There are various reasons why it’s tough to engage the public on water infrastructure issues. One, the pipes are out of sight and out of mind. Two, the concept is a little abstract — people don’t worry about piping until a break causes them a problem. Three, talk tends to focus on infrastructure nationally, making it hard for people to relate at the hometown level.
A gallant group in Minnesota has taken on the challenge of making the infrastructure crisis more immediate. They’ve created a 56-minute TV documentary, “Liquid Assets Minnesota,” that shows from the perspective of local officials why it’s essential to take care of water piping and other buried assets.
The program is a state-specific spinoff from the 2009 documentary, “Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure,” produced by Penn State Public Television and supported by major water, wastewater and other industry associations. The Minnesota program is important because it can provide a blueprint for groups in other states who need to deliver their own infrastructure messages.
See it, feel it
“Liquid Assets Minnesota,” more than two years in the making, is built around unscripted, on-camera conversations with 33 people, from mayors and city council members, to front-line workers, to representatives of agencies like the Minnesota Department of Health and the Twin Cities’ Metropolitan Council.
The interviews include representatives from 12 Minnesota cities — large and small, new and old, rural and metropolitan. The comments are frank, clear, and from the heart. The visuals are compelling …
This program explores concerns about Minnesota’s aging water infrastructure. Many drinking water systems, sanitary sewers and storm sewers throughout the state are rapidly approaching the end of their useful life, so communities of all sizes are trying to come up with ways to replace these vital utilities that are routinely taken for granted. The rural cities of Brandon, Hoffman, and Battle Lake are featured, in addition to the city of Duluth and communities within the Twin Cities area, to demonstrate how each of them are grappling with the task of maintaining a high quality standard of water in this time of tight budgets. Co-produced by tpt’s Minnesota Channel and Central States Water Environment Association-Minnesota Section.
PPS; In the meantime, join us as we build awareness about MNs critical water infrastructure. by sending this video link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPdeOY22PzI&feature=channel to your email list, posting on facebook and twitter etc; THANKS!
Howdy, It’s been a GREAT couple of weeks … 1. We have been bombarded with positive feedback 2. Website traffic is at all time highs 3. One of the video clips we released is closing in on 1,000 views Liquid Assets 3min Video Clip Promo 4. Other Cities, in other States want to show/share “Liquid Assets MN” [...]
YEP! Tonight at 7pm “Liquid assets MN” will get an on air promotion on Twin Cities Public Television: Almanac Almanac is Twin Cities Public Television’s long running weekly public affairs program with host Eric Eskola, Cathy Wurzer and politcal reporter Mary Lahammer. Personally, I am very excited about this … not only because of the HUGE audience; but also [...]
http://www.tpt.org/?a=schedules This program explores concerns about Minnesota’s aging water infrastructure. Many drinking water systems, sanitary sewers and storm sewers throughout the state are rapidly approaching the end of their useful life, so communities of all sizes are trying to come up with ways to replace these vital utilities that are routinely taken for granted. The rural [...]
Question: How in the world do you get the general public interested in something they cannot even see? I am talking of course about underground infrastructure … Some experts would argue, that if you cannot see a thing and it is not in your perception, it does not exist at all! The idea that something [...]
The Minnesota Government Engineers Council (MGEC) was formed in 1968 in order to provide advocacy and profession-enhancement services for Professional Engineers in government … (more …)
“The health of our waters is the principal measure of how we live on the land.” Luna Leopold Since about the time of the cave man, storm water had ALWAYS been one of the bigger priorities: 1. You had to locate your home, community, or city, near a clean and replenish-able source of water (rain fed) [...]
Pictures of MNs critical water infrastructure continue to stream in … This last batch of pics is from the City of Goodhue MN which features their old water tower (1902) While … Their NEW water-tower (2011) is being erected right along side of it! Some brave soul climbed the old water-tower to give everyone [...]
