WWE has considerable experience on projects involving water quality. WWE has conducted numerous water quality planning and permitting studies throughout Colorado and across the U.S. Our staff has performed water quality analyses and modeling and developed monitoring plans to address a variety of water quality issues and regulatory requirements.

Permitting & Regulatory Support

WWE has extensive experience with water quality permitting in multiple states for federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and state permits, in accordance with the federal Clean Water Act. Our experience includes providing services related to water quality permits for municipal, industrial, construction, and subterranean discharges, as well as hydrostatic testing needs, among others.

Building on a thorough understanding of state and federal water quality permit requirements, WWE works with clients to determine permit needs; apply for permits; develop permit-required plans and protocols, such as Storm Water Management Plans for construction and industrial stormwater permits; provide guidance with permit sampling requirements and compliance; and develop practical, science-based solutions when permitting challenges arise.

Water Quality Monitoring

WWE is experienced in developing and implementing water quality monitoring programs, designing water quality databases to manage environmental data, and conducting analysis of monitoring data. WWE has worked with federal, municipal, state, and industrial clients to develop water quality monitoring programs and guidance documents. We frequently collect water quality samples for clients, manage large water quality databases, conduct statistical analysis, and prepare practical, high-quality reports.

Properly developed and implemented water quality monitoring programs provide a scientific knowledge base that leads to more effective management of water quality issues. A well-designed program enables municipal and industrial water quality managers to evaluate the significance of water quality issues and to assess the effectiveness of water quality management practices.

Regulatory Support

Water quality regulations and policies under the Clean Water Act and state water quality regulatory programs change periodically. Municipalities, industries and developers often face challenges related to increasingly stringent regulatory requirements. Typically, a public comment period is provided on new regulations, providing an opportunity for affected parties to influence regulatory requirements based on technological limitations, naturally occurring conditions, economic considerations, and other factors.

WWE is experienced in providing clients with thorough review and evaluation of proposed regulatory requirements, including expert testimony and effective written comments during public comment periods. Additionally, WWE works with clients to evaluate the best combination of regulatory and treatment-related solutions to water quality compliance concerns.

Water Quality Modeling

WWE water quality modeling experience covers a broad range of applications, from relatively simple spreadsheet models for predicting dissolved oxygen concentrations in streamflows, to complex simulations of radionuclides in surface water runoff. For critical review of complex water quality issues, WWE’s Robert Weiner, Ph.D., a former chemistry professor at the University of Denver, provides decades of experience. His book, Applications of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, is now in its third edition. Water quality models used by WWE’s staff include WINSLAMM, BASINS, HSPF, QUAL-2E, SWAT, HYSED, SWMM, WEPP, and others.

Watershed Management

Coordinated, multi-jurisdictional watershed management typically provides many benefits for waterbodies, as well as opportunities for cost-sharing among local governments. WWE has successfully completed watershed management plans for a wide-range of land uses, including highly urbanized areas, urban and agricultural watersheds, mountain communities, and groundwater supplies. For some of these planning efforts, WWE has worked with clients such as the Big Dry Creek Watershed Association and the Keep It Clean Partnership in Boulder County to obtain Section 319 grants to develop watershed plans. WWE staff members have also provided long-term watershed coordination, including meeting facilitation, communications (newsletters/website), and ongoing water quality data management and analysis.

Nonpoint Source BMPs

In addition to urban stormwater quality BMPs, WWE is experienced in non-point source water quality management. Working under the Clean Water Act Section 319 grant program, WWE has authored non-point source BMP guidance manuals for golf courses, the landscaping industry, and mountain homes. Several of WWE’s projects were featured by the State of Colorado in Ten Years of Success. WWE has also worked with agricultural producers and the timber industry on wide-ranging water quality issues and BMP implementation.  Through funding by the Water Research Foundation, WWE is part of a team that developed an Agricultural BMP Database to better characterize agricultural BMP performance for nutrients, sediment, and other pollutants.