Newsmaker Q & A: Groundwater research taps a hot NoCo topic

ARCADIS, a global engineering and consultancy firm, recently announced a $200,000 gift to Colorado State University, earmarked for a research center focusing on groundwater restoration research. The research will have applications in the mining and oil and gas industries – needless to say, a hot topic in Northern Colorado.
We caught up with recently retired ARCADIS chief executive and CSU graduate Steven Blake to find out what exactly remediation hydrology means and what this public/private partnership will look like in the long term.

Answer: It is the science and technical discipline governing the cleanup of contaminated groundwater. Half the potable water in the United States comes from groundwater resources, so protecting the groundwater is critical. Remediation hydrology essentially is the application of the sciences of hydrology, geology, engineering and water chemistry to the cleanup of chemical or biological contamination in our water systems. Thus, it is not a pure science but a combination of sciences that allows us to develop innovative solutions to very expansive environmental cleanup programs. Having a research center that is focused on these combined sciences to develop innovative approaches to serious problems for both industry and government can result in tremendous advancements and reduced costs for cleanup of impacted water systems in complex ecosystems.

A: ARCADIS chose CSU for a number of reasons. First, CSU has one of the best research programs for groundwater remediation in the country. We believe by collaborating and adding ARCADIS expertise and resources to CSU’s cutting-edge research in this field, the program will be enhanced and will be able to make a bigger impact. Second, ARCADIS already has a long-standing relationship with CSU and is very active in sponsoring research and hiring potential graduates from the program. Third, CSU has outstanding researchers, and our expectation is that with the combined practical application knowledge of ARCADIS and the research knowledge of CSU we can make significant advances in remediation hydrology that will benefit industry, the public and government.

A: Our first kickoff meeting was held on July 18. Graduate students can join the program beginning in the fall 2013 semester. New applications will be solicited for students entering the winter 2014 semester and thereafter. Research targets have been identified and a portfolio of projects is in development. Students in the program will conduct research spanning a range of issues, from contaminant behavior in aquifers to large-scale groundwater resource management.

Q: What can we expect the center to accomplish in its first year?

A: Our expectations for the first year are to identify key research areas to fund, establish budgets and objectives for these research programs and recruit key graduates and professors to oversee the research.

We will also establish the annual Steven B. Blake lecture series on water resources honoring the leading scientists in this area. Planning for the lecture series has begun, and we are targeting October for the initial lecture. The speaker, date and venue will be determined at a later date.

Our hope is that the Center will be a lasting program that continues its research for years to come. One of our long-term goals for the Center is to be recognized as the leading global program in remediation hydrogeology.

Q: How will Colorado industry benefit from the center and the research being done there?

A: Essentially, the research is focused on finding innovative solutions to complex environmental remediation challenges, and our expectation is that these new technologies or concepts will increase our ability to remediate complex problems and protect groundwater resources for years to come. This will save Colorado industry money and improve efficiencies when it comes to the implementation of these technologies or concepts by government regulators.

Q: What role will ARCADIS have in determining and monitoring the daily activity of the center?

A: ARCADIS primarily will play a supporting role. We will be part of the advisory committee overseeing the program and some of our scientists and experts will participate in research, application of the concepts, and review of the research.

Q: Why $200,000?

A: ARCADIS believes $200,000 is a significant enough amount to fund several projects and students on an ongoing basis, and we will evaluate the level of contribution as we move forward. Our expectation is that this is just the beginning of a long-term partnership with CSU and the College of Engineering.

Q: Why should Northern Coloradoans outside of the mining industry care about groundwater restoration?

A: Groundwater resources are important for the security and sustainability of our country. Water is vital to our existence and is one of the most important resources on our planet. It affects everyone in some way, and actually Northern Colorado is at the heart of one of the most contentious issues in our nation – the use of fracking to enhance petroleum production. In essence, one of the key issues here is will it impact groundwater and how can you make sure potential impacts are prevented? These types of issues are at the heart of why remediation hydrology is such an important research area.

 – Maggie Shafer

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