrew sullivan
PS; All sorts of uses for this DVD!
1. Show it to your crew to revitalize your mission while affirming the important role you play in Public Health, the economy and the environment
2. Show it to your City Hall or City Council so they can understand the issues your City faces maintaining these precious underground assets
3. Bring it to your local cable access station to help get the message to your customers
4. Hold a special event and show the entire DVD; or maybe just show the 11 minute overview to help facilitate intelligent discussions on your cities critical water infrastructure
5. Put links on your website to the 11 minute Overview and/or to the TPT online video vault where you can watch the entire documentary on your computer
There are various reasons why it’s tough to engage the public on water infrastructure issues. One, the pipes are out of sight and out of mind. Two, the concept is a little abstract — people don’t worry about piping until a break causes them a problem. Three, talk tends to focus on infrastructure nationally, making it hard for people to relate at the hometown level.
A gallant group in Minnesota has taken on the challenge of making the infrastructure crisis more immediate. They’ve created a 56-minute TV documentary, “Liquid Assets Minnesota,” that shows from the perspective of local officials why it’s essential to take care of water piping and other buried assets.
The program is a state-specific spinoff from the 2009 documentary, “Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure,” produced by Penn State Public Television and supported by major water, wastewater and other industry associations. The Minnesota program is important because it can provide a blueprint for groups in other states who need to deliver their own infrastructure messages.
See it, feel it
“Liquid Assets Minnesota,” more than two years in the making, is built around unscripted, on-camera conversations with 33 people, from mayors and city council members, to front-line workers, to representatives of agencies like the Minnesota Department of Health and the Twin Cities’ Metropolitan Council.
The interviews include representatives from 12 Minnesota cities — large and small, new and old, rural and metropolitan. The comments are frank, clear, and from the heart. The visuals are compelling …
This program explores concerns about Minnesota’s aging water infrastructure. Many drinking water systems, sanitary sewers and storm sewers throughout the state are rapidly approaching the end of their useful life, so communities of all sizes are trying to come up with ways to replace these vital utilities that are routinely taken for granted. The rural cities of Brandon, Hoffman, and Battle Lake are featured, in addition to the city of Duluth and communities within the Twin Cities area, to demonstrate how each of them are grappling with the task of maintaining a high quality standard of water in this time of tight budgets. Co-produced by tpt’s Minnesota Channel and Central States Water Environment Association-Minnesota Section.
PPS; In the meantime, join us as we build awareness about MNs critical water infrastructure. by sending this video link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPdeOY22PzI&feature=channel to your email list, posting on facebook and twitter etc; THANKS!
4. Other Cities, in other States want to show/share “Liquid Assets MN”
5. Friends of Infrastructure are sharing “Liquid Assets MN”by posting, tweeting, blogging, Facebooking and emailing (exactly what we were counting on … thank-you!)
And speaking of that last one …
(posting, tweeting, blogging, FaceBooking and emailing …)
We have yet another great way for you to view and share the importance of Minnesota’s critical water infrastructure …
Yep …
TPT-MN has uploaded the entire documentary “Liquid Assets Minnesota” into their MN Video Vault!
And that’s not all …
TPT-MN was kind enough to break the doc into segments (another popular request) so you can watch or SHARE individual pieces!
PS; While you watch the different segments please notice the Facebook link below the video. Simply cut and paste that link and you can share on Facebook/Twitter/blog or send your email list. Please do share BTW … word of mouth (you) is our greatest marketing tool!
Tonight at 7pm “Liquid assets MN” will get an on air promotion on Twin Cities Public Television: Almanac
Almanac is Twin Cities Public Television’s long running weekly public affairs program with host Eric Eskola, Cathy Wurzer and politcal reporter Mary Lahammer.
Personally, I am very excited about this … not only because of the HUGE audience; but also the caliber of that audience.
Besides, Almanac has always been a Friday night thing for me … and … to think our Doc project will even be hinted at – in the slightest way whatsoever- makes me, well …. EXCITED!
Please tune in; or catch the replays thru out the week.
This program explores concerns about Minnesota’s aging water infrastructure. Many drinking water systems, sanitary sewers and storm sewers throughout the state are rapidly approaching the end of their useful life, so communities of all sizes are trying to come up with ways to replace these vital utilities that are routinely taken for granted. The rural cities of Brandon, Hoffman, and Battle Lake are featured, in addition to the city of Duluth and communities within the Twin Cities area, to demonstrate how each of them are grappling with the task of maintaining a high quality standard of water in this time of tight budgets. Co-produced by tpt’s Minnesota Channel and Central States Water Environment Association-Minnesota Section
The table below summarizes coverage for the major cable and satellite providers in our region. Many smaller cable companies also carry tpt. If your provider is not listed here, please contact them for specific information.
a – To see tpt 2 in High Definition, a viewer must have a HD television set. Cable and satellite subscribers with an HD television must also have an HD box from their service provider and may have to subscribe to a specific tier of service.
b – Comcast basic cable subscribers in the east metro who do not have a cable box will find tpt 2 on channel 23.
c – Comcast basic cable subscribers can begin receiving tpt mn without subscribing to a higher tier of service by asking Comcast to install a digital receiver box in their home. Comcast does charge a small monthly fee for rental of the digital receiver.
d – Charter Cable subscribers in the Albert Lea, Mankato, Rochester, and Owatonna regions will find tpt 2 in HD on channel 780.
e – tpt life is not available to all Charter Cable subscribers. Check with Charter for information specific to your region.
f – DIRECTV subscribers with newer receivers will receive tpt mn. Check with DIRECTV for information specific to your receiver.
Question: How in the world do you get the general public interested in something they cannot even see?
I am talking of course about underground infrastructure …
Some experts would argue, that if you cannot see a thing and it is not in your perception, it does not exist at all!
