Nation’s best water projects recognized for innovation, affordability

Sep 1, 2022

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has announced the winners of its annual Operational and Design Excellence Awards competition.

The coveted awards honor examples of top-of-industry excellence in operations and design, which contribute to the advancement of the water environment industry. The 2022 installment of the awards features several individuals, technologies, and projects encompassing water reuse, community engagement, nutrient removal, utility optimization, and more.

Highlights include:

Industrial Water Quality Achievement Award – Bush Beans Process Water Reclamation Facility – (Bush Brothers & Company, Brown and Caldwell/Haskell Company joint venture)
Project Excellence Award – Water Renewal Utility Plan – (City of Boise, Brown and Caldwell)
Project Excellence Award – Seneca Water Resource Recovery Facility – (WSSC Water, Brown and Caldwell)

The Industrial Water Quality Achievement Award is presented to a corporation and, if applicable, to its engineering firm that best demonstrates significant, lasting, and measurable excellence in water quality improvement or in the prevention of water quality degradation as demonstrated by innovative design and operation of an industrial wastewater, pretreatment or source prevention program.

Awarded in this category is Bush Brothers & Company’s (Bush’s® Best Baked Beans) new Process Water Reclamation Facility (PWRF) located in the Great Smoky Mountains, approximately 40 miles from Knoxville, Tennessee. Designed and built by a joint venture of Brown and Caldwell and Haskell Company, the 2.1 million gallons per day (mgd) facility treats production process water to a high effluent quality to irrigate more than 900 acres of Bush Brothers & Company-owned agriculture. Additionally, some of the treated water is reused in non-food-contact applications to reduce the demand for source water.

The innovative PWRF was heralded for its water recycling capabilities and cost-effective, aesthetically pleasing solution to complement the surrounding landscape. The socially responsible project was delivered significantly under budget.

WEF’s Project Excellence Award pays tribute to excellence and innovation in the execution of projects and programs in the water sector.

The City of Boise’s Water Renewal Utility Plan (Utility Plan) was recognized for its community-centric approach. The Utility Plan is the culmination of integrating thousands of pieces of public input, technical evaluations, and comprehensive analyses of the regulatory, affordability, and environmental implications for the future of how Boise collects, cleans, and beneficially reuses over 10 billion gallons of water every year.

Led by Boise’s Water Renewal Services and Brown and Caldwell, the Utility Plan includes strategies to address climate change concerns and regulatory requirements while meeting the water renewal demands of a community expected to grow by 20 percent over the next 20 years.

Furthermore, the plan prioritizes capital investment strategies for replacing Boise’s aging water renewal infrastructure and mechanisms to address future capacity needs with community affordability in mind.

Seneca Water Resource Recovery Facility

Nutrient removal optimizations at the Seneca Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) in Maryland were recognized by WEF for demonstrating energy and chemical cost savings projected to be $575,000/year, resulting in decreased carbon footprint and reduced financial burden to customers.

The demonstration project, spearheaded by WSSC Water and Brown and Caldwell, relied on advanced aeration control and other operational changes to use the inherent carbon in the influent wastewater more efficiently to continue to meet stringent nutrient limits and help protect the Chesapeake Bay.

The successful demonstration of the new optimization strategies has led to plans to expand these cost-saving strategies at the six WRRFs owned by WSSC Water, which can be instrumental in maintaining affordable and sustainable service.

“Our warmest congratulations go to Bush Brothers & Company, the City of Boise, and WSSC Water for recognition and celebration of their visionary leadership, innovation, and environmental stewardship. We appreciate the partnership and collaboration in advancing leading-edge projects that make a difference within the industry and for the communities they serve.”

Brown and Caldwell Chief Technical Officer Wendy Broley

PepsiCo and partners to discuss collaborative water replenishment programs at World Water Week

Aug 23, 2022

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — A multi-disciplinary team will facilitate an online session at World Water Week to identify challenges and opportunities for impactful water replenishment programs.

World Water Week is the leading conference on global water issues, attracting a diverse mix of participants from many professional backgrounds and every corner of the world. Taking place from 23 August to 1 September in Stockholm, Sweden, the conference is open to online attendees, with close to 300 sessions on the theme Seeing the Unseen: The Value of Water.

Facilitated by PepsiCo, the Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD), Brown and Caldwell, and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, the online session will share key insights into PepsiCo’s $1.5 million partnership with WRD to help manage and protect local groundwater resources to more than four million residents.

As described in an earlier press release, the partnership will improve drought resiliency and pilot WRD’s first inland injection well for utilization of in-ground storage. When complete, the project will store an average of 295 million gallons of water per year for municipal and indirect use, drought resiliency, and mitigation.

