McFadden Engineering Celebrates America Recycles Day

November 11, 2023

Held annually on November 15, America Recycles Day is a nationally recognized day devoted to the promotion of recycling, the purchasing of recycled products and the reuse of non-disposable items. More specifically, America Recycles Day focuses on the actions of the individual and highlights the changes that any individual can make for the betterment of the environment. At McFadden Engineering, our core values of sustainability and environmental conservation display our conviction for environmental protection and improvement. With more organizations embracing green initiatives and implementing more corporate social responsibility policies, it is becoming clear that being environmentally responsible is more than just a trend. This blog will look at the efforts both organizations and their employees can make to reduce waste in the workplace.

Setting up a water station 

The Container Recycling Institute states that each day in the United States, more than 60 million plastic water bottles are thrown away. Help lower this number by adding a water station to the workplace. Water stations encourage employees to ditch their single-use plastic water bottles and incentivize the use of reusable thermoses and bottles. Water stations not only cut back on waste but save both the employee and organization money on water expenses.

Recycling Ink Cartridges

According to the Energy Collective Group, more than one million ink cartridges are thrown away in the U.S. per day. Additionally, the Energy Collective Group adds that it takes 1,000 years for a print cartridge to fully decompose in a landfill site. These cartridges contain volatile organic compounds and heavy metals that pollute the soil and water upon their arrival at landfills. An easy way to help prevent this pollution is by dropping off your used cartridges at your local office supply store. Another helpful tip is to check the Earth911 website, which provides a comprehensive list of recycling locations in your area.

Switch to a coffee maker

While most offices have coffee makers, often, the makers rely on plastic pods to brew the coffee. Switching to a bean-to-cup or reusable filter machine not only provides a fresher and more authentic taste but greatly reduces plastic waste as well. However, if pod machines are the overwhelming popular choice amongst employees, be sure to look for recyclable pod brands. These recyclable pods can be found in both plastic and aluminum, meaning that you can keep the familiarity and convenience of pods without sacrificing your environmental responsibility.

What can employees do?

Now that we’ve examined ways organizations can promote recycling and sustainability in the office, let’s look at some ways individual employees can help promote recycling and environmental conservation in the workplace.

Bringing in a wasteless lunch

In a report published by Design Life-Cycle regarding single-use plastic bags, the organization reports that the average U.S. family uses 500 of these bags a year. These bags are not biodegradable and have been consistently linked to creating a hazardous environment for both land and aquatic life. While it is important to encourage the proper disposal of these bags, packing a lunch in reusable containers is much more conservation-friendly. The single-use nature of plastic bags promotes more litter with lunch, but this can be completely avoided by packing your meal in a multi-use container. By reusing containers, individuals can greatly reduce their amount of daily waste.

Properly recycle electronics

As workplace technology continues to improve, knowing what to do with unwanted or out-of-date electronics has become a modern problem for many employees. The official term for this kind of material is e-waste and includes items like cell phones, computers, batteries, CDs and other electronics that come to mind. As previously mentioned, the website Earth911 offers a list of locations in your area designated for specific types of recycling, including e-waste. The World Counts estimates that e-waste comprises 70% of our overall toxic waste with only 12.5% of e-waste being recycled. The importance of properly recycling e-waste cannot be understated, even at the individual level.

Properly dispose of your emails

Shockingly enough, emails are responsible for a large amount of CO2 emissions. Email and data centers that store your virtual files use a lot of energy and electricity to run. In fact, Science Focus magazine states that emails are responsible for as much CO2 globally as seven million extra cars. Cleaning out your inbox from old emails and digital files can save space and energy on both your computer and email/data centers.

The purpose of America Recycles Day is to encourage and urge people to reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle in every aspect of their life. This includes keeping an environmental preservation mindset not just at home, but in the workplace as well. While companies can encourage their employees to do everything they can to reduce waste, the power to make change lies with the individual. America Recycles Day highlights the actions of the individual and the changes that they can make for the betterment of the environment. There are many ways for both companies and their employees to promote sustainability, from properly recycling e-waste to cleaning out your email inbox.

