Groundwater supplies approximately 20 percent of the nation’s water supply and an even greater percentage in the arid western states. WWE provides engineering services associated with groundwater quantity and quality assessments, permitting, well design and construction, dewatering, and water rights. These groundwater services rely upon a solid fundamental understanding of hydrogeologic principles and conditions in the geographic area of interest. WWE staff have been providing these services in the Rocky Mountain West for more than 50 years.

Groundwater Quantity and Quality Assessment

WWE has broad experience with groundwater quality and quantity, including evaluation of water supply sources for individual domestic needs, drilling and completion needs for energy companies, cooling water for industry and power production, and geothermal resources for commercial applications.

WWE has been involved in numerous Denver Basin aquifer assignments in which the client needed to assess the available supply based on land area owned and existing aquifers underlying the subject property. These assignments focused on the limitations established by the Denver Basin Rules and Regulations and close communication and interaction with the Colorado Division of Water Resources. In most cases, our clients are interested in knowing the legally available supply relative to projected development demands. WWE has also assisted clients with development of protocols to assess the viability of the aquifer as a long-term supply and to maximize the available supply without interfering with existing operating wells.

Our staff is knowledgeable of state and federal drinking water regulations and sampling protocols and other environmental quality standards and regulations.

Well Design and Construction

WWE has expertise in siting and development of groundwater supply wells both in bedrock and alluvial aquifer settings. Such wells have been designed and constructed for many purposes ranging from individual domestic uses to municipal, recreational, and industrial water supplies. WWE has worked with many licensed drilling and pump installation contractors and is familiar with the Division of Water Resources’ Rules and Regulations for water well construction, pump installation, cistern installation, and monitoring and observation hole/well construction.

Water Rights

WWE has a proven track record relative to both surface water and groundwater rights. In addition to having staff members who have written books on water rights of the United States, WWE has experience as a contractor to the Division of Water Resources (DWR) on water rights issues associated with the excavation and removal of aggregate materials from below the groundwater surface. This role has enabled WWE to develop considerable knowledge of the DWR’s policies and to stay abreast of their current interpretations of the water rights system. WWE has also established interpersonal connections with senior DWR staff who know us as a solution-oriented company that works objectively to assist our clients within the constraints of the regulatory system.

WWE played a key role in the statewide produced water rule-making process that established nontributary groundwater classifications for formations within several Colorado basins.

Dewatering

WWE has provided expertise on construction and permanent dewatering system design and permitting throughout Colorado. Some notable WWE dewatering projects have been located at ski resort developments where base area construction typically locates residential parking below the multistory living spaces and below the groundwater surface. These designs require addressing groundwater inflow to the excavation, protection of the structure after construction, and discharge quality issues, both during and after completion of the structure. WWE has also provided these services on structures built within municipal boundaries such as in downtown Denver and on the Broadmoor Hotel property in Colorado Springs.

Permitting

All development of groundwater resources requires some sort of permitting. WWE has considerable experience and knowledge working with various regulatory agencies relative to obtaining the appropriate permit for activities. Our permitting success rate and quick turnaround is due to years of excellent working relationships with these local, state, and federal agencies. WWE clients benefit from the credibility that we have developed with these authorities.

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