Albany, NY‍

Smart watershed network management mitigates flooding andreduces combined sewer overflows to the Hudson River.
The Challenge
Beaver Creek District, the largest sewershed within the City ofAlbany’s combined sewer system, previously discharged over 530million gallons average of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to theHudson River every year. The City has invested in several capitalprojects as part of its Long-Term Control Plan to address CSO andflash flooding issues, while mitigating property damage andpotential health and safety hazards.
The Solution
To maximize the benefits of those investments and optimize theperformance of new infrastructure, the City’s Department of Waterand Water Supply and their consulting partner, CHA Consulting,Inc., has implemented a smart network utilizing the Opti platformand products across the Beaver Creek sewershed.Opti’s advancedtechnology integrates with multiple platforms, SCADA systems, andapplications to extend networks and capabilities for an efficient,smart watershed network. These integrations provide operatorswith peace of mind by consolidating data and streamliningoperations and maintenance of assets outside the fence. The useof Opti’s digital solutions for data-driven stormwater managementhas helped Albany protect people, property, and environment whilemeeting regulatory compliance.
At a Glance
Operating since 2017
Coordinated control acrosssix (6) stormwater assets
Increased wet weathercapture from 10% to 90%for only $0.005 per gallon
“Opti helps us identifyexisting conditions anddevelop strategies toadapt to a changingenvironment.”
Leying Zhang, P.E., PhDSenior Engineer,Montgomery County, MD

ECONOMICAL
95% Savings
$22k vs. $200k per acre

RESILIENT
86% Wet WeatherCapture
Wet pond performance
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PEACE OF MIND
Regulatory Compliance
Achieve MS4 nutrient andsediment goals

Results
To date, Montgomery County has retrofitted four ponds withOpti’s CMAC and, in May 2024, extended the program for tenadditional years to reduce stormwater pollution and improvewater quality.
One large regional wet pond (440 acres of area) wasretrofitted and now controls over 12 acre-feet of storage,which generated 123 Impervious Area Credits (IACs) and hasreduced wet weather outflow by 86%. The cost per creditwas only $976.</p><p>Retrofitting three small extended detention dry ponds thatpreviously provided no water quality treatment resulted inadditional IACs averaging $21,645/credit. Total pollutantremovals averaged 80% for TSS, 29% for TP, and 29% for TN.
Together, these four ponds generate 151.6 IACs towardChesapeake Bay TMDL requirements, achieving over 95%cost savings compared to other water quality projects.CMAC is now an integral part of the County’s stormwatermanagement action plan, including its Clean WaterMontgomery initiative for restoration of local waters andlong-term resilience.

Opti’s tool helps you make preliminary assessments ofexisting facilities to determine suitability and potential benefitsof a CMAC dry or wet pond retrofit. Learn more at optirtc.com.

Regulatory Approvals
In 2016, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation selected aregional wet pond in Montgomery County to evaluateCMAC efficacy for sediment and nutrient reduction.Success led to the Maryland Department of Environment(MDE) approving Opti’s CMAC for wet pond retrofits tomeet MS4 permit water quality restoration requirements.Results also led to the Chesapeake Bay Program’sUrbanStormwater Group Expert Panel unanimous endorsementof the use of CMAC retrofits for pollutant removal credits.
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Through a national program sponsored by WaterEnvironment Federation and Water Environment ResearchFoundation, the County then identified 10 stormwaterponds for potential retrofit and secured funding for fourprojects. Results provided evidence for MDE’s approval ofCMAC for dry pond retrofits to meet MS4 water qualityrestoration requirements. The County continues to expandand model pond retrofits using CMAC technology, whoseefficacy it helped demonstrate for regulators. Read aboutOpti’s approvals at optirtc.com.
University Blvd Wet Pond
Randolph Dry Pond
Bethesda Dry Pond
Broadmore Dry Pond