At McFadden Engineering, we pride ourselves on staying environmentally vigilant however we can. From offering environmentally sound solutions for unique engineering needs, to celebrating America Recycles Day, we are proud to be at the forefront of environmental conservation.

Visit our website to see what McFadden Engineering can do for your business.

McFadden Engineering Celebrates Campus Sustainability Month

October 20, 2023

Celebrating Campus Sustainability Month

Throughout the month of October, McFadden Engineering celebrates Campus Sustainability Month as recognized by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. Campuses around the United States engage students in sustainability efforts such as incentivizing bike rentals, recycling and more. While these displays of environmental conservation are meaningful and worthwhile, a lot more goes on behind the scenes at university campuses and educational institutions to maintain sustainability goals. This week, we are speaking with McFadden Engineering Firm Partner, Brad Newton, to find out how McFadden Engineering supports campus sustainability.

Q: Does McFadden Engineering have experience working with universities?

A: The University of Mobile is an institution of just under 2,000 students and a 20-minute drive away from McFadden’s office. We provide weekly operational services to their onsite fixed activated sludge package plant years after its design and build. This treatment system is the primary treatment option for the entire campus’s wastewater.

Q: How does this wastewater treatment project promote campus sustainability?

A: The application of this fixed activated sludge package plant is to take wastewater generated by the university, treat it and inject it back into the ground to recharge the natural aquifer. The water being used to recharge the aquifer (a naturally occurring body of rock or sediment that holds water in the ground) is treated, meaning that although it is not used for drinking purposes, it meets the standards of drinking water. Instead of drinking water, the water in this specific aquifer is utilized by the on-campus sprinkler systems. The university wide sprinkler systems are used in various applications, watering landscape areas, soccer fields and other sports facilities. It is a sustainability project in that the water is being kept on-site and sustaining that resource on campus. Our goal was not only to reduce costs but to reuse the university’s treated wastewater on campus for multiple applications. Looking at optimizing water usage and water resources on campus is something that we do for a lot of customers. In addition to recharging the natural aquifer, there is no longer a direct discharge to Chickasaw Creek therefore eliminating any potential health risks and significantly improving the university’s environmental compliance.

Q: What sustainability efforts has McFadden Engineering employed to assist high schools and primary schools?

A: The goal of Campus Sustainability Month is to raise visibility and awareness of sustainability. Supporting sustainability at a grassroots level in education, especially in the local community, is something that McFadden Engineering has always strived for. We have three clients that we service in the community. Some of them do not have access to a municipal sewer system, so on-site systems are their only option. You must get creative when addressing these schools’ specific issues. One project at Leroy High in Washington County, Alabama was completed after we designed a membrane bioreactor treatment facility that replaced the school’s fixed activated sludge treatment plant and chlorine addition system. The system was designed to be as efficient as possible, while still being reasonably priced. We are still assisting Leroy High with ongoing permit compliance and any process-related issues with the treatment system.

Q: What services can McFadden Engineering provide to other campuses/learning institutions to promote sustainability and environmental compliance?

A: Despite water scarcity not being as prevalent in the Southeast as in other areas of the country, we know that water conservation is something to be taken seriously. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, 40 out of 50 state water managers expect water shortages under average conditions in some portion of their states over the next decade. Performing water optimization analysis and water reuse studies regarding equipment and usage in different areas of campus to see if there are any opportunities for water conservancy is just part of what we offer. Our goal is to offer water resource projects for landscaping, aquifer recharge or whatever the situation may require reducing overall cost and consumption. Educational budgets can be tight, especially at the university level. It doesn’t have to mean spending more money to increase sustainability. Simple suggestions, alterations and evaluations can help make an organization’s processes more efficient. Part of the sustainability aspect can come from plant operation modifications; it does not always mean purchasing a new system.

The Intricacies of Campus Sustainability

While the extreme importance of previously mentioned surface level sustainability projects like recycling and bicycling cannot be understated, it’s important to remember that much more goes into sustainability behind the scenes. By providing these wastewater treatment services, McFadden Engineering has been able to assist the University of Mobile and multiple other learning institutions in the surrounding areas to reach their sustainability goals and lower their operating costs by doing so.

