WASTEWATER ENGINEERING SERVICES

Trotter and Associates, Inc. has the wastewater engineering expertise required to resolve the complex issues brought on by increased development, changing regulatory environment, and aging infrastructure.


TAI is one of few firms that have direct experience with the planning, design, and construction of both membrane treatment systems and biological nutrient removal. While TAI is a local firm, a number of its projects have been nationally recognized. The Algonquin 5-stage BNR facility was highlighted by the USEPA during their 2010 Nutrients Symposium. In fact, Region V of the USEPA has declared this facility a model plant for future nutrient removal facilities. Similarly, the Village of East Dundee has been highlighted during conferences as the first facility to utilize membrane reactors for WAS thickening.


Trotter and Associates, Inc. staff are heavily involved in local, state, regional, and national organizations that specialize in wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal. TAI’s staff has served in leadership roles within the Water Environment Federation and American Public Works Association. TAI’s staff is currently leading WEF’s Strategic Plan for Utility of the Future, Flushables Taskforce, and the Young Professionals Service Project. In addition, TAI is closely aligned with the academic community and the Water Environment Research Foundation which is actively pursuing the development of treatment processes for the advancement of our industry. TAI’s professionals not only give papers at conferences and lecture at universities, but actively serve on the Boards and Committees within these organizations.


TAI’s professionals are helping to shape national policy as well as advance the best technologies, operational techniques, and management strategies for collection systems, treatment facilities, and watersheds. As such, our staff is on the leading edge of pending environmental legislation and advancements that assist our clients in meeting the demands of their community.


TAI has become highly respected for successfully planning, designing, and implementing a wide range of water and wastewater infrastructure solutions. Trotter and Associates, Inc. understands that each community’s infrastructure is unique and that its design has been influenced by a variety of factors including the rate of development, regulatory issues, operational preference, as well as the preferences of prior engineering firms.


Aside from having experience with a variety of alternative solutions, TAI’s professionals have a comprehensive understanding of the building blocks essential to design wastewater infrastructure including:


  • Biological, physical, and chemical processes for removal of contaminants and nutrients.
  • Mechanical engineering for the selection, proper installation, and maintenance of systems.
  • Hydraulic engineering to ensure operation over a wide range of conditions
  • FACILITY AND MASTER PLANNING

    Facility and Master Planning


    Trotter and Associates, Inc. has developed Wastewater Facility Plans for several communities in Northern IL. Our comprehensive approach consists of evaluating existing infrastructure, working closely with the operational staff, developing specific solutions, and preparing concise reports. The final report provides the elected officials, as well as the public, an assortment of information outlining the system’s strengths, weaknesses, needs, and solutions, ultimately allowing the elected officials to make well educated decisions about future projects.


    TAI organizes Wastewater Facility Plans in a progressive format that works well with the IEPA low interest loan program. The first section provides a general introduction and historical background for the community’s wastewater system. The second section is dedicated to projecting future flow conditions based on land use as defined in a Comprehensive Plan. The third section is committed to the review of the collection system. The fourth section is dedicated to evaluation of the existing lift stations. The fifth section provides analysis of the existing treatment facility. The sixth section develops and evaluates treatment alternatives to address expansion, regulatory, and rehabilitation issues. The seventh section determines environmental impacts of the proposed improvements. The final section summarizes the recommendations, associated costs, implementation schedule, and provides suggestions for user rates and connection fees.

  • WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT DESIGN

    Wastewater Treatment Plant Design


    TAI’s wastewater treatment team is experienced in all aspects of the treatment process, including BNR treatment, anaerobic and aerobic digestion, membrane thickening, and filter press or centrifuge dewatering facilities. Trotter and Associates, Inc. even has experience with the new chlorides standards. The staff works closely not only with the client, but also with several manufacturers to fully understand the requirements of each piece of equipment. By integrating the manufacturer into the design team, each entity understands the project’s objectives and constraints. TAI’s process engineers have extensive experience in physical, biological, and chemical treatment of a variety of wastewater treatment processes.


    In addition to being well versed in design, TAI’s specialized staff also participates in technical seminars, postgraduate studies, and continuing education programs to continue to stay on the leading edge of technology and advancement of the rapidly changing wastewater industry. The Staff’s ongoing training enables TAI to make recommendations based on the most current technology – which we have found to be a clear advantage for our clients. TAI recognizes that future regulations and expansion cannot be ignored during the design process. TAI is known for demonstrating the ability to incorporate future modifications and expansions into the design.

  • LIFT STATION DESIGN

    Lift Station Design


    Trotter and Associates, Inc. is proficient in the design of new wastewater lift stations and the rehabilitation of existing pump stations. The TAI staff can assist an owner in identifying potential problems, and in the design and construction of a viable lift station solution. During the preliminary investigation, TAI’s staff will evaluate the current and future conditions and perform a site visit. The design process is performed in an iterative method to identify the most appropriate and effective solution. During the design process, TAI staff works closely with both the owner and several manufactures to fully understand the equipment capabilities. TAI is known to continue the same level of relationship with the owner and manufacturer throughout construction.

  • SANITARY SEWER DESIGN

    Sanitary Sewer Design


    The TAI staff has completed numerous collection system projects including force mains and gravity sewers. Design and construction phase engineering requires experience, attention to details and open communication with the owner to ensure that the finished product meets the owner’s expectations. The clarity and accuracy of TAI’s construction documents result in tighter bids and minimal change orders. As a result, TAI is able to assure its clients that projects will remain within budget and be completed on schedule.

