Wastewater Engineering

The effective management and treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater is critical to maintaining public health and a clean, safe environment. Wright-Pierce's Wastewater Engineers have a wealth of experience in treating wastewater and its residuals from small decentralized systems to large, complex municipal and industrial systems.

Over our 60-plus year history, wastewater engineering services have been the mainstay of our company. We are a New England leader known for our innovation, our application of appropriate technology, and our reliable operator-friendly solutions.

Primary Wastewater Services

Wastewater Planning

As towns face development pressures, the key question becomes "to sewer or not to sewer?". Wright-Pierce has helped many towns and regional planning agencies address this important question. We have developed interdisciplinary planning tools that consider the inter-related nature of our water resources, and we have a depth of experience in the technologies and regulatory programs that can support both centralized and decentralized approaches.

We have learned that there is no one best solution. However, through the use of proper planning tools, and the ability to consider technological, cost and environmental factors in a holistic approach, we are able to guide our clients to their best water resources management option.

Wastewater Treatment

Treatability studies
Biological nutrient removal
Toxicity reduction
Industrial pretreatment
Alternative disinfection
Land application systems
Natural treatment systems
Odor control
Receiving water modeling / TMDL analysis
Decentralized treatment systems
Process optimization / operations assistance

Wastewater Collection

Sewer system evaluations
Sewer systems and pumping stations
Collection system modeling and master planning
Infiltration/inflow monitoring and removal
Combined sewer overflow (CSO) abatement
CMOM/SSO
Odor control
Decentralized collection, treatment and disposal systems
Sewer avoidance strategies

Decentralized Systems

Infrastructure intensive wastewater solutions are not always the most appropriate solution to address every wastewater management challenge. Decentralized solutions can be an important component of sound wastewater management plans.

Wright-Pierce has extensive experience with a wide range of decentralized wastewater management systems and understands where they can be the cost effective alternative.

Effluent Disposal and Reclamation/Reuse

Land application / infiltration systems
- Slow-rate infiltration systems
- Rapid infiltration systems
- Irrigation and snowmaking
- Subsurface disposal systems
- Innovative well injection systems
Wetland systems
Water reclamation / reuse

Irrigation
Groundwater recharge
Cooling water
Other non-potable uses
Soil aquifer treatment

Biosolids Treatment and Beneficial Use

Biosolids treatment / disposal strategies
- Anaerobic digestion
- Composting
- Biosolids dryers
- Alkaline stabilization
- Land application
- Incineration
- Minimization strategies
Septage management
Fats, oils, grease (FOG) management

SCADA / Instrumentation

Process control and information technology plan
Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)
Programmable logic controllers (PLC)
Distributed control systems (DCS)
Networks and telemetry systems
Alarm systems
Design and construction management services
Design / build services
Training / O&M manuals

Other Services

Comprehensive wastewater management plans
Regulatory assistance / permitting
Energy management
Evaluation of emerging technology
Funding / financing
Rate studies / impact fees
Value engineering / peer review
Asset management
Prioritized capital improvement plans

Achievements

Wastewater treatment facility upgrades earn "Engineering Excellence" award

Falmouth, ME
The design of the Falmouth, ME wastewater treatment facility upgrade resulted in a nearly 40% increase in treatment efficiency and over 40% reduction in energy consumption. Project received the Engineering Excellence award from American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Maine. Read more.

Sanford, ME
The design of the Sanford, ME wastewater treatment facility upgrade represents advanced environmental engineering design capable of removing phosphorus and ammonia to extremely low levels. The upgraded facility removes significantly more pollutants from the influent wastewater while using approximately 14% less electrical energy and 40% less chemicals than old facility. Project received the Engineering Excellence award from American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Maine. Read more.