To learn more about McFadden Engineering’s work with the University of Mobile, read our case study and system overview. To learn more about the role Brad Newton serves, read his bio.

McFadden Engineering Can Help Your Organization Achieve ESG and Sustainability Goals

September 24, 2023

McFadden Engineering and ESG Strategies 

For 30 successful years, McFadden Engineering has worked with clients to look beyond the standard profit/loss margins of their company and incorporate engineering and environmental concepts such as sustainability and corporate social responsibility. It is embedded within McFadden’s core values to ensure and prioritize environmental responsibility. The three pillars of ESG are environmental, social and governance-related strategies. Embracing these pillars can help your organization become more self-sustainable and environmentally focused. McFadden Engineering can help your organization implement its ESG strategies and achieve its sustainability goals. 

Environmental Practices 

McFadden Engineering offers comprehensive environmental engineering solutions designed to safeguard the environment from the consequences of both natural phenomena and human actions. Our extensive background in environmental engineering encompasses the creation of optimal facility compliance protocols, the formulation of spill and response plans tailored for industrial clients and the assessment of treatment options to meet authorized discharge limits.  Additionally, McFadden maintains strong ties with regulatory agencies at the local, state and federal levels. This allows our engineering team to successfully guide our clients through the environmental permitting process, saving both time and resources. Finally, our compliance audits help clients fulfill their legal environmental obligations and social responsibility goals. 

Social and Governance Practices

Both the social and governance practices in ESG strategies are related to how a company functions overall. Internal management strategies, of universities and food processors have trusted McFadden Engineering to assist them. Our experienced engineering team and skilled Class 4 Wastewater Operators provide comprehensive services for small to medium-flow wastewater systems. We offer maintenance, training and full facility management. Whether it’s assessing and maintaining existing wastewater treatment operations, addressing recurring operational challenges or enhancing overall plant efficiency through process optimization and technology integration, we have you covered.

What is the Purpose?

Implementation of ESG strategies is often viewed as a cumbersome process, and it can be easy to lose sight of the incentives of implementing these strategies. While responsible and ethical practices become more normalized with the continuous employment of these exercises, let’s look at some other benefits of ESG strategies. 

  • Strengthen Financial Performance – With the reduction of energy spending, operating costs and other expenses, organizations can calculate the ROI of their investment in ESG strategies.
  • Strengthen Brand Image – A successful ESG program can make your company more attractive to potential customers, investors and employees. In fact, Retail Info Systems News states that 80% of customers are more likely to buy from an environmentally sound company, while 76% of consumers say they will stop buying from companies with poor environmental and employee treatment. 
  • Employee Productivity Spike – A noted side effect when implementing strong ESG strategies is the attraction of quality employee applications and interest. Employee motivation is enhanced due to a sense of purpose. Increased productivity in existing employees is commonly seen as well.

Our Commitment to ESG Strategies

McFadden Engineering’s commitment to integrating ESG strategies into our business model not only reflects our dedication to responsible corporate practices but also offers a multitude of benefits for organizations considering a similar approach. By embracing ESG principles, organizations can strengthen their financial performance, enhance their brand image and normalize everyday ethical environmental and business practices. McFadden Engineering prides itself on helping organizations looking to create a more sustainable, socially responsible and financially prosperous future.

To learn more about our extensive background in environmental engineering, check out some of our related project work. If you or a member of your organization wishes to hear more about our services, please visit our website or contact us.

World Water Week: Celebrating Our Most Precious Natural ResourceEnvironmental Feasibility Studies by McFadden Engineering

August 22, 2023

Celebrating Our Most Precious Natural Resource – Water 

World Water Week coincides with National Water Quality Month, both of which seek to raise awareness about this natural resource that impacts every business and citizen daily. McFadden Engineering works with our clients to not only meet the requirements of federal, state, county and municipal regulations but also design and engineer solutions that enable them to be good stewards of this natural resource. 

Did you know? 

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reports only 2.5% of Earth’s water is freshwater. Of this freshwater, almost all of it is locked up in ice and in the ground. Only a little more than 1.2% of all freshwaters are surface water, which serves most of life’s needs. Most of this water is locked up in ice, and another 20.9% is found in lakes. Rivers make up 0.49% of surface freshwater. Although rivers account for only a small amount of freshwater, this is where humans receive a large portion of their water.

