Environmental

LCRA SAWS Water Supply Project - Matagorda Bay Health Study, Austin, Texas:  HEI Staff served as task leader for data inventory, acquisition, evaluation and management of physical, chemical, hydrological, biological data for the Matagorda Bay and all the connecting and minor bays.  Dr. Harkins assisted with development of an extensive database management system.  Data has been evaluated for its period of record, quality, format, and accessibility.  Dr. Harkins was responsible for coordination between teams and state agencies.   Data has been utilized for modeling efforts related to water withdrawals and addition within the river basin. 

San Antonio Bay and Estuary Study, San Antonio, Texas:  HEI Staff is currently assisting in the study and development of in stream flows necessary to maintain the health of the bay and estuary.  The project consists of a review of State methodology, data collection and assessment with an intensive study into the equations used to develop harvest equations used to quantify the health of the bay.  Harkins Engineering, Inc. is task leader for data assessment, acquisition, evaluation and management of the data.  Numerous state and federal agencies have been contacted for physical, chemical, biological, hydrological, meteorological, and ecological data such as TWDB, TCEQ, TPWD, TDH, NMFS, NWS, USGS, etc.  The majority of data has been acquired and inventoried into a database for evaluation of temporal, spatial, parameters measured, format, accessibility and costs to acquire. 

PCB Contamination and Remediation, Houston, Texas:  HEI Staff served as project manager of a multi-million dollar remediation of an industrial site in Texas contaminated with PCBs.  Work has included delineation of the contamination profile, site surveys, groundwater assessment, and remediation design.  The site was accepted into the VCP program of the TCEQ.  Remediation was accomplished via excavation and disposal.  Post closure documentation has been provided to both the TCEQ and EPA for completion. 

Pantex/BWXT Site-Wide Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA), Amarillo, Texas:  HEI Staff served as the field manager for the sample collection requirement for additional data needed to support the era.  Tasks include coordination with Pantex personnel, organization of sampling crews, sampling, QA/QC and reporting requirements.  Both surface water and sediment samples are being collected at five separate playas at approximately 18 sites per playa to represent potential points of exposure and biologically active zones. 

Phase II Environmental Site Investigation: Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons and BTEX Contamination, Possum Kingdom, Texas:  HEI Staff  served as a project manager for a Phase II environmental site investigation for a current planned development.  The site has a history of oil and gas production with a resulting contamination around well heads and storage tank embankments.   

Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), Jonestown, Texas, Texas, HEI Staff  performed a Phase I environmental site assessment for a commercial property used for boat storage, off-site storage, a small mobile home park, and vacant land.  The ESA was completed in accordance with all applicable ASTM standards. 

Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), Possum Kingdom, Texas, Texas, HEI Staff  performed a Phase I environmental site assessment for a large undeveloped ranch land planned for a large multi-family, marina and estates development.  The site had numerous oil and gas production facilities.  The ESA was completed in accordance with all applicable ASTM standards. 

Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), San Marcos, Texas, HEI Staff  performed a Phase I environmental site assessment for a commercial property for a previous auto restoration and salvage operations.  The ESA was completed in accordance with all applicable ASTM standards. 

Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), Austin, Texas, HEI Staff  performed a Phase I environmental site assessment for a land development project.  The ESA was completed in accordance with all applicable ASTM standards. 

Engineer V, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Austin, Texas:  HEI Staff  was a senior engineer for the Water Supply Division of the TCEQ.  Harkins Engineering, Inc.’ team processed over 300 certification applications a year and over 75 ratemaking applications per year.   

Water and Wastewater Service Extension Policy, Austin, Texas:  HEI Staff  made an in depth review of a water and wastewater supply corporation service extension policy with reference to the applicable rules and regulations of the TCEQ and made recommendations for changes and/or improvements. 

Water Quality Pond Assessment and Wastewater Reuse, Austin, Texas:  Dr. V. Harkins served as field manager for a project assessing the applicability of using treated wastewater effluent as make-up water for a Stormwater quality pond/detention pond.  An extensive literature review has been completed and field analysis and prototype studies are being scoped for immediate continuation.  Field studies are being designed to test the pond’s ability to treat the potentially higher levels of nutrients and other potential contaminants. 

Water Quality Assessment and Remediation, Austin, Texas:  Dr. V. Harkins is currently the field manager for a natural pond remediation due to point and non-point source pollution upstream.  The project contains many sensitive biological and ecological factors.  Remediation will encompass a pump and treat system with careful return of treated water.  Project assessment included a detailed assessment of the current water quality, background concentrations, and comparable water quality concentrations.  A detailed literature review has been completed as well as an extensive field assessment.  HEI Staff is currently reviewing responses to bid requests for clean-up options.