How advocacy and civil engineering intersect (ASCE Plot Points Podcast Season 2 Episode 7)
Kentucky infrastructure project awarded engineering design feat of the year
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky-based sewer collection system improvement project has been heralded by the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) during its 2019 National Design-Build Project/Team Awards competition.
The annual program promotes exceptional diversity in project size, sector, and geography while celebrating the innovative and collaborative teams who produce projects that inspire. Covering industries from aviation to water/wastewater, and everything in between, 2019’s project winners were honored at DBIA’s Design-Build Conference and Expo on Nov. 7 in Las Vegas.
Receiving the coveted Best in Engineering Design Award and a National Award of Excellence (water/wastewater), the $78 million Southwestern Parkway Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Basin project is a component of Louisville/Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District’s (MSD) federal Consent Decree to mitigate CSO discharges to local waterways.
Located in Shawnee Park, part of Louisville’s Olmsted Park System listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the project consisted of the design and construction of a large “capture and release” system to temporarily store CSO’s during wet weather events and gradually release them back to the collection system for treatment when capacity is available. New facilities included a 20 million gallon storage basin, associated washdown systems, a 30 million gallon per day effluent pump station, CSO diversion structures, and associated conveyance piping.
Preservation of Olmstedian design features in Shawnee Park – in particular the pastoral, undulating surface of the Great Lawn – made it vital that the project team design and construct a facility virtually invisible to the public. To achieve this goal, the basin was constructed below the surface of the Great Lawn with a walk-out operational access point concealed by park topography.
Through the progressive design-build delivery process, the project provided triple bottom line benefits (social, economic, and environmental) for the community. At project kickoff, a multidisciplinary team of MSD (owner), Brown and Caldwell (owner’s advisor), Ulliman Schutte Construction (design-builder), and Burgess & Niple (engineer) “developed an outreach process for stakeholders to keep them involved,” said MSD’s Executive Director Tony Parrott in this project overview video.
Outreach efforts resulted in support for a project that reduces CSOs while simultaneously incorporating community enhancements. These features include restoration of a historic structure for youth learning opportunities, improvements to basketball and spray ground facilities, landscaping, drainage enhancements via the creation of multi-purpose fields, and a new open-air pavilion and restroom structure. In addition to community enhancements, the project stimulated the economy by employing a 76% local labor workforce.
“We join DBIA in commending MSD for their visionary leadership, community engagement, and collaborative approach to this important project.”
Brown and Caldwell Midwest Area Leader Tim Block
Brown and Caldwell awards $25,000 to University of Guam engineering and science students
GUAM — Leading environmental engineering and construction firm Brown and Caldwell recently awarded five, $1,000 scholarships to civil engineering and environmental science students at the University of Guam (UOG).
The scholarships mark the culmination of a five-year collaborative program between the university and the firm. In 2014, Brown and Caldwell pledged $25,000 in scholarships to UOG. Since the partnership commenced, a total of 24 college grants have been presented to promising students pursuing degrees in the sciences.
“The awardees are the top students in the civil engineering program, and they will be among the first to graduate from the program which officially started this semester.”
Interim Dean Shahram Khosrowpanah of the School of Engineering
Brown and Caldwell has a rich history and in-depth understanding of Guam’s water and wastewater infrastructure spanning three decades. Since beginning work on the island in 1990, the firm has earned a reputation for its collaborative approach, proactive solutions, and supportive partnerships across the Pacific. Notable projects include environmental post-closure maintenance of Guam’s Ordot Closure Facility, providing technical guidance for numerous wastewater treatment plant upgrades, and managing diverse aging infrastructure and water quality improvement programs.
“We are very committed to the University and to having a positive impact on Guam’s people, communities, and environment,” said John Riegel, Brown and Caldwell’s Guam local leader. “We are firm believers in developing technical knowledge and growing that skill base locally for the benefit of future generations on Guam.”
Wastewater process intensification and innovation
How can we turn wastewater into something not only useful, but valuable?
Brown and Caldwell’s Sarah Reeves and Jose Jimenez lay down a vision of pilot testing, partnership, and advanced treatment on “Water Talk,” recorded at this year’s WEFTEC19.
On the podcast with host Todd Schnick and Water Online Chief Editor Kevin Westerling, Sarah and Jose discuss how new ways to treat and reuse wastewater, such as Brown and Caldwell’s Ntensify that combines hydrocyclones with aeration control, increases plant capacity while decreasing costs. As Sarah notes, all water, no matter whether it’s from groundwater, stormwater, or wastewater, is connected. It’s the way to a brighter future. “We’re all con-sumers now, but we need to move to be pro-sumers,” she says. “We’ve got to go there for the health of our world and water for everyone. Our future is to be pro-sumers making products vs. making waste.”
Listen to the podcast (11 minutes, 56 seconds) for more on how collaborative, client-focused solutions drive technical innovation further, faster.
Brown and Caldwell joins 5th annual Imagine a Day Without Water campaign
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Leading environmental engineering and construction firm Brown and Caldwell today joined elected officials, water utilities, community leaders, educators, and businesses for Imagine a Day Without Water (IADWW), a nationwide day of education and advocacy about the value of water.
Led by the Value of Water (VoW) Campaign, supporting organizations across the country will host events to raise awareness about not taking water for granted and the crucial need for investment in our nation’s water infrastructure to ensure that no American community is left without safe and reliable water.
Recognizing that investment in community wastewater and drinking water systems is essential to national health, safety, and economic prosperity, Brown and Caldwell employees took to social media to discuss their passion for the sustainable management of the most precious resource. Like-minded engineers, scientists, and construction professionals rallied for the event to create videos, snap photos, and share thoughts on what water means to them using the hashtag #ValueWater.