Due to the life cycle of water, the chances of water impacted by McFadden Engineering clients returning to surface freshwater is significant and therefore becomes a priority to return water that meets the necessary compliance protocols. 

World Water Week

Many of the world’s greatest challenges are inextricably linked to water, its use and management. World Water Week 2023 is focused on innovation at a time of unprecedented challenges. The theme Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-Wise World invites everyone to rethink how they manage water, as well as consider ideas, innovations and governance systems needed for a more unstable and water-scarce world.

National Water Quality Month

Celebrated each August and created by the Environmental Protection Agency, this month seeks to remind everyone of the challenges facing water. The U.S. government has taken steps to protect this natural resource. 

Recap of Water Legislation

  • 1948 – The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948 was the first major U.S. law to address water pollution
  • 1972 – Clean Water Act passed by Congress
  • 1974 – Safe Drinking Water Act passed by Congress
  • 2005 – National Water Quality Month was founded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and backed by the United Nations 

The McFadden Engineering team partners with your business to not only identify and solve water and wastewater-related issues but educate our clients regarding best practices. We offer the following services:

Environmental Compliance

Water Quality and Hydraulic Modeling

Environmental Engineering Services

Water and Wastewater Treatment

Industrial Wastewater Treatment

Contact McFadden Engineering and our team of professional engineers and geologists to evaluate and solve your civil and environmental engineering issues. Learn more about our breadth of engineering services and contact us for more information.

Environmental Feasibility Studies by McFadden Engineering

July 28, 2023

A feasibility study is an analysis of the likelihood of a project being successful. The “success” of the project is primarily dependent on ROI and whether the return is high enough for a project to be considered worthwhile. While a good return is seemingly the benchmark for a successful study, there are multiple factors for completing a feasibility study, including environmental regulations, impacts and possible repercussions. This month’s blog focuses on the steps needed to conduct a successful environmental feasibility, and how McFadden can conduct your company’s next environmental feasibility study.

Step One: Identify Regulatory Aspects of Project

Step one involves the identification of all regulatory aspects relevant for obtaining the needed environmental approvals. This requires an analysis of the project location and application as well as federal, state, county and local regulatory components. The following are questions that must be answered prior to step two.

  • What are the stages for environmental approval?
  • What is the level of detail and time required in each of those stages?
  • What is the scope of the environmental assessment needed for the project stage approvals?
  • How long will the regulatory process take, considering the overall project scope?

Step Two: Identify Environmental Impacts of Project

Step two involves thorough due diligence to identify, describe and quantify the environmental impacts of the project. McFadden Engineering offers expertise in the following services making the impact analysis a digestible process for your company.

An analysis of the project’s environmental impact on the area including direct and secondary impacts, immediate or long-term effects and temporary or permanent consequences is necessary for a comprehensive impact analysis.

Step Three: Develop Strategy to Mitigate Impacts and Overview of Project Environmental Plan

Step three involves development of a strategy to mitigate project environmental impacts including the development of plans to minimize the most significant environmental effects. These include feedback of project technical requirements to alter aspects of the design and determine if modifications can reduce environmental costs. As well as a cost assessment of the necessary items identified in steps one and two to calculate overall project environmental ROI.

At McFadden Engineering, our team of talented engineers and geologists have more than a century of combined civil and environmental experience. Our company is a combination of engineering and environmental experts working together to generate environmentally sound solutions to water, wastewater and civil engineering problems. To learn more about our work, contact us at 251-470-6870.

Five Tips for Developing a Safety-First Mindset

June 27, 2023

With a wide range of expertise throughout various sectors of the engineering industry, McFadden Engineering boasts experience in a variety of service areas. From involvement in facility management to wastewater treatment process evaluation and design, McFadden Engineering is familiar with wastewater treatment plants and the operation of those facilities. No matter the plant setup or the job within the plant, one thing remains constant throughout the industry. Developing and maintaining a “safety-first” mindset while on the job is the most important tool our engineers try to impart to our clients. 

