Optimism remains in water sector
Brown and Caldwell welcomes experienced client services director
PHOENIX — Leading environmental engineering and construction firm Brown and Caldwell today announced Michael Bomar has joined the firm as client services director in alignment with its southwest US and California growth strategy.
With a 25-year water and wastewater sector background, Bomar is a proven leader in establishing long-lasting relationships and serving clients in multiple geographies. He brings a history of identifying required technical expertise to effectively execute new opportunities and building collaborative teams of technical staff among company and sub-consultant personnel to deliver projects on time and budget.
Bomar’s new role focuses on developing relationships with new and existing clients and aligning Brown and Caldwell’s full suite of services to help solve the region’s most complex water and environmental challenges related to aging infrastructure, population growth, and drinking water supply. He will offer strategic counsel to help make clients’ capital investments go further via the lowest life cycle cost.
Since the early 1980s, Brown and Caldwell has provided professional services to numerous municipal and private industry clients throughout the southwest as described by area leader Ron Ablin:
“I am thrilled to welcome a leader of Michael’s caliber to our growing business. He brings a history of identifying required technical expertise to effectively execute new opportunities and building collaborative teams of technical staff to identify approaches to meet client needs on time and budget.”
Based in Phoenix, Bomar holds a bachelor’s in environmental engineering and is a licensed professional engineer in eight states.
Reducing water loss with smart technologies
Sustainable facility helps to tell the all-important story of water in the west
Brown and Caldwell’s Dr. John Willis elected WEF Fellow
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Brown and Caldwell, a leading environmental engineering and construction firm, today announced Dr. John Willis has been made a Fellow of the Water Environment Federation (WEF).
Formed in 1928, WEF is a not-for-profit association that provides technical education and training for thousands of water quality professionals worldwide who clean water and return it safely to the environment. The prestigious, peer-nominated Fellow designation recognizes members’ achievements, stature, and contributions to the preservation and enhancement of the water profession.
During his impressive 30-year career with Brown Caldwell, Vice President Dr. Willis has specialized in municipal and industrial water and wastewater studies and designs, including innovative biosolids systems, biological treatment, and pumping facilities. He has a history of consistently identifying pioneering solutions to biosolids, treatment, and energy-use challenges with leadership, communication, and creativity. His advanced biosolids experience includes designing the country’s first Class A thermophilic anaerobic digestion facility, serving as principal investigator for the Water Environment Research Foundation’s Barriers to Biogas Use for Renewable Energy, and co-authoring the EPA’s Evaluation of Combined Heat and Power Technologies for Wastewater Facilities. Additionally, Dr. Willis was recently co-awarded a U.S. Department of Energy Water Resource Recovery Prize for the proposed integration of hydrothermal liquefaction to convert wastewater sludge into renewable biocrude (that can be refined into renewable diesel and naphtha) and natural gas into the solids-handling train at a water resource recovery facility in Washington state.
“I am very pleased that John’s peers have awarded his dedication to advancing the water profession with this prestigious recognition. His highly respected technical knowledge, creativity, and passion have helped the industry reimagine the water cycle for the reuse of resources for the betterment of our environment for future generations.”
Brown and Caldwell Chief Technical Officer Cindy Paulson
Chairman of WEF’s Bioenergy Subcommittee, Dr. Willis is a licensed professional engineer in numerous states and an American Academy of Environmental Engineers board-certified environmental engineer. He holds a doctorate in environmental engineering from the University of Queensland, and a master’s in civil and environmental engineering and a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from Duke University.
Cheyanne Harris discusses diversity and inclusion with the California Water Environment Assoc.
Guam Northern Interceptor Sewer rehabilitation scoops national award
Brown and Caldwell appoints new Phoenix leader
PHOENIX — Leading environmental engineering and construction firm Brown and Caldwell today announced vice president Jim Fordyce has been promoted to the position of Phoenix leader with immediate effect.
A 20-year veteran of the firm with over 25 years’ experience in the design, construction, and commissioning of water and wastewater projects, Fordyce brings a wealth of knowledge and technical expertise to Arizona’s most complex water-related and environmental challenges. His promotion marks a return to Brown and Caldwell’s Phoenix office, where he spent 10 years before an intercompany transfer to develop electrical, programming, and instrumentation and controls capabilities for the firm’s East Coast operations.
As Phoenix leader, Fordyce is responsible for operations management, providing exceptional client service, and expanding Brown and Caldwell’s regional presence and talent pool to meet market and customer needs. He will lead high-performing teams in the collaborative, efficient, and quality delivery of impactful projects the firm is renowned for in the environmental market.
“I’m very pleased to welcome Jim back to Phoenix. His strong skills and expertise paired with his past professional relationships in the Valley will be a great asset to our clients as the region continues to prepare for population growth, aging infrastructure challenges, automation, and climate and drought issues.”
