Water & Wastewater Engineering

From planning to design to operation, SynTerra has the expertise clients seek.

Water is the lifeblood of this planet, so it is imperative that we act as stewards of a safe and reliable water supply. SynTerra helps clients meet this objective in an economical manner, while also helping them stay in compliance with laws, regulations, and good industry practices. The SynTerra team has experience in virtually every aspect of a water or wastewater utility, from planning to design to operation.

Our team of professionals has experience offering the following services (not all-inclusive):

Planning

Successful operation of a water or wastewater system begins with establishing the right foundation. SynTerra has successfully assisted clients with planning services that are critical to providing great value to a utility’s customers while staying in regulatory compliance and preparing for the future.

SynTerra planning capabilities include:

Master planning
Engineering reports
Hydraulic modeling

Feasibility studies
GIS / Mapping
Basin studies

Design

In order to provide high-quality service at a great value, utilities must optimize system design. SynTerra works with clients to evaluate design alternatives and make decisions based on sound engineering practice in accordance with local regulations. In addition, SynTerra focuses on total cost of ownership rather than on selecting the least expensive option. This provides greater value for both a utility and its customers.

SynTerra design capabilities include:

Treatment facilities
Water transmission & distribution systems
Gravity sewers
Metering solutions
Instrumentation & control

Pump stations
Storage tanks
Sewer force mains
Residuals handling
Alternative treatments

Permitting

Efficient permitting is a critical part of operating any utility. SynTerra works with clients throughout this process to make it as painless as possible. SynTerra has a long history of success in applying for and securing a variety of permits for clients. Perhaps our most valuable attribute is our ability to effectively negotiate with regulators on behalf of our clients, thus saving time and money.

SynTerra permitting capabilities include:

NPDES
Air quality
Inter-basin transfer
Stormwater (including SWPPP and SPCC plans)

Construction
Surface water withdrawal
Wetlands

Bidding assistance and construction administration

SynTerra provides the full range of Bidding Assistance and Construction Administration services that is customary for typical water and wastewater projects. Our relationships with our clients and other partners help us make this process as smooth as possible. This allows our clients to focus on meeting their objectives and operating their systems. In addition, SynTerra is able to provide full-time site representatives in order to better protect the interests of a project owner and design intent. Most importantly, it helps protect the interests of a utility’s customers.

Operations and maintenance (O&M)

Our services do not end with project completion and closeout. SynTerra continues to work with clients to assist them in effective and efficient operations. Because O&M costs are significant, it is important to focus on optimizing operations.

SynTerra O&M capabilities include:

Standard operating procedures
Process optimization
Permit renewals
Regulatory negotiations

O&M manual development
Energy audits & optimization
Taste & odor control
Plant control strategies and systems

Business services

Because it is vitally important for a utility to provide a high level of product and service at a good value, sound business practices must be a core component of a utility’s culture. Water and wastewater systems should not only be good stewards of the environment, but also of their customers’ financial resources. SynTerra is able to assist in developing this type of financial stewardship.

SynTerra business consulting capabilities include:

Rate studies and development
Budget review and preparation
Litigation support
General business advice and planning

Capacity fee studies and development
Short- and long-term financial planning
Funding assistance
Community relations

Miscellaneous services

SynTerra is here to serve our clients and help them meet their objectives. While the services highlighted above are our core services offered to the water and wastewater industry, we offer additional environmental engineering and science services that may be beneficial to a water or wastewater utility.

Other SynTerra capabilities include:

Environmental site assessments
Hazardous material handling
Site remediation
Industrial hygiene studies
Geotechnical engineering

Lead and asbestos inspections
Environmental risk assessments
Groundwater modeling and monitoring
Civil engineering
Solid waste engineering

Kathy Webb, P.G.

Senior Market Leader | Principal

Kathy, a founder of SynTerra (previously The Fletcher Group) in 1992, has completed remedial investigations and regulatory compliance projects associated with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) facilities, state and federal Superfund sites, solid waste landfills, brownfield redevelopment, utility coal combustion residual (CCR) management units, and regulated industrial facilities. She has supported litigation as an expert witness related to chlorinated solvents, metals, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Kathy is known for her practical assessment strategy with the perspective of the client’s business objectives. She routinely evaluates groundwater corrective action systems for effectiveness and progress toward achieving compliance objectives. She has also co-authored a trade journal paper with case studies of low-impact remedial strategies. Kathy is a licensed Professional Geologist in North and South Carolina.

Mark Taylor, P.G.

Principal

Mark has worked more than 40 years in natural-resource based industries. His expertise includes mine geology and mine engineering, hydrogeologic and geotechnical investigations, solid and hazardous waste management, and regulatory negotiations. He has published peer-reviewed papers about coal geology, ore geochemistry, mineralogy, and solid waste management. He is a leading expert in mining and environmental permitting for litigation support.

Mark is licensed as a Professional Geologist in South Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Washington. He serves on the boards of the Upstate Red Cross and Upstate Forever. He served on the South Carolina Board of Registration for Geologists for six years. Mark holds a Master’s degree in Geological Sciences from The University of Michigan and a Bachelor’s degree in Geological Science from Harvard University.

Andrea Kehn, P.E.

Vice President of Engineering | Principal

Andrea, leader of our Civil & Environmental Engineering Business Unit, has 28 years of experience in chemical manufacturing and environmental consulting. She leads and supervises staff professionals on multidisciplinary projects for a variety of industrial clients. Andrea’s vast experience and expertise includes: air quality construction and operating permitting; air quality modeling; air permit record-keeping and reporting; Oil Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP); NPDES Permitting; water quality modeling; process safety management; risk management compliance and auditing; and RCRA compliance.

Andrea is registered as a Professional Engineer in South Carolina. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University.

Ruth Albright, P.E.

Vice President | Principal

Ruth has led projects for major industrial facilities throughout the Southeast and beyond. She built her knowledge of environmental regulations and their application to manufacturing operations while working for the second largest chemical manufacturing company in the United States. At SynTerra, she has expanded both her knowledge and reputation working for chemical manufacturing operations of all sizes. She has also worked extensively with other manufacturing operations, including pulp and paper, industrial equipment, pharmaceuticals, food, and automotive parts and assembly. Her experience includes air and wastewater permit compliance, solid and hazardous waste management, solid waste construction permitting, hazardous materials transportation, wastewater treatment systems, air pollution control equipment operations and maintenance, and ambient air monitoring systems.

Ruth is a professional engineer registered in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Michigan, Arkansas, and Kentucky. She is an active member of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Environmental Technical Committee and serves as the chair of the water subcommittee. She has previously served as the program and committee chair for the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce Environmental Affairs committee. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Clemson University.