Landscape and Irrigation 
magazine is dedicated to shedding light on notable industry professionals, projects, products, innovations, and industry news. The magazine does a highly credible job of reaching and informing landscape design, construction and maintenance professionals as well as those who work in the fields of turf, irrigation and water management. What we like about Landscape and Irrigation: it truly aims to enhance the industry thanks to one of the top editors in the business. So, having worked with the editor to facilitate an educational article with the expertise of our client, Jeff Speck, vice president of sales & marketing for Big River Industries, we wanted to share the Q&A-style information. In short, for the September issue, Landscape and Irrigation turned to Speck for advice on stormwater run-off issues and different land planning and water management options. Since many of our fans are industry professionals and related media members, we thought you may enjoy reading the article.
The Q&A article examines the real problems that stormwater and run-off can cause to landscaped areas and, in turn, the environment. It also focuses on the benefits of creating efficient, engineered soils to manage these water challenges and how to do so.
One challenge Speck addresses is low-impact development- controlling stormwater run-off with as little burden to the development’s original environment. One example of a project that faced this challenge was Big River Industries’ work with Ecos Environmental Designs and ERTH Products on the surrounding landscape of a new building development on Georgia Institute of Technology’s campus.
It’s all about a healthy soil profile, according to Speck. The article looks at what percentage of soil should be water, air and solid particles. If soil is not properly balanced, it can cause poor water drainage and poor nutrient reception. Big River Industries – and its partner businesses like those already mentioned as well as Garick Corporation – produce products like FiltRocks and HydRocks (or other products using Big River’s expanded lightweight clay aggregate. This, combined with conceptive design / build or engineering methods, help not only control stormwater run-off, but also further ecological vegetation systems.
To read the full article online, you can find it on Landscape and Irrigation’s website or in the September digital magazine. Scans of the hardcopy magazine are seen above. By clicking through these images, you can read the Q&A here, too. Thanks to John, editor at L&I magazine, for your help and time, and to Jeff for your expertise.
~ ECPR Team
We've used LWA for two construction projects and had great success with it. Good to learn more about it in this article being used for land development.