#USA #Atlanta #Stormwater Management #Oldcastle Infrastructure #SmartCapture™

Oldcastle Infrastructure Introduces SmartCapture™

Oldcastle Infrastructure has made significant strides in stormwater management with the launch of SmartCapture™, touted as America’s first fully integrated smart stormwater storage system. Partnering with Opti, this innovative solution combines precast concrete storage with continuous monitoring and adaptive control technology (CMAC), marking a notable advancement in how communities handle stormwater.

Transforming Stormwater Storage

Traditionally, stormwater storage systems have acted passively, merely holding water until it’s safely released. However, SmartCapture redefines this model by actively managing stormwater, evolving it from a mere storage facility to a dynamic system that adapts to changing weather and environmental conditions. The integration of CMAC provides engineers and project owners with an advanced tool to enhance performance and simplify construction efforts amid increasingly tight budgets and space constraints.

Matika Made, the president of water quality at Oldcastle Infrastructure, emphasizes the uniqueness of SmartCapture: "This solution offers a practical approach to improve performance while adhering to the challenging demands of modern infrastructure. It simplifies construction efforts and helps create more resilient stormwater systems."

The first implementation of SmartCapture took place in a flood mitigation project in Statesboro, Georgia. Here, a once-passive retention system was remarkably transformed into an active stormwater management solution capable of monitoring weather forecasts, water levels, and downstream conditions. This system can reduce water levels significantly—up to two feet—creating additional storage that is ten times greater than what traditional methods could achieve.

Cost-Effective Solutions

In practical terms, SmartCapture’s capabilities lead to substantial savings and efficiencies. One recent project achieved a net capital cost reduction between $315,000 and $425,000, thanks to eliminating the need for additional systems and shortening the construction timeline by around two weeks. This efficiency not only cuts costs but also enhances effective storage performance through real-time control.

Municipalities benefit from better visibility into the performance of their stormwater management systems post-installation. SmartCapture integrates seamlessly with SCADA systems, delivering real-time monitoring and reporting necessary for regulatory compliance. This feature alleviates the asset management burden from agencies, empowering them to make informed, data-driven decisions regarding stormwater infrastructure.

Viktor Hlas, president of Opti, underscores the forward-thinking nature of SmartCapture: "By embedding adaptive control directly into the storage system, we are making advanced stormwater management accessible and scalable. We’re paving the way for a paradigm shift in infrastructure that responds intelligently to real-time conditions, setting a new standard for the industry."

Looking Ahead

As they proceed on this pioneering path, both Oldcastle Infrastructure and Opti aim to inspire communities, engineers, and developers to embrace modern infrastructure solutions that prioritize resilience and smart management. By transitioning away from outdated practices, stakeholders can ensure sustainable stormwater systems, ready to meet the demands of climate change and urban challenges.

Oldcastle Infrastructure, a CRH Company, remains a leader in providing comprehensive building materials and services across North America, focusing on sectors like water, communications, and energy. For more insights about SmartCapture and other offerings, visit oldcastleinfrastructure.com.

Opti continues to revolutionize stormwater management through its digital solutions, combining innovative hardware with cloud intelligence to achieve significant performance improvements and cost savings. More information about their services is available at optirtc.com.