Prein&Newhof

06/01/2026

Environmental consulting is about more than investigations and regulations. It's about understanding what lies beneath the surface and helping communities make informed decisions for the future.

In our newest blog, Geologist Jim Rinke shares the winding path that brought him from environmental geology to Antarctica, mining, brewing, and finally back home to Michigan. Along the way, he reflects on PFAS, the value of understanding our environment, and why helping people better understand their environment continues to drive his work today.

🔍 Take a few minutes to read Jim's story and learn more about the work our environmental consulting team is doing across Michigan:

By Jim Rinke At Prein&Newhof, environmental consulting focuses on helping clients understand what’s beneath the surface and what it means for the future of their projects and communities. That work is continuing to grow, and I’m grateful to now be part of a team that approaches complex environme...

05/26/2026

Across Michigan, communities are working to better understand and respond to PFAS contamination. Our environmental consulting team has been proud to support those efforts through investigation, sampling, reporting, and coordination with regulatory agencies.

At both Ford Airport IMT and Delta County Airport in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Prein&Newhof partnered with airport teams, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and technical specialists from LimnoTech to continue multi-phase PFAS investigations tied to historical AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) use. The work included groundwater and stormwater sampling, monitoring well installation, source tracking, data analysis, reporting, and long-term planning efforts aimed at better understanding how PFAS moves through the environment.

These projects reflect the broader work our environmental consulting team provides throughout Michigan, including environmental site assessments, groundwater investigations, remediation support, regulatory coordination, and PFAS-related services. Whether helping clients navigate emerging contaminants, understand site conditions, or plan next steps, our goal is to provide clear technical guidance that supports informed decisions and protects our communities and natural resources!

Learn more about our Environmental Consulting team here: https://www.preinnewhof.com/pn-services/environmental

Photo Credit: Prein&Newhof

05/19/2026

Big progress on Plainfield Charter Township’s South Rogue River Trail project this week as the new pedestrian bridge, funded by Kent County Parks, was successfully installed over the Rogue River and the road was reopened to the public!

The 175-foot prefabricated steel bridge from Contech Engineered Solutions now connects both paved sections of the trail, bringing the project one step closer to completion. With the bridge frame in place and concrete completed by Jelsema Concrete Construction, crews will now focus on restoration, plantings, and fencing along the corridor. When complete, the South Rogue River Trail will connect the White Pine Trail to the Rockford Trail, creating Plainfield Township’s first completed trail loop and expanding connections within the larger Grand River Greenway network (Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.) across West Michigan. The new trail will provide a safe, scenic route for walkers, runners, and cyclists while creating more opportunities for residents to enjoy the outdoors and stay active close to home.

Congratulations to Plainfield Charter Township on reaching this exciting milestone, and thank you to all the project partners, including the Kent County Road Commission and crews from Dan's Excavating Service, Inc. and The King Co., Inc., for helping bring this project to life!

Media Credits 🎬: Prein&Newhof

05/12/2026

🏆 Please join us in congratulating City of Muskegon, Kamminga & Roodvoets, Inc., Pipeline Plastics, LLC, Prein&Newhof, and Michigan Pipe & Valve on their MID 2025 HDPE Wastewater Project of the Year Award for the Southeast Regional Force Main Project 🏆

Every year The Plastics Pipe Institute recognizes member companies for success in innovative projects that showcase plastic piping systems with Project of the Year Awards for each division.

This project showcases how ⭐SMART⭐ pipe helps manage growing wastewater management requirements across the country. Lack of available wastewater treatment capacity has been a barrier for economic development in Muskegon County but the Southeast Regional Force Main was designed as a long-distance, large-diameter wastewater transmission system with emphasis on hydraulic efficiency, corrosion resistance, constructability, and long-term operational reliability to ease the pressure on existing facilities. The new 93,000-foot-long pipeline was constructed using PE4710 high-density polyethylene pipe in diameters ranging from 24 to 36 inches in diameter. HDPE pipe was selected as the primary force main material after evaluation of ductile iron and PVC alternatives.

Like, Comment, and Share to show your appreciation to these organizations for this outstanding project and click here to read the full PPI Project of the Year and Member of the Year press release: https://ow.ly/vX3850YYerS

2025 Project of the Year awards will be formally presented at the PPI 2026 Annual Meeting in Bonita Springs, FL next week.

