BLA is proud of our leadership in innovative water and wastewater approaches. Our innovative technology has helped clients meet regulatory requirements while stretching taxpayer dollars and lowering their carbon footprint. Whether you need construction of a new facility; improvements to an old facility; or a low cost, low operation and maintenance alternative; BLA will help you find the right solution. Services include:
- Facility, Comprehensive & Area-Wide Plans
- Survey, Mapping, & GIS Development
- Collection System Modeling
- State & Federal Funding Application Assistance
- Combined Sewer System Operations Plans
- Phase II Stormwater Programs
- Inflow/Infiltration Studies
- Sewer System Evaluation Studies
- Long-Term Control Plans Operations Compliance & Assistance
- Existing Operations Evaluations
- Operations Needs Review
- On-Site Operator Training
- Process Control Strategies
- NPDES Permit Application Preparation & Conditions Negotiations
- Compliance Plans
- Sewer Use Ordinance Development & Revision
- Pretreatment Programs
- Pollutant Loading Studies
- Attainability Analyses
- Bid Review & Evaluation
- Construction Engineering & Inspection
- Construction Administration
- Construction Management
- NPDES Permit Application Preparation & Conditions Negotiations
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- Wastewater Studies
- Bio-Roughing System Clairfication & High-Rate Clarification Study & Permitting Belmont Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Client: City of Indianapolis Department of Public Works
BLA conducted a pilot study to evaluate and quantify the impact of peak wet weather flows on conventional clarifiers and enhanced high-rate clarifiers in side-by-side trials. Pollutant removal rates were compared to determine the ability of the process to reduce the pollutant loading on the receiving stream during wet weather and not cause water quality violations. This was the first real-time study of actual wet weather flows at an advanced wastewater treatment plant with alternative enhanced high-rate clarifier technology in the United States. Based on the results of the pilot study, BLA was contracted to prepare a major NPDES permit modification for the Belmont Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant that discharges to the West Fork White River. The new NPDES permit modifications allow the city to discharge through a new outfall location after primary treatment and trickling filter/solids contact clarification to the West Fork White River under specified conditions.
- Organic Capacity Loading Study, Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Client: Aqua Source
This project involved the evaluation of the organic loading capacity of recently expanded wastewater treatment facilities using a respirometer to determine existing treatment times and any additional treatment capacity. While European engineering firms frequently use respirometry technology in treatment evaluations, this technology was just starting to be used with increasing frequency in the United States. A respirometer is a tool that illustrates the efficiency of the treatment plant. A utility may be able to increase organic capacity with no expenditure on unnecessary capital improvements. This would potentially save the utility hundreds of thousands or possibly millions of dollars. AquaSource then used this organic capacity-loading study to review potential NPDES permit modifications and future construction needs.
Stormwater Planning- CSO Long-Term Control Plan Revisions & Consent Decree Negotiations, Evansville, Indiana
- Client: Evansville Water & Sewer Utility
With 23 Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) in its system, the city of Evansville recognized the need to address this important issue. Yet it also knew that minimizing such CSOs would be costly, as much as $200 to $250 million for their eastside collection system alone using conventional treatment options. So the utility decided to revisit its CSO Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP) in order to consider innovative new treatment options that could save taxpayers money while meeting US EPA and Department of Justice requirements for water quality. As a result, BLA was asked to review the LTCP and suggest alternatives. The firm found that many of the East Side CSO discharge points on the city side of the levee currently hold or “pond” combined sewage when the Ohio River level is high. It seemed a natural extension, therefore, to transform this existing ponding area into a treatment system with wetlands doing the filtration work. In addition to a potential savings of $50 million to the city and its residents, this “green” solution optimized the levee use, enriched the city’s greenway, and beautified one of the major traffic gateways into the city’s revitalized downtown riverfront. A path adjacent to the wetland was incorporated into the city’s planned greenway system, linking near downtown neighborhood residents to the city’s Pigeon Creek Trail.
