Wastewater Management

Adopting sound environmental management practices brings several key benefits. These policies enhance a business’ overall competitiveness and help reduce liabilities associated with poor environmental performance. These practices also help companies better comply with increasingly complex regulations worldwide.

MWH is one of the leading global experts on wastewater and industrial treatment. We have designed, built, managed and financed several of the world's largest and most complex wastewater and industrial treatment facilities for governments and multinational corporations.

Environmental Management Systems

MWH has been a leader in designing, developing and implementing ISO 14001-based environmental management systems (EMS) since 1995. This was well before the first issue of the standards in September 1996.

Since that time, MWH has delivered more than 50 EMS projects in such diverse locations as Antarctica, Indonesia, China, Thailand and throughout Asia, Europe and North America. We've conducted these projects for facilities with as few as 20 employees to more than 15,000. As a result, our professionals are keenly able to accurately identify the resource limitations, cultural issues and other constraints that must be considered in any effective EMS effort.

In addition to MWH's strengths in EMS and environmental compliance, our experts have strong knowledge in the design and implementation of ISO 9001 quality management systems and BS 8800-based health and safety management systems. This allows us to integrate an organization's existing health and safety standards into the EMS for greater efficiency.

Our professionals always consider the best possible use of existing systems and procedures before moving forward. This eliminates redundancy, controls project costs, shortens completion times and minimizes impacts to client personnel.

Although an effective EMS can be readily certified, third-party certification doesn't always guarantee the system will deliver practical value. That's why MWH designs these systems not only to achieve certification. We also make certain they deliver long-term environmental and economic benefits to your organization as well.

Learn more MWH's global leadership in sustainable development. (Link to sustainable development)

Sewer Overflows

Recently, government regulations have targeted wastewater utilities that experience Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) and Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs). In the United States, these incidents are considered violations of the Clean Water Act and perceived as an utility's failure to provide Capacity assurance, Management, Operations and Maintenance (cMOM) programs.

Over the years, MWH’s applied research department has spearheaded a number of award-winning wastewater treatment technologies. Our geotechnical expertise in rock and soft ground tunneling has proven useful in developing wastewater projects for older urban communities with Combined Sewage Systems (CSO). To date, we have organized more than $2 billion worth of CSO projects.

We can help your facility prepare System Capacity Evaluation and Analysis Plans (SECAP) and Overflow Emergency Response Plans (OERP) soon to be required by the EPA as part of new cMOM requirements. Whether your cMOM program is voluntary or enforcement-driven, our global staff can provide the expertise you need. You'll find MWH's comprehensive business plans not only meet government standards. They also help your facility improve customer service, and deliver enhanced asset management capabilities. (Link to new page.)

Global Support

Regardless of your location, MWH has the global capabilities to assist your project. With offices in more than 36 nations, we offer a full range of environmental control and management services to help you establish and operate multiple facilities worldwide.

Your contact is an expert located in the country where your company does business. These managers are trained in local regulatory enforcement issues, due diligence status, permitting procedures and other critical requirements. Our global electronic network allows your manager to access the expertise of more than 6,000 employees around the globe.

MWH capabilities include:

• Design-build of industrial water/wastewater treatment plants
• Design-build of remedial treatment systems
• Demolition and decontamination
• Operations and maintenance
• Design-build of industrial water/wastewater treatment plants
• Site characterizations
• Treatability and feasibility studies
• ISO 14001
• Compliance assessments, monitoring and reporting
• Environmental management systems
• Environmental management information systems
• Risk management planning
• Pollution prevention/waste minimization/source reduction
• Wetlands restoration
• Watershed management
• Re-use of gray water
• Alternative analysis solutions (sustainable services)
• Permitting
• Process auditing
• Training
• Health and safety programs
• Agency negotiations and litigation technical support
• Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), Live Cycle Inventory (LCI), Environmental Cost Accounting (ECA), Design for Environment (DFE) and other advanced support systems that contribute to overall sustainability and an effective EMS.

Collection Systems

• Data inventory and GIS
• Condition assessment
• Risk assessment
• Performance standards and benchmarking
• Hydraulic modeling
• Odor modeling and control
• Rehabilitation
• Design and construction
• Preventive and predictive maintenance measures
• Budgeting, rate setting and GASB 34 implementation
• Sustainable or renewable infrastructure

Overflow Emergency Response Plans (OERPs)

• Response planning
• Contingency planning
• Training
• Reporting and tracking

System Evaluation and Capacity Analysis Plans (SECAPs)

• Tiered SECAPs tied to level of knowledge
• Hydraulic modeling and flow projections
• Plant optimization
• Wet weather facility evaluation, design and permitting
• Maximized system storage and I/I capacity recovery techniques