Press Release
Black & Veatch Release date: August 22, 2007
Black & Veatch Works with Missouri Municipality to Meet Increasing Wastewater Treatment Facility Needs Project Will Increase System Reliability and Optimize Wetlands Treatment
Columbia, Mo. (August 22, 2007) - Black & Veatch, a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company, announced today that it has begun development of conceptual design for Phase I improvements to the 20.6 million-gallon-per-day (mgd) Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility in Columbia, Mo. The improvements will enable the city to reliably handle increasing wastewater treatment demand through mechanical processes and continue to environmentally benefit from the wetlands treatment that follows.
"Black & Veatch has provided engineering and project management expertise to support Columbia's water and wastewater goals for more than 30 years," said John Glascock, Columbia Director of Public Works. "The project team understands local issues and desires, including the importance of environmental stewardship as we move forward to serve the needs of this growing community."
The existing facility, which serves more than 90,000 people, is unique because effluent from the mechanical plant is discharged through a series of constructed wetlands for further treatment. Effluent from the wetlands units is discharged into the nearby Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area wetlands.
"This is another example of how engineers, environmental scientists and civic leaders can work together to create engineered and natural solutions to environmental problems," said Dan McCarthy, President and CEO of Black & Veatch's global water business. "Throughout the company, our professionals are applying the latest technology to harness or boost the power of nature to yield cost-effective and environmentally sustainable results to enhance the quality of people's lives."
This is the first major step in Columbia's program to improve and expand its treatment capabilities in accordance with the city's Wastewater Facilities Master Plan approved early this year. Conceptual design now underway encompasses the addition of a third mechanical liquid treatment train and dewatering facilities; upgrades to grit removal and influent pumping; and improvements to wet weather treatment, odor control and sludge processing facilities.
Black & Veatch, together with subconsultants Dr. Robert Kadlec and MEC Water Resources, Inc., (Columbia, Mo.) is also assessing the condition and performance of the constructed wetlands to identify possible improvements that could enhance the ability of the wetlands to continue treating effluent naturally for safe discharge into the conservation-area wetlands.
About Black & Veatch Black & Veatch is a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company specializing in infrastructure development in energy, water, telecommunications, management consulting, federal and environmental markets. Founded in 1915, Black & Veatch develops tailored infrastructure solutions that meet clients' needs and provide sustainable benefits. Solutions are provided from the broad line of service expertise available within Black & Veatch, including conceptual and preliminary engineering services, engineering design, procurement, construction, financial management, asset management, program management, construction management, environmental, security design and consulting, management consulting and infrastructure planning. With more than $2 billion in revenue, the employee-owned company has more than 100 offices worldwide and has completed projects in more than 100 countries on six continents.
Black & Veatch's global water business provides innovative, technology-based solutions to utilities, governments and industries worldwide. Local project teams work with multinational water and wastewater treatment process experts to address site-specific challenges through a broad range of consulting, study, planning, design, design-build and construction management services. The company's Web site address is www.bv.com.
Media Contact: George Minter 913-458-8001 minterga@bv.com
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