WE ARE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS

The community of Coral Bay experiences severe flooding on one of their main roads. As a result, residents, and the emergency responders located in this area, are oftentimes cut off or with limited access to the rest of the island. While there is a secondary access point, this road is insufficient as it often experiences landslides that are not able to be immediately cleared off. The communities who are being most impacted by this are historically underserved from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who do not have the available resources to invest into a solution for a problem of this magnitude.

The project organization is an environmental advocacy nonprofit that focuses on promoting renewable energy and fighting air and water pollution. They have recently brought cases against scrap metal yards across varying states and U.S territories who were not meeting standards required of them by the EPA regarding metal levels in their stormwater runoff.

Ligation has been finalized and the support needed at this time is technical assistance with reviewing the design of stormwater quality infrastructure that is required to be implemented by the scrap metal yards as part of the settlement. The organization does not currently have the technical capacity to provide engineering design review and is looking for support from someone with stormwater management and treatment experience to provide cursory 60% design review on four proposed water quality facilities.

Residents of a small, rural community in Yuba County, CA, run a non-profit company that is shareholder owned and fulfills the community’s water and wastewater needs. This utility has operated in partnership with RCAC, California Rural Water Association, and the California Department of Water Resources to evaluate the water system’s performance and leak detections, which ultimately resulted in a pro bono water system assessment from a local engineering firm.

The community has 58 residential lots, of which 26 are developed. There are currently 26 active users of the water system who own septic systems on their approximate ⅓ acre lots. These systems were originally built in the 1960s.

Given the age of the systems, the tanks are outdated and in need of replacement. Rather than replacing the existing tanks with new, individualized septic tanks, the community is looking to assess the feasibility of establishing a centralized wastewater system.

An Oregon NGO dedicated to supporting Afro-Indigenous peoples and preserving Indigenous traditions through cultural education is looking for technical support with various projects within their community. Projects could include a multifaceted scope and a longer term commitment, ideal for student or professional volunteer groups.

A coastal town in Prince George’s County, MD, is seeking support from the Community Engineering Corps to develop a preliminary engineering report to evaluate options for a water treatment and distribution system. The community has an existing water supply well that may be capable of supplying water throughout the town but lacks water system distribution infrastructure.

While drinking water is the main priority, the community is also struggling with failing individual septic systems. The town is requesting engineering support for evaluating wastewater treatment system alternatives. As the town is a waterfront community, they are striving for a nature-based system to allow for oyster gardens, and offers a more environmentally suitable solution than many other wastewater systems.

Operation Tiny House, a nonprofit in southern Dallas’ University Hills neighborhood, has secured an 11+ acre plot for a mixed use development that offers a diverse range of housing options to meet the needs that presently exist in the area. The development will provide affordable housing to a variety of residents, including veterans. The land is surrounded by many local amenities and resources, including a university, local parks and retail space, to support the residents and enable the community to thrive.

A local architect has completed a preliminary master plan for the development pro-bono and a survey of the existing site has also been completed. Operation Tiny House is looking for additional engineering support to help with preliminary stormwater analysis. Community Engineering Corps is looking for volunteers to design a preliminary drainage plan and determine the detention requirements to meet local regulations. Volunteers will work with a team of local architects and engineers already supporting the development.

A small water utility in Plymouth County, MA, is looking to connect seasonal users to the main distribution system, increasing their customer base by offering year-round service. The current main lines are shallow and undersized, causing them to be unable to support year-round service. For this reason, the community is looking to upsize the lines and bury at an adequate depth for year round use.

Currently, community members that have seasonal pipes rely on private wells that provide water to residents during off-season. In addition to the general issue of water provision, a major concern is that these private wells have tested high for nitrates and magnesium.

A small, spring-fed, community-run water utility operating in a rural community in Allegany County, MD, is in need of upgrades. The system, which serves 28 homes, is facing several challenges. As the entire system is approaching 60 years of age, and is either nearing the end of or already beyond its useful service life. The system has many leaks, and being located in a rural area, some homes that it services are as far as two miles apart from one another. This distance, along with the topography of the area, has resulted in the system being quite disjointed. The community has previously either repaired the system themselves, or raised funds internally to cover the expenses of repairs. This is becoming less feasible, however, as the system ages and more challenges arise.

The system is not in compliance with Maryland state regulations and must be updated to achieve compliance. The spring serves about 28 homes and does not provide consistently sufficient pressure to all connections, resulting in a potential backflow hazard, as well as unreliable service for each customer. Water from the spring has tested positive for nitrates/nitrites and coliform. The treatment system qualifies as a T1 plan.