The partnership is key to the advancement of PepsiCo’s pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) net water positive ambition to reduce absolute water use and replenish back into the local watershed more than 100% of the water they use.

Leading environmental engineering and construction services firm Brown and Caldwell has played an integral role in identifying and prioritizing projects and strategic partnerships in alignment with PepsiCo’s water stewardship goals and ambition to become net water positive by 2030. The firm helped facilitate the PepsiCo/WRD partnership and define the scope of the inland injection well pilot project.

“As the water replenishment space continues to shift, innovative collaboration can drive high-impact solutions. We look forward to presenting alongside our partners at World Water Week to discuss successful collaboration for local replenishment in water-scarce areas.”

Brown and Caldwell Sustainability Innovation Leader Ted Douglass

Diversity, equity, and inclusion in the water sector

Aug 18, 2022

Brown and Caldwell announce new COO

Aug 10, 2022

DENVER, Colo. — Brown and Caldwell today announce Euan Finlay has been promoted from senior vice president to chief operating officer (COO), effective immediately.

A senior executive with 25 years of experience, Finlay excels in leading organizations and teams to deliver excellence to clients while driving sustainable growth. Throughout his career, he has held executive roles in operations, design, and construction businesses in numerous international locations focused on developing client solutions for environmental, water, and wastewater infrastructure. He has led multi-million-dollar businesses, managed company-wide project delivery, and directed mergers and acquisitions as a Fortune 500 company executive.

Before joining the firm in 2019 as director of business transformation, Finlay was an operations executive for a leading provider of design, design/build, and program management services.

Brown and Caldwell CEO Rich D’Amato commented on the promotion:

“Euan has a strong track record of challenging organizations to achieve their potential. As Brown and Caldwell continues to evolve and grow, Euan’s operations expertise will be a key driver in building our future success to better serve clients, recruit and retain top talent, and positively impact our communities.”

As COO, Denver-based Finlay will interface with the firm’s leadership to ensure strategic and technical objectives translate to operational capabilities aligned with business targets. Furthermore, he will play a key role in ensuring cultural imperatives are communicated and supported operationally throughout the 1,800 employee-owned company.

Brown and Caldwell’s Dr. Kati Bell appointed UC Irvine Water-Energy Nexus Center Fellow

Aug 2, 2022

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Brown and Caldwell today announced Vice President Dr. Kati Bell has been appointed a fellow of the UC Irvine Water-Energy Nexus Center (WEX Center).

The WEX Center promotes fundamental and applied research at the water-energy nexus in partnership with industry. Its research focuses on all dimensions of power/energy use and efficiency in the water processing sector, including extraction, treatment, conveyance, reclamation, and reuse.

Fellows of the WEX Center are a group of distinguished industrial scholars of international reputation and visibility who are engaged in collaborative work with faculty and students.

Dr. Bell has over 25 years of professional and research experience in water, wastewater, and reuse. She is internationally renowned for her applied research and innovation, advanced technical expertise, and thought leadership. Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Bell has led the development and introduction of new technologies to the U.S. market, many of which have revolutionized the urban water cycle.

As director of research and innovation at Brown and Caldwell, Dr. Bell leads the firm’s global alliances with strategic research partners. She directs technical innovation to identify, test, design, permit, and optimize groundbreaking solutions to solve the most complex water-related challenges facing communities.

“We congratulate Kati on this prestigious, well-deserved recognition. Her knowledge and passion for research and innovation continue to yield game-changing solutions for the advancement of the water industry. We look forward to watching the newest crop of water pioneers grow with the help of Kati’s expert guidance.”

Brown and Caldwell CEO Rich D’Amato

An advocate for mentoring the next generation of environmental leaders, Dr. Bell is actively involved in academia as an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto and an adjunct faculty member at the University of Memphis. She regularly contributes to the advancement of the water industry by authoring peer-reviewed papers, research, and holds leadership positions at numerous professional organizations.

As a WEX Center Fellow, Dr. Bell will help the faculty train students to be industry-ready by providing access to previously unavailable project sites and data required to advance research and education at the water-energy nexus.

Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Dr. Bell is a licensed professional engineer in numerous states and a board-certified environmental engineer. She holds a doctorate in environmental engineering from Vanderbilt University, master’s degrees in civil engineering and biology from Tennessee Technological University, and a bachelor’s in biochemistry from the University of Dallas.

“Hazel” arrives in Alexandria as the RiverRenew program reaches major milestone

Jul 19, 2022

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A new 380-ton, 14 feet 8 inches tall tunnel boring machine (TBM) named Hazel has been unveiled by AlexRenew, Alexandria’s wastewater authority, marking a significant milestone in its RiverRenew program to improve local waterways.