Facility and Master Planning

Trotter and Associates, Inc. has developed Wastewater Facility Plans for several communities in Northern IL. Our comprehensive approach consists of evaluating existing infrastructure, working closely with the operational staff, developing specific solutions, and preparing concise reports. The final report provides the elected officials, as well as the public, an assortment of information outlining the system’s strengths, weaknesses, needs, and solutions, ultimately allowing the elected officials to make well educated decisions about future projects.


TAI organizes Wastewater Facility Plans in a progressive format that works well with the IEPA low interest loan program. The first section provides a general introduction and historical background for the community’s wastewater system. The second section is dedicated to projecting future flow conditions based on land use as defined in a Comprehensive Plan. The third section is committed to the review of the collection system. The fourth section is dedicated to evaluation of the existing lift stations. The fifth section provides analysis of the existing treatment facility. The sixth section develops and evaluates treatment alternatives to address expansion, regulatory, and rehabilitation issues. The seventh section determines environmental impacts of the proposed improvements. The final section summarizes the recommendations, associated costs, implementation schedule, and provides suggestions for user rates and connection fees.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Design

TAI’s wastewater treatment team is experienced in all aspects of the treatment process, including BNR treatment, anaerobic and aerobic digestion, membrane thickening, and filter press or centrifuge dewatering facilities. Trotter and Associates, Inc. even has experience with the new chlorides standards. The staff works closely not only with the client, but also with several manufacturers to fully understand the requirements of each piece of equipment. By integrating the manufacturer into the design team, each entity understands the project’s objectives and constraints. TAI’s process engineers have extensive experience in physical, biological, and chemical treatment of a variety of wastewater treatment processes.


In addition to being well versed in design, TAI’s specialized staff also participates in technical seminars, postgraduate studies, and continuing education programs to continue to stay on the leading edge of technology and advancement of the rapidly changing wastewater industry. The Staff’s ongoing training enables TAI to make recommendations based on the most current technology – which we have found to be a clear advantage for our clients. TAI recognizes that future regulations and expansion cannot be ignored during the design process. TAI is known for demonstrating the ability to incorporate future modifications and expansions into the design.

Lift Station Design

Trotter and Associates, Inc. is proficient in the design of new wastewater lift stations and the rehabilitation of existing pump stations. The TAI staff can assist an owner in identifying potential problems, and in the design and construction of a viable lift station solution. During the preliminary investigation, TAI’s staff will evaluate the current and future conditions and perform a site visit. The design process is performed in an iterative method to identify the most appropriate and effective solution. During the design process, TAI staff works closely with both the owner and several manufactures to fully understand the equipment capabilities. TAI is known to continue the same level of relationship with the owner and manufacturer throughout construction.



Sanitary Sewer Design

The TAI staff has completed numerous collection system projects including force mains and gravity sewers. Design and construction phase engineering requires experience, attention to details and open communication with the owner to ensure that the finished product meets the owner’s expectations. The clarity and accuracy of TAI’s construction documents result in tighter bids and minimal change orders. As a result, TAI is able to assure its clients that projects will remain within budget and be completed on schedule.


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RELATED PROJECTS

By Mark Dupree November 13, 2024
Trotter and Associates assisted the Village of Glendale Heights in implementing the phosphorus removal upgrades at their wastewater treatment facility. The existing biological process utilized single stage nitrification which took place within the four aeration basins. As part of the project these basins have been converted to an A2O process. Baffle walls were installed to create separate anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic zones. Additionally, submersible mixers were installed and an internal recycle pump conveys nitrified MLSS to the anoxic zone for denitrification. Chemical polishing facilities were constructed to allow dosing of alum upstream of the secondary clarifiers or prior to solids dewatering. The improvements were completed in October 2024, and TAI is now assisting the Village with process monitoring and optimization.
By Amy Whitis October 31, 2024
The City of Crystal Lake retained Trotter and Associates to design the rehabilitation of the City’s Lift Station #14. The existing lift station, constructed in 1974, is a dry well / wet well configuration and has started to deteriorate over time. The existing wet well will be rehabilitated, structurally lined, and have submersible pumps installed within it. Additional improvements include the construction of a new valve and meter vault, installing a backup generator, and replacing the control system.  The station is located one block from the lake and has a high groundwater table, which poses a unique challenge for the contractor to complete the work in dry conditions. Any dewatering required to lower the elevation of the groundwater table must be conducted in a manner that will not impact the lake or nearby residents. The construction of the lift station was awarded to Bolder Contractors, Inc., with construction on-site beginning October 15 th and completion slated by the end of 2024.
By Mark Dupree October 15, 2024
The second phase of improvements to Batavia’s Wastewater Treatment Facility was broken into two sub-phases: Phase 2A Rehabilitation and Phase 2B Expansion. IHC began construction for Phase 2A on September 18 th , 2023, and will continue through 2026. This project includes intensive offsite utility replacement and realignment, bike path realignment, demolition of several large structures within the Facility, replacement of the excess flow facilities, construction of new Headworks including screening, grit removal, and odor control, construction of a new primary clarifier diversion structure, four 68’-diameter primary clarifiers, and a Primary Clarifier Control Building, construction of three new duplex raw sewage pump stations, rehabilitation of the three final clarifiers, construction of a new UV disinfection building, and replacement of the WAS thickening systems.
By Mark Dupree September 4, 2024
Trotter and Associates was retained by the Village of Glendale Heights for engineering led design-build services for their Mill Pond Lift Station. Work included the replacement of the station’s pumping and electrical systems and the rehabilitation of the existing wet well. With the project directly adjacent to Klein Creek, the team had to complete extensive permitting and monitoring of construction activities to ensure the watershed wasn’t impacted as a result of the project. The station was recently returned to service, and the project is anticipated to be completed in the early fall of 2024.
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