Community Engineering Corps is partnering with the US Water Alliance through their National Environmental Finance Center to provide technical assistance on the island of Maui. The team is assisting with community engagement around different water supply options and is looking for a volunteer who can provide a thorough overview of County water reports, including the Water Use and Development Plan, water demand studies, and cost benefit analyses and feasibility reports for different supply options. The volunteer will help synthesize the findings and recommendations of these County water reports for the purposes of educating the community on the supply needs and feasibility of various supply options at future engagement events. Understanding the historic significance of Maui’s natural resources is critical for engagement, as water holds deep spiritual and cultural meaning for Native Hawaiian communities. Additionally, given the recent wildfires on Maui, water supply is a particularly sensitive topic. Acknowledging these values and recent events ensures that water management respects traditional practices and local context, and fosters equity in decision making, preserving both cultural heritage and environmental sustainability while promoting community resilience.

An Oregon NGO dedicated to supporting Afro-Indigenous peoples and preserving Indigenous traditions through cultural education is looking for technical support with various projects within their community. Projects could include a multifaceted scope and a longer term commitment, ideal for student or professional volunteer groups.

Operation Tiny House, a nonprofit in southern Dallas’ University Hills neighborhood, has secured an 11+ acre plot for a mixed use development that offers a diverse range of housing options to meet the needs that presently exist in the area. The development will provide affordable housing to a variety of residents, including veterans. The land is surrounded by many local amenities and resources, including a university, local parks and retail space, to support the residents and enable the community to thrive.

A local architect has completed a preliminary master plan for the development pro-bono and a survey of the existing site has also been completed. Operation Tiny House is looking for additional engineering support to help with preliminary stormwater analysis. Community Engineering Corps is looking for volunteers to design a preliminary drainage plan and determine the detention requirements to meet local regulations. Volunteers will work with a team of local architects and engineers already supporting the development.

As a way to support their mission of providing economic opportunities and promoting self-sufficiency for the people of Puerto Rico, a local non profit organization runs a small agricultural farm, producing native crops such as coffee and papaya. They are currently struggling to manage stormwater runoff as water, from even light rain, is causing damage to their crops and structures. The organization requires support in understanding the root of this issue and developing a sustainable solution that would allow them to recycle excess water for alternative uses.

A coastal town in Prince George’s County, MD, is seeking support from the Community Engineering Corps to develop a preliminary engineering report to evaluate options for a water treatment and distribution system. The community has an existing water supply well that may be capable of supplying water throughout the town but lacks water system distribution infrastructure.

While drinking water is the main priority, the community is also struggling with failing individual septic systems. The town is requesting engineering support for evaluating wastewater treatment system alternatives. As the town is a waterfront community, they are striving for a nature-based system to allow for oyster gardens, and offers a more environmentally suitable solution than many other wastewater systems.

A small water utility in Plymouth County, MA, is looking to connect seasonal users to the main distribution system, increasing their customer base by offering year-round service. The current main lines are shallow and undersized, causing them to be unable to support year-round service. For this reason, the community is looking to upsize the lines and bury at an adequate depth for year round use.

Currently, community members that have seasonal pipes rely on private wells that provide water to residents during off-season. In addition to the general issue of water provision, a major concern is that these private wells have tested high for nitrates and magnesium.

A small, spring-fed, community-run water utility operating in a rural community in Allegany County, MD, is in need of upgrades. The system, which serves 28 homes, is facing several challenges. As the entire system is approaching 60 years of age, and is either nearing the end of or already beyond its useful service life. The system has many leaks, and being located in a rural area, some homes that it services are as far as two miles apart from one another. This distance, along with the topography of the area, has resulted in the system being quite disjointed. The community has previously either repaired the system themselves, or raised funds internally to cover the expenses of repairs. This is becoming less feasible, however, as the system ages and more challenges arise.

The system is not in compliance with Maryland state regulations and must be updated to achieve compliance. The spring serves about 28 homes and does not provide consistently sufficient pressure to all connections, resulting in a potential backflow hazard, as well as unreliable service for each customer. Water from the spring has tested positive for nitrates/nitrites and coliform. The treatment system qualifies as a T1 plan.

Community Engineering Corps is partnering with the US Water Alliance through their National Environmental Finance Center to provide technical assistance on the island of Maui. The team is assisting with community engagement around different water supply options and is looking for a volunteer who can provide a thorough overview of County water reports, including the Water Use and Development Plan, water demand studies, and cost benefit analyses and feasibility reports for different supply options. The volunteer will help synthesize the findings and recommendations of these County water reports for the purposes of educating the community on the supply needs and feasibility of various supply options at future engagement events. Understanding the historic significance of Maui’s natural resources is critical for engagement, as water holds deep spiritual and cultural meaning for Native Hawaiian communities. Additionally, given the recent wildfires on Maui, water supply is a particularly sensitive topic. Acknowledging these values and recent events ensures that water management respects traditional practices and local context, and fosters equity in decision making, preserving both cultural heritage and environmental sustainability while promoting community resilience.

