Drinking Water

SWAPE has provided technical assistance and a variety of consulting and engineering services to many public water utilities and legal counsel concerning contamination of groundwater and surface water by chemical such as MTBE, 1,2,3-TCP, atrazine, hexavalent chromium, PCE and TCE, nitrates, and other compounds. We have experience working with water utilities to understand the complexities of the contamination, available treatment technologies, and legal issues concerning potential litigation for recovery of costs for treatment.

SWAPE has provided consulting services related to cost recovery litigation for water utilities throughout the United States. We work closely with respected engineering firms that specialize in treatment systems design, engineering, and construction. We also work closely with a respected, affiliated engineering firm that specializes in treatment systems design, engineering, and construction. SWAPE also has experience conducting cost estimates for remediation of water resources contaminants.

SWAPE is among few consulting firms or other private, non-profit, or governmental entities in the nation that has extensively evaluated emerging contaminants issues concerning surface water and groundwater resources on a national level. Our broad understanding of the nature, extent, emergence, and effects of a widening range of contaminants on our water resources has provided us with practical knowledge and experience that is critical for providing guidance to water purveyors that are experiencing problems with a variety of contaminants. We are currently providing technical assistance to clients on projects involving recently-emerging contaminants in water resources, such as PFOA and PFOS, 1,4-dioxane, and others.

Stormwater

Since 2003, SWAPE has consulted on nearly 200 projects to improve stormwater quality at industrial facilities and construction sites.  Consultation on these projects involves site inspections and providing recommendations for improvements in best management practices and in revisions of stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs) to ensure compliance with the California Industrial General Permit and the California Construction General Permit.  Our recommendations have been implemented through negations under citizen suit provisions under the Clean Water Act and through litigation where we have served as expert witnesses.  Our staff is available to provide water quality sampling services when conditions require timely response.