The idea that something is easily forgotten; or dismissed as unimportant if it is not in our direct view has been around for centuries.
You have heard the expressions:
Out of sight out of mind.
If a tree falls in forest and there is no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?
Far from the eyes, far from the heart
An eye evades a thing it does not see
Heck, an entire philosophy called “Subjective Idealism” was built around this very phenomena
So how do you get someone to care about something they cannot see?
The answer is quite simple …
And if you turn on the TV, open a magazine, or surf the internet … you will see MANY, MANY, MANY examples of companies spending millions of dollars to BE seen!
And I will tell you right now, the best marketers know this one simple rule: You don’t need to have the best product, or even the cheapest product. You just have to be first in the mind of the consumer.
Of course for that to happen … you have to be … you guessed it … SEEN!
I know, I know …
Water and sewer services are a public service and we don’t have big fat marketing budgets for slick ads, TV commercials and naming rights for sport stadiums.
Nope …
Our budgets are spent on-as they should- making sure infrastructure works.
Things like:
1. The pipes that deliver the water you count on for your morning shower and that very first cup of coffee.
2. One flush sanitary sewers that whisk away the wastes before causing sickness and disease.
3. Or the storm water systems that protect the environment and prevent your home or neighborhood from being washed away.
Pretty important stuff … AND … worth sharing!
That’s why it is essential that we continually find creative ways to engage the public and make infrastructure something that people can see and feel.
One such way that will help people SEE infrastructure is 3D Animation …
Ben Peters (BlueprintMN team member, Architect and 3D designer) created a 3D animation of ALL buried conveyance systems (water, sewer, storm, gas, elect etc) in a typical City intersection.
To drive home the point– of just how busy it is right under our feet– even though you cannot see it–Ben arranged to have all these pipes, wires and cables simutaneously lift up out of the ground!
PS; I like how all the pigeons are flying around and wondering, “What the heck is going on?”
PPS; Since Ben has joined our team I have watched him render buildings, water parks, a wastewater plant and a TV commercial. Wanna hear something really bizarre? On one of his last projects, Ben used a 3D printer to make a perfectly scaled plastic model of an apartment building … complete with colors! Not kidding. When the printing is done, you simply reach into the drawer and pull out a 3D plastic replica of your design.
The Minnesota Government Engineers Council (MGEC) was formed in 1968 in order to provide advocacy and profession-enhancement services for Professional Engineers in government …
“The health of our waters is the principal measure of how we live on the land.”
Luna Leopold
Since about the time of the cave man, storm water had ALWAYS been one of the bigger priorities:
1. You had to locate your home, community, or city, near a clean and replenish-able source of water (rain fed)
2. You needed your shelter far enough away from storm water run off (or at least do some clever ditch digging)
so you and your family stayed warm safe and dry
And …
3. You needed to employ practices whereby wastes from your home or community, did not wash into your water supply.
Today, we know these survival basics as the Science of Watershed Management …
For our final day of shooting, we caught up with the folks at the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) to learn more about this Watershed approach to managing Minnesota’s most precious resource.
Water!
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD)
Imagine a HUGE bowl that has a surface area of 181 Square Miles.
Hard to believe we were even in the City really: Wild birds, Marsh grasses, Cat-tails, Fishing holes, a Meandering creek … and … a board walk that takes you thru the heart of it all!
It wasn’t always this way though …
This particular area of wetlands, located along the Minnehaha Creek … near the intersection of Louisiana Ave and Excelsior Blvd … was filled in many years ago to accommodate new development.
(a common practice in Minnesota pre-watershed)
It was Park Nicollet Methodist that stepped up in a BIG way and joined MCWD in efforts to re-meander this part of the Minnehaha creek which resulted in (among other things) restored wetlands, storage to mitigate flooding, improved water quality ….
Not to mention …
Giving Park Nicollet patients a place to connect with nature and speed healing.
Here you will get a look at what an MCWD project looks like before a single shovel even hits the dirt. Old industrial buildings, parking lot’s tipped wildly towards the creek, storm sewer outlet’s jutting crudely out of eroded creek embankments …
But, you know what?
That’s the way it was always done in those early pre-watershed days.
Yep …
Get the water routed out of harms way and out of the City (as quickly as possible) was just, well … standard operating procedure.
Now we know better …
Working with the City of Hopkins the MCWD purchased these outdated buildings and have plans to restore about 1,000 feet of shoreline in one of the most degraded sections of this creek.
The plan is the same here [Hopkins] as it is in any City or Watershed …
Mimic Nature: Slow it down, Spread it out, Soak it in!
According to the Honorable Mayor, when the project is finished, this area will:
1. Become a natural buffer to help clean and slow run-off water before it enters the creek
2. Provide public access
3. Improve water quality
4. Reduce Crime
And … finally …
5. Re-coup initial investments as the rest of the property will be sold for re-development, which is consistent with the city’s comprehensive land use plan.
James Wisker
For the purposes of this documentary, I suppose we could have focused on the glaringly obvious storm-water things … like:
The thousands of surface drains, catch-basins, inlets and outlets that capture and redirect millions of gallons of storm water when it rains …
Or maybe even …
The hundreds of miles of underground storm pipes and ditches that keep your home or neighborhood from being washed away …
But …
We decided (in the time alloted) the more important/interesting topic right now AND into the next decade is:
1. Where all this water ends up
2. Why it can negatively or positively impact the future of MN
3. What we can do to ensure it’s the latter
And …
4. In MN, what we are doing about it!
James Wisker, a Planner with the MCWD broke it all down for us …
Wisker also shared how Hopkins and other Communities in this Metro MN Watershed are gaining nationwide attention for their success in getting ALL stake-holders to the table, having the conversations we NEED to have … and then … making the TOUGH choices.
No small task I assure you!
(end day #7)
Oh, I almost forgot …
We also managed to squeeze in 4 more (non storm related) interviews on day #7!
