Select Projects

MD&E was commissioned by Alstyle Apparel, Inc. (Alstyle) to assist in developing a strategy to reduce wastewater emissions from its former plant in Anaheim, California. The MD&E study included a general summary of the circumstances and conditions associated with wastewater production, an analyses of resource use and treatment options for reducing effluent chemical loads, and…

MD&E coordinated the development and stewardship of an application for a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit for wastewater produced by a new natural gas-fired co-generation power plant in the Upper Midwest. The application included a rigorous anti-degradation demonstration, detailed process descriptions and flow and mass balances for key discharge constituents. MD&E is currently in…

MD&E has been contracted by a major aerospace company to design and implement upgrades to in-plant wastewater treatment processes. This includes: selection and installation of automated process control devices; chemical metering pumps; and gauging appurtenances to improve the efficiency and safety of the neutralization of spent anodizing rinse water

MD&E personnel are formally trained in geology, hydrogeology, and environmental engineering, with emphasis on environmental fluid mechanics. Dr. Mayotte is also extensively experienced with analytical and numerical modeling of fluid flow in both porous media and open channels. Throughout his 27 year career as a hydrogeologist and environmental engineer, he has dealt with dozens of…

MD&E was hired by a Midwestern electrical utility to develop and manage a strategy to address aquatic toxicity issues associated with a former coal-fired power plant property on the banks of downtown river frontage. Re-development of the property and former plant structures as a corporate headquarters and public river walk was contingent upon successful resolution…

The decommissioning and closure of a large textile in Anaheim was completed between April and September 2011 and entailed the systematic removal of process equipment, chemicals and wastes. During the closure, specific areas of the plant, including the Wet Processing Department (e.g., Dyehouse), a wastewater plant and a secondary containment platform for bulk chemical storage,…

The Biewer – Schoolcraft site consists of an extensive plume of hexavalent chromium and arsenic commingled with a larger plume comprised of numerous chlorinated aliphatic compounds in an unconfined glacial outwash aquifer south of Kalamazoo, Michigan. The metals contamination is due to releases of wood treatment solutions from a lumber preservation facility. The MDEQ evaluated…

To test the applicability of In-Situ Redox Manipulation for treating 2,700 mg/Kg of Cr(VI) in unsaturated alluvium at a former metal plating facility, MD&E personnel conducted a series of bench-scale experiments. Bottle tests were performed to select an appropriate reductant (e.g., sodium metabisulfite {SMB}) and treatment dosage. Flow-through column microcosms were then prepared with site…

MD&E completed a design-build contract for a multi-national manufacturer of home and office products with the design and construction of an groundwater recirculation and in-situ biological treatment system. Biological treatment entailed the injection of a carbon source that releases hydrogen gas upon fermentation. The resulting increase in dissolved hydrogen served to stimulate the activity of…

MD&E is investigating the magnitude and distribution of, and developing remedial strategies for, soil and groundwater impacted with chlorinated solvents at a former automobile parts fabrication facility in Southfield, Michigan. These impacts are associated with a release from a leaking underground storage tank system (LUST). Work entails: the acquisition and analyses of environmental samples; reduction…

MD&E performed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment for Kal Marble & Granite during the acquisition of their new manufacturing facility in Schoolcraft, Michigan. The ESA was completed consistent with the protocols defined by ASTM 1527-00. Select environmental samples were collected at specific locations where environmental impacts were suspected.

