Sustainability matters to Century West Engineering

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Sustainability has been adopted as a company-wide policy at Century West. We strive to balance economic, societal, and environmental factors in everything we do. Sustainability is defined in the manner we take with all of our projects. Each project is evaluated and designed using a systems-based project approach. We consider the elements of economics, ecology, and community as one system known as sustainability. All three elements are interdependent and their connections are evaluated for every project. A life cycle cost analysis, used to help determine not only the monetary project cost, but all factors of sustainability, is also considered for each project in order to determine appropriate project solutions.

PDXPlants.jpgBy taking a sustainable approach to our projects we can meet today’s needs without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Our challenge is to apply sustainable principles to road projects, water projects, and other infrastructure. The application of these concepts on a project, whether building a sewer line or a parking lot, is our unique contribution to creating a sustainable environment. Century West’s project approach results in a clear policy, vision and public commitment; protection and restoration of ecosystems; conservation, recycling, and reduction of natural resource and energy use; reduction of pollution and use of toxic substances; and at the same time, provides a stable, diverse, and fair economy; and safe and environmentally healthy communities. Each project presents its own challenges and has its own opportunities, goals, and objectives. By meeting these challenges, we are making our world more sustainable.

 

Water Reclamation Plant; Airway Heights, Washington

 

water reclaim plant_airway heights.jpgCentury West became involved with this project as the City’s On-Call Consultant. The issues that the City faced were a limited wastewater treatment capacity through an interlocal agreement with the City of Spokane, a limited drinking water source from three stressed aquifers, and projected water demands that exceeded their water rights.
 
Through the planning process it became apparent that the City needed a sustainable approach to wastewater treatment and water supply. Century West developed a wastewater facility plan that gave the City solutions for these issues as well as provided a partial solution to a regional problem. The Spokane River is currently on the state 303D list of impaired water bodies. Removing the Airwaywater reclaim plant_airway heights 2.jpg Heights discharge to the river would reduce the pollutants that were causing water quality problems in the river.
 
The facilities plan developed a solution of treating the City’s wastewater in a new plant to better than reclaimed water standards. By doing so the City is able to sell the treated water for non-potable uses. Water that is not sold will be percolated into the soil above an aquifer thereby providing a much needed aquifer recharge source. The City can withdraw this water, which meets all drinking water standards, for uses in their water system. The City legally retains ownership on this water and therefore does not need additional water rights to use it. This sustainable approach met with approval and support from the regulatory agencies (WSDOE, WSDOH), and other water users and stakeholders in the region.
 
Century West has completed the design for the new facilities with the first part of the project to be constructed in the summer of 2009. The plant is expected to be online in early 2011.
 
The project provides a responsible and sustainable solution in the following ways:
  • Provides a reclaimed water source that significantly reduces the demand on groundwater sources
  • Provides a new aquifer recharge source that will help alleviate a 10 year trend of dropping ground water levels
  • Eliminates a source of pollution to the Spokane River, which is considered water quality impaired
  • Provides the City with a water source that does not require issuing new water rights
  • Is environmentally safe and responsible

 

Wetlands Treatment Plant; Fairfield, Washington

wetlands treatment plant_fairfield washington.jpgThe Town of Fairfield was facing some difficult challenges with its wastewater treatment plant. The plant was 40 years old, was in disrepair and was under capacity. The Town had completed awetlands treatment plant_fairfield washington 3.jpg Wastewater Facilities Plan before Century West became involved. The Plan proposed a mechanical treatment plant that continued to discharge treated wastewater to a seasonal stream during the winter months and was used for crop irrigation during the summer months. There were a number of issues with this approach including; meeting future water quality standards, complexity of the mechanical treatment plant, and difficulties in disposing of bio-solids.

Century West was hired to review the facilities plan and provide design and construction engineering services for the new facilities. Century West through the initial review process developed a more environmental friendly sustainable solution to the wastewater treatment. A new aerated lagoon was constructed to provide primary treatment. One of the old lagoons was modified and converted to a flow equalization basin to better handle periods of high flow. Treated wastewater was then discharged to the three new constructed wetlands for final treatment.
With this approach the Town was able to reduce the time that it discharged to the stream from 12 months to 4 months. The new wetlands provided habitat for water fowl, various mammals and other types of birds. The new facilities blend well with surrounding habitats and are more environmental sensitive. The more passive treatment process conserves electrical energy and is easier to operate.