Stew Thornley: Health Educator Minnesota Department of Health: Section of Drinking Water Protection
Dennis Healy: CEO Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water
Dominic Jones: Manager, Red Rock Rural Water
And …
Kyle Colvin: Eng Services Asst Manager, Metropolitan Council Environmental Services
Thank-you everyone for stepping up and sharing your experience and stories with greater Minnesota!
If we managed to capture .. even just a teeny tiny bit … the kind of Leadership, Cooperation, Collaboration and Resolve we saw here as Duluthians continue to step up and meet the challenges of their aging water & sewer infrastructure (and by aging, I mean like 1800s aging) well, then … this whole trip will have been a smashing success!
I believe we did just that …
Here is a quick fly over of our shoot in duluth MN:
Day#5
Our first interview was at City hall with Mayor Don Ness who talked about, “Getting ahead of the Curve” which literally means to take action and prevent a problem, rather than waiting until the problem occurs, whereby said action would be less effective.
The honorable Mayor went on to explain:
A. The importance of knowing what those problems are
B. Having a long term plan to address those problems
C. Including your residents in the process and
D. Ensuring your residents and businesses see tangible results.
Next stop, was Western Lake Sanitary Sewer District (WLSSD) where we talked with Executive Director, Marianne Bohren.
Marianne told us about the collaborative efforts with Duluthians, Local Industry and Regulatory Bodies that not only resulted in significantly reduced Sanitary Sewer Overflows into Lake Superior; but was also responsible for the miraculous St. Louis River recovery where conditions went from unswimmable and unfishable … to being clean enough where it is now a walleye hotspot!
In fact, some experts say the State record walleye will come out of the St. Louis …
You heard it here first.
If you want to learn more about WLSSD and the St. Louis River, check out this video: “Return to the River”
After WLSSD we loaded our equipment and joined Steve Lipiniski and his repair crew for some water-main break B-Roll on the West end of Town.
Our videographer Mike Phillips (pictured left) climbed down the hole to film the repair work.
Wanna hear something really wild?
The water-main Mike is filming … was installed … in the 1800s!!
Next, we drove to a nearby scenic river and had a conversation with Duluthian Jennifer Julsrud, amid a grove of towering Cedar trees.
Jennifer is the President of Duluth’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and she talked about this newly formed commission made up of Councilors and Residents …
Their mission is to “Ensure safe, reliable, efficient utilities services at reasonable rates.”
Inspired by the success of a model Grand Rapids MN instituted some 100 years ago, Jennifer explained how orgs like these play an important role bringing a user perspective to the table and ensuring all stake holders are part of the process.
Day #6
Early the next morning we drove up scenic Hwy 61 to an old water plant built in the 1800s that (believe it or not) is still in use today!
Some of the equipment (now antiques) are still there, along with some old B/W pictures of the very building we were in …
It is here we met with Water & Gas Supply Manager Howard Jacobson.
Howard walked us through the process of getting 20 million GPD to 86,000 Duluthians, that are spread out over a 28 mile area, several different pressure zones (because of the hills) … ALL … while being mindful of the 140 water-main breaks that are being worked on thru out the year!
Howard then demonstrated the new fangled technology that Duluth is using today to manage their system. It is portable, user friendly, efficient and saves Duluth Utility Operations a boatload of dough!
Next we talked to Duluth Utilities Manager Steve Lipinski who- at the time- was juggling 4 water-main breaks, a gas leak, a hydrant that was run over AND an emergency call from a neighboring town that needed Duluth’s help …
I personally know Steve from his many presentations at the mandatory conferences we have to attend to keep our water and sewer licenses.
I could ALWAYS count on Steve to give me REAL solutions, based on REAL experiences, that I could apply REAL time, in my own town!
I am sure he has NO idea how impactful his philanthropic work has been on large and small communities across MN. Steve will be retiring soon. We will definitely miss him!
Many States across the Nation are turning an eye towards Duluth MN for the ingenious ways they are handling their aging infrastructure.
Eric Shaffer, Chief Engineer of Utilities talked to us about one of those innovations in Canal Park.
You can’t see it in this picture but just behind Eric stands an 8,000,000 gallon sewage storage tank (under construction) designed to prevent sewage overflows during rain events.
In short: Instead of Sewage going into Lake Superior it goes into the Storage tank to be treated later-when it is not raining.
Not only have these tanks significantly reduced Sanitary Sewer Overflows into Lake Superior (and the basements of Duluthians) they [tanks] can also be used to isolate large parts of Duluths Sewer system … so Steve Lipinski and his repair crews can upgrade, rehab and replace the old pipes!
Last conversation of the day (before we hit the road back to the Cities) was on the pier under the Aerial Bridge with Jim Benning, P.E. – Director of Public Works & Utilities.
Jim reminded us:
A. That engineering is not only about solving complicated problems with MNs aging infrastructure; but it is also about the results …
(Jim points over his shoulder at the largest freshwater lake in the world)
B. Lake Superior is one of Duluth’s most sacred responsibilities and one they do not take lightly
C. By taking care of this Lake, not only do we take take care of Duluth; but Minnesota as well …
(end day 5 & 6 shoot Duluth MN)
We have only one shoot left … and it is set for Sept 14th.
By Jeremy Scott and photojournalist Derek Seashore, FOX 21 News
DULUTH – The state of Minnesota’s underground water system is coming to the surface. Duluth’s aging infrastructure could be included in a state-wide T.V. documentary.
It’s that old saying ‘out of sight, out of mind’ and that’s just the case when it comes to Duluth’s aging underground water infrastructure.
“We take for granted our sewer systems, we take for granted our water systems, but if they’re not functioning properly, the city doesn’t operate,” said Duluth Mayor, Don Ness …
Out of sight, out of mind, out of time and out of money.