Having a safety-first mindset means being aware of your surroundings. When working in an municipal or industrial wastewater treatment facility, it is important to remember you are working with equipment and chemicals that can be dangerous if not operated safely and correctly. It is important to keep this mindset to ensure your own safety as well as the safety of others in the workplace. With more than 5,000 fatal work injuries occurring in 2021, it is important to create a safety-first environment. Here are a few ways that McFadden employees implement safety in every project that we perform.

Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Wearing safety equipment means protecting yourself and those around you. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. Personal protective equipment may include items such as gloves, safety glasses and shoes, earplugs or muffs, hard hats, respirators, or coveralls, vests and full body suits. Employers should also train each worker required to use PPE so that they know when it is necessary, what kind of PPE is necessary, how to properly use the PPE, the limitations of the PPE and the proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the equipment.

This equipment is used to help prevent injuries and illnesses that may result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical or other workplace hazards. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards require specific PPE be used in certain settings (i.e. general industry, maritime, construction, etc.)  

Use of the Proper Equipment and Machines

One of the most common ways injuries unfold in an industrial work environment is through contact with machines. In 2020, there were more than 195,000 nonfatal injuries involving contact with objects and equipment. It can be easy to fall into a dangerous, yet convenient routine when operating equipment. Remaining vigilant and being aware of proper operating procedures while working with machines could be the difference between injury and safety. 

Knowing Your Workplace

Being prepared for unpredictable situations is one of the most important things you can do in the workplace. It is critical to know the locations of the nearest emergency exit, eye wash stations and other designated areas that prevent or aid in emergency situations. In the event of an emergency, know who to immediately inform, where they are located and the muster point of your facility.  

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Being aware of your surroundings is key to any workplace, especially in an industrial facility. This can involve anything from remembering to take breaks after long periods of work or using drip pans and guards when dealing with potentially hazardous liquids. Awareness also includes keeping your work area clean, keeping exits and walkways unobstructed and keeping your equipment organized and in the proper storage area. While some things may seem redundant and silly, remaining conscious and mindful of the little things can help make your job easier and keep you and your coworkers safe.

Be a Team Player

Being a team player means looking out for the safety of others in your workplace. This does not always require brave heroics but can be as simple as speaking up to supervisors about unsafe conditions. Although it may not seem like much, preventing falls in any form is a huge service, with more than 210,000 workers missing time in 2020 alone from fall-related injuries. Good communication with your coworkers is also important especially when working in a dangerous environment.  

A certain threat or risk is innate and expected when working in an industrial environment. McFadden Engineering is committed to creating the safest workplace possible. By developing and maintaining a safety-first mindset and utilizing these tips, you can help make your work environment safer.

For more information about McFadden Engineering’s Facility Management and Operations services, click here or contact our team.

Water and Wastewater Process Consulting: Enhance Your Wastewater Treatment Plant’s Efficiency with On-Site Engineering Consultants

May 26, 2023

As a manufacturer or someone that occupies a space in the industrial sector, your process will likely create byproducts. In many cases, these are water or wastewater that will be regulated on a local, state or federal level. At McFadden Engineering, we realize that achieving environmental compliance can be challenging with your expertise focused on other areas of your organization. McFadden Engineering excels in providing a streamlined process through safe, cost-effective and innovative solutions while helping your organization achieve compliance. 

Wastewater treatment plants include numerous individual treatment processes within the overall treatment train. Each of these individual processes has optimum operating conditions that allow them to efficiently handle the specific parameters which the process is designed to treat. The misalignment of one of these parameters can result in a treatment process that is costly and difficult to maintain. In a worst-case scenario, your wastewater process can fail completely and potentially lead to environmental compliance issues and poor effluent water quality.

At McFadden Engineering, we offer consulting services to your organization providing the ability to conduct an analysis and review your current process, access equipment and implement process optimization.

Process Optimization

The first part of wastewater treatment process optimization includes a thorough evaluation of the process parameters that affect your wastewater treatment process. During this evaluation, our team of engineers and wastewater operators will assess lab data to detect how the plant is treating the wastewater. Additional testing and analysis can be conducted to evaluate the performance of the individual processes in the wastewater treatment facility. After we complete a thorough evaluation of your current process parameters, we can conduct an equipment analysis and test other components of your plant’s process.

