As long as there are extreme wet-weather events, utility managers will be challenged to manage effluent overflows. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) policy on the treatment of these excess flows through peak wet-weather discharge—or wastewater blending—now states that diversions of wastewater around treatment units can only be allowed where there are "no feasible alternatives." With treatment capability varying greatly from plant to plant, the burden of proof lies with each utility to either demonstrate compliance or progress toward meeting the EPA's requirements.
CDM is at the forefront in compliance support, providing regulatory expertise, in-depth facility screening and analysis, and total engineering services. We offer comprehensive capacity, management, operations, and maintenance (CMOM) program development, collection system flow monitoring, engineering inspections, environmental management systems development, and strategic planning. In addition, CDM touts an extensive resume of proven physical/chemical technologies (high-rate clarification, ballasted flocculation, and infiltration/inflow reduction), coupled with world-class experts to bring our clients the right alternative treatment options tailored to their economic and environmental goals.