Wastewater Management Planning and Engineering
Our Water Resources Management team develops and implements wastewater management systems in Vermont communities. We specialize in identifying and evaluating decentralized and integrated (onsite/cluster/sewer) solutions for local government and businesses willing to question the conventional assumption that new or expanded sewers are the only solution. Our science-driven and neutral approach helps partners carefully reconsider their options and advance a locally supported solution.
We recognize the importance of community engagement in the success of any public infrastructure, especially in Vermont. Our team has broad experience in planning and facilitating events to educate community members about water and wastewater issues and solutions. We often leverage Geographic Information System (GIS) technology and data visualization platforms to inform, educate, and engage residents, property owners, local businesses, and other stakeholders at each step of the decision process to obtain local buy-in to fund a public infrastructure project. Our solutions have been proven critical in working with municipalities to implement comprehensive plans and develop “buildable and bondable” projects. Examples of our work include the construction of a decentralized wastewater system and management program in the Town of Warren's historic village to maintain existing suitable wastewater systems, identify replacement solutions, and establish a community wastewater management program. Our scientists and engineers conducted a wastewater feasibility study for the Villages of Wolcott and North Wolcott to evaluate wastewater systems' present condition and opportunities for replacement onsite. Stone conducted a needs assessment for Westford's Town Center to determine whether each individual property could support an onsite system under the current local zoning ordinances. In Waitsfield, Vermont, a collaboration by the consultant team, community members, and the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation successfully funded, permitted, and built significant decentralized wastewater capacity in the commercial and historic villages enabling local businesses to expand and redevelop their properties. This capacity serves two breweries, a small processing facility that supports the local food industry, a restaurant, the local movie theater and café, a new Town Office, and several smaller office-based businesses.
Our engineers, scientists, and planners work under all of Vermont’s wastewater treatment regulatory programs and with a wide range of wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal technologies. We are prepared to assist your community in applying for and securing funding, and in considering whether your wastewater infrastructure truly supports your needs and development goals.
Services we offer in this area include:
- Decentralized wastewater planning
- Needs assessments, feasibility studies, and preliminary engineering reports
- Research and demonstration projects
- Landowner outreach
- Public education
- Meeting facilitation
- Soil and Site Evaluations for Subsurface Disposal Systems
- Aquatic Permitting Criteria compliance assessments
- Hydrogeologic capacity analysis
- Environmental review, documentation, and permitting support
- Compliance monitoring and water quality sampling
- Groundwater modeling
- GIS analysis, mapping, and decision support
- Wastewater system design engineering and construction oversight
- Permitting support (Indirect Discharge Rules, Wastewater System and Potable Water Supply Rules)
