Technique Identifies a Key Indicator of Wastewater Contamination at Low Levels, Offers Treatment Plants a New, Cost-Effective Tool for Testing Reclaimed Water Read more
AECOM is providing environmental engineering support to the Port of Long Beach (POLB) as part of its Green Port Policy and continuing plan to minimize impacts of its operations, and reduce air and water pollution. AECOM is a global provider of professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental and energy.
Photo: Psomas. Artist’s rendition of the South Los Angeles Wetland Park. The park will feature trails, boardwalks, and observation decks.
Los Angeles, CA, is a city famous for its pavement. What other city lauds a mere concrete slab as a notable tourist attraction? However, apart from the landmark Hollywood Walk of Fame, life, like the concrete, can be a little harder. Mile upon mile of freeways and boulevards, punctuated by parking lots and service facilities, sprawl over the region, distancing residents from the pleasures and benefits only nature can provide.
Until recently, public works departments across the country have shown a similar affinity for pavement, as have the road builders and developers. Sean Vargas, senior project manager with Psomas Engineering, says the rationale “was basically flood control. You were just trying to prevent a capital flood from causing damage to public health and safety. They were just draining these very highly urbanized watersheds to paved channels and discharging directly into the ocean, with no treatment.” The same was true in Los Angeles.
Thus, untreated stormwater, carrying with it metals from the roadways, nutrients, bacteria, and other contaminants, flowed right to the oceanfront beaches, making the region’s parks even less safe and less accessible.
Los Angeles was saddled with two major quality of life problems: a critical parks deficit within the city, and severely polluted stormwater flowing from city streets and storm drains into the rivers and beaches.
Read more about the development of the South Los Angeles Wetlands Park
At this year’s annual conference in Palm Springs, the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) and the American Academy of Environmental Engineers (AAEE) hosted a joint breakfast to recognize exceptional achievement in the field of Environmental Engineering.
CWEA’s Engineering Research (E&R) Committee Chair Zeynep Erdal initiated the proceedings. Mike Selna continued with an introduction to AAEE, which explained that the mission of the organization is to improve the practice, elevate the standards and advance the cause of environmental engineers. Paul Friedlander highlighted the 2009 E&R award recipients. The keynote speaker for the event, Glen Daigger of CH2M Hill, then presented a state of industry discussion titled Sustainable Practices for the Wastewater (and Water) Industry.
Consulting engineer firm CDM presents this video detailing their efforts helping the City of Los Angeles develop an integrated resource plan (IRP) for managing water, stormwater and wastewater. The video is one of three and part of CDM’s “Cities of the Future” marketing campaign. Narrated by NPR’s Scott Simon, host of “Weekend Edition Saturday.”
Consulting engineer firm Tetra-Tech has acquired the 1,200 person Canadian firm Wardrop Associates in order to expand into the Canadian market.
From MWH…
MWH Laboratories, a leading U.S. water testing laboratory, announced today that Ed Wilson has joined the company as managing director. In this position, he is responsible for overall leadership and management of a 130-person team and four facilities.
Wilson has 35 years of experience in environmental chemistry and brings exceptional executive -level leadership skills to MWH Laboratories, including diverse business management and technical experience. Wilson will provide broad knowledge of current state and federal regulations and a thorough understanding of the latest developments in drinking water and wastewater treatment processes. As Managing Director, Wilson will proactively manage and provide the direction and operation of MWH Laboratories at the Monrovia facility.
By Wendy Wert
Sewer Leaks Editor
On November 20, 2008 The Los Angeles Basin Section (LABS) of CWEA hosted an dinner and training presentation at TAIX French Restaurant in Los Angeles. The featured speaker at the event, Gilbert Borboa P.E. Water Resources Manager for the City of Santa Monica, discussed MTBE and the Restoration of the City of Santa Monica’s Public Water System. Mr. Borboa began with an amusing antedote on the top 7 reasons why women live longer than men.
After drawing in attendees, Mr. Borboa paralleled these survival strategies to the City of Santa Monica’s (City) complex water supply system in light of concerns regarding Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE). MTBE is a fuel oxygenate, octane booster, replacement for lead pursuant to the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990. MTBE was not required but was the oxygenate of choice in California (11% of gasoline in CA). MTBE is highly soluble in groundwater, has a low odor (5 to 50 ppb) and taste (10 to 100 ppb) threshold, and is a possible human carcinogen.
Southern California based Dudek was featured in Sunday’s San Diego Union Tribune, and was also recently honored as a Top 200 places to work by Environmental Business Journal. The firm started in 1980.
“It’s the old classic story,” founder and President Frank Dudek said. “Greg Luke and myself rented 100 square feet above a Mexican restaurant on Encinitas Boulevard. Within six months, we hired our first employee, a drafter, and we’ve been growing ever since.”
Dudek’s LA County office is in Valencia.
“Flowers for Mother” by Dave Wielenga, The District Weekly
Politicians and residents seem awe-struck by the beauty of the recently completed Dominguez Gap wetlands which will clean storm water before it enters the LA River. The project has been in the works for over a decade. The 40-acre basin is full of ponds, flowers, birds, trails, benches and other people friendly benefits. Money quote:
One of our most challenging restoration efforts ever, the Dominguez Gap will return important ecological functions of water quality improvement, wildlife habitat, and aquifer recharge. The project will become an exciting destination for birdwatchers, hikers, bicyclists, and the interested public. - Jim Bays, CH2M HILL Principal Scientist.
