Chitosan Biocoagulants: Improving the Safety, Economics, and Environmental Impacts of an Open Air Activated Sludge System in Georgia

Date: 17 April (USA) | 18 April (AUS)
Time: 1PM Mountain Time USA | 7AM AEDT

Presented by: Jenn Wood, Global Key Account Manager, Tidal Vision
Level: Intermediate
Duration: 1 hour
Type of Course: Webinar - Live

The transition from traditional aluminum-based coagulants to biocoagulants presents an impactful and sustainable shift in water treatment. Chitosan, a biopolymer derived from upcycled waste materials, is redefining the approach to stormwater treatment by offering a powerful and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional coagulants.

Faced with high levels of total suspended solids (TSS) and significant sludge accumulation, the facility needed a solution that could meet strict environmental standards while improving operational efficiency.  Chitosan provided exactly that, reducing TSS to a small fraction of site limits, cutting sludge production by up to 91%, and dramatically decreasing the overall chemical usage by over 90%.  This shift not only enhanced treatment efficiency but also reduced labor, transportation needs, and the physical strain on machinery - all without the health hazards associated with traditional coagulants.

Learning Objective: 

1️⃣ Understanding that safe, modern cationic biocoagulants are situated to take the lead in stormwater and wastewater treatment/remediation.
2️⃣ Understanding the benefits of utilizing chitosan solutions in a wastewater or stormwater treatment system.
3️⃣ Understanding why offsetting harsh chemistries in wastewater and stormwater treatment systems is essential, especially in the face of regulatory shifts.

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hours.

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligned with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

Optimizing Detention for Cost and Effectiveness Using Vortex Flow Controls

Date: Tuesday 18th March | USA 
Time: 1.00PM Pacific Time

Presented by: Phillip Taylor. Technical Manager, Oldcastle Infrastructure, CPSWQ
Level: Intermediate
Duration: 1 hour
Type of Course: Webinar - Live

Detention is an extremely important factor in flood management, it is also expensive, yet we use flow control technology that is hundreds of years old to size and manage these systems. The reason? Designers are not aware that there are viable alternatives that are easy to use and very effective at optimizing detention systems. This presentation will highlight alternative flow controls that employ vortex flow control system and case study projects that have gained significant benefits from the use of these advanced passive controls, including significant cost reductions.  

Learning Objective:

1. Awareness of the implications of different flow controls on the detention system.
2. Understanding of storm hydrographs and relationship to flow controls to minimize detention size and cost. 
3. Knowledge of how to design using vortex flow controls in common modelling software.
   

Hosted by:

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hours.

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligned with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

* EnviroCert International has listed this webinar as acceptable professional development. 

Combining Ponds & Filtration to Achieve Enhanced Water Quality

Date: 13th March (USA) | 14th February (AUS)
Time: 1PM Mountain Time USA | 7AM AEDT

Presented by: Jamie McCutchen, President, Rymar Waterworks Innovations
Level: Intermediate
Duration: 1 hour
Type of Course: Webinar - Live

Detention ponds are the most common Stormwater Management BMP and are often the primary method to provide post-construction water quality for new development. Although widely accepted, there are many flaws with the traditional "first-flush" design methodology. These include limited treatment for smaller storm events and requiring pond size to be larger than necessary. This presentation will introduce a new methodology to incorporate filtration with stormwater basins and explain how it can result in treatment of more of the annual rainfall, higher TSS removal efficiency and do so with smaller basins.

Learning Objective: 

1️⃣Understand flaws with current design methodology for stormwater basins
2️⃣ Introduce the concept of using filtration in place of the traditional first-flush method
3️⃣Understand the benefits of the new technology, including treatment of more of the annual rainfall.

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hours.

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligned with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

Post-wildfire Hazards and Mitigation Measures

Date: 5 March (USA) | 6 March (AUS)
Time: 1PM Mountain Time USA | 7AM AEDT

Moderated by: Tom Schneider - IECA Board of Directors, VP of Governance
Presented by: Dr. T. Andrew Earles, PhD, PE, PH, D.WRE; Marta Alvarez, PE, RCE & PLS; Blanca Hoffmeier

Level: Intermediate
Duration: 1 hour
Type of Course: Webinar - Live

Wildfires in Southern California at the end of 2024, shortly before the onset of the rainy season set the stage for significant runoff and erosion as atmospheric rivers track across the region over the remainder of the rainy season. In mid-February, a storm with rainfall intensities on the order of an inch per hour triggered debris flows in recently burned areas that affected downstream urban areas. This webinar will discuss post-fire hydrologic hazards including debris flow, flooding, erosion, and water quality. The presenters will also discuss mitigation measures that can be implemented to reduce risk and the importance of warnings and evacuation orders.

View the Full Watershed Emergency Response Team (WERT) 2025 Palisades Fire Report.

Learning Objective: 

1️⃣ Understand hydrologic effects of wildfires due to changes in vegetation and soils.
2️⃣ Learn about resources to identify post-fire hazards and values at risk.
3️⃣ Gain knowledge of a variety of post-fire mitigation measures that can be implemented to reduce risk following a fire.