Equipment Operation Analysis

A typical approach to equipment review involves three main objectives: conducting an equipment audit, identifying equipment issues and developing a plan to address the identified equipment faults. When equipment is evaluated by our team, we most often look at the yearly maintenance schedule to determine if the equipment is operating at its optimum level.  An equipment audit review is an integral part of any organization’s wastewater treatment plan. Our equipment review findings can give us a glimpse into your plant’s wastewater treatment facility process and identify ways we can implement, upgrade or benchmark your plant’s process optimization. Based on the findings, McFadden Engineering can develop a plan for operational adjustments, equipment upgrades as well as possible additions to the treatment process.

Overall Operation Assessment

Performance assessment is an integral tool for wastewater treatment plants to operate on a cost-effective and sustainable basis. After the necessary wastewater treatment facility parameters have been evaluated and an action plan has been developed and implemented to address the outstanding equipment needs, our team will assess the wastewater plant operation. This includes a thorough review of monthly reporting to regulatory agencies and daily lab data, if available. In addition, maintenance logs and equipment history are usually very helpful in evaluating issues. Our team will also develop a list of priorities to determine which plant objectives to tackle first. In some instances, recommendations could include additional site training for the facility’s operator and staff.

Throughout this process, it’s imperative that our personnel interact with your plant’s operational team to maintain a pulse on your plant’s progress with the goal of achieving efficient and smooth-running system operation.

Conclusion

All wastewater treatment facilities strive to reach their maximum outputs while maintaining an efficient operation. Optimization can take many different forms, meaning anything from hiring additional wastewater operators to incorporating additional treatment processes to meet the overall needs of the facility. We’re here to serve as allies for your wastewater treatment plant to help you achieve efficiency and meet regulatory compliance.

For more information about McFadden Engineering’s Facility Management and Operations services, contact us for a site visit.

Alabama Wastewater Treatment Operator Continuing Education Training Sessions

April 28, 2023

The wastewater treatment process is complex. Facility management and operations is a specialty service offered by McFadden Engineering to help our clients minimize the burden of maintaining facilities and wastewater treatment operations. Not only do we offer process support and design/build consultation services, but we also offer support to the men and women who operate wastewater treatment plants, both municipal and industrial, across the state of Alabama as well as many other states.

State Plant and Operator Requirements

The  Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) requires the following Staffing Requirements. All Water Treatment Plants, Wastewater Treatment Plants, Water Distribution Systems, and Public Wastewater Collection Systems are required to be operated by an Operator certified, in accordance with the provisions of this Division, as competent to operate the plants or systems to which the plant or system is classified.

Those entering a career as a wastewater operator begin as operator interns and after passing required exams, move into the following certification levels: Certified Operator Grade I, Grade II, Grade III and Grade IV.  Operators are required by the state to obtain continuing education hours.

Alabama Wastewater Operator Continuing Education Requirements

According to ADEM, Alabama’s certified water and wastewater operators are required to take continuing education classes during each three-year certification renewal cycle. During each three-year period, operators must attain a minimum number of Continuing Education Hours (CEHs), described in ADEM’s Division 10 regulation.

As a service, McFadden Engineering offers on-site continuing education training sessions. These sessions are led by Jimmy Wiggins, a Grade IV Certified WWTP Operator at McFadden Engineering. Jimmy works with the client, Alabama Water Pollution Control Association (AWPCA), the governing agency for training and certifications and ADEM to develop training topics and ensure the curriculum is pre-approved. The McFadden team works to tailor each training to the needs of the operator class.

Previous training topics include:

  • Chlorine Safety
  • Grade 2 test prep
  • Biosolids
  • Liquid process
  • Safety

The McFadden Engineering team of wastewater treatment experts have more than 100 years of combined experience and have been exposed to many issues and problems that individual facility operators likely have not encountered. We’re here to help operators as an ally, solve unique problems and provide training to give them the comfort level to work confidently within their facility. We take pride in both problem-solving and building operator confidence through training and expert guidance.

For more information about McFadden Engineering’s Facility Management and Operations services, click here or contact our team.