Brown and Caldwell Desert Area Leader Ron Ablin
City of Pueblo wins national award for wastewater nutrient treatment innovation
City of Pueblo (Colorado), Brown and Caldwell earn national award for pioneering wastewater nutrient treatment innovation
DENVER — The City of Pueblo, Colorado, and Brown and Caldwell today proudly announces receipt of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) 2020 Project Excellence Award for enhancements made to the James R. Dilorio Water Reclamation Facility (JR Dilorio WRF) to affordably and sustainably meet state nutrient water quality regulations.
WEF’s annual awards competition pays tribute to excellence and innovation in the execution of projects and programs in the water sector.
Treating more than 10 million gallons of wastewater per day (MGD) generated in Pueblo’s homes, businesses, and industries, the JR Dilorio WRF safely discharges reclaimed water to the Arkansas River, supporting numerous beneficial uses including aquatic life and agricultural irrigation in southeastern Colorado.
In 2012, Colorado introduced stringent nutrient requirements of point source nutrient dischargers, such as wastewater facilities, to reduce nuisance algal growth in the state’s lakes, rivers, and streams that will go into effect after 2027.
Taking advantage of an incentive program aimed at reducing nutrient discharges sooner, the City partnered with leading environmental engineering and construction firm Brown and Caldwell to implement an innovative nutrient removal and process intensification solution at the JR Dilorio WRF. Combining advanced aeration control and a hydrocylone-based wasting process, ‘Ntensify™’ is a suite of solutions developed by Brown and Caldwell to intensify the nutrient treatment process.
In adopting Ntensify, the JR Dilorio WRF has increased its treatment capacity by 50% with less energy, chemical, and disposal costs than traditional nutrient removal, and without expensive capital investment. The award-winning upgrades have enhanced secondary wastewater processing capabilities to substantially reduce nitrogen and phosphorus from the effluent discharged into the Arkansas River, bringing nutrient levels consistently below regulatory requirements.
“We started up the Ntensify system at our plant nearly a year ago, and we saw almost immediate positive results. The system has been simple to operate, and it has proven to be a huge benefit to us. We no longer need to feed chemicals, and the plant is now running in a more stable and positive manner.”
JR Dilorio WRF Superintendent John Millard
Planning for the project began in 2016 and was completed in May 2019, well in advance of the incentive program deadline. As a result, the enhancements at the JR Dilorio WRF earned the City credits to extend its schedule to comply with the pending, more stringent nutrient discharge limits.
“I’m thrilled our successful partnership with the City has been recognized with this prestigious award,” said Brown and Caldwell Director of Process Engineering and Wastewater Innovation Leader Jose Jimenez. “Ntensify is just one example of how Brown and Caldwell stays at the forefront of technical innovation while leading effective planning and regulatory strategies to position our clients for long-term success.”
Remember the Yugo!
Brown and Caldwell to lead integrated plan for Seattle’s drainage and wastewater systems
SEATTLE — Brown and Caldwell, a leading environmental engineering and construction firm, today announced its selection by Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) to lead the city’s ‘Shape Our Water’ planning process.
Shape Our Water is a four-year initiative to plan near- and long-term investment in partnerships, programs, and projects that will improve the performance and resilience of Seattle’s drainage and wastewater systems while optimizing social and environmental benefits for the city.
In concert with a community-centered stakeholder engagement process that sets goals and establishes a conceptual framework for future integrated drainage and wastewater (DWW) planning, Shape Our Water implements this vision by directing investments in DWW infrastructure, improving utility services, and maximizing customer value while balancing long-term sustainability with affordability. Drivers shaping the planning effort include water quality, flooding, climate change, aging infrastructure, aquatic health, and urban growth.
“Being a community-centered utility means more than providing excellent service and positive experiences with customers. SPU is committed to building strong community relationships through investing and partnering with communities on projects to protect public health and the environment while improving the lives of people in historically underserved neighborhoods.”
SPU Drainage and Wastewater Planning Manager Leslie Webster
As prime consultant, Brown and Caldwell will lead a multidisciplinary team to bring resiliency, community values, and equity to the center of the planning process in ways that amplify community benefits. A strong focus on racial equity will help SPU choose projects and programs that create green jobs, address inequities in vulnerable communities, and capture the changing values of a diverse stakeholder base.
“At the heart of Shape our Water is a strong commitment and focus on equity and social justice, affordability, and value, while enhancing the city’s natural and built environments,” said Brown and Caldwell Project Manager Rosey Jencks. “We are thrilled to be part of this visionary effort to reflect community values and to partner with SPU and the community in making Seattle the best place to live for everyone.”
Project kickoff will commence immediately and continue through June 2023.