Wetlands model has its roots in Clemson dissertation days

Posted May 14, 2018:

Dr. Matt Huddleston gave a presentation to scientists and researchers about the A-01 constructed wetland system he designed for the Savannah River Site in South Carolina.

Dr. Matt Huddleston was invited to present last month at the 12th International Symposium on Biogeochemistry of Wetlands. Matt’s paper, “Savannah River Site’s A-01 Constructed Wetland System: A Model for Sustainable Aquatic Risk Mitigation,” was among three days of technical presentations related to topics ranging from water quality improvement using wetlands to wetlands restoration. Matt was thrilled to be included in the symposium, where he engaged with Savannah River Site scientists and other top researchers in wetlands processes and ecosystem restoration.

Matt’s involvement with the A-01 constructed wetland in South Carolina goes back to his dissertation days at Clemson University, where, under his mentor Dr. John Rodgers, Matt developed the conceptual design of the A-01 system based on wetland mesocosm studies. That initial design helped inspire a multitude of research (from conceptual design to long-term operation) and provided the foundation for on-site successes that have been applied elsewhere. The A-01 constructed wetland system has received recognition from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 as a model application of sustainable technology. It’s a model that has helped save the U.S. DOE more than $60 million over the life of the system.

The conceptual design of the wetland treatment system at the SRS was developed from pilot mesocosm studies to identify key aspects of wetland function and performance. The pilot studies determined specific design parameters such as physical/chemical characteristics of hydrosoil, appropriate hydraulic retention time, and selection of wetland vegetation effective for metals attenuation. The full-scale constructed wetland system consists of eight 1-acre wetland cells planted with giant bulrush (Scirpus californicus) and is designed to treat 1 million gallons of water per day on average.

This success story started emerging in October 2000 when the constructed wetland treatment system began receiving a combination of storm water and wastewater. Prior to design and construction of the wetlands, the A-01 outfall contained copper and other metals at levels toxic to aquatic organisms. Since the wetland system came online 16 years ago, the A-01 outfall — which collects storm water and wastewater under permit by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) — has consistently achieved compliance for copper, mercury, and toxicity.

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.