CKS Engineers, Inc.

Today, we pause to appreciate our clients, colleagues, and communities who inspire our work every day. Thank you for being part of our journey. Wishing everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Be sure to catch us at the EPWPCOA Plant Tour/Meeting this Friday, November 15th, hosted by our client Warminster Municipal Authority. We're looking forward to being on-site and connecting with everyone at the event!

In honor of Pennsylvania's Riparian Buffer Month this October, we’re excited to share the recent successful completion of a riparian buffer installation in Lower Macungie Township, Lehigh County! This project involved planting 340 native, wet-tolerant trees along a tributary to the Little Lehigh Creek. It supports the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's MS4 program, which focuses on implementing Pollutant Reduction Plans and Control Measures to improve water quality. The project also met several goals, policies and implementation strategies of the County Comprehensive and Park, Recreation and Open Space plans. With assistance from CKS Engineers, the Township secured a COVID-19 ARPA Small Water and Sewer Grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority. CKS also provided design drawings, managed the bidding process, and oversaw construction. This project is a great example of collaboration improving both our waterways and local ecosystems!

The Authorities Future Leaders Scholarship Fund Silent Auction was held during the PMAA Annual Conference and raised over $7,000 in proceeds all to go directly to scholarships for future industry leaders. Special thanks to those who generously contributed including: Arthur Hall Insurance, Sandy Bartosiewicz, Carroll Engineering Corporation, Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority, CKS Engineers, Inc., Fidelity Bank Wealth Management, Hatfield Township Municipal Authority, Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. - HRG, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company, Horsham Water and Sewer Authority, MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY OF HAZLE TOWNSHIP, Lancaster Area Sewer Authority, LB Water, McKee Risk Management, Inc., Mifflin County Municipal Authority, Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority, Mt. Pocono Municipal Authority, Northampton Bucks County Municipal Authority, North Penn Water Authority, Pennoni, PERFORMANCE PIPELINING, INC., Remington & Vernick Engineers, Michael and Denise Sullivan, and WARMINSTER MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY.

Big news! Yesterday the EPA released the final version of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) – a significant step forward in protecting public health and enhancing the safety of drinking water systems across the country. Here are some key highlights to know: - Lead Service Line Replacement: The rule requires water systems to replace all lead service lines within 10 years. - Stricter/Lower Threshold: The LCRI lowers the lead action level from 15 µg/L to 10 µg/L. If a water system's lead sampling exceeds this level, the system must notify the public and take action to reduce lead levels. - Increased Funding: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates over $26 billion over five years, which can be used for lead service line replacements and other lead-related improvements. Read the full press release from the EPA here: https://lnkd.in/eTvjxyT3 #CleanWater #GetTheLeadOut #DrinkingWater #LeadandCopper #LeadandCopperRule #PublicHealth

See you at the Hershey Lodge this weekend! 🍫 We're excited to be heading to the 2024 Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association's Conference—one of our favorite events every year. If you're attending, be sure to swing by booth #85 to see our CKS/ARRO team. We're ready to connect and discuss all things #water and #wastewater management! #PMAA #PMAAConference #MunicipalAuthorities

This July, we’re celebrating Parks and Recreation Month! This year's theme, "Where You Belong," recognizing the dedication of park and recreation professionals who create inclusive, welcoming spaces for all. Parks are more than just green areas; they're community hubs where people of all ages and abilities connect, play, and thrive. Our planning and landscape architecture teams are proud to contribute to these vibrant spaces, ensuring they are safe, accessible, and designed with the community in mind. From conceptual design to project completion, we work alongside our clients to foster environments where everyone feels they truly belong. One of our favorite recently completed projects at ARRO is the Royersford Trestle Pedestrian Bridge. We were proud to support Royersford Borough with design services and secure financing for the venture. The end result is a beautiful historic bridge revitalization spanning the Schuylkill River, dedicated for use by walkers and bikers. (See below for some snaps from the grand opening day back in January!) How are you enjoying your local parks this summer? Share your favorite park activities in the comments below! #ParksAndRecMonth #LandscapeArchitecture #CommunityPlanning #WhereYouBelong National Recreation and Park Association

Thrilled to see our very own Kimberli Flanders- Hatfield Township's Landscape Architect consultant - lending her expertise as a judge for the local community Garden Contest! Head on over to Hatfield's Facebook page to catch the latest updates on contest winners and immerse yourself in the creative outdoor spaces: https://lnkd.in/ei5i8ijh Congratulations to all participants for their hard work in making the township a more vibrant and beautiful place!

The clock is ticking on LCRR compliance—don’t leave your service line inventory to chance! In January 2021, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), which requires all community and non-transient noncommunity water systems to submit a service line inventory by October 16, 2024. CKS/ARRO offer a unique GIS-driven solution that has been designed to streamline the compliance process and meet EPA standards efficiently by: - Leveraging historic records, plans, and GIS-based data to identify potential lead service lines - Tracking replacements - Gathering public input via surveys - Overlaying data with utility layers Click here to learn more and download our “Lead and Copper Solution” flyer: https://lnkd.in/eXw75fMU Want to discuss tailored LCRR solutions? Contact us today to schedule a virtual meeting! Andrew Tuleya (andrew.tuleya@arroconsulting.com) is our contact for Pennsylvania and Nate Merkel, GISP., L.O. (nate.merkel@arroconsulting.com) for Maryland. Act now to stay ahead of the October 16th deadline—it’s closer than you think!

Explore the world of landscape architecture through the eyes of Kimberli Flanders, RLA, LEED Green Associate, one of our passionate in-house landscape architects from Doylestown, PA. During this World Landscape Architecture Month, Kim shares how her childhood passions led her into this unique STEM field. "As a child, my love for the outdoors laid the groundwork for my career. I created landscapes in sandboxes, explored nature, gardened, and painted the outdoors around me. In 4th grade, I painted a detailed tree using various colors to express the texture (much to the amazement of my teachers). I also often explored the forest and creek behind my elementary school during recess (much to the dismay of my teachers). Beyond nature, I valued biology and meteorology classes. Just before college, my architect mother suggested I explore landscape architecture – a field combining all these interests. While I was meeting with the heads of landscape architecture departments, my mother always asked, ‘What is the ratio of women to men?’ It wasn't until years later that I understood the basis of that inquiry (the field has an unequal gender ratio). These days, with a camera in hand, I capture moments I observe out in the world and share them online. People comment that my photos allow them to see their environment differently. During World Landscape Architecture Month, I encourage you to take pictures of what you see yourself and experience the world through a landscape architect’s lens–one I hope more women will continue to explore." Kim's story showcases how landscape architecture combines art, science, architecture, environmental stewardship, and so much more into a rewarding STEM career path. We hope it inspires more, especially women, to explore this field. Join us in celebrating World Landscape Architecture Month by appreciating the thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces that enhance our lives—and by seeing the world around you through a fresh lens! #ThisisLandscapeArchitecture #WLAM #WLAM2024 #LandscapeArchitecture #WomenInSTEM American Society of Landscape Architects