That’s pretty much the plight of the underground water and sewer pipe system in Duluth and across much of Minnesota and the U.S. — rusting, freezing, breaking and failing fast in many cases — with little interest from the public and dwindling money from state and federal governments.
It’s not exactly the sexy stuff of Hollywood movies, but the plight of underground infrastructure in Duluth and other Minnesota communities is the subject of an upcoming documentary …
Question: How do you get a producer, videographer and 50,000 dollars worth of cameras and equipment onto a SUPER busy construction site for filming?
Or … for that matter …
Into a public sewer, manhole or pipe that could potentially contain deadly atmospheres?
Answer: You don’t …
You give handheld video cameras to trained BlueprintMN team members … who work in these environments everyday … and let them do the shooting!
Here’s the deal …
We can’t talk about Minnesota’s buried treasure; the thousands of miles of pipes and mains; the lifeblood of our Cities and Communities; with-out showing what this infrastructure looks like.
Nope …
For this documentary to REALLY connect with the general public, will mean that the partner team will need to SAFELY shoot as much B-roll of REAL water, sewer and storm infrastructure as we possibly can!
Now, in order to pull this off we needed some guidance AND a place to shoot …
So here’s what we did:
Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) set us up with video cameras that wouldn’t break the bank, if … say … we dropped them down a manhole or something. These camera’s are also compatible with the TPT editing environment.
(… I am holding one of these video cameras in the above picture- costs about 300 bucks or so)
Then, TPT held a 4 hour training session on how to use them.
(… this is the biggest construction project in the State btw)
It just so happened that Ames and McCrossan were in the middle of several digs where water, sewer and storm pipes were being exposed, removed, replaced or relocated …
Perfect!
So, we met with Superintendent Gene Haaland of Ames Construction and Safety Coordinator for AGC Dan Hannan, on University Ave in St. Paul near Hwy #280 … and then rolled camera!
We continued heading West, finally ending the shoot on Washington Ave near the Metro-dome. We got 30 or so great clips of excavations, pipes, people and equipment!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words.
And if that’s true … we easily wrote an entire chapter here!
Thank-you Ames Construction, C.S. McCrossan and AGC for helping pull all of this together!
PS; If anyone else has an infrastructure project/s that you or our partners can shoot … let us know!
PPS; Been getting several requests about the kind of handheld camera we use and the quality of the footage. I will blog about that soon enough … maybe even include a clip or two … stay tuned 😉
Please help us welcome TKDA as our latest sponsor for the production of a Documentary Film on MNs Critical Water Infrastructure:
TKDA is a 100% employee-owned professional services firm providing engineering, architecture, and planning to our clients nationwide. With nearly 200 employees, we deliver single source, integrated services to both public and private markets. We are ranked among Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms …
We spent day #4 at the Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant located three miles south of downtown St. Paul.
Its fitting we ended up here too. Because our last shoot was at the City of Golden Valley, where we learned that the sewage produced by this 20k plus City, flows too (and thru) the Metro Plant …
That’s a 17 mile journey end to end!
Metro Plant Director Mike Mereness (pictured) says that it takes about a day for the wastes produced in Golden Valley to reach this St. Paul facility.
Mike went on to say that MCES (Metropolitan Council of Environmental Services) has a total of seven wastewater treatment plants located throughout the Twin Cities…
And that …
Collectively, MCES has approximately 600 miles of large diameter regional sewer pipes that collect flows from over 5,000 miles of sanitary sewers owned by 105 communities, for a total of 250 million gallons of wastewater being treated each day!
The Metro Plant is by far MCES’s largest treatment facility and serves approximately –get this– 70 percent of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area!
This plant alone –which you can see operating real time just behind Mike– treats an average of 175 million gallons of wastewater each day, and discharges the resulting clean water to the Mississippi River.
The rest of the day:
Just after lunch we sat down with Alva Rankin from SEH who gave our viewers a little “Sewer 101.”
I haven’t met many people that can connect with the general public the way Alva can. It was really fun to hear him carefully explain the role of the lowly sewer system and it’s contribution to the overall success of Minnesota.
For the rest of the afternoon, Tim O’Donnell (MCES Senior Information Coordinator and Project Citizen Liaison) was kind enough to give us a full “How it all Works” tour of this massive complex.
All I got to say is … WOW!
If you ever get a chance to see this marvel of Minnesota ingenuity, planning and engineering, that is the Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant… do it!
In the meantime you’ll just have to tune into Liquid Assets: MN … when we finally air!
-andrew
PS; 2 more days left of shooting … and … (breaking news) one of those days will be in … Duluth Minnesota!
Day 2 brought us to Brandon MN where Mayor Doug Johnson showed us what can be accomplished when your community gets behind you AND you utilize the hard won resources that are available to you.
The power of a community never ceases to amaze me!
Then we sat down with Ruth Hubbard of the Minnesota Rural Water Association. Ruthie and her team play an integral role in Rural MN helping small towns face the challenges of compliance, maintenance, management and upgrade of their aging water and sewer systems.
Next stop was the City of Hoffman …
Truly amazing what they accomplished here in Hoffman. Utilities Superintendent Ken Sanstead and the Town Clerk, Pat Lawson, took us thru their experiences dealing with a water and sewer system that was literally on it’s last leg! Their journey ended up with sewer main re-habs, a new water tower and a treatment plant. It was not easy for them; but their hard work will help the environment, improve the local economy and most importantly protect public health!
And then finally, we finished up day #2 up with Dan Folsum of Design Tree Engineering. We had heard the name Dan Folsum in this area many times-now we know why!
The following Monday was day #3:
Day 3 started in the Council Chambers of Golden Valley MN with Mayor Linda Loomis, Public Works Director Jeannine Clancy and Supervisor David Lemke. Golden Valley was one of the first Metro Cities in MN to step up and take on the growing problems related to I & I. We all know-to well- the serious political, economic and environmental repercussions of NOT effectively dealing with I & I.
We owe Cities like Golden Valley a debt of gratitude for sharing their story and forging the way!
Then it was off to Eden Prairie … My home town!
We sat down with Superintendent Rick Wahlen and AE2S Engineer Grant Myer and talked about how a City like Eden Prairie, who has most of its rapid growth behind them, can proactively plan for the healthy future of their Drinking Water, Wastewater and Storm Water utilities.
Our next trip will be to the Metropolitan Council on June 27th where we start shooting Day #4 …
We traveled to beautiful Battle Lake Minnesota today to begin filming Liquid Assets: MN …
And I can’t tell you how great it felt to finally meet everyone and then to finally see those cameras rolling!
You know …
I continue to be amazed at the level of support and enthusiasm demonstrated by everyone involved to make this project happen: subscribers, sponsors, partner team members, TPT and now ALL the great people that continue to step up and share their stories and experiences managing MNs critical water infrastructure. This is why I love Minnesota!
Take a look at this GREAT group we had for day #1:
TPT producer Jeff Weihe and award winning Videographer Mike Phillips who will do ANYTHING for the perfect shot!
Ruth Hubbard and Frank Stuemke (MRWA) who showed up from nearby Elbow Lake to lend a helping hand.
Battle Lake Public Works Director Steve Seufert, who put aside his normal duties and got our camera crew on some of Battle Lakes Infrastructure (can’t wait to see their waste-water system, we spent a good deal of time there because of how interesting it was)
On Camera Guests included:
Battle Lake Treasurer and Clerk Wanda Berg Vorgert who talked about what it took to get Battle Lakes infrastructure back on track.
WCI President Nancy Straw who shared how nine counties got together and assembled a model study on water and sewer infrastructure to help their region survive and thrive!
Tony Deschane from Argyle Minnesota who gave a small town Council Member perspective on water sewer infrastrcture
Tony Sufranski who also drove in from Argyle and gave a Maintenance Operators perspective, including how his sewer bypass pumps did NOT run after a half inch of rain. He accredited this to a recent sewer main rehabilitation!
Tomorrow we head over to the town of Brandon Mn and then to Hoffman … Can’t wait!
BlueprintMN welcomes WSB & Associates, Inc. as our latest sponsor for a documentary film on Minnesota’s critical water infrastructure …
Welcome Aboard!
WSB & Associates, Inc. is a Minnesota-owned consulting engineering firm with offices in Minneapolis and St. Cloud. Founded in 1995, we’ve focused on the engineering, planning, environmental, and construction service needs of governmental agencies and energy projects. WSB is comprised of 150 staff members who are committed to providing value and expertise in an environment of superior customer service. These attributes are essential to the success of our clients and allow us to enhance the services we share with them.
An alert subscriber (below) just sent this FYI about Minnesota Infrastructure being on the history channel Sunday Night!
“I just saw an ad on the history channel for a new show that premiers Sunday night called Inspector America. Its about a guy that goes around inspecting and documenting the crumbling infrastructure of America. The first show is actually about Minnesota. He is going to look at the 35w bridge and a reservoir. There is a subtle, grass roots level, push to improve the infrastructure in this country, its nice to be a part of it.”
We did some more digging and found this:
America’s Wake-Up Call(Minneapolis/St. Paul.) The inspection of America begins as Timothy uncovers a famous collapse, a reservoir on the verge, and a bridge that could pose a serious danger. America, we can fix it! Timothy Galarnyk, an infrastructure safety inspector with over 35 years of experience, hosts.
And this:
(from History’s press release, April 2011) New York, New York – America has one of the greatest infrastructures in history. Roadways, dams, tunnels and bridges were built to last. But over the decades, the infrastructure that helped our country grow hasn’t kept up with the times – from underground sewers built during the Gold Rush to highways designed for 1925 traffic. Now, HISTORY sets out to inspect the country to see what is up to code and what needs to be fixed. Timothy Galarnyk, an infrastructure safety inspector with over 35 years of experience, hosts INSPECTOR AMERICA, a new one-hour series premiering Sunday, April 17 at 10 p.m. on HISTORY. Galarnyk’s initial sweep takes him to six American locations that have infrastructure challenges. He uses the tools of his trade to evaluate the structures, gauge dangers and offer opinions on how to deal with it.
History Channel: Sun, Apr 17, 9:00 PM Central “America’s Wake Up Call New”
The City of Duluth has joined the BlueprintMN team for the production of a Documentary Film on Minnesota’s Critical Water Infrastructure. WELCOME ABOARD!
Duluth is a beautiful city situated on a hill stretching 22 miles along the shores of pristine Lake Superior. Duluth is home to over 86,000 residents and is known for its breathless natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Duluth is also host to several top notch educational and health care facilities that attract students and staff from all over the world. It’s an economic engine for the northeast region with tourism activity and emerging entrepreneurs in the healthcare, technology, and aircraft industries.
Please help us welcome HRG as our latest sponsor for a documentary film on Minnesota’s critical water infrastructure!
Howard R. Green Company
Howard R. Green Company is, at its core, an engineering and architectural firm, but we know that great design alone does not make projects a reality. That’s why we arm our professional staff with tools and resources to assist through every step of the process – defining the vision, developing executable plans, finding the funding needed to get started, educating constituents about the benefits of a program – and of course, providing excellent technical, engineering and architectural design services …
Just wanted to let you know that … NOT ONLY … did we … REACH … our fund raising goal of 30k …
We … SURPASSED … it!
(Take a gander at the $$$$ thermometer to your left ; )
Here are some highlights from your partner team these past few months:
(deep breath)
1. First off, we had a write up in MSW magazine and then later we were featured in TPO magazine. Both are NATIONAL publications!
