Healthy, sustainable water benefits people and the environment. Yet, in many places, we face too little water or too much. Future development depends on the ability to sustainably manage water – to store and distribute clean water and to manage water rights, stormwater, water quality, aquatic habitats, and wetlands.
Our scientists bring an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to water management and conflict resolution.
Our team helps clients navigate water laws at all levels of government, from local and state water rights, conservation requirements, well drilling, and protection of potable water supply to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which regulates the impact of projects on watersheds, water quality, and aquatic habitat at the federal level.
SWCA works closely with clients to provide an array of services and regulatory solutions related to water resources. We can help move your project forward.
Association Involvement
• Friends of the Chicago River
• Texas Water Resources Conservation Association (TWCA)
• Society for Ecological Restoration (SER)
• Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA)
Relevant Services
ENVIRONMENTS
- Rivers, Reservoirs, and Streams
- Lakes and Ponds
- Wetlands
- Stormwater
- Groundwater
PERMITTING
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and State Compliance
- Endangered Species Act (ESA)
- Clean Water Act 401 and 404
- Stormwater Management
- Drinking Water
- Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
ASSESSMENT, MANAGEMENT, AND RESTORATION
- Field Investigations
- Delineation
- Mitigation
- Monitoring
- Mapping
- Planning and Design
- Aquatic and Riparian Ecology
- Stream and Habitat Restoration
- Ecosystem Studies
INTEGRATED WATER PLANNING
- Habitat Management and Conservation Plans
- Multi-Species Conservation Plans
- Endangered Species Recovery Plans
- Special Area Management Plans
- Surface Water Modeling
- Water Quality Studies and Modeling
- Master Planning
- Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Communications
- Geospatial Analysis
- Regional Water Supply
- Expert Witness
- Water Rights
Relevant Case Studies
GIS Mapping
Reviving the Jordan: How One Map is Changing the Story for Utah's Jordan River
For years it was nicknamed “the invisible river.” At best, the Jordan River was known as being neglected, its banks overgrown, its water polluted. At worst, it had a reputation for being a place no one wanted to touch. Rather than just compile an unwieldy document, project staff and our GIS experts decided to develop an interactive story map that everyone – from government officials to local residents – could use to understand the proposed vision and uses for the river.
Clean Water Act
Back to the Future: Turning Back the Clock on Clean Water Act Jurisdiction
In the late 1980s, life under the Clean Water Act was simple. But multiple Supreme Court cases in the last 30 years have muddied the waters, so to speak. Here, we take a look at some of the most recent Clean Water Act definitions and what they could mean for your projects.
Clean Water Act
An Ounce of Prevention: SWPPP and SPCC Plans Explained
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) and Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans are both authorized under the Clean Water Act to prevent water quality impacts. We asked SWCA’s senior environmental specialists and project managers to explain when SWPPPs and SPCCs are required and how to implement them.
Ecological Restoration
Going Against the Flow: Using "Soft Engineering" to Solve Age-Old Problems on the Connecticut River
For the past 20 years, SWCA's Amherst office has been engaged in the evaluation, permitting, design, and construction of bank stabilization projects on a 22-mile stretch of riverbank on the Connecticut River. In the past, people have tried anything they can think of to stabilize the banks — stone rip rap, demolition debris, and even junk cars and kitchen appliances. As we approached the various projects, we imagined a better, more natural way to stabilize the landscape.
Take the Next Step
Request more information about our water capabilities.