Water Quality and Infrastructure

ERG’s water quality and infrastructure practice answers vital questions and provides cost-effective solutions to preserve and improve the nation’s waters. Our engineers and scientists are skilled at characterizing point and non-point source discharges, evaluating wastewater treatment infrastructure, and assessing and modeling the quality of surface waters and associated impacts to human and ecological receptors. We develop treatment options, best practices, and policy recommendations and provide technical assistance to communities in addressing water pollution problems. ERG’s water resource experts help clients implement water conservation programs and manage water resources. We develop product specifications and certification programs for water-efficient products. In addition, we assess the effectiveness of programs and recommend policies to better balance competing demands on water resources, including wetlands, coastal shorelines, and our nation’s rivers and groundwater. We routinely help our clients develop innovative solutions to meet new challenges and priorities, such as emerging contaminants and climate change impacts.

Water Pollution Control
  • Process evaluation
  • Pollution control technology assessments
  • Point source characterization
  • Field sampling support
  • Groundwater monitoring, modeling, and sampling
Infrastructure Support
  • Alternatives analysis
  • Asset management
  • Engineering cost estimation
  • Funding and finance
  • Project engineering and environmental reviews
  • Technical assistance
  • Construction oversight and project inspection
  • Wastewater treatment technology assessments
  • Federal cross-cutter compliance
Regulatory Development and Permitting
  • Regulatory option evaluation
  • Cost/benefit analyses
  • Environmental impacts analysis
  • Public docket preparation
  • Public comment organization and evaluation
  • Litigation support
  • National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting
Pretreatment Program Management and Oversight
  • Local, state, and regional program development and implementation
  • Program assessment and improvement/streamlining
  • Training and guidance
  • Stakeholder communication and outreach
  • Regulatory development support
  • Audits and inspections
Stormwater Management
  • NPDES permit development
  • Stormwater management program assessments
  • Evaluation of industrial, construction, and municipal pollution prevention
  • State-wide and regional stormwater program assessments
  • Stormwater model training
Water Sustainability
  • Water efficiency and conservation
  • Water and wastewater reuse
  • Green infrastructure planning and assessment
  • Climate change adaptation
Ocean and Coastal Protection
  • Coastal wetlands loss reduction strategies
  • Shoreline management
  • Climate change adaptation
  • Economic and social impact analyses
  • Marine debris prevention
  • Vessel sewage regulatory controls
  • Invasive species mediation from ships
Watershed Management/Water Quality Assessments
  • Integrated water resources needs assessments
  • Watershed-based green infrastructure planning and benefits assessment
  • Coastal water quality trends analyses
  • Coastal wetlands protection and restoration needs assessments

Projects

Photo of stormwater discharge
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit Compliance Assistance

Multiple federal agencies

sunset photo showing Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay TMDL Compliance Assistance

Multiple federal agencies

photo of construction site with foreman and excavators
Support for the 2022 Reissuance of EPA’s Construction General Permit

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

diagram of waste water flow from community to waste water treatment plant out to local waterway
Life Cycle Assessment of Wastewater Treatment Upgrade Options to Improve Nutrient Removal

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Along the coast, water flows from a pipe into ocean water breaking against a natural rockwall
NPDES Permit Writing Support

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

photo of water treatment facility tank
Survey to Support National Study of Nutrient Removal and Secondary Technologies

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Photo of small body of water amidst a forest
Protecting Our Nation’s Drinking Water Sources

American Water Works Association

Photo of a street curb showing water runoff
Stormwater Program Support

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Photo of wastewater drainage pipes stacked at construction site
Development of Screening-Level Tools to Streamline Wastewater Treatment Technology Cost Analyses

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

arial view of water and wastewater infrastructure
Technical Assistance to Help Communities Access Water Infrastructure Programs

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Photo of algae blooms on a body of water
Using Innovations to Reduce Nutrients from Municipal Wastewater Discharges

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Photo of river with water discharging into it.
Reducing Wastewater Discharge of PFAS and Other Emerging Contaminants

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Screenshot of the EJSCREEN tool, with side-by-side maps of the same place; one highlights proximity and volume, the other highlights percent ratio of income to poverty level under 2.0
Improving EJSCREEN: A Tool for Advancing Environmental Justice

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

California’s Russian River on a sunny day
Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations

Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Sonoma County Water Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

chart showing global warming potential results per gallon of recycled water delivered
NEWR Calculator

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Aerial photo of Winnebago, Nebraska, home to the tribal council offices of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
Improving Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems in Tribal and Small Communities

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Man in hard hat and safety glasses looking at water in a wastewater treatment tank.
WIFIA Engineering Support

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

1.5 trillion gallons of water saved since 2006!
Saving Water Through WaterSense

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Aerial view of two large circular wastewater treatment tanks
Life Cycle and Cost Analysis for Innovative and Sustainable Water Treatment Options

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Dark wastewater flows from a pipe into a waterbody with plants
Evaluating Cost-Effective Technology Solutions for Industrial Wastewater Discharges

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Effluent flowing from two discharge pipes into a water body
Creating EPA’s DMR Pollutant Loading Tool

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency


Service Area Leads

Photo of Sam Arden

Solving today’s complex environmental challenges is a daunting task. It requires the delicate balancing of many competing factors, from cost and convenience to public health protection and resource allocation. At ERG, I am fortunate to be able to work on projects that get to the core of this balance, surrounded by clients and colleagues who are equally passionate about finding mindful, objective solutions for our complex world.

