Blog Posts

CIVIL ENGINEERING Daniel M. CIVIL ENGINEERING Daniel M.

The Hidden Headaches of Sewer Utility Design: Gravity, Lift Station, or Grinder Pump?

When gravity just won't work — because your site is flat, low-lying, or slopes away from the main — a lift station becomes more than a backup plan. It’s often the only way to make your system viable.

But a well-designed lift station can also be a strategic unlock — allowing you to build where others can’t, avoid deep excavation, and maintain full control of your infrastructure.

How a Lift Station Works

A lift station is a pumping system that transfers wastewater from low areas to higher ground — where it can rejoin a gravity sewer system or treatment plant.

Here’s an easy 4-step process for how lift stations work:

Step 1: Wastewater flows into an underground tank called a wet well.

Step 2: Once the wet well fills to a set level, sensors trigger one or more pumps.

Step 3: The wastewater is pushed uphill through a force main (a pressurized pipe).

Step 4: Once it reaches the gravity line, it resumes its normal flow downhill.

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Daniel M. Daniel M.

Dirt Dollars Gone: Haul‑Off Costs in FL vs NC vs GA (What No One Tells You)

Dirt haul-off costs can quietly devour your land development budget—especially in NC, GA, and even FL. This blog breaks down the shocking real-world numbers for 2024–2025 and shows how a few hundred cubic yards of excess soil can cost you up to $43K. Learn how to slash costs with smarter grading plans, value engineering, and tech-driven strategies—before your dirt dollars disappear.

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Daniel M. Daniel M.

Engineering Your Subdivision: Subdivisions from an Engineering Perspective

It is worthy of note that subdivision ordinances differ greatly from county to county. Based on this, land development engineers, urban planners, and real estate developers would benefit from this article to ensure a good grasp of project planning and design, compliance and approval matters, how to manage their costs, and risk mitigation, to speak of a few.

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MASS TIMBER Daniel M. MASS TIMBER Daniel M.

MASS TIMBER STRUCTURES

Mass timber design is a more recent development to wood construction, as against light-frame wood construction. This innovative design technology that is revolutionizing America comprises of gluing or nailing multiple wood products together and forming layers to be used for roof, wall and floor construction.

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