If we managed to capture .. even just a teeny tiny bit … the kind of Leadership, Cooperation, Collaboration and Resolve we saw here as Duluthians continue to step up and meet the challenges of their aging water & sewer infrastructure (and by aging, I mean like 1800s aging) well, then … this whole trip [...]
Spotlight on Duluth’s Aging Infrastructure By Jeremy Scott and photojournalist Derek Seashore, FOX 21 News DULUTH – The state of Minnesota’s underground water system is coming to the surface. Duluth’s aging infrastructure could be included in a state-wide T.V. documentary. It’s that old saying ‘out of sight, out of mind’ and that’s just the case [...]
First days shoot in Duluth is done … and it was … AWESOME! I will blog about it later because I wanted you to check this out … The article below was printed early this morning- before we even rolled camera! Duluth’s, Minnesota’s underground plight comes to light in documentary Documentary on water supply system is [...]
Question: How do you get a producer, videographer and 50,000 dollars worth of cameras and equipment onto a SUPER busy construction site for filming? Or … for that matter … Into a public sewer, manhole or pipe that could potentially contain deadly atmospheres? Answer: You don’t … You give handheld video cameras to trained BlueprintMN team [...]
Please help us welcome TKDA as our latest sponsor for the production of a Documentary Film on MNs Critical Water Infrastructure: TKDA is a 100% employee-owned professional services firm providing engineering, architecture, and planning to our clients nationwide. With nearly 200 employees, we deliver single source, integrated services to both public and private [...]
We spent day #4 at the Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant located three miles south of downtown St. Paul. Its fitting we ended up here too. Because our last shoot was at the City of Golden Valley, where we learned that the sewage produced by this 20k plus City, flows too (and thru) the Metro Plant [...]
Day 2 brought us to Brandon MN where Mayor Doug Johnson showed us what can be accomplished when your community gets behind you AND you utilize the hard won resources that are available to you. The power of a community never ceases to amaze me! Then we sat down with Ruth Hubbard of the Minnesota [...]
We traveled to beautiful Battle Lake Minnesota today to begin filming Liquid Assets: MN … And I can’t tell you how great it felt to finally meet everyone and then to finally see those cameras rolling! You know … I continue to be amazed at the level of support and enthusiasm demonstrated by everyone involved to [...]
BlueprintMN welcomes WSB & Associates, Inc. as our latest sponsor for a documentary film on Minnesota’s critical water infrastructure … Welcome Aboard! WSB & Associates, Inc. is a Minnesota-owned consulting engineering firm with offices in Minneapolis and St. Cloud. Founded in 1995, we’ve focused on the engineering, planning, environmental, and construction service needs of governmental agencies [...]
Hey there, An alert subscriber (below) just sent this FYI about Minnesota Infrastructure being on the history channel Sunday Night! “I just saw an ad on the history channel for a new show that premiers Sunday night called Inspector America. Its about a guy that goes around inspecting and documenting the crumbling infrastructure of America. [...]
The City of Duluth has joined the BlueprintMN team for the production of a Documentary Film on Minnesota’s Critical Water Infrastructure. WELCOME ABOARD! Duluth is a beautiful city situated on a hill stretching 22 miles along the shores of pristine Lake Superior. Duluth is home to over 86,000 residents and is known for its breathless [...]
Things are moving fast folks! 1. Contract was officially signed with TPT for a 60 minute documentary. That’s right 60 minutes … not 30! 2. Shooting schedule has been set for: Tuesday, May 31st; Monday & Tuesday, June 6th & 7th; Monday, June 13th; and Monday June 27th. 3. Stories to be considered for inclusion [...]
Please help us welcome HRG as our latest sponsor for a documentary film on Minnesota’s critical water infrastructure! Howard R. Green Company Howard R. Green Company is, at its core, an engineering and architectural firm, but we know that great design alone does not make projects a reality. That’s why we arm our professional staff [...]
