CH2M HILL Inc.: Waukesha radium removal project cited in national engineering competition

Contact:

Alan D. Crockett, ACEC, 202-682-4301; acrockett@acec.org

Linda Mohr, CH2M HILL, 414-847-0205; lmohr@ch2m.com

Cost-Effective Strategy Improves Drinking Water Quality

WASHINGTON, DC — CH2M HILL, Inc., of Milwaukee, Wis., is a finalist in the American Council of Engineering Companies’ 44th annual Engineering Excellence Awards competition for the Well 10 Radium Removal project in Waukesha, Wis.

ACEC is the Washington-D.C.-based business association representing approximately 5,700 independent engineering companies throughout the United States.

More than half of the Waukesha Water Utility’s raw water comes from Well 10, an automated groundwater-fed source with radium levels of 15 picocuries per liter—three times the federally regulated maximum. To ensure safe drinking water, CH2M HILL designed a radium removal treatment system that uses hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) filtration. The process treats a high-rate of water with a minimum of equipment, reducing construction and operational costs.

The project is among 163 engineering projects from throughout the nation that are being recognized by ACEC as preeminent engineering achievements for 2009. Judging for the prestigious Engineering Excellence Awards – known industry-wide as the “Academy Awards” of the engineering industry – will take place in February, conducted by a distinguished panel of more than 30 engineers and architects, along with representatives from government, media, and academia. Criteria for awards include uniqueness and originality, technical, social and economic value, complexity, and success of the projects in meeting goals.

All winners, including 16 Honor Awards, eight Grand Awards and the “Grand Conceptor Award” for best overall engineering achievement, will be recognized at the Engineering Excellence Awards Gala, to be held Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) is the business association of America’s engineering industry, representing nearly 5,700 independent engineering companies throughout the United States engaged in the development of America’s transportation, water and energy infrastructure, along with environmental, industrial and other public and private facilities. Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., ACEC is a national federation of 51 state and regional organizations.