Making its way from Schwanau, Germany, to Alexandria, a welcome reception was held on July 14 to celebrate Hazel’s arrival, with over 100 attendees including City of Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson.

“Today is a monumental day for Alexandria and our waterways. It’s a huge step forward in our commitment to deliver healthier waterways by 2025.”

AlexRenew General Manager Karen Pallansch

Typically, a TBM is named prior to launch per 14^th-century mining traditions. TBMs have historically carried a feminine name, as underground workers looked to Saint Barbara for protection. Keeping with this long-standing custom, AlexRenew nominated the names of six women whose outstanding contributions to Alexandria, the environment, or the engineering and construction fields, have paved the way for countless others.

As voted by Alexandrians via an online poll, the TBM was unveiled at the ceremony as “Hazel,” in recognition of Hazel Johnson, one of America’s leading women pioneers for environmental justice who dedicated her life to fixing ecological issues.

Hazel will dig a 12-foot-wide, two-mile-long tunnel to divert approximately 120 million gallons of sewage annually away from Alexandria’s waterways.

The arrival and dedication of the TBM is a major milestone for RiverRenew, the largest infrastructure project in Alexandria’s history, and a critical part of meeting a state-mandated deadline to remediate combined sewer overflows by July 1, 2025. Once lowered more than 100 feet below ground, Hazel will build the new two-mile Waterfront Tunnel with little service interruption on a journey estimated to take just over a year to complete.

After completion, the RiverRenew tunnel system will prevent over 120 million gallons of combined sewage from polluting the Potomac River, Hunting Creek, and Hooffs Run each year.

Leading environmental engineering and construction services firm Brown and Caldwell serves as the Owner’s Advisor on the RiverRenew program.

“It really is a generational project — for us as engineers and planners — but also for Alexandria and future generations who will benefit from healthier waterways,” said Brown and Caldwell Project Manager Justin Carl.

###

About AlexRenew

Led by a five-member citizen board, Alexandria Renew Enterprises (AlexRenew) is a special purpose authority that has been serving the City of Alexandria and parts of Fairfax County for nearly 70 years. AlexRenew purifies 13 billion gallons of wastewater annually, from more than 300,000 people, at its water resource recovery facility, located in Alexandria’s southwest quadrant.

Colorado to release draft of new water plan, calling it a blueprint for the state’s future

Jul 5, 2022

Brown and Caldwell to support Metro Vancouver with upgrades at world’s largest trickling filter solids contact wastewater facility

Jun 28, 2022

VANCOUVER — Brown and Caldwell is supporting Metro Vancouver as it undertakes major upgrades at the world’s largest trickling filter solids contact wastewater facility at the Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project will increase capacity, meet the needs of a growing population, and protect essential utility operations against seismic events.

Located in Delta, British Columbia, the Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant treats about 196 billion liters of wastewater annually, serving approximately 1.25 million residents in 14 municipalities across the Lower Mainland. It uses primary and secondary treatment technologies to remove organic matter from wastewater before safe release to the Fraser River — the world’s largest salmon-bearing river.

Part of a multi-year program of over 20 projects to expand the capacity of the plant, the newly initiated project involves the design and construction of two new trickling filters and an associated pump station. The plant’s four existing centrifuges will be replaced with new, larger capacity units to improve dewatering output and avoid a costly and invasive dewatering building expansion. Additionally, a modern maintenance workshop will be built so that staff can maintain the expanded facility.

Once complete, the suite of upgrades will increase capacity to serve approximately 1.6 million people. The new facilities will be designed with future expansions and seismic resiliency in mind.

Detailed design and construction engineering services are being delivered by Brown and Caldwell. As prime consultant, Brown and Caldwell will lead program, project, and quality management; detailed design; and construction management. Major sub-consultants EIC Solutions, Klohn Crippen Berger, and J.L. Richards and Associates will provide electrical/instrumentation and controls; geotechnical and hydrogeological; and architectural design services respectively.

A critical early component of constructing the new assets entails extensive ground improvements to improve seismic performance. The complex groundwork includes risk mitigation, geotechnical, and resiliency considerations to protect existing structures and utilities during installation. Paramount to the project’s success is carefully sequencing of construction activities to maintain plant integrity and minimize operational disruptions during site works.

“We commend Metro Vancouver’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship while continuing to serve its communities through innovative and sustainable practices. Our team relishes the opportunity to help write the next chapter of this monumental expansion and maintain the Annacis plant as a premier North American treatment facility.”

