Water Quality

As state and federal oversight of water quality increases, it is becoming increasingly important for water suppliers and dischargers to have cost-effective approaches for compliance with water quality regulations. It is vital that these approaches be tailored to fit the governing regulations and the operations of the discharger. It is also vital that the selected approach offers full regulatory compliance without exposing the supplier to unnecessary costs, risks or delays. GEI offers extensive expertise in assisting clients to comply with state and federal water quality regulations governing point and non-point discharges of pollutants through preparation of permits for compliance with the requirements of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System; development of cost-effective monitoring programs to satisfy both point source and nonpoint source regulatory programs, and formulation of engineering solutions to enable clients to meet water quality standards imposed by TMDLs and other regulations.

GEI’s approach to regulatory compliance rests on firm understanding of regulatory requirements, development of a comprehensive, scientifically sound understanding of the discharger’s facilities and operations, formulation of a compliance program that satisfies regulatory objectives and clear communications with the discharger and the regulating agency.

GEI’s fundamental principal is to rely on good science. Our responses to surface water quality concerns routinely include consideration of the implications of proposed actions on groundwater. This focus on the “big picture” leads to development of alternatives that fully address water quality issues and eliminates approaches that satisfy the “letter of the law” but which may have negative long-term impacts for the client.