Photo of Sam Arden

Sam Arden

Senior Environmental Engineer

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.


Dr. Sam Arden has worked for over 10 years on water resource projects occupying the space where water meets the urban environment. At ERG, his projects range from sustainability assessments of future urban water management strategies to providing sound technical engineering support for a range of federal clients. He regularly leads development of novel models and tools. These have included a suite of Excel-based tools to help small communities manage their combined sewer systems to reduce the potential for overflows during wet weather; a web-based screening tool that allows building designers to estimate the life cycle impacts of building-scale, non-potable water reuse systems; and a GIS-based hazardous incident response prioritization tool.

Sam is actively involved in research efforts on water treatment and reuse, sustainable groundwater management, and novel and emerging contaminants. He co-authored a state-of-the science report on enhanced aquifer recharge of stormwater and currently manages a project to develop a suitability framework for enhanced aquifer recharge implementation across the United States. Sam’s doctoral work was supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Network for Environmental Management Studies Fellowship Program, through which he developed a collaborative relationship with EPA’s Office of Research and Development staff that has continued in his work at ERG.

Sam holds a B.S. in coastal engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology, as well as an M.E. and Ph.D. in environmental engineering from the University of Florida. His time at UF was spent in the H.T. Odum Center for Wetlands, where his studies and environmental perspective were informed by energy, systems thinking, and long hours wading through wetlands. When not working on water, Sam enjoys doing anything in, on, or near water, especially surfing and sailing.