EBJ Award Winners
Technology Merit: Low Phosphorous Wastewater Treatment System
Weston Solutions, Inc. is the first environmental consultant in the world to design a full-scale, permanent wastewater treatment system, currently in construction, featuring a new sustainable technology that meets record low water quality based effluent limits (WQBELs) for phosphorus. The CLEARAS Water Recovery Advanced Biological Nutrient Recovery (ABNR) technology algae harvesting to remove nutrients from the wastewater effluent, reducing potential for unwanted algae blooms in the receiving water body, has proven to sustainably meet Wisconsin’s water quality based effluent total phosphorus limit of 0.04 mg/L, one of the lowest discharge limits for phosphorus in the U.S. Demonstration testing at the Roberts facility has shown that the ABNR system is able to achieve total phosphorus effluent concentrations as low as 0.003 mg/L. Furthermore, the algae harvesting itself opens up a revenue stream for the client, the Village of Roberts, Wisconsin; algae can be sold and used for biodegradable products, such as bioplastics. Never before in the wastewater industry has there been a green solution for wastewater treatment facilities to stay ahead of the WQBEL regulations that continue to steadily decrease across the country, protect water quality, and reinvest in the environment.
Project Merit: Remediation
The West Chicago Environmental Response Trust (WCERT) is a U.S. Grantor Trust administered by Weston since 2011. WCERT’s stakeholders include the United States Department of Justice, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the State of Illinois, and numerous local communities. In its unpreceded role as both full-service environmental provider and Fiduciary of WCERT, Weston is held to the highest standards of accountability and professionalism. Weston’s focus is to remediate contaminated sites for sustainable reuse. Weston Solutions, Inc. as sole Trustee, has developed and implemented innovative remediation strategies and approaches. In 2019, Weston completed the development of a site-specific in-situ leaching (ISL) technology typically used in the uranium industry, to treat soil at the Rare Earths Facility, a former thorium mill tailings site, in West Chicago, Illinois. The ISL technology, a major component of the proposed remedy, has the potential to save approximately $148M in direct and indirect remediation costs.
Business Achievement: New Practice
In a world in which the effects of climate change, extreme weather, and sea level rise on surface water needs remain largely unknown, Weston offers science-based solutions and a dynamic new National Surface Water Practice. From 15 years’ distinction as a surface water center of excellence in Carlsbad, California, Weston Solutions, Inc. launched this Practice in 2019. The 25+ member Practice combines in-house water quality, engineering, and modeling expertise, joining several focus areas across New Mexico, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania Weston offices, uniquely positioning the team to deliver solutions nationally. A key offering of the Practice is the Microbial Source Tracking (MST) Lab: one of only two MST Labs with a commercial EPA license in the nation. The Practice has an enhanced ability to leverage both scientific and engineering capabilities to new geographies, solving new problems for clients, with experts in sediment/water quality monitoring; infrastructure resiliency; engineering design, hydrology/hydraulics; water quality modeling, best management practice design/implementation; and human health/ecosystem risk assessment. This year, they saw a 70% increase in MST procurements; more than doubled the geographic reach and scope of surface water work; and anticipate increased market visibility of surface water services as Practice growth continues.
See all 2019 EBJ Business Achievement Award Winners:
https://ebionline.org/2020/01/23/2019-ebj-business-achievement-awards/
CCBJ Award Winners
Project Merit: Climate Change Adaptation & Resilience
The lower Missouri River Basin saw rainfall/snowfall resulting in substantial regional flooding from fall 2018-spring 2019. Contracted to close two breaches in the L-550 levee system in Atchison County, MO, Weston Solutions, Inc.’s approach contributed both to levee system resiliency and community sustainability. The flooding had caused 50+ levee breaches, broad embankment damage to 500+ miles of levee system, and catastrophic damage to surrounding homes, businesses, and farms. At River Marker 542.8, Weston used placement of sand removed from the inland farm fields to close 75% of the 1,100 foot-wide breach. These steps provided ecological restoration because the deep sand deposits are not farmable: their removal to carry out levee breach repair allows the fields to be quickly returned to productive use. Weston subcontracted to nearly 50 local contractors and farmers, relying on their specialized equipment, to rebuild the impacted levees. The work provided the farmers needed income when they were unable to conduct their farming business. Following breach closure, Weston expanded the sand closure berm to 500 feet to serve as the foundation for future levee improvements, and constructed a temporary sand levee to the same elevation as the original to protect against near-term high water levels.
New Practice Areas: Surface Water
In a world in which the effects of climate change, extreme weather, and sea level rise on surface water needs remain largely unknown, Weston offers science-based solutions and a dynamic new National Surface Water Practice. From 15 years’ distinction as a surface water center of excellence in Carlsbad, California, Weston Solutions, Inc. launched this Practice in 2019. The 25+ member Practice combines in-house water quality, engineering, and modeling expertise, joining several focus areas across New Mexico, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania Weston offices, uniquely positioning the team to deliver solutions nationally. A key offering of the Practice is the Microbial Source Tracking (MST) Lab: one of only two MST Labs with a commercial EPA license in the nation. The Practice has an enhanced ability to leverage both scientific and engineering capabilities to new geographies, solving new problems for clients, with experts in sediment/water quality monitoring; infrastructure resiliency; engineering design, hydrology/hydraulics; water quality modeling, best management practice design/implementation; and human health/ecosystem risk assessment. This year, they saw a 70% increase in MST procurements; more than doubled the geographic reach and scope of surface water work; and anticipate increased market visibility of surface water services as Practice growth continues.
See all 2019 CCBJ Business Achievement Award Winners:
https://ebionline.org/2020/01/29/2018-ccbj-business-achievement-awards-2/
