This week, I had the opportunity to visit several construction sites where WCI is providing erosion control monitoring services. As part of the Marketing team, I’m always encouraged to visit project sites to capture photos, share exciting updates, and highlight the amazing companies we collaborate with. However, yesterday’s visit was all about gaining a deeper understanding of the essential work our engineering team does to ensure environmental stewardship of Oregon’s waterways.

It was a wet, rainy day, and I really had no idea how much mud was in my future.  Kyle Winney, EIT, from our Engineering department and I hiked through six sites. At each location he took the time to share valuable insights into various aspects of site design and explained the importance of erosion control in the development process.

My focus for the day was understanding Best Management Practices (BMPs). Kyle pointed out several BMPs in action, including silt fences, erosion control mattings, witches’ hats, straw wattles, and sediment basins. He explained how each of these methods helps prevent soil erosion and manage stormwater runoff effectively.

I also learned about site management and layout. Kyle provided valuable education on how a sites grading and topography impact surface runoff during and after construction. He also taught me about various utilities on site, and the importance of a Combined Air Return Valve (CARVs) in developing a site’s water flow system to maintain an efficient distribution of drinking water to the homes. At one of our last stops, Kyle showed me some creative solutions that our Westlake engineering team provided to our clients, such as changes in curb selection and site grading, to ensure the sites are both visually attractive and environmentally compliant.

Overall, it was a great way to spend the day with a colleague from a different department learning more about the A/E/C industry and how what we do impacts our community.