- Stormwater Quality Management Plan, Clark County, Indiana
- Client: Oak Park Conservancy District (OPCD)
The purpose of this effort was to develop a plan and prepare the requisite applications and forms to meet the parameters in the newly adopted Indiana Stormwater General Permit Rule 13. Rule 13 requires that all designated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4s) measure their constituents’ stormwater knowledge, map all stormwater outfalls, and develop a baseline characterization of the MS4s’ area. Through the analysis of that information, the MS4s were to develop programs addressing each of six Minimum Control Measures (MCM). BLA provided professional services to the OPCD through the preparation of required permit applications and forms, development of a constituent survey and baseline characterization, mapping of outfalls, and recommendations for Best Management Practices for the six MCMs that appropriately address critical stormwater management practices most likely to improve stormwater quality and meet Rule 13 criteria.
Wastewater Treatment- West Side Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements, Evansville, Indiana
- Client: Evansville Water & Sewer Utility
A Preliminary Engineering Report recommended $21 million of improvements to the West Side Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in order to provide additional capacity for both growth and wet-weather flows. This project used a phased approach to construction to accommodate projected wastewater flows over a 20-year planning period and to provide the first phase of additional wet weather treatment capacity. Flows to the WWTP are anticipated to nearly double its existing NPDES permit capacity of 20.6 mgd. One of the major improvements involved the addition of a new biofiltration process unit consisting of a submerged floating media, like polystyrene beads, where bacteria grow. Wastewater and air are introduced through the bottom of the media-filled tanks and as the wastewater flows up through the media, the bacteria breakdown the organic matter. This system offers an alternative treatment method that was flexible, expandable, and cost-effective with a small carbon footprint. Currently BLA is providing resident construction inspection services.
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades, Kentland, Indiana
- Client: Town of Kentland
 When Kentland faced NPDES effluent violations that placed the community on the Sewer Ban List, it retained BLA to evaluate the WWTP’s capacities and develop cost-effective solutions to handle peak wet weather flows without a major expansion of the wastewater treatment facility. Subsequent upgrades designed by BLA consisted of modifications to the existing treatment plant site which included the addition of one aeration basin with fine bubble diffused aeration, replacement of the fine bubble aeration diffusers in the existing aeration basins, addition of a 50-foot-diameter final clarifier, addition of a new open-channel ultraviolet disinfection system, replacement of the diffusers in the post-aeration tank, and addition of a new 60-foot-diameter aerobic sludge digester. These upgrades increased the average daily flow of the plant to 0.7 mgd.
Constructed Treatment Wetlands- Municipal Waste Treatment Wetland, Fulda, Indiana
- Client: Fulda Regional Sewer District (RSD)
The purpose of the project was to provide a solution to the unincorporated community of Fulda to the failing septic systems in and around the community that were causing a threat to human health and the surrounding natural environment. Originally, the Fulda RSD anticipated building a force main to a treatment plant approximately 4.5 miles north of the community. Due to loss of state grant dollars, the Fulda RSD, with assistance from project team, reviewed alternative treatment on site in Fulda that would be cost-effective. The project team held numerous meetings on site with Fulda Regional Sewer District (RSD) board and citizens to review alternative design technology using an ecological treatment system combining a constructed wetland, re-circulating filter, and subsurface drip irrigation system. The project team also assisted in the development of Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) land application and operation permits, since there was no surface-water discharge proposed with discharge to the soils. The recommended alternative saves the Fulda RSD users approximately $60 per month in user fees.
The Fulda Regional Sewer District was the first political subdivision to receive State Revolving Loan and Department of Commerce funding for this type of low-cost wastewater treatment and disposal system. In September 2005, Spencer County received the Association of Indiana Counties’ Community Achievement Award for innovation and vision for the use of this system.