Brown and Caldwell Program Manager Mike Thorstenson

The American Academy of Environmental Engineers & Scientists names Dr. Pusker Regmi a 40 Under 40 honoree

Jun 13, 2022

COLUMBIA, Md. — Brown and Caldwell is pleased to announce Dr. Pusker Regmi has been recognized as a 40 Under 40 awardee by The American Academy of Environmental Engineers & Scientists (AAEES).

The AAEES 40 Under 40 Recognition Program was introduced to honor talented individuals who have advanced the fields of environmental science or environmental engineering demonstrably within the last 12 months. Winners are chosen by a panel of past recipients who weigh business successes and civic/philanthropic activities equally.

A respected industry leader and experienced process engineer, Dr. Regmi’s groundbreaking contributions to the wastewater treatment industry have significantly benefitted utilities globally. He has been instrumental in advancing new and innovative processes for treating and handling wastewater, including methods now commonly used for wastewater treatment intensification.

He has led the development of many novel process control strategies and technologies, including AvN®, a highly transformative nitrogen removal process for efficient wastewater treatment.

Most recently, he was a lead contributor to the water industry’s first Digital Twin Readiness Guide.

In addition to his leading research and design of innovative wastewater treatment systems, Dr. Regmi regularly contributes to the water profession via numerous peer-reviewed papers, presentations, and participation in professional organizations, including the Water Environment Federation and the International Water Association.

Outside of project responsibilities, Dr. Regmi is a passionate mentor, inspiring the next generation of engineering leaders to develop scientifically sound solutions to better the environment.

“I am delighted Pusker’s scientific contributions coupled with his outstanding service to the water industry have been recognized with this thoroughly deserved award.”

Brown and Caldwell Vice President Dr. Jose Jimenez

Based in Columbia, Maryland, Dr. Regmi is a licensed environmental engineer in three states, a board-certified environmental engineer, and holds a doctor’s and master’s in environmental engineering as well as a bachelor’s in electrical engineering.

A growing demand for reliable and resilient renewable energy

Jun 12, 2022

Portland Water District (Maine) to map out sustainable wastewater future

Jun 7, 2022

PORTLAND, Maine — The Portland Water District is charting a sustainable wastewater future through the development of a masterplan to evaluate its current and future biosolids management practices.

“As biosolids management costs continue to rise in light of emerging contaminants, like PFAS, and evolving regulations, the Portland Water District is evaluating long-term reliable processing and management options,” stated Director of Wastewater Services Scott Firmin.

In the last two years, costs have skyrocketed 44 percent for the disposal of biosolids.

“Where we are right now is not sustainable, we will look at creative ways to reduce the volume of biosolids generated and explore available treatment options,” Firmin said.

Portland Water District operates four wastewater treatment plants, providing treatment and collection services to customers in Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Gorham, Portland, Westbrook, and Windham. The wastewater treatment plants produce clean water and biosolids. The clean water is safely released to receiving waters, and biosolids (wastewater solids or sludge) are treated and landfilled.

Portland Water District is dedicated to protecting public health, safety, and the environment by providing customers first-class water, wastewater, and related services. The biosolids masterplan is a key component to achieving that vision for the benefit of future generations.

Leading environmental engineering firm Brown and Caldwell will provide professional services for the plan’s creation.

The firm will evaluate solids processing and disposition alternatives, including engineering analysis, risk identification, regulatory review, and cost estimation. The resulting roadmap will outline a path to sustainably and safely manage and process biosolids generated at Portland Water District’s wastewater treatment facilities.

“We commend Portland Water District’s approach to getting ahead of future biosolids challenges while continuing to meet evolving regulations,” said Brown and Caldwell Solids and Energy National Practice Lead Natalie Sierra. “We look forward to lending our national and New England experience to chart a sustainable biosolids path for Portland and the communities it serves.”

Brown and Caldwell celebrates its 75th year with a pay increase for employees

Jun 2, 2022

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Brown and Caldwell today announced a pay increase for its 1,800 employee-owners in reward for sustained financial performance. The company is making an investment in its workforce with a five percent base salary increase for all employees as it celebrates its 75^th anniversary.

Since its 1947 founding, the leading environmental engineering and construction firm has maintained a strong commitment to having a positive impact on the communities and clients they serve in addition to their people. This includes talent investment, engagement, and development as described by Chief People Officer Bob Chapman:

“What sets us apart is our flexibility to decide how we reinvest in ourselves and continue to make Brown and Caldwell the place where the brightest minds choose to work — and stay. We are excited to share our success as we celebrate our 75^th year. Our longevity and success reflect the talent and dedication of every one of our employee-owners, who passionately deliver the most complex water-related and environmental projects to improve communities.”

In addition to the base salary increases, the firm continues to invest in its people through leadership and technical development programs, stock ownership options, continuing education, and enhanced technology.

News