Free to Attend

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hours.

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligned with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

From Manual to Smart: Automating Stormwater Inspections with SmartComplAI

On-Demand

Presented by: Jessica Acosta, CISEC / CEO / Environmental Consulting Services
Level: Beginner
Duration: 1 hour
Type of Course: Webinar - Live

The construction and environmental compliance industries are at a pivotal moment where outdated, manual stormwater inspection processes are causing costly delays, compliance risks, and inefficiencies. Despite the growing regulatory focus on stormwater management and erosion control, many companies still rely on paper-based inspections or fragmented digital tools that lack real-time insights and automation.

This presentation, "From Manual to Smart: Automating Stormwater Inspections with SmartComplAI," addresses these critical industry gaps by introducing a cutting-edge AI-powered solution designed to streamline stormwater compliance and inspections.

By showcasing how automation, AI-driven field assistance, and cloud-based compliance tracking can replace redundant, error-prone manual processes, this session will provide practical insights into:

✅ Bridging the knowledge gap on how AI and automation can enhance compliance.
✅ Demonstrating how real-time insights reduce regulatory risks and improve efficiency.
✅ Empowering professionals with tools that integrate seamlessly into existing workflows.
✅ Highlighting industry best practices for adopting smart compliance solutions.

The significance of this topic lies in its potential to revolutionize stormwater management, reduce compliance costs, and improve environmental outcomes—all while keeping construction projects on schedule. This session will equip stormwater professionals, environmental consultants, and contractors with actionable solutions to modernize their compliance approach and stay ahead in an evolving regulatory landscape.

Learning Objective: 

1️⃣ Understand the Limitations of Manual Stormwater Inspections
Attendees will be able to identify inefficiencies in traditional stormwater inspection processes, including common compliance risks, time delays, and cost implications of manual data collection and reporting.

2️⃣ Learn How Automation and AI Improve Stormwater Compliance
Participants will gain knowledge on how AI-powered tools, digital inspections, and automated reporting enhance accuracy, reduce regulatory risks, and streamline compliance workflows in stormwater management.

3️⃣ Implement Best Practices for Transitioning to Smart Compliance Solutions
Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to integrate AI-driven compliance tools into their existing inspection and reporting processes, improving efficiency while ensuring regulatory alignment and environmental stewardship.

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hours.

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligned with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

* EnviroCert International has listed this webinar as acceptable professional development. 

Innovative Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Training: Embracing Cultural and Environmental Insights in Queensland, Australia

Presented by: Dallas Frazier. Environment Engineer, Fulton Hogan

Level: Intermediate
Duration: 1 hour
Type of Course: Webinar - On Demand

Since being awarded the IECA educational award in 2022, the On-Country* Soil Erosion and Sediment Control training has continued to deliver unique and geographically experiences across Queensland.  The training has offered a safe, inclusive, and experiential learning base for its attendees that not only expanded upon the best practice principals and techniques from IECA but exposes all participants to landscape and cultural insights only available when leaving the classroom and walking Country.  Shared and integrated knowledge of air, water, soil, vegetation, and people. The content delivery on Country takes an empowering shift away from a teacher to pupil model and embraced a collaborative and adaptive approach. This presentation will talk through our recent presentations, learnings and the next steps for the program.

* The term "On-country" is often used in the context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. It refers to being physically located on the traditional lands of their tribal groups. When someone is "on country," it means they are on the land that holds cultural, spiritual, and historical significance to their people. This connection to country is deeply rooted in their identity, culture, and way of life

For example, in the context of the On Country ESC Training programs, the term is used to describe training sessions that take place on the traditional lands of Indigenous peoples. These sessions offer a unique learning experience that integrates cultural and environmental insights, bridging knowledge about air, water, soil, vegetation, and people

Learning Objective: 

1. Understand and apply the best practice principles and techniques in soil erosion and sediment control by leaving the classroom and walking Country.
2. Gain insights into the interconnectedness of air, water, soil, vegetation, and people through experiential learning on Country.
3. Develop collaborative and adaptive approaches to learning by engaging with landscape and cultural insights outside the traditional classroom setting.

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hours.

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligned with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

* EnviroCert International has listed this webinar as acceptable professional development. 

Pond Patrol: Ensuring Water Quality with Inspection

On-Demand 

Presented by: Rachel Henderson, Stormwater Technician &  Alexandra O'Connor, Stormwater Coordinator | City of San Marcos
Level: Intermediate
Duration: 1 hour
Type of Course: Webinar - Live

Structural Controls are implemented to manage flooding and maintain water quality within urban watersheds, however they require routine inspections and maintenance to function as designed. The City of San Marcos implemented a successful inspection/maintenance program on a shoe- string budget, and our program has inspired other cities in Texas to start their own. In 2016, the San Marcos City Council passed an ordinance which included Section 86.531- Maintenance and Repair of Structural Controls, laying the groundwork for what would become our Post Construction Structural Control Inspection Program. The ordinance reinforced our city’s requirement for all existing and new Stormwater Management Structural Controls on private and city owned property to be inspected annually by a pre-qualified engineer. In 2020, the ordinance was updated from annual to triennial (once every three years) inspections.