- Beanmeal Processing Facility Waste Treatment Wetland, Jackson County, Indiana
- Client: Rose Acres Farms
Rose Acres Farm, one of the world’s largest egg producers, selected Natural Concepts Water Quality Engineering, LLC, a subsidiary of BLA, to design two constructed wetlands to treat stormwater run-off and augment existing wastewater treatment system at its soybean processing facility. The 60,000-gallon-per-day constructed wetland system treats up to ½ -inch of rainfall generated over 4.5 acres. The system also treats water from their truck-washing operation. The Beanmeal Processing Facility system is one of the largest subsurface-flow constructed wetlands installed in the US for stormwater treatment. This project won the Indiana Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence in 2006.
- Long-Term Control Plan Revisions - Constructed Wetlands for CSO Treatment, Washington, Indiana
- Client: City of Washington
When the City of Washington decided to consider “green” alternatives to the city’s sewer overflow problems, they turned to BLA to provide planning and design services to update its current Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP). BLA worked with the city’s existing consultant to revise the previous recommendation of an $88 million sewer separation project by replacing it with an equalization basin to capture the first flush rainfall event and a constructed wetland and ultraviolet disinfection system to treat the remaining overflows up to a 10-year/1-hour storm event. The constructed wetland treatment system not only offered a sustainable solution for the city, but may save as much as $33 million. In addition, the wetlands provided opportunities to develop greenways along the system.
Water System Studies- Water System Study, North Vernon
- Client: North Vernon Municipal Utilities
BLA prepared a comprehensive study of the city’s water treatment, storage, and distribution system. The study included an evaluation of the city’s current and projected service limits. Based on the evaluation, a report was prepared that assessed the current water supply and treatment system to determine adequacy to meet existing and projected demands. Alternative sources of water supply were evaluated including the development of a groundwater source to supplement or replace the existing surface water supply. Alternatives were evaluated and a plan selected for implementation. The report included a complete project cost estimate and was structured to meet the requirements of the Indiana State Revolving Fund Loan Program.
- Comprehensive Water Utility Study, Elberfeld, Indiana
- Client: Town of Elberfeld
This study involved a complete review and evaluation of all the technical aspects of the town’s water system including both water supply and distribution. The results of the study consisted of the development of project costs and prioritization for needed improvement and expansion projects. The study area encompassed over 15,000 acres with the total population currently served at approximately 1,800 including approximately 750 in the town. Substantial growth was expected in the study area within the 20-year time period of the report as evidenced by the identification of numerous residential, commercial, and industrial developments.
Water Distribution- State Road 662 Waterline Relocation, Chandler, Indiana
- Client: City of Chandler
The State Road 662 Water Line Relocation was a fast-track design due to an accelerated INDOT construction schedule for a highway widening project. The project involved design of approximately 1,800 lineal feet of 12-inch ductile iron water main with polyethylene wrap. Design included two state highway crossings for water mains and three crossings for services. Challenges included a highly congested right-of-way, including water mains for three separate utilities, as well as existing and proposed storm and sanitary sewers requiring special consideration and separation requirements.
Also included in the design was the crossing of an Amoco high-pressure oil transmission main, which required special attention. Adding to the challenges was the fact that the water main being replaced was one of the two primary distribution lines from the water treatment plant. This required the design of an additional water main connection at the water treatment plant to provide continuous water service during the connection of the new water main into the system. Contract bid and award services and construction engineering services were also included in the project. Construction engineering services required flexibility for changes to the design due to the accelerated schedule and the limited information provided on existing underground improvements. Changes included reconfiguration of the piping modifications at the water plant, adjustment of the points of connection to the existing pipeline, and the elimination of a 6-inch service crossing.
- Trautvetter Road Waterline Design, Warrick County, Indiana
- Client: New Master Development, LLC
This water line consisted of approximately 14,000 feet of 8-inch PVC water line and appurtenances to provide water service to existing and planned residential development along the route. The design included six county road crossings for water mains. Design also included connections to the Elberfeld's system at both ends creating an additional loop in the town’s system to improve flows. Limited right-of-way space along the county roads, as well as numerous stream crossings and construction in wooded areas, were some of the issues that required special design consideration. In addition, due to the substantial relief of the terrain, placement of hydrants and blow-offs for proper air relief was critical. Limited construction engineering services were provided including construction coordination, periodic site visits and record drawings.
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