Howdy, Do you have an interesting story about water/sewer/storm infrastructure … Do you know someone interesting that can communicate the message of MN’s critical water infrastructure … Do you have interesting pictures or film footage … Do you know of a good place to help tell the story of MN’s critical water infrastructure (your city, [...]
Hey there, Just wanted to let you know that … NOT ONLY … did we … REACH … our fund raising goal of 30k … We … SURPASSED … it! (Take a gander at the $$$$ thermometer to your left ; ) Here are some highlights from your partner team these past few months: [...]
BlueprintMn welcomes newest sponsor DSG for the production of Liquid Assets: MN, a Public Television Documentary about Minnesota’s Critical Water Infrastructure! Dakota Supply Group (DSG) Since our establishment in 1898, we at Dakota Supply Group (DSG) have worked hard at making a name for ourselves as a full-line distributor of electrical, mechanical, communications, utility, automation, waterworks, filtration [...]
Bolton & Menk have joined BlueprintMN team for the production of a Documentary Film on Minnesota’s Critical Water Infrastructure. WELCOME ABOARD! Bolton & Menk has a broad range of experience in the areas of civil, environmental and transportation engineering, and land surveying. As an independent organization of professional engineers, our selection of design methods and [...]
The January Section meeting was hosted by the Legislative Committee. Patti Craddock of Craddock Consulting Engineers who represents the Central States Water Environment Association, Tom Eggum of TKDA who represents the Minnesota Section of ASCE, and Dave Hutton of SRF who represents the Minnesota Public Works Association provided a review of the MN 2050 initiative. [...]
BlueprintMN welcome’s Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) for the production of a documentary film about Minnesota’s critical water infrastructure. WELCOME TO THE TEAM! Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is committed to a leadership role in protecting, improving and managing the surface waters and affiliated groundwater resources within the district, including [...]
Liquid Assets: MN welcomes CH2M HILL as our latest sponsor for the production of a Documentary Film on Minnesota’s Critical Water Infrastructure! CH2M HILL is a global leader in full-service engineering, construction, and operations … more …
Liquid Assets: MN is pleased to announce “West Central Initiative” has joined our team for the production of a Documentary Film on Minnesota’s Critical Water Infrastructure. Welcome Aboard! West Central Initiative is a regional community foundation that works to strengthen the region of west central Minnesota by: Encouraging business and employment opportunities. Providing training and support to [...]
Brown and Caldwell: Environmental Engineers and Consultants Joins “Liquid Assets: MN” for the production of a Documentary Film to Raise Awareness about Minnesota Critical Water Infrastructure. Brown and Caldwell delivers leading edge engineering and business solutions to efficiently and effectively meet the environmental needs of public agencies, government and private industry … more …
Associated General Contractors of Minnesota The Associated General Contractors of Minnesota (AGC) is a non-profit professional trade association that is dedicated to promoting opportunity and excellence in the building and highway construction industry throughout the State of Minnesota … more …
Camp Dresser & McKee Inc. CDM is a consulting, engineering, construction, and operations firm with a full range of services including architectural and engineering design, environmental management and planning, transportation, management, consulting, information management, and construction. Projects range from small, short-term solutions to complex, ongoing environmental and infrastructure management programs … more …
“Bringing the Message Home” By Ted J. Rulseh Special Feature October 2010 Issue View this article in the E-Zine The 2009 TV documentary, “Liquid Assets: The Story of our Water Infrastructure,” sent a powerful message about the importance of water and wastewater infrastructure. Now, a group in Minnesota hopes to personalize that message [...]
BlueprintMN welcomes it’s latest sponsor: Short Elliot Hendrickson (SEH) Welcome Aboard! Short Elliot Hendrickson Inc. Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH®) is a multidisciplined firm of engineers, architects, planners, and scientists serving public and private- sector clients … more …
A big Thank-You to American Planning Association-Minnesota Chapter for their continued support of “Liquid Assets: MN” a Documentary Film to raise awareness about Minnesota’s Critical Water Infrastructure. We have now raised $22,500 of the 3ok needed for production! The Minnesota Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Minnesota) is a non-profit statewide organization of over [...]
www.local49.org The future of Minnesota’s most important natural resource, it’s water, is a subject near and dear to the heart of 49er Andrew Sullivan. A member of the City of Eden Prairie’s Water Department, Sullivan is volunteering his time to create awareness for the future of the state’s water supply. Sullivan and others are working on producing [...]
