Posts Categorized: Blog

Forever Chemicals – How They Are Changing Procedures For Environmental Consultants

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The Broadbent Denver division attended the Emerging Contaminants Summit 2020 in Colorado in March 2020. As part of this summit there was a discussion regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a general term applied to thousands of chemicals manufactured since the 1940’s that can be found in food packaging (microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, etc.), stain and water resistant fabrics, non-stick products, fire-fighting foams, and many other consumer and manufacturing products, and are utilized due to their unique surfactant and oil/water repelling qualities. PFAS are one of the biggest issues on the horizon due to their classification as “Forever Chemicals”, meaning that they do not breakdown once they are in the environment. PFAS also bioaccumulate in the food chain and Read More »

Employee Spotlight – Susie Grimaldi

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1. Briefly describe what you do here at Broadbent & Associates, Inc. I work in the engineering department and provide civil and environmental engineering services to private and public entities. Design related tasks include permitting new water systems and upgrading existing water and wastewater systems by preparing plans and applications for state agencies. I’ve prepared spill prevention, control and countermeasures plans and stormwater pollution prevention plans for various industrial facilities. I assisted in the development of plans of operation and grading plans for mining companies. I performed hydrology studies and reports, renewed discharge permits, and helped prepare maps for water rights permits through the Nevada Division of Water Resources. 2. If you could learn to do anything, what would it Read More »

Big Jobs in Thin Places – Construction Projects in Historic Western Towns

Posted by & filed under Blog, Cultural Resource Management.

When: April 27th, 2019 at 1:30 PM Where: APWA Conference, Laughlin, Nevada Project Archaeologist, Stuart Rathbone, discussed the delicate nature of archaeological deposits in historic western towns and how construction projects are adapting to the challenges these elements present. Abstract: Historic western architecture has an unusually ‘thin’ quality, with stylistic façades applied to simple wooden frames. The relatively young age of western towns means archaeological deposits are noticeably ‘thinner’ than are typically found in older settlements. In combination, this ‘thinness’ means that construction projects in western towns are occurring within particularly delicate historic environments. This presentation reviewed how a number of different western towns have responded to this challenge with varying levels of success. If you would like to know Read More »

Employee Health and Safety Highest Priority at Broadbent

Posted by & filed under Blog, Environmental, Health & Safety, Water & Wastewater Facilities Operations, Water Resources.

Broadbent employees Amanda and Erin sport dermal and respiratory personal protective equipment (PPE) while working at an acid rock drainage water treatment facility. Safety comes first at Broadbent, and our employees undergo extensive health and safety training (initially and routinely) which allows them to achieve and maintain safety competency while working on a variety of projects. We work hard to maintain our “safety first” culture among our employees and subcontractors, and we seek to eliminate or control all potential occupational health and safety hazards, while still providing cost-effective services to our clientele. Broadbent is proud of its exceptional safety record, and we are very proud of our employees’ dedication to maintaining that record. Keep up the great work Amanda and Read More »

Case Study: Solvent Release Characterization & Remediation

Posted by & filed under Blog, Environmental, Planning and Permitting.

EISB System

In 2003, chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) associated with dry cleaning operations were discovered in the groundwater beneath a former dry cleaning facility in Las Vegas, NV. Broadbent was contracted to conduct on- and off-site characterization activities. Broadbent prepared and implemented a detailed Site Characterization Work Plan (Work Plan) which included design, construction oversight, development, and soil and groundwater sample collection from seven groundwater monitor wells. Groundwater sample laboratory analytical results indicated the on- and off-site presence of dissolved tetrachloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), dichloroethylene (DCE) and vinyl chloride (VC) constituent concentrations in groundwater in excess of their respective Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). Broadbent prepared and implemented a subsequent Work Plan to monitor groundwater beneath the site and to conduct VC Read More »