News

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Brown and Caldwell today announce Wendy Broley will take over as chief technical officer (CTO) as Cindy Paulson retires after 35 years with the firm. In a planned transition, Broley assumes the role of CTO next month. Paulson will remain at the firm through 2022, serving on its board of directors and continuing to meet clients’ needs while transferring responsibilities to Broley.

Concluding an impressive and impactful career, Paulson hands over the reins to Broley, a water industry leader with over 20 years’ experience in technically-complex environmental challenges and solutions.

As Brown and Caldwell’s One Water leader, and recently as technical practices director, Broley has worked with clients throughout the integrated urban water cycle to implement alternative water supplies and contribute to diverse water portfolios amid climatic changes, evolving regulations, and population growth.

Paulson’s legacy, and Broley’s technical background, was commended by Brown and Caldwell CEO Rich D’Amato:

“We thank Cindy for her years of technical innovation and her impact in culturing the next generation of water leaders, helping shape Brown and Caldwell as the place to work on the most technically-complex projects. Wendy’s industry standing and strategic leadership, paired with her planning, engineering, and operations expertise, will ensure the continuation of Brown and Caldwell’s rich history of technical excellence.”

Based in San Diego, California, Broley is a licensed professional engineer and holds a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from the University of California, San Diego. She also serves as executive director for the California Urban Water Agencies.

ATLANTA — Brown and Caldwell today announce Erin Williams has joined the firm as vice president and leader of its growing Mid-South business. The hire emphasizes the firm’s focused expansion to better serve clients in the region’s water, wastewater, and stormwater sector.

Williams brings over 17 years of extensive rehabilitation engineering design and supervising experience in public- and private-sector engineering and management roles. Her expertise encompasses separate and combined sewer collection system design, rehabilitation design utilizing trenchless technologies, stormwater management, and condition assessment.

As Mid-South area leader, Williams will direct Brown and Caldwell’s Atlanta, Nashville, Chattanooga, and Memphis offices. She will diversify and align the firm’s environmental engineering and construction services portfolio, helping municipal and private clients meet challenges related to capital program implementation, infrastructure reliability, and effective utility management. A key responsibility includes recruiting and mentoring top talent and strengthening its brand as the place to work on the most complex environmental engineering projects as it continues its regional expansion.

“I am delighted to welcome a highly experienced leader of Erin’s stature. Her client focus and first-hand knowledge of local and regional market drivers will be a great asset in helping our clients do more with less.”

Brown and Caldwell East Leader Chris Peluso

Based in Atlanta, Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The City of Santa Monica has taken a significant step toward a self-reliant water future as expansions to the Arcadia Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and restorations to the Olympic Well Field break ground. The key water infrastructure improvements are a component of the City’s goal of becoming water self-sufficient by 2023.

Santa Monica’s water system comprises groundwater basins, treatment facilities, and imported water connections to serve 18,000 customers with an average annual water demand of approximately 11,600 acre-feet per year (AFY). About 50 to 60% of its water supply is from local groundwater resources. The remainder consists of imported water.

Following 2015 statewide emergency drought conditions, the City responded with an aggressive water conservation effort which yielded a 25% decrease in water demand and the need to develop a diverse, sustainable, and drought-resilient water supply.

Additionally, the City mapped a path toward water self-sufficiency through further innovative conservation and efficiency programs, demand reduction, and the addition of local water supplies as outlined in the City’s 2018 update of its Sustainable Water Master Plan (SWMP).

Expansions to the Arcadia WTP and restoration of the Olympic Well Field are core components of the SWMP. The $72 million project is an immediate solution to developing sustainable and drought-resilient water supplies and expanding groundwater production as described by City of Santa Monica Public Works/Water Resources Division’s Water Resources Manager Sunny Wang:

“By maximizing local water resources, Santa Monica residents and businesses will benefit from long-term cost savings and water security. This new diversified water portfolio will provide a more sustainable, economical source while reducing our water supply energy footprint.”

With the potential to provide up to 3,200 AFY of groundwater, restoring the Olympic Well Field includes construction of a new Olympic Advanced Water Treatment Facility (AWTF) co-located at the Arcadia WTP. The Olympic AWTF will consist of ultraviolet/advanced oxidation process trains and granular activated carbon filters to remove industrial contaminants and return the basin to its full production capacity while meeting drinking water standards. Further improvements include constructing two groundwater production wells and a pipeline transporting Olympic Well Field groundwater to the Olympic AWTF.

Restoring the Olympic Well Field is a vital element in Santa Monica’s water self-sufficiency goal and reducing reliance on imported supplies.

To support development of alternative water supplies and the well field’s restoration, expansions and upgrades at the Arcadia WTP will increase potable water production from 9,900 to 13,400 AFY. New concentrate treatment technology and flow reversal reverse osmosis (RO) installations will boost plant efficiency from 80% to 90% or greater. The flow reversal RO technology will be the first municipal installation of its kind in the United States.

Funding for the project comprises $10 million from the California Department of Water Resources Prop 1 Water Desalination Grant Program and up to $19.6 million over 25 years from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Local Resources Program.

Expected to be completed by summer 2023, the project is being delivered via a progressive design-build method by Walsh Construction and Brown and Caldwell. The team is responsible for the design, permitting, construction, final permitting, and commissioning of facility improvements.

“Santa Monica is a recognized leader for its progressive environmental and water conservation policies. We congratulate the City on this landmark milestone and for their commitment to the communities they serve.”

Brown and Caldwell Design Manager Adam Zacheis

PORTLAND, Ore. — The WateReuse Association has appointed Brown and Caldwell’s Holly Tichenor as vice president (VP) of its Pacific Northwest (PNW) section. The regional section of the nation’s only association solely dedicated to advancing laws, policy, funding, and public acceptance of recycled water consists of numerous Washington, Oregon, and Idaho-based utilities and organizations.

With a 24-year background in strategic planning and communications for water and wastewater projects and programs, Tichenor’s experience includes stakeholder engagement support for large-scale urban water supply solutions, including water reuse projects involving complex community outreach strategies. As project manager, she has led stakeholder coordination, strategic visioning and planning, and outreach implementation on some of the most innovative water reuse programs in the West.

As VP, Tichenor will lend her expertise to key WateReuse PNW initiatives, working in conjunction with the board on items such as an updated strategic plan for the section. Efforts will focus on developing cost-effective, resilient recycled water solutions through advocacy and education to find new water reuse opportunities as the region faces climate-change impacts, growth, and new compliance requirements.

The number of water reuse facilities – operational, under construction, or in various stages of planning – has increased in the region over the past several years as outlined by Tichenor:

“I am honored to serve as WateReuse PNW vice president and continue our efforts in promoting water reuse, a sustainable solution proven to offer economic, social, and environmental benefits for our future. Recycled water is an essential resource that promotes effective water management and alternatives that optimize community and  environmental benefits.”

Based in Portland, Oregon, Tichenor is Brown and Caldwell’s Oregon leader, supporting its staff and service to clients throughout the state. She volunteers with several professional organizations, including serving as education committee chair and board member for the Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies.