Global Water Intelligence has announced their 2012 Global Water Award nominations and the recent wastewater treatment system design project, on which River Consulting provided electrical engineering services, has been nominated for the Industrial Water Project of the Year.

The 600-gallons-per-minute unit was designed to eliminate regulated selenium deposits from the wastewater outflow at the Mountaineer coal-fuelled power plant in New Haven, Connecticut.

River Consulting worked in conjunction with HDR Engineering Inc, General Electric, and Bowen Engineering Corporation to provide system design and construction for the treatment process. Due to the time frame, the project was completed on a fast-track schedule, requiring intensive coordination between team members to ensure a successful project result.

The nomination recognizes that the plant is the boldest demonstration to date highlighting the benefits of using biological wastewater treatment techniques to solve hazardous problems of selenium in wastewater. The system makes it possible for the client to meet federal emissions regulations, while also cutting the potential environmental impact.

The new design guarantees an elimination rate of more than 99% of selenium, competing effectively with the high blowdown volumes associated with FGD systems.

"We are extremely honored to have contributed to enhancing the performance of a major power plant, and to be recognized by this prestigious group," remarked Gregory DiFrank, P.E. River Consulting president. "River Consulting is proud to have industry experts who can provide world-class solutions to meet our client’s needs and keep their facilities operating within federal regulations and above expectations."

River Consulting is a leading mid-major A/E to global energy, food, process and industrial clients, delivering multidiscipline engineering and project management solutions for major capital projects and facility and process expansions. The firm’s experience spans over three decades and 57 countries with offices in Columbus, Ohio; New Orleans, La.; Pittsburgh, Pa; and Tulsa, Ok. River Consulting is recognized nationally by Engineering News-Record as a Top 500 design firm.