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.
By 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
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
Airway Heights discharge to the river would reduce the
pollutants that were causing water quality problems in the
river.
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Provides a reclaimed water source that significantly reduces the demand on groundwater sources
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Provides a new aquifer recharge source that will help alleviate a 10 year trend of dropping ground water levels
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Eliminates a source of pollution to the Spokane River, which is considered water quality impaired
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Provides the City with a water source that does not require issuing new water rights
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Is environmentally safe and responsible
Wetlands Treatment Plant; Fairfield, Washington
The
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 a
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.