BlueprintMN: Welcome’s the Minnesota Environmental Science and Economic Review Board (MESERB) as it’s latest sponsor for a documentary film on Minnesota’s Critical Water Infrastructure! more …
Last month, MSW magazine featured a preview about our infrastructure awareness efforts here in Minnesota. A full article will be published SOON! Stay tuned … You may well have seen the TV documentary, “Liquid Assets: The Story of our Water Infrastructure,” produced by Penn State Public Televisions and supported by major water, wastewater and other [...]
Some of our readers thought that this article was worthy of inclusion. I agree! I have been a long time fan of Ted J. Rulseh. Ted is the editor of Municipal Sewer and Water Magazine and if you do not have a subscription–you should! It’s free. MSW Magazine is full of infrastructure professionals- like yourself–that are [...]
BlueprintMN is pleased to welcome Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. (AE2S) WELCOME ABOARD! Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. (AE2S) is a specialized civil/environmental consulting engineering firm that provides professional services in the Upper Midwest. more …
BlueprintMN is pleased to welcome the MN American Water Works Association: WELCOME ABOARD! “The Minnesota Section of the American Water Water Works Association is a non-profit scientific and educational association promoting public health, safety, and welfare through research and dissemination of information and by supporting educational development of it’s members.” more …
BlueprintMN: Welcomes the “Minnesota Rural Water Association” as it’s latest sponsor. Welcome Aboard! MRWA MISSION: “To provide the latest information, education, and technical assistance to protect our public waters and improve the quality of life in Minnesota.” more ..
“You must understand that seeing is believing; but also know that believing is seeing” Waitley In all my years working in the Water and Sewer business …. NOTHING…. was better at making a point… more than…. the junk I had rolling around in the back of my work truck. That’s right …. Take for instance, that [...]
By Don Demers ASCE Liquid Assets: Summary from MN ASCE December Section Meeting As part of ASCE’s continuing efforts to raise awareness about our infrastructure needs, the MN Section of ASCE and the MN Chapter of APWA (MPWA) co-hosted a panel discussion about Minnesota’s infrastructure at a luncheon on December 16, 2009. The goal of the [...]
Five Things YOU can do right now… in 3 minutes or less …. to help MN Infrastructure! Hang onto your hats … because a Minnesota documentary on critical water Infrastructure is on it’s way. This is a collaborative effort between Minnesota Infrastructure leaders and Twin Cities Public Television, Penn State University. For a project of [...]
Hey — are you interested… even a tiny, teeny bit… in hearing how easy it is to create jobs and fuel a vibrant Minnesota Economy …. … using tools and resources that are right under our collective noses? If so… then you’re gonna flip when you see what Josh Landis and Mitch Butler reveals here: This [...]
Have you heard the news? Recently, the ASCE (american society of civil engineers) released it’s Infrastructure Report card! …Yep … And it’s the kind of report card that you might want to conveniently lose on the way home from school. Let’s start by taking a look at the collective grade for our Nation’s Infrastructure. (you [...]
Let’s face it: An intelligent and productive discussion about our critical water infrastructure will NEVER happen, if we don’t– at the very least– have a basic understanding about the VALUE of that infrastructure. So, it goes with-out saying … then… that no REAL change can happen either! It is as simple and as hard as that. [...]
There are various reasons why it’s tough to engage the public on water infrastructure issues. One, the pipes are out of sight and out of mind. Two, the concept is a little abstract — people don’t worry about piping until a break causes them a problem. Three, talk tends to focus on infrastructure nationally, making it hard for people to relate at the hometown level.