2. Liquid Assets Documentary Project was presented at ASCE-MN Section meeting and hosted by the legislative committee!
3. Patti Craddock (Central States Water Environment Associaton) presented Liquid Assets: MN at several MAJOR conferences.
4. Web traffic made all time new highs in Jan with over 748 visitors and over 30k of page views!
5. Partner team has roughed out a shooting script, assembled from an exhaustive list of partner and subscriber stories, facts and copy.
6. Ben Peters has been hard at work on our documentary animations.
7. Stories, clips, pictures, videos and volunteers continue to stream in. We started posting some of the visual stuff HERE Check out the pictures of aging MN water and sewer main, breaks and repairs/BPMs new logo/and a retro PSA style video. Very cool!
8. Liquid Assets: MN Documentary featured in partner team publications
What does all this mean?
It means it’s time to switch gears from fund raising mode… to … FULL ON … production!
Yep …
Thanks to our active subscribers, a growing list of generous sponsors … AND … hundreds of hours invested by your dedicated partner team, we are–locked and loaded– with:
– The full 30k (plus) needed to begin production
– A rough shooting script- to be fine tuned by the partner team
AND …
– A good start on our animation- also to be fine tuned by partner team
Now what?
The partner team will be getting together with TPT to plan our next move …
Stay tuned!
-andrew
PS; Thank you for all your help getting the word out– couldn’t have done it without you. Keep spreading the word and keep those good ideas coming! PPS; Word of mouth is our biggest marketing tool. Tell your coworkers and peers to sign up for the emails!
BlueprintMn welcomes newest sponsor DSG for the production of Liquid Assets: MN, a Public Television Documentary about Minnesota’s Critical Water Infrastructure!
Dakota Supply Group (DSG)
Since our establishment in 1898, we at Dakota Supply Group (DSG) have worked hard at making a name for ourselves as a full-line distributor of electrical, mechanical, communications, utility, automation, waterworks, filtration and metering technology products and systems …
Bolton & Menk have joined BlueprintMN team for the production of a Documentary Film on Minnesota’s Critical Water Infrastructure.
WELCOME ABOARD!
Bolton & Menk has a broad range of experience in the areas of civil, environmental and transportation engineering, and land surveying. As an independent organization of professional engineers, our selection of design methods and materials is entirely objective and based on experience, knowledge and judgment. Over the years, Bolton & Menk has successfully worked with many communities on a continuous and ongoing basis as the designated city engineering firm …
The January Section meeting was hosted by the Legislative Committee. Patti Craddock of Craddock Consulting Engineers who represents the Central States Water Environment Association, Tom Eggum of TKDA who represents the Minnesota Section of ASCE, and Dave Hutton of SRF who represents the Minnesota Public Works Association provided a review of the MN 2050 initiative. They outlined this new initiative which is jointly sponsored by14 organizations. The MN 2050 initiative hopes to provide information to aid engineers in educating policy makers and the public about the importance of our public infrastructure. The goal is to develop materials ranging from hard facts to sound-bites and other understandable media-friendly messages to encourage engineers to get the critical word out…more often, more effectively, and enough to make the difference. We need to educate our friends, communities and policy makers why investment levels for infrastructure must be adequate for maintenance of current systems, replacement of failing systems, and expansion of new systems to support our economy and quality of life.
BlueprintMN welcome’s Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) for the production of a documentary film about Minnesota’s critical water infrastructure.
WELCOME TO THE TEAM!
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD)
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is committed to a leadership role in protecting, improving and managing the surface waters and affiliated groundwater resources within the district, including their relationships to the ecosystems of which they are an integral part. We achieve our mission through regulation, capital projects, education, cooperative endeavors, and other programs based on sound science, innovative thinking, an informed and engaged constituency, and cost effective use of public funds …
Liquid Assets: MN is pleased to announce “West Central Initiative” has joined our team for the production of a Documentary Film on Minnesota’s Critical Water Infrastructure.
Welcome Aboard!
West Central Initiative is a regional community foundation that works to strengthen the region of west central Minnesota by:
Encouraging business and employment opportunities.
Providing training and support to workers and their families.
Working with communities and the region to help them thrive.
Promoting philanthropy.
WCI serves the nine counties of Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse and Wilkin …
Brown and Caldwell: Environmental Engineers and Consultants
Joins “Liquid Assets: MN” for the production of a Documentary Film to Raise Awareness about Minnesota Critical Water Infrastructure.
Brown and Caldwell delivers leading edge engineering and business solutions to efficiently and effectively meet the environmental needs of public agencies, government and private industry …
The Associated General Contractors of Minnesota (AGC) is a non-profit professional trade association that is dedicated to promoting opportunity and excellence in the building and highway construction industry throughout the State of Minnesota …
CDM is a consulting, engineering, construction, and operations firm with a full range of services including architectural and engineering design, environmental management and planning, transportation, management, consulting, information management, and construction. Projects range from small, short-term solutions to complex, ongoing environmental and infrastructure management programs …
The 2009 TV documentary, “Liquid Assets: The Story of our Water Infrastructure,” sent a powerful message about the importance of water and wastewater infrastructure.
Now, a group in Minnesota hopes to personalize that message with a documentary for state residents. “Blueprint Minnesota: Liquid Assets” (www.BlueprintMN.com) is a grassroots initiative seeking to create a 30-minute public TV program that builds awareness about the critical role water infrastructure plays in protecting public health and promoting economic prosperity in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.”
Like the national “Liquid Assets” program, produced by Penn State Public Television and supported by major water, wastewater and other industry associations, the Minnesota program is a major team effort … Continue reading Liquid Assets MN goes … NATIONAL!
BlueprintMN welcomes it’s latest sponsor: Short Elliot Hendrickson (SEH)
Welcome Aboard!
Short Elliot Hendrickson Inc.
Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH®) is a multidisciplined firm of engineers,
architects, planners, and scientists serving publicand private- sectorclients …
A big Thank-You to American Planning Association-Minnesota Chapter for their continued support of “Liquid Assets: MN” a Documentary Film to raise awareness about Minnesota’s Critical Water Infrastructure. We have now raised $22,500 of the 3ok needed for production!
The Minnesota Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Minnesota) is a non-profit statewide organization of over 900 planning professionals, educators, local officials and planning commissioners …
The future of Minnesota’s most important natural resource, it’s water, is a subject near and dear to the heart of 49er Andrew Sullivan. A member of the City of Eden Prairie’s Water Department, Sullivan is volunteering his time to create awareness for the future of the state’s water supply.
Sullivan and others are working on producing a documentary entitled “Liquid Assets Minnesota” for Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) that strives to raise awareness about Minnesota’s critical water infrastructure, which includes drinking water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer services.
“This project is important to all Minnesotans,” said Sullivan. “As volunteers we are doing everything from research to finding generous sponsors who want to help us make a difference.”
So far Blueprint Minnesota has raised $19,000 of the projected $30,000 to make the film. “Every bit helps. We aren’t doing this to turn a profit,” said Sullivan. “We are doing this as volunteers to make residents and business aware that our liquid assets are reaching a critical point where more education, conservation and support are needed.”
At www.blueprintminnesota.com, perspective sponsors can find more information about the project and discover other ways they can help. “As a 49er this project is very important to me,” said Sullivan. “With more attention comes more projects to keep our water systems protected. Those projects will put my fellow 49ers to work doing good things for Minnesota.”
Sponsoring this project is easy said Sullivan. “We have numerous funding levels, each with multiple sponsorship premiums,” he said. “Together we can fund this project and put it on the air to inform Minnesotans of the critical action necessary to sustain our precious water resources.”
Glen Johnson, business manager of Local 49 said he applauds the initiative taken by Sullivan and his team at Blueprint Minnesota. “This is a cause all Minnesotans should take seriously,” he said. “Andrew and the other producers are giving of their time to bring attention to a situation that may otherwise get overlooked. It’s that spirit of volunteerism and care for the environment that make me proud to be a fellow 49er. We all can do something to help this project.”
BlueprintMN: Welcome’s the Minnesota Environmental Science and Economic Review Board (MESERB) as it’s latest sponsor for a documentary film on Minnesota’s Critical Water Infrastructure!
Last month, MSW magazine featured a preview about our infrastructure awareness efforts here in Minnesota. A full article will be published SOON!
Stay tuned …
You may well have seen the TV documentary, “Liquid Assets: The Story of our Water Infrastructure,” produced by Penn State Public Televisions and supported by major water, wastewater and other industry associations.
Now, a group in Minnesota hopes to take a similar and personalized message out to that state’s residents. Blueprint Minnesota: Liquid Assets (http://www.BlueprintMN.com) is a grassroots initiative seeking to create a documentary that builds awareness about the critical role water infrastructure plays in protecting public health and promoting economic prosperity in the state.
“History has shown us time and again that a successful city and state owe their economic prosperity, public safety, and high quality of life to the infrastructure that serves them every day,” the group states on its web site. “The primary mission is to develop a documentary that will introduce Minnesota residents to their infrastructure, discuss conditions of that infrastructure, and finally, [suggest] how best to move forward.”
The initiative is sponsored by Minnesota-based chapters of major organizations, including the Water Environment Federation, American Water Works Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, and American Public Works Association, as well as entities such as the Suburban Utilities Superintendents Association, state Department of Health, Minnesota Rural Water Association, and Twin Cities Public Television. The basic aims are to:
* Increase local and state leadership in infrastructure.
* Promote sustainability and resilience.
* Develop regional, state and local infrastructure plans.
* Address life-cycle costs and ongoing maintenance.
* Increase and improve infrastructure investment from all stakeholders.
The project is still in its formative stages, but content is likely to include topics such as:
* The fundamental necessity and value of water infrastructure and the hazards of continued neglect.
* The watershed protection approach to building and sustaining infrastructure.
* The engineering challenge of building and maintaining underground facilities.
* 21st century solutions for addressing infrastructure rehabilitation needs.
* The financial and political challenges confronting infrastructure rehabilitation.
Watch future issues of Municipal Sewer & Water magazine for an article about this initiative.
Some of our readers thought that this article was worthy of inclusion. I agree! I have been a long time fan of Ted J. Rulseh. Ted is the editor of Municipal Sewer and Water Magazine and if you do not have a subscription–you should! It’s free. MSW Magazine is full of infrastructure professionals- like yourself–that are meeting the challenges of infrastructure head on … and succeeding!
Enjoy …
I can still remember the look on my mother’s face as she walked from the car to the house after fall parent-teacher conferences when I was in fourth grade.
For some reason my siblings and I had not done so well on our first-quarter report cards that year, and mom was on the warpath. It wasn’t as if we were flunking. We’d just earned a few more Bs and Cs than mom was used to seeing. Just imagine if our report cards had contained no grade higher than a C-plus and a lot of Ds and D-minuses.
Well, that’s exactly the assessment given to our nation’s roads, bridges, airports and other facilities in the American Society of Civil Engineers’ latest Report Card for America’s Infrastructure (2009). Of significance …
BlueprintMN is pleased to welcome Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. (AE2S)
WELCOME ABOARD!
Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. (AE2S) is a specialized civil/environmental consulting engineering firm that provides professional services in the Upper Midwest.
BlueprintMN is pleased to welcome the MN American Water Works Association:
WELCOME ABOARD!
“The Minnesota Section of the American Water Water Works Association is a non-profit scientific and educational association promoting public health, safety, and welfare through research and dissemination of information and by supporting educational development of it’s members.”
“You must understand that seeing is believing; but also know that believing is seeing”
Waitley
In all my years working in the Water and Sewer business …. NOTHING…. was better at making a point… more than…. the junk I had rolling around in the back of my work truck.