Sam Arden

Deb Bartram

From an early age when I volunteered to clean up trash in local waterways, I’ve been passionate about improving water quality. I’m excited about innovative options for controlling industrial discharges and enjoy the constant challenge of finding and applying ever more cost-effective and environmentally beneficial solutions.

Deb Bartram

Photo of Theresa Conner

Listening closely to ‘what is doable’ in the community is key to forward progress.

Theresa Connor

Chuck Durham

Three decades as a regulator and contractor to regulators has convinced me of one thing. We are more likely to save and preserve our natural resources by educating everyone on the impacts they can have, both positive and negative, than by simply punishing people for past sins. That said, enforcement is sometimes a necessary tool for education.

Chuck Durham

Wes Ganter

Protecting and restoring water quality has been my career-long mission. I feel so fortunate to have had great mentors, colleagues, and customers, and opportunities to serve throughout the U.S. and abroad. Most importantly, I truly appreciate  the privilege of mentoring a new generation of water quality professionals. Watching my company, PG Environmental, grow, thrive, and ultimately find such a perfect match with ERG has been equally rewarding. Looking forward, I am excited to tackle the water quality issues of the future.

Wes Ganter

Photo of Alicia Gilley

I am passionate about improving access to water and wastewater systems throughout the U.S. and providing communities with the resources they need to operate and maintain safe, reliable, and sustainable water, wastewater, and stormwater systems.

Alicia Gilley

Photo of Sara Hilbrich

While teaching children early in my career, I learned that people are much more likely to support something they have helped create. Ever since, when supporting organizational decision-making processes, I’ve been passionate about involving those who will be affected by the resulting decisions and actions because it yields more robust and sustainable results. I love working collaboratively with colleagues, clients, stakeholders, and the public to continue progress toward ensuring a healthy world for generations to come.

Sara Hilbrich

Photo of Linda Hills

As an environmental engineer living in Montana, I’m keenly aware of the value of preserving our nation’s natural resources and of my own part in helping to prevent the degradation of these irreplaceable assets. I work to ensure that wastewater is managed properly and that the water we drink is clean now and into the future.

Linda Hills

Photo of Joanna Kind

I’m fortunate to work with engaging and collaborative colleagues to reach common goals for protecting human health and the environment. ERG allows me to combine my passion for water with my experience in environmental science and policy to support decision-makers, both locally in New Mexico and nationwide.

Joanna Kind

Photo of Lee Ann Lawrence

The favorite part of my work? Tackling difficult problems by finding novel ways to protect the environment and support regulatory programs in serving the public good.

Lee Ann Lawrence

Gregory Mallon

I started college in upstate New York just as acid precipitation was becoming a significant environmental concern. Through my studies of aquatic ecology in the nearby Adirondacks, I learned firsthand how devastating its effects on water quality and aquatic life could be and was determined to do something about it. That determination launched my 40+ year career as a water quality manager working to protect and preserve our nation’s precious water resources.

Gregory Mallon

Arleen O'Donnell

I cherish the connection with nature I feel from the strength of the ocean, the run of a river, the serenity of a lake, the intensity of estuaries, and the magic of vernal pools. It’s from this sense of appreciation that I apply my knowledge, experience, and passion to protect and restore the ecological integrity of water resources.

Arleen O'Donnell

Photo of Adam Orndorff

I am passionate about improving water quality throughout the U.S. and providing communities with the resources they need to experience safe and reliable drinking water and wastewater systems.

Adam Orndorff

Danny O’Connell

The operation and maintenance of water and wastewater utilities requires a clear understanding of the diverse variables unique to each facility. I enjoy interfacing with utilities operations and management teams to evaluate these variables and help create conditions or approaches that enable water treatment and management systems to perform at their highest efficiencies.

Danny O’Connell

Photo of Lauren Scott

I love that stormwater touches so many aspects of our lives and that, when managed well, it brings numerous benefits to our communities and the environment. It has been exciting to see stormwater grow in importance at both national and local levels.

Lauren Scott

Roy Sieber

I am fascinated by the interaction of human behavior and technology, and the resulting impact on the environment. I really enjoy trying to understand and influence those interactions to create a more sustainable economy.

Roy Sieber

Photo of Lori Weiss

I particularly enjoy ERG’s collaborative, creative work environment. Every day I look forward to working with ERG clients and colleagues to develop efficient, data-driven approaches to solving environmental problems.

Lori Weiss