Location: Spokane, WA
Aimee Navickis-Brasch, Phd, PE served as the Principal Investigator and Project Manager for this research project which was conducted in collaboration with the City of Spokane, The Lands Council, the University of Idaho, and Gonzaga University. The goal of the study was to develop a specification for a bioretention soil media amended with biochar that meets Ecology treatment performance criteria for reducing regulated stormwater pollutants specifically total suspended solids (TSS) and dissolved metals (Copper and Zinc). Additional water quality parameters tested include ammonia (NH3), nitrate-nitrite (NO3-NO2), total nitrogen, total and dissolved phosphorus, and hardness. Two different biochars were evaluated which included biochar characterization (following IBI) of the physioichemical properties. The research project followed the Washington State Department of Ecology requirements for Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPP). The scope of work included developing the quality assurance project plan, constructing the laboratory setup, conducting flow through column testing a stormwater composed of natural stormwater and chemical standards, analyzing the data, and summarizing the findings into a final technical evaluation report. Results from the study were used to develop a bioretention soil media specification which guided the construction of three bioretention cells in Spokane. The cells are now being monitored in the field by the City of Spokane as one of the eight Eastern Washington Studies being conducted in compliance with section S8 (Monitoring) of the Phase II NPDES MS4 permit.
Service Details >>
- Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) Development
- BMP Certification
- Field Monitoring Design, Installation, and Operations
- Effectiveness Studies for Structural, Operational, and Educational BMPs
- Development of New Treatment Media
- TAPE Support
Aimee has over 27 years of experience focused on stormwater drainage in Washington, including expertise in design, research, planning, policy development, and technical training. She has been the principal investigator and project manager on Stormwater Effectiveness Studies for structural, operational, and educational BMPs, which included the development of the Washington State Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs) Templates. Aimee authored the WSDOT Hydraulics Manual as well as the Highway Runoff Manual and has extensive experience working collaboratively on projects with multiple stakeholders. She has served as a project manager and design lead on projects such as urban drainage systems; pump stations; stormwater retrofits, low impact development practices, and BMPs; culverts; and fish passage improvements. She has conducted hydrology and hydraulic modeling, developed stormwater comprehensive plans, construction documents (plans, estimates, and specifications), and developed curriculum for professional and undergraduate courses. Aimee has also successfully negotiated NPDES permit conditions and stormwater policy changes with the Washington Department of Ecology and developed grants that resulted in funding stormwater retrofit projects.
Joined OCI: 2019
Education: PhD, Civil Engineering, University of Idaho; MS, Civil Engineering, Washington State University; BS, Mechanical Engineering, Gonzaga University
Licenses and Certificates: PE in Washington State; WSDOT Highway Runoff Manual (HRM) Trained
Associations: Center for Watershed Protection, ASCE, and ASEE
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
Outside work Aimee enjoys spending time doing anything with her family, which includes her three teenage children and her husband. Her other favorite hobby is anything related to stormwater!