That’s right ….
Take for instance, that old rusty piece of water-main–sporting a hole the size of a silver dollar. Always an EXCELLENT show and tell piece to have around whilst explaining to homeowners why their water service will be interrupted for the next 4-8 hours while you make an emergency repair.
ASCE Liquid Assets: Summary from MN ASCE December Section Meeting
As part of ASCE’s continuing efforts to raise awareness about our infrastructure needs, the MN Section of ASCE and the MN
Chapter of APWA (MPWA) co-hosted a panel discussion about Minnesota’s infrastructure at a luncheon on December 16, 2009. The goal of the panel discussion was to explore how Minnesota’s engineering associations can work together on crafting and delivering a message to the public- and to policy makers-that infrastructure requires adequate funding to both maintain existing facilities, as well as, provide new facilities that will meet the demands of a growing population.
Moderator: Honorable George Latimer, former Mayor, City of St. Paul
State Representative Alice Hausman
Chair Capital Investment Finance Division Dr. Roberto Ballarini
Head of the University of Minnesota Civil Engineering Department Margaret Donahoe
Executive Director, Minnesota Transportation Alliance Dave Sonnenberg, P.E., Stanley Consultants and former Minneapolis Director of Public Works
The panel discussion began with Dr. Ballarini discussing the effects of decaying infrastructure on national security and culture.He provided examples of how the Romans understood that infrastructure allowed them to maintain a secure empire. Continue reading Minnesota Leaders Gather to Discuss Public Infrastructure
Five Things YOU can do right now… in 3 minutes or less …. to help MN Infrastructure!
Hang onto your hats … because a Minnesota documentary on critical water Infrastructure is on it’s way.
This is a collaborative effort between Minnesota Infrastructure leaders and Twin Cities Public Television, Penn State University.
For a project of this magnitude to be successful, we need YOUR help.
Here are Five things YOU can do in 3 minutes or less to help MN Infrastructure:
1. SPONSOR US: Sponsoring BlueprintMN is of course the best way to help out!
2. SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER: The second best way to help is to sign up for our email newsletter. That way you can follow us as we fundraise and produce this important documentary. Your email is VERY, VERY, important, in that we can accurately measure the number of people that are TRULY interested! And don’t forget facebook and twitter–also in the left column.
3. TELL A FRIEND: Copy this link: www.BlueprintMN.com and email it out to friends and family of infrastructure. Word of mouth (you) is our primary method of spreading the news about this important documentary.
4. SUBMIT A BLOG ENTRY: Have a story about infrastructure, maybe a picture or film clip, an opinion or an intro to an informative article? Do it here
5. COMMENT ON BLOG ENTRIES: Again, this is another way we can TRULY gauge interest in MN infrastructure. Please take the time to comment on the guest blogs–its important that we get feedback to know we are on the right track!
HANG ON TO YOUR HATS MY FRIENDS …
… Because a Documentary on Minnesota’s Critical Water Infrastructure is…
…. ON IT’S WAY!
Yes indeedy …. it’s called BlueprintMN and will be a collaborative effort between Minnesota Infrastructure leaders and Twin Cities Public Television.
But there is just one small catch…
As you can imagine, for a project of this magnitude to be successful, we are going to need ALL the help we can get …
More specifically… we… need… YOUR… help!
Here is a list of five things YOU can do RIGHT NOW… in 3 minutes or less….. to help make this documentary a reality AND help MN Infrastructure:
1. JOIN US:Sponsorshipof BlueprintMN is of course the best way to help out! (click here)
2. SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER: The second best way to help is to sign up for our email newsletter. Then we can let you know when it airs (the more viewers we have the better) AND you can follow us as we fundraise and produce this important documentary. All you need to do is enter your email in the space provided located in the upper left hand column of every BlueprintMN page. And don’t forget facebook and twitter–also in the left column. There is strength in numbers … you know!
3. TELL A FRIEND: Word of mouth (you) is our primary method of spreading the news about this long over due documentary. Copy this link: www.BlueprintMN.com ….heck … take this entire post if you want to….. and email it to friends and family of infrastructure.
4. SUBMIT A BLOG ENTRY: Have a story about infrastructure, maybe a picture or film clip, an opinion or an intro to an informative article? Do it here
5. SEND US PICTURES, GRAPHICS OR FACTS: We are on the hunt for ANYTHING that will help us clearly communicate the importance of Minnesota’s critical water infrastructure.
Hey — are you interested… even a tiny, teeny bit… in hearing how easy it is to create jobs and fuel a vibrant Minnesota Economy ….
… using tools and resources that are right under our collective noses?
If so… then you’re gonna flip when you see what Josh Landis and Mitch Butler reveals here:
This is a video essay (my favorite media btw) and it’s one of those “wait a minute, run that by me again … it can’t be that easy” kind of reports that makes sit up and say Hmmmmm.
“If you can’t explain it to a six year old, you don’t understand it yourself.” — Albert Einstein
Hey — are you interested… even a tiny, teeny bit… in hearing how easy it is to create jobs and fuel a vibrant Minnesota Economy ….
… using tools and resources that are right under our collective noses?
If so… then you’re gonna flip when you see what Josh Landis and Mitch Butler reveals here.
This is a video essay (my favorite media btw) and it’s one of those:
“Wait a minute, run that by me again … it can’t be that easy” kind of reports that makes you sit up and say “Hmmmmm ……”
Let’s face it:
An intelligent and productive discussion about our critical water infrastructure will NEVER happen, if we don’t– at the very least– have a basic understanding about the VALUE of that infrastructure.
So, it goes with-out saying … then… that no REAL change can happen either!
It is as simple and as hard as that.
And make no mistake about the solution either:
Building awareness about the VALUE of Minnesota’s Critical Water Infrastructures (before stuff falls apart) IS the key to our success.