Featured Projects

City of Rock Hill, South Carolina

AWARE Environmental, Inc. (AEI) investigated Hidden Creek, a 303(d) listed impaired tributary to the Catawba River, to identify possible sources of fecal coliform bacteria within the 549 acre watershed and to provide a strategy for implementing the South Carolina established TMDL. The different project phases included:

• Completion of Clean Water Act Section 319 Non-Point Source grant application for project funding;
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Field reconnaissance, outfall mapping and watershed characterization;

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• Collection of Water Quality Data in the tributary and it's outfalls;
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• Review of historical dry weather and wet weather data;
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• Estimation of fecal coliform source distribution within the drainage area based on the concepts of the simple Watershed Treatment Model, developed by the Center for Watershed Protection;
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• Development of fecal coliform reduction implementation strategy;
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• TMDL implementation assistance including dry weather sampling, illicit discharge identification, stormwater sampling plan, preliminary design of a bioretention filter to treat commercial parking lot runoff and public education/participation program.

UNC Chapel Hill, Cogeneration Facility, Chapel Hill, NC

A Stormwater Management Plan and Stormwater Impact Analysis was developed by evaluating existing, proposed and built-out site hydrology using Haestad Methods Pond Pack Software. On-site stormwater detention ponds were analyzed to determine a compliance strategy to meet the local stormwater Land Use Management Ordinance for planned facility expansion projects. A record keeping system of site land cover hydrology was established to be used as a tool for evaluation of future projects.

CBI Services, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

This project involved a site wide environmental assessment aimed at identifying actual and potential environmental liabilities. Subsequent development and implementation of the remedial alternatives for the liabilities identified. The 78 acre site is located in an industrialized section of Birmingham, Alabama, and was operated as a heavy steel plate fabricating facility from mid-1930's up until 1988.

During this project, AEI was responsible  for oversight and documentation of the evacuation and off-site transport and disposal of 3,500 cubic yards of soils affected by exceedingly high concentrations of both total and leachable lead. Prior to the initiation of remedial activities, AEI assisted CBI in determining the RCRA hazardous waste codes associated with the soils; selecting a qualified remediation sub-contractor; profiling the soils for disposal at both minimum technology and secure RCRA landfills; and negotiating soil clean-up criteria with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

Other facets of this project included: the remediation of an unpaved outdoor area affected by a large quantity of elemental mercury; the construction and sampling of groundwater monitoring wells to assess on-site groundwater quality; the assessment of a closed acid settling pond; the sampling of residual oils in equipment and machinery sumps for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); confirmatory sampling of soils contiguous to the previous locations of underground storage tanks (USTs); the on-site aeration and sampling of soils from UST excavations followed by off-site disposal at a sanitary landfill; documentation and oversight during the clean-up and off-site disposal of 25 cubic yards of asbestos containing material.

Continental Pharma, Landen, Belgium

AEI prepared modeling and assessment of odorous and toxic air emissions from a pharmaceutical plant. The work included air dispersion modeling using a computer model with built-in puff algorithm and a computer model used to predict dispersion of gases denser than air. The impact analysis involved a study on dispersion and extent of odorous emissions on a local residual community and a health risk assessment of toxic air emissions from the facility. The initial work included estimates to quantify potential toxic and odorous air emissions from the manufacturing plant, tank farm and the cooling tower. The modeling results and emission inventories were used in developing a conceptual design to reduce the odorous emissions. Control technologies, including carbon adsorption, process stream incineration, condensation and frigeration were evaluated. These evaluations included cost analysis for each selected control technology. The study results were presented by AEI representatives to the client and the local residential community.

Arjobex Corporation, Charlotte, NC

AEI developed the preliminary upgrade and detailed engineering design package for the wastewater treatment and sludge handling systems at an artificial paper manufacturing facility in North Carolina. The wastewaters consisted of a combination of clays and organics, prior to discharge to a municipal treatment system. The engineering package consisted of process and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID), site plan and equipment layout drawings, design calculations and supporting documents.

The treatment system consisted of pH neutralization, chemical addition, sedimentation and sludge handling. Treatability testing was conducted to determine the requirements for breaking a latex emulsion wastewater. Solids precipitated were removed in a primary clarifier. Wastewater coagulated effluent from the clarifier received final pH adjustment prior to being discharged to the receiving stream. Chemical and polymer storage make-up facilities were also specified. Permit negotiation were conducted with the City of Charlotte to obtain a permit for discharge of the pre-treated wastewater to a CMUD wastewater treatment plant.