World Water Day

March 24, 2023

World Water Day is not only about recognizing, educating and advocating for access to clean water. It’s also about understanding the issues that impact water resources around the world, including McFadden Engineering’s home state of Alabama.

In 2021 we launched a blog, Managing Alabama’s Natural Resources. Did you know the state of Alabama boasts 16 distinct river basins; 129,700 total miles of rivers/streams; 59,000 miles of perennial (i.e., streams that flow year-round) rivers/streams; and 490,472 acres of lakes/reservoirs/ponds? The responsibility of managing these bodies of water and the effluent that enters these bodies is not just in the hands of the state but is a responsibility of citizens and professionals to be good stewards of our available water resources. 

The blog explains that with this abundance of water comes the obligation and duty to manage these vital natural resources to protect them for future generations. That duty has been promulgated by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments (FWPCA, PL-92-500) in 1972 to each state where management and enforcement duties were implemented. The McFadden Engineering team is proud to support federal, state and local agencies who govern and regulate these efforts and the municipalities and industries who work diligently to not only utilize but protect these resources as well.

The McFadden Engineering team has spent decades developing innovative systems to solve our states most challenging water and wastewater problems. The McFadden team has extensive experience in developing water reuse systems to conserve and optimize the usage of this abundant natural resource. In addition, McFadden Engineering has a history of developing and improving wastewater treatment process solutions. In 2016, the team introduced a water treatment system designed to remove 98% of the typical wastewater contaminants. Our team works daily with clients throughout North America evaluating and implementing solutions to assist with water reuse and addressing challenging issue that impact our waterways. 

Read more about McFadden Engineering’s impact on water in the state of Alabama in a recent case study Rain Drop Car Wash Installs McFadden Engineering’s OxyShark® Water Reclamation System. 

Contact McFadden Engineering and our team of professional engineers and geologists to evaluate and solve your civil and environmental engineering issues. Learn more about our breadth of engineering services and contact us for more information.

Engineering ROI: Why Hiring a Third-Party Engineering Firm Pays Off

February 21, 2023

For McFadden Engineering clients, hiring a third-party engineering firm offers benefits that increase the overall return on investment (ROI) for the project. Not only do our clients receive additional assistance meeting deadlines and completion timelines, but the knowledge, experience and broad range of specialty services that MEI offers provides insight that turn issues into solutions. McFadden specializes in providing efficient, responsible and cost-effective solutions. Our team of engineers is multi-skilled and multi-disciplined and works closely with our clients to solve environmental and civil engineering challenges.

Receive an Outside Perspective

Too often, teams are focused on completing a project or identifying one solution and may lose perspective regarding solution effectiveness, recent innovations and long-term problem identification. Turning to a trusted outside engineering firm will bring a fresh perspective and an experienced team to your project. Sometimes even the simplest problems may go unidentified and cause unwanted surprises once the project is complete. Bringing in an outside perspective can often uncover issues with your project that your team never considered or does not have experience addressing.

Work with Specialists

Sometimes you need a specialist to design or work on a small aspect of your engineering project. While it may not make sense to bring them on for the entire project, hiring an engineering specialist for contractual work can give you the results you need while saving your project money. McFadden Engineering has experience working with other professionals to address specific aspects of projects such as NPDES permitting, wastewater treatment or meeting water reuse requirements.  McFadden Engineering’s team of professional engineers and professional geologists solve unique challenges through an integrative and innovative approach to environmental and civil engineering. Our team understands advancing technologies and changing regulatory landscapes and works diligently to employ cost-effective and technically proven solutions.

Strategic Partnerships

Engaging with McFadden Engineering as a third-party engineering service also brings relationships with a large spectrum of companies and equipment suppliers. We have relationships with strategic partners that your company may not have and are able to leverage these relationships to help our clients meet timelines and navigate permitting and regulatory challenges.

When your project’s success and more importantly, ROI is at stake, trusting an experienced engineering partner is non-negotiable. Contact McFadden Engineering and our team of professional engineers and geologists to evaluate and solve your civil and environmental engineering issues. Learn more about our breadth of engineering services and contact us for more information.

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