A non profit organization operating across Puerto Rico is focusing on the preservation of affordable, sustainable, and high-quality housing for the elderly and other vulnerable populations. Their efforts are focused on modernizing communities, adapting them to Puerto Rico’s current needs, and making improvements that enhance the residents quality of life. For their San Sebastian location, they require support assessing the potable water system.

CECorps is partnering with the US Water Alliance through their National Environmental Finance Center to provide technical assistance to a community in Lee County, South Carolina that has been experiencing challenges with their drinking water and wastewater systems for many years. With the assistance of the US Water Alliance, the community has received State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans to address compliance issues for both their drinking water and wastewater. This funding has allowed them to hire local consultants to help complete a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) for drinking water system upgrades and a Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Survey (SSES) for complete wastewater system evaluation but the town does not have an engineer on staff and they are in need of an advocate and technical expert to offer additional oversight and support.

A nonprofit water utility district, which provides drinking water to a rural community in Kootenai County, ID, is looking to update its existing systems. The community’s drinking water infrastructure was developed in the 1960s, and has surpassed its useful service life. The utility is seeking Community Engineering Corps’ support to assist in the development of a Facilities Plan (Preliminary Engineering Report and Environmental Report), which will be used in an application for funding for the system’s rehabilitation. The utility is a small, community-owned water system that has not yet been able to find any assistance to finance a Facilities Plan.

This project is in partnership with the Rural Community Assistance Corporate (RCAC). RCAC plans on completing the Environmental Report component of the Facilities Plan.

A non-profit, Young Women on the Move (YWOM), helps middle and high school girls in Wyandotte County live healthier and more prosperous lives. They are operating out of a 100-year-old church donated to them in 2017. They have several needs stemming from that space as well as opportunities to expand their environmental justice impact and provide pathways to careers that support those goals. YMOM is planning to renovate a portion of the church. Additionally, adjacent to the church is a condemned property owned by the organization. YWOM is interested in having the property demolished to turn it into an outdoor classroom.

Residents of a small, rural community in Yuba County, CA, run a non-profit company that is shareholder owned and fulfills the community’s water and wastewater needs. This utility has operated in partnership with RCAC, California Rural Water Association, and the California Department of Water Resources to evaluate the water system’s performance and leak detections, which ultimately resulted in a pro bono water system assessment from a local engineering firm.

The community has 58 residential lots, of which 26 are developed. There are currently 26 active users of the water system who own septic systems on their approximate ⅓ acre lots. These systems were originally built in the 1960s.

Given the age of the systems, the tanks are outdated and in need of replacement. Rather than replacing the existing tanks with new, individualized septic tanks, the community is looking to assess the feasibility of establishing a centralized wastewater system.

A coastal town in Prince George’s County, MD, is seeking support from the Community Engineering Corps to develop a preliminary engineering report to evaluate options for a water treatment and distribution system. The community has an existing water supply well that may be capable of supplying water throughout the town but lacks water system distribution infrastructure.

While drinking water is the main priority, the community is also struggling with failing individual septic systems. The town is requesting engineering support for evaluating wastewater treatment system alternatives. As the town is a waterfront community, they are striving for a nature-based system to allow for oyster gardens, and offers a more environmentally suitable solution than many other wastewater systems.

A small water utility in Plymouth County, MA, is looking to connect seasonal users to the main distribution system, increasing their customer base by offering year-round service. The current main lines are shallow and undersized, causing them to be unable to support year-round service. For this reason, the community is looking to upsize the lines and bury at an adequate depth for year round use.

Currently, community members that have seasonal pipes rely on private wells that provide water to residents during off-season. In addition to the general issue of water provision, a major concern is that these private wells have tested high for nitrates and magnesium.

A small, spring-fed, community-run water utility operating in a rural community in Allegany County, MD, is in need of upgrades. The system, which serves 28 homes, is facing several challenges. As the entire system is approaching 60 years of age, and is either nearing the end of or already beyond its useful service life. The system has many leaks, and being located in a rural area, some homes that it services are as far as two miles apart from one another. This distance, along with the topography of the area, has resulted in the system being quite disjointed. The community has previously either repaired the system themselves, or raised funds internally to cover the expenses of repairs. This is becoming less feasible, however, as the system ages and more challenges arise.

The system is not in compliance with Maryland state regulations and must be updated to achieve compliance. The spring serves about 28 homes and does not provide consistently sufficient pressure to all connections, resulting in a potential backflow hazard, as well as unreliable service for each customer. Water from the spring has tested positive for nitrates/nitrites and coliform. The treatment system qualifies as a T1 plan.