The decision to have a ‘hybrid’ style inspection program was based on the procedures of larger city’s but with concessions made for our existing personnel and budget constraints. Our experiences in developing and launching this program without a clear playbook has been challenging and ever evolving. However, after seven years of administering this program our department has learned several lessons that could be helpful for other municipalities of comparable size to tackle this type of project. By sharing our challenges and solutions, we hope to help other cities with alternatives for these type of inspection programs that can better fit a smaller city’s budget.

Learning Objective: 

1. Attendees will learn how to develop a structural control (water quality and detention) inspection program.
2. This inspection program was designed to be implemented with municipal budgets and limited resources.
3. A city-wide structural control inspection program must gain support from the community and municipal decision makers. Attendees will learn how to promote a structural control inspection program by focusing on public and environmental health and safety. 

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hours.

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligned with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

* EnviroCert International has listed this webinar as acceptable professional development. 

Let’s Talk Floc New Zealand

aPAM Flocculant Solutions for Water Treatment and Erosion & Sediment Control

Presented by: Kyla Iwinski-Wood, PhD, VP R&D, Applied Polymer Systems, and Blair Gray, Principal Environmental Consultant / Director EnviroCo Ltd

Level: Intermediate
Duration: 1 hour
Type of Course: Webinar - On demand

Flocculants are powerful tools that have been used globally for decades to preserve and restore our water resources. Commonly used in mining and mineral processing, municipal and wastewater treatment, and agriculture, flocculants have also become a staple for construction and stormwater treatment. Today, flocculant treatments are regularly used for erosion control, soil stabilization and the removal of harmful stormwater contaminants such as sediment, nutrients, and metals. Although there are many types of flocculant and coagulant treatments available, anionic polyacrylamide (aPAM) is the most widely used and accepted due to its safety to aquatic organisms, efficacy in reducing turbidity, and versatility in treatment applications. aPAM technologies have the ability to achieve low TSS/NTU levels that conventional best management practices cannot. Over 70 years of research and use of aPAM technologies has shown turbidity reduction up to 95 percent. Due to the numerous benefits of aPAM usage, New Zealand has recently adopted aPAM technologies as an approved practice to protect soil and water during and after earth moving activities. This webinar will discuss the history, use and benefits of aPAM technologies, regulations, and examples of aPAM technologies recently used in New Zealand. It will discuss current projects and uses that have been completed or are ongoing within the region and future usage.

Learning outcomes:

1. Recognize what aPAM is and how it can be used to treat water, stabilize soil and enhance BMPs
2. Understand the safety and efficacy of aPAM flocculants as well as other chemical treatments
3. Identify the current role and implementation of aPAM technologies in New Zealand and how they may be used in the future to protect and restore New Zealand's natural resources 

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hour. 

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligns with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

* EnviroCert International has listed this webinar as acceptable professional development. 

The Stream Diversion and the Landfill

Presented by: Stephanie Kirk, CPESC, CESSWI

Level: Intermediate
Duration: 1 hour
Type of Course: Webinar - Live

On the Takitimu North Link Project there is a complex set of stream diversion and culvert installation works being undertaken which have provided numerous erosion and sediment control challenges. A new stream channel is being diverted adjacent to an existing closed out landfill. However, it was discovered that there was a large volume of rubbish outside the footprint of the leachate line which turned a straight forward stream diversion into a complex contaminated land remediation exercise whilst working beneath the water table and within large volumes of leachate runoff. Along with removal of the contaminated land, the new section of stream channel has been designed with a special liner to prevent leachate entering the waterway from the landfill. It has been a tricky, technical and rewarding erosion and sediment control and contaminated land crossover. This presentation seeks to highlight how often, there are crossovers between erosion sediment control and other technical disciplines and how to manage this. 

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hour. 

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligns with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

* EnviroCert International has listed this webinar as acceptable professional development. 

Understanding RUSLE Analysis

Presented by: Ken Kristoffersen, CDSEC, CISEC, CPESC, QSP/QSD/ToR | President - CAL-Storm Compliance, Inc.
Level: Intermediate
Duration: 1 hour
Type of Course: On-Demand

The objective of this class is to review and gain an understanding of the RUSLE calculation (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, and its impact on sediment and erosion control in the construction industry. Although most designers understand the basic mechanics of RUSLE, I find that they often lack an understanding of the practical implications of the application results. Much of what is taught does an adequate job of describing the process and mechanics of populating RKLSCP, without actually grasping the potential impact on cost and effectiveness.

Learning Objectives: 

1. To review and understand the value as well as the limits of the RUSLE equation.
2. To explore the impact of equation modification using alternative factors.
3. To understand the strengths and weaknesses of RUSLE2 as an alternative approach.

This event supported by Ecopliant. If you are a current CISEC or CDSEC please contact examination@ecopliant.org to receive a complimentary registration code. 

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hours.

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligned with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.