“Our purpose is to have a positive impact on people, our clients, our communities, and the environment,” said Brown and Caldwell Environmental Engineer Amy West, who led the firm’s IADWW involvement. “Imagine a Day Without Water is a great platform for our 1,700 employee-owners to celebrate our collective passion for the preservation of safe, accessible, and sustainable community water supplies.”
“We’re thrilled that Brown and Caldwell is a part of Imagine a Day Without Water. This national day of action educates our neighbors and public officials about the essential role water plays in all of our lives. Most Americans have enjoyed clean, safe, reliable water service for very low costs for generations. But the infrastructure and service it takes to bring water to our homes and businesses and take it away is not free and can’t be taken for granted. We all need to educate ourselves about where our water comes from and the investment these critical systems need.”
Radhika Fox, CEO of the US Water Alliance and director of the VoW Campaign
VoW Campaign’s The Economic Benefits of Investing in Water Infrastructure report suggests there is over $220 billion in economic activity to be gained nationwide by closing the water infrastructure investment gap. The study reviews the projected capital needs of water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities and estimates the potential associated economic benefits should investments be made.
‘Quick start’ procurement accelerates project delivery
Brown and Caldwell’s Jimenez, Schnaars elected WEF Fellows
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Brown and Caldwell, a leading environmental engineering and construction firm, today announced Dr. Jose Jimenez and Ken Schnaars have been made Fellows 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.
A certified wastewater treatment plant operator and licensed professional engineer, operations and maintenance expert Schnaars has over 40 years of specialized civil and environmental engineering experience. Throughout his career, he has led project management, process design, start-up, and operator training on some of the nation’s most diverse and complex water and wastewater treatment facility projects. Outside of regular responsibilities, Schnaars serves on WEF’s Plant Operation and Maintenance Committee. He previously was a co-chair for the federation’s Operator Distance Learning Program in addition to residing on its Technical Practice Committee. WEF has also sent Ken to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Chile to conduct train the trainer courses, process troubleshooting workshops, and help establish country-specific operator certification programs. Lastly, he has authored numerous WEF Manual of Practices as well as several bylined articles published in various trade publications.
Vice President Dr. Jimenez is a process and research specialist with an impressive 20-year career of developing and implementing groundbreaking wastewater treatment technologies. In leading Brown and Caldwell’s wastewater process practice and applied research initiatives, he provides technical analysis and support to design and research teams working on municipal water resource and recovery facilities. Dr. Jimenez’s work focuses on innovative technologies and approaches to nutrient removal and recovery; carbon diversion; energy and chemical reduction; and process optimization. He is a licensed professional engineer, a board-certified environmental engineer, and has published numerous peer-reviewed articles with an emphasis on wastewater resource recovery and process intensification. Additionally, Dr. Jimenez serves as chair of WEF’s Municipal Treatment Symposium and Program Committee.
“We are immensely proud of the recognition of Ken and Jose’s significant contributions to the advancement of the water industry, not to mention their dedication as mentors for further education and continual professional development.”
Brown and Caldwell CEO Rich D’Amato
Nutrient pollution management for enhanced water quality
Brown and Caldwell welcomes Carey Allen as integrated project delivery leader
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Brown and Caldwell, a leading environmental engineering and construction firm, today announced Carey Allen has joined the firm as senior vice president and leader of its integrated project delivery (IPD) practice.
Allen brings a 26-year track record of executive guidance and strategic focus in the environmental engineering and construction field. She has directed business growth efforts, initiated and managed key partner relationships, and led organizational change programs to increase efficiency and operational excellence. Her expertise covers corporate strategy and planning; business development and marketing; teaming agreements; contract management; and talent advancement.
“I am thrilled to join Brown and Caldwell at a time when our industry is rapidly increasing its use of collaborative delivery,” said Allen. “By harnessing innovative solutions paired with a team-centric approach, our clients will be empowered to achieve their project goals with increased efficiency, fewer resources, and greater long-term benefits.”
In her new role, Allen will be responsible for directing Brown and Caldwell’s collaborative delivery strategy while growing its share in the market. She will establish and sustain strong client and contractor partner relationships in addition to developing and expanding the firm’s IPD team to meet market and customer demands.
“I am excited Carey is taking the reins of our growing IPD practice. She is a recognized industry leader whose in-depth understanding of market conditions and collaboration-based approaches will be a tremendous asset to our clients.”
Brown and Caldwell Director of Operations Marc Damikolas
Based in Miami, Allen is a certified professional services marketer and holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and construction management from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Making California’s water supply resilient
Brown and Caldwell appoints new health and safety exec
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Brown and Caldwell, a leading environmental engineering and construction firm, today announced Martha Bixby has joined the firm as vice president of health and safety.
Bixby brings a 22-year track record of developing and directing global environmental, health, safety, and sustainability (EHSS) programs and best-practices across a wide range of sectors including energy, industrial electronics, building materials, and manufacturing. Her expertise includes environmental permitting and reporting; regulatory negotiations and compliance; community relations; risk assessment; and internal safety culture education, to name a few.
Bixby will be responsible for oversight of all aspects of Brown and Caldwell’s health and safety culture while championing efforts to enhance the firm’s award-winning EHSS practices. She will direct strategy; delivery of services; quality and stakeholder engagement and satisfaction; in addition to managing a multi-skilled EHSS team capable of responding to the changing demands of a growing business and extensive client needs.
“The health, safety, and wellbeing of our people, clients, and the communities we serve is at the forefront of our purpose. I am thrilled to welcome Martha to our team and look forward to seeing her impact on our industry-leading health and safety program.”
Brown and Caldwell CEO Rich D’Amato
Bixby is an active member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), and the Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA). She holds a bachelor’s degree in public health with an emphasis in environmental science and industrial hygiene from West Chester University.
The internet of water
