Case Studies – Wexco Environmental, MN

Erosion Control – Western MN

Issue: A sewer system update for a cooperative association in western Minnesota required multiple erosion control techniques. The project took place on over a half mile of rolling lakeshore, and within 10 feet of a stream and wetland that enter the lake. Action: Disturbed areas were hydroseeded with Type IV wood fiber mulch…

Erosion Control – East Central MN

Issue: A small Minnesota town was updating its sewer system. The site had severe slopes, and construction work took place adjacent to paved roads. Action: Heavy duty silt fence was installed downslope of disturbed areas. Inlet protection was installed in the storm drains to prevent sediment from entering the storm sewer system. The area was…

Bottling Plant

Issue: A bottling company in Minnesota discharges some 6,000 gallons per day of wash down water with a COD of 40,000 – 70,000 mg/L. The material is too strong for the local wastewater treatment plant to process, so it must be trucked off site. Action: Design/build an aerobic onsite treatment system using micro bubble aeration…

Geocell Shoreline Stabilization

Issue: Loose shifting sand makes access to this beach difficult, and winter dock removal destabilizes the lake bank. Action: Installing geocell pervious stabilization halts erosion, allows for infiltration to clean runoff before it reaches the lake, and creates secure footing for beach access.

Shoreline Stabilization

Issue: The owners wish to revegetate and stabilize the entire 150 feet width of their shoreline, less an access path. This site consists of a relatively flat yard and lawn that is mowed to a sand dune shoreline bank. There are several mature deciduous trees near or on the shoreline bank. The roots are…

Shoreline Restoration

Issue: Large amounts of aquatic vegetation washing onto the beach of this large Minnesota lake makes the shore and shallow water uninviting and difficult to maintain. Action: Planting the beach area with native wet meadow vegetation minimizes maintenance, adds year-round color, and protects the lake from upland runoff.

Shoreline Stabilization – Soft Armor

Issue: A dangerous old timber stair needs to be removed from a steeply sloping shoreline. Removal may destabilize the hillside. Action: Treated ties are removed, and straw logs, erosion fabric, seed and plants are installed. Deep-rooted native shrubs, ferns, sedges, grasses and flowers will restabilize the slope, slow and filter runoff, and capture…

Municipal Raingarden

Issue: A swale carries runoff from an entire city block to a storm sewer pipe that eventually empties directly into a wild and scenic river. Action: Two raingarden basins and a vegetated swale minimize and infiltrate the majority of the runoff and add tremendous diversity and beauty to the site.

Residential Raingarden

Issue: Roof, gutters, yard and driveway shed a substantial amount of unfiltered runoff down a steep slope onto the neighboring property and into the lake. Action: Three raingardens were created below downspouts and downslope of the driveway surface to capture, filter and infiltrate runoff. Deep-rooted, moisture-loving sedges, grasses and flowers will add beauty…

Bar & Grill

Issue: A lakeside bar and grill is served by an onsite sewage treatment system. The drain field mound is ponded and will soon create a surface discharge if not repaired. Space is restricted and the owner wants to avoid a replacement drain field mound. Design flow is 1,177 GPD, tanks include three 1,500-gallon septic tanks.…