05/04/2026

05/01/2026

From municipal systems to private wells, every water sample represents a question that needs a clear, reliable answer. Our Prein&Newhof Laboratory team works to provide accurate results and meaningful insight so clients can understand their water and make informed decisions with confidence. Check out our new video that highlights the work happening inside our laboratory and the role it plays in supporting public health, environmental protection, and the systems people rely on every day across Michigan!

💧 Read more on our blog: https://www.preinnewhof.com/understanding-whats-in-your-water-starts-here/

Don't forget: next week kicks off the American Water Works Association's Drinking Water Week! What better time to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives? Learn more about this annual event here: https://www.awwa.org/communications-and-outreach/drinking-water-week/

04/21/2026

We’re looking forward to being part of this year’s Michigan Stormwater-Floodplain Association (MSFA) Annual Conference and contributing to conversations around floodplain management and resilient communities across Michigan. Our team will be sharing two presentations during the conference:

𝟮𝗗 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗸
Tom Smith and Caleb Hoogendam will walk through how 2D modeling techniques are being used to better understand flood behavior and risk while supporting more informed decision-making along Matawan Creek.

𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗠𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝟮
In partnership with the City of Kalamazoo, Tom Palumbo and Tom Smith will present on the next phase of flood mitigation efforts along Arcadia Creek, highlighting how the project continues to evolve to better protect the surrounding community.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to share this work and to learn alongside others who are committed to advancing stormwater and floodplain solutions. If you’re attending, we hope to see you there!

04/13/2026

Construction is moving ahead on Plainfield Charter Township’s South Rogue River Trail, and it’s exciting to see this connection continue to take shape! When complete, this new trail will provide a safe, scenic route connecting the White Pine Trail to the Northland Drive area, closing the Township’s first non-motorized loop alongside the Rockford Trail. This milestone creates a continuous route that expands how residents can move through and experience the area. It also plays an important role in the larger Grand River Greenway pathway network across West Michigan, creating more opportunities to be active outside while enjoying the natural beauty of the Rogue River corridor.

Crews have been making steady progress this spring, including completing backfill at the bridge abutments, installing drainage systems, and advancing work on both the boardwalk and retaining walls. Next steps will shift toward preparing the trail base and setting the bridge on the abutments as the trail aims to open to the public later this spring!

Congratulations to Plainfield Charter Township on the continued progress of this investment in outdoor recreation and connectivity. We’re grateful to be part of a project that will serve residents and visitors for years to come, and we appreciate the hard work of Dan's Excavating Service, Inc. and the entire project team helping bring it to life on site.

Photo Credits 📸: Prein&Newhof

04/09/2026

We’re putting a common funding myth to the test as part of our Shovel Ready series!

“You can’t apply for multiple grants for the same project.”

It’s something we hear often, but the reality looks a little different. In this short Mythbusters-style video, we break down how funding actually works and why combining sources can strengthen a project from the very beginning. Many successful infrastructure projects rely on a mix of funding to move forward. Taking a strategic approach early can open more doors and create a clearer path to construction.

If you’d like to learn more about how this works in practice, we’ve expanded on this topic on our blog: https://www.preinnewhof.com/stack-it-up-why-one-funding-source-is-rarely-enough/

04/01/2026

Congratulations to the Village of Vicksburg, MI on the groundbreaking of the municipal parking lot redevelopment project! This transformation will turn a well-used space into a safer, more accessible and functional area, with improvements to traffic flow, updated lighting, new pavement and striping, and enhanced stormwater management. The project also includes revitalization of the popular pedestrian pathway, Liberty Lane, helping to strengthen connections and invest in the walkability of Vicksburg’s downtown area.

With grant support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) Program, this project reflects a shared commitment to investing in Vicksburg’s future and supporting the people and businesses that make the downtown thrive.

Thank you to Frederick Construction for their partnership in bringing this vision to life, and to the many community leaders and partners whose support helped move this project forward. We’re grateful to be part of a project that will serve Vicksburg’s community for years to come!

Project Photos 📸: Prein&Newhof