Symbiont’s water resources engineers, scientists and technicians are recognized as providers of state-of-the-art technology combined with innovative thinking and practical know-how in a wide range of water resource related services. Symbiont offers a comprehensive suite of water resource services organized into the following service areas:
Municipal Stormwater
- Comprehensive Stormwater Programs
- Stormwater Financing and Utilities
- GIS-Based Data Collection, Management and Reporting (STORM)
- Inventories and Mapping
- Low Impact Development Best Management Practices (BMPs)
- Rate Structures
- Ordinances and Technical Manuals
Stormwater pollution from point sources and nonpoint sources is a challenging water quality problem. Unlike pollution from industry or sewage treatment facilities, which is caused by a discrete number of sources, stormwater pollution is caused by the daily activities of people everywhere. Rainwater and snowmelt run off streets, lawns, farms, and construction and industrial sites and pick up pollutants on the way to our receiving waters. Symbiont has expertise in all facets of municipal stormwater planning, implementation, data management and reporting.
Regulatory Compliance
- Municipal and Industrial NPDES Permitting
- Floodplain Regulation Compliance
- CSO LTCP Alternative Development
- TMDL Development
Today’s municipalities, industries and communities face a multitude of operational, planning and reporting mandates regulated by various federal and state agencies. The complexities of these mandates require a thorough understanding of how they fit together and how they affect communities. Symbiont has developed, negotiated and implemented plans and programs that have helped our clients receive obtainable and manageable limits and drastically reduced penalties and fines, with reasonable implementation schedules.
Watershed Services
- Watershed Planning and Management
- Data Collection, Mapping and GIS Applications
- Watershed Quality and Quantity Modeling
- TMDL Implementation
- Public Involvement and Education
- BMP Programs
Symbiont’s watershed services help communities develop a sound understanding of the condition of their watersheds. We typically conduct watershed planning activities on a large scale (10 to 100 square miles) that revolves around analyzing existing data, identifying watershed issues and conditions, engaging local citizens, developing objectives that reflect local sentiments, and outlining a strategy to achieve these objectives.
Water Quality Studies
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Risk Assessment – Human Health and Ecological
- Wetland Delineation, Evaluation and Enhancement
- Effluent Discharge Analysis and Mixing Zone Delineation
Symbiont uses its experienced water quality experts and environmental engineers to work with all parties involved and integrate all necessary considerations into a comprehensive watershed management plan. Symbiont provides our clients with an understanding of water-quality conditions within the area(s) of study and how those conditions may vary locally, regionally, and nationally; whether conditions are getting better or worse over time; define the risk to human health and the environment; and identify how natural features and human activities affect those conditions.
Sediment Studies
- Sediment Sampling and Analysis Plan Preparation
- Sediment Transport Modeling
- Risk-Based Sediment Characterization Studies
- CERCLA Remedial Investigations, Feasibility Studies and Remedial Actions
- Dredging and Disposal Site Assessment, Modeling and Monitoring
Symbiont provides strategic planning for sediment quality evaluations appropriately scaled to the needs of a site and that meets regulatory requirements. Sediment evaluations range from relatively simple assessments of determining the nature and extent of contamination to more complex efforts that may include sediment toxicity tests, tissue bioaccumulation studies, and benthic community analyses. Ecological and human health risk assessments are typically conducted as part of sediment quality evaluation, natural resource damage assessments, and remedial investigations and feasibility studies. Symbiont’s staff of highly respected biologists, water resource specialists, environmental chemists, geologists and hydrogeologists works together to provide efficiently designed and technically defensible assessments. Symbiont designs and implements complex sediment evaluation work plans, feasibility studies and remedial actions to comply with state and federal regulatory frameworks.
Water Supply
- Source Water Assessment and Protection
- Water Supply and Wastewater Conveyance Systems
Every water source and supply system is unique. Whether the source water is pumped form deep groundwater wells or is drawn from a surface water source, Symbiont has successfully worked with municipalities to meet state drinking water regulatory requirements by assisting with source water evaluation and conveyance, development of pretreatment requirements, design of new or modified treatment facilities, plant expansions, operational optimizations and process monitoring and control systems.
Hydraulic and Hydrologic Engineering
- Hydraulic and Hydrologic Modeling and Analysis
- Master Planning
- GIS-Based Floodplain Mapping
- Structures Design
- Watercourse and Structure Inspection and Maintenance Database
- Field Data Collection
- Construction Inspection and Management
- Streambank Stabilization
Symbiont’s staff of highly-qualified engineers provide innovative solutions to stormwater control. We specialize in urban infiltration and inflow studies, floodplain analysis, stream restoration, and erosion mitigation. Symbiont’s design engineers are experienced in designing and managing the construction of stormwater conveyance systems, including sewers, detention ponds, inlet and outlet flow structures, as well as low impact development techniques, such as rain gardens, porous pavement and green roofs.