MD&E completed a design-build-maintain contract to remediate soil and groundwater impacted with VOCs and BTEX at a printing plant in western New York. The remediation strategy entailed total fluids (free product, liquid and vapors) extraction and ex-situ treatment using activated carbon and biofilters. The system focused on remediation of an approximately 10,000 ft2 source area.…

MD&E is leading the closure of a 100-year old decommissioned manufacturing facility in northwestern Ohio for a multi-national chemical company. The effort has entailed the detailed characterization of a facility that performed heat treatment of metal components for the automobile industry over much of its history. Currently, work performed by MD&E is focused on the…

MD&E is performing site characterization activities and developing and stewarding closure strategies for a site in southwestern Michigan with soil and groundwater impacts comprised of chlorinated solvents, including PCE, TCE and carbon tetrachloride. A multi-national pharmaceutical company acquired the property through a corporate acquisition and is proactively addressing the site consistent with Part 201 of…

MD&E provides peer review services for and technical input to soil and groundwater remediation projects managed by independent engineering consulting firms for automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), such as General Motors and Ford Motor Company. Services typically include review of environmental and geotechnical characterization reports and the development and evaluation of strategies to mitigate or…

MD&E is providing technical expertise and serving as a regulatory liaison for Burkhart Investment, LLC supporting redevelopment of a brownfield facility near Howell, Michigan. MD&E is working with a local unit of government to facilitate establishing a Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and Brownfield Plan to access financial incentives available to non-liable property owners through Michigan PA…

MD&E is supporting Michigan State University through input regarding the hydrodynamics and fate and transport of chlorinated solvents and hexavalent chromium within the aquifer system in the vicinity of Schoolcraft, Michigan. Dr. Mayotte provides insight from over 18 years of experience with investigating the sources and delineation of multiple plumes of groundwater contamination specific to…

MD&E prepared and certified a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan for an automotive components manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The facility consists of 110,000 square feet of manufacturing floor space. Approximately 12,500 gallons of hydraulic, rubber assembly, way, and heating oils are stored, or contained in process equipment in the complex, which…

MD&E provided engineering expertise to Ennis Corp. to support their merger with AlStyle Apparel, a multi-national sportswear manufacturer. MD&E performed an inspection of the AlStyle manufacturing and distribution operations in Anaheim, California to assess compliance with applicable federal, state and local environmental and occupational health and safety regulations. Processes examined included fabric knitting, set making,…

MD&E is coordinating the assessment and closure of five underground storage tanks at a vacant manufacturing facility in northwest Ohio. Tier I and II Closure Assessments are being conducted at the site pursuant to the requirements of the Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulation (BUSTR). The target UST systems are suspected to be over 50…

MD&E is coordinating the transition of permits for and certification of compliance at multiple printing operations distributed across the continental US. Permit compliance issues include Title V CAAPP Program Annual Emissions Reporting, pressure vessel integrity, and regulated waste management and tracking under RCRA and various state hazardous waste management programs.

MD&E is managing a multi-task study of the distribution of heavy metals and synthetic organic compounds in soil and groundwater reportedly associated with leachate from a 50-acre closed landfill. The subject landfill contains coal combustion by-products (CCBs), including fly ash, bottom ash and boiler slag from electric power generation facilities in central Michigan. Approximately 450,000…

MD&E developed a series of regional- and local-scale models to simulate hydrodynamics within shallow (near surface) sediments in the northeast quadrant of the Great Salt Lake basin. The purpose of the modeling efforts is to evaluate a variety of natural and anthropogenic factors controlling groundwater flow and contaminant transport patterns at a chemical plant in…

MD&E assisted a mid-Michigan manufacturing concern by developing a strategy and petition to remove their facility from the State of Michigan list of hazardous waste sites. Issues included verification of former wastewater managment practices and potential impacts on sensitive ecological receptors, including stream and wetland environments. The strategy was succesfully implemented, resulting in the complete…

MD&E is leading the closure of a 100-year old manufacturing facility in northwestern Ohio for a multi-national chemical company. The effort has entailed the detailed characterization of a facility that performed heat treatment of metal components for the automobile industry over much of its history. Currently, work performed by MD&E is focused on the removal…

MD&E completed environmental due diligence associated with the acquisition of a marine products manufacturing facility in northern Michigan. MD&E evaluated waste management practices and potential environmental impacts associated with a variety of aluminum machining and press operations.