Two RETTEW Projects Earn Engineering Excellence Awards
Innovative Acid Mine Drainage Treatment System Receives Top Environmental Honors

Feb. 5, 2004—RETTEW Associates, Inc. recently received two awards from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania (ACEC/PA). The design of an innovative passive wetland treatment system for the Schuylkill Headwater's Association, Inc. garnered the Honor Award, the highest level of recognition given in the Environmental category. The comprehensive watershed assessment and restoration plan completed for the Little Conestoga Watershed Alliance also received a Diamond Award for project excellence.

Minersville Passive Acid Mine Drainage Wetland Treatment System

The Minersville Passive Acid Mine Drainage Wetland Treatment System reduces metal pollutants that originate from abandoned mines and flow into the West Branch of the Schuylkill River . The system removes large particles from the river's water by diverting a portion of the river's flow into an initial settling pond. This water flows from the settling pond into a shallow vegetated wetland that filters out iron, aluminum and other metal pollutants. The treated water is then returned to the river's untreated flow, diluting metal pollutants and revitalizing the river's aquatic habitat.

Clayton Bubeck, PE, project engineer, RETTEW Associates, Inc. said, "This system demonstrates the benefits of passive wetland treatment systems as one means of treating acid mine drainage and restoring watersheds."

Acid mine drainage is the largest contributor of non-point source pollution in the Schuylkill River 's headwaters. For decades, the Upper Schuylkill tributaries have been draining through abandoned mines and contaminating the watershed with coal sediment, low pH water and heavy metals. These metals had severely impaired the water quality, coated the streambed with orange-colored iron precipitate and destroyed the aquatic community to the degree that residents previously perceived the watershed as incapable of restoration.

"Through the cumulative effect of this pilot project and other AMD treatment projects, we are attempting to bring renewed life to our watershed," said William Reichert, president, Schuylkill Headwater's Association. "The ecosystem will be healthier, aquatic life will return and thrive and ecotourism activities will be enhanced."

In addition to winning ACEC's Honor Award for Environmental, the Minersville Passive Acid Mine Drainage Wetland Treatment System also received the 2003 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence.

Little Conestoga Creek Watershed Assessment and Restoration Plan

The Little Conestoga Creek Watershed Assessment and Restoration Plan provided Little Conestoga Watershed Alliance (LCWA) with a holistic view of a 65.5-mile watershed extending from its confluence with the Conestoga River near Safe Harbor to its headwaters near Manheim, Pennsylvania. The assessment identified over 90 problem areas in need of restoration and the restoration plan developed specific restoration strategies to help rehabilitate the watershed.

"The study is very detailed," commented Michele Spitko, president, LCWA. "The specifics of not only the assessment, but also the restoration plan have really helped us to organize and prioritize our energies and efforts for restoring the Little Conestoga Watershed."

The assessment identified impairments, the fish and macroinvertebrate community, stormwater management, zoning, critical habitats and ecosystems, established wellhead protection areas, and other relevant data. The restoration plan detailed restoration strategies ranging from streambank fencing and forest buffers to dam removals.

RETTEW developed the full-scope assessment and restoration plan in response to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection identifying approximately 53 miles of impaired stream corridor within the Little Conestoga Creek watershed. This restoration road map will guide LCWA as it goes about restoring and protecting its namesake in the coming years.

The annual ACEC/PA Diamond Awards for Engineering Excellence program recognizes Pennsylvania engineering firms' outstanding efforts to enhance the social and economic well-being of the Commonwealth and its citizens.

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