MAEP Professional Development Meeting Presents . . .
April 2, 2025
Addressing Groundwater Contamination on Construction Sites in Support of Site Development
Presented by:
Alaina Korreck Zeigler, President, Global Environmental
and Alex Fancy, Operations Manager, Global Environmental
Michigan is home to thousands of sites with known groundwater contamination—a legacy of the state’s industrial history and evolving land use. Many of these contaminated sites are now being revitalized for new purposes, including parks, office complexes, residential developments, and warehousing facilities. However, redevelopment often requires significant excavation work, including dewatering for the installation of underground utilities, building foundations, basements, and parking structures. When groundwater contamination is present, dewatering activities demand careful treatment to meet stringent municipal sewer and surface water discharge standards.
This presentation will provide environmental consultants with practical insights into the challenges and solutions associated with treating contaminated groundwater on large construction sites. Our goal is to help consultants serve as more effective liaisons between general or excavation contractors and remediation teams, ensuring regulatory compliance while supporting project timelines and budgets.
Key Discussion Points:
- Common Challenges in Groundwater Remediation on Construction Sites:
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- Complex contamination profiles that require tailored treatment solutions.
- Balancing treatment effectiveness with budgetary constraints.
- Achieving discharge compliance without disrupting construction workflows.
- Unique hurdles of winter operations in Michigan’s climate.
- Inefficient dewatering practices that increase treatment costs and project delays.
- Limited power availability on active sites.
- Incomplete or inaccurate site data during the bidding process (e.g., insufficient groundwater sampling, inaccurate flow rate estimates).
Practical Solutions and Innovative Approaches: We will explore proven strategies and technologies that address these challenges, including:
- Modular Treatment Systems that allow for scalable, site-specific solutions.
- Operational Labor Support to ensure on-site systems run efficiently.
- Remote Telemetry for real-time system monitoring and rapid response.
- Robust Dewatering Practices paired with pre-treatment filtration to reduce system maintenance and extend equipment lifespan.
Additional Considerations: We’ll also highlight the importance of early collaboration between contractors, consultants, and regulatory agencies to streamline project approvals and avoid costly delays. Case studies will illustrate how proactive planning and innovative remediation strategies can transform contaminated sites into safe, functional spaces for future development.
This session aims to equip environmental consultants with the knowledge to better support construction teams, ensuring compliance and efficiency in every phase of site redevelopment.
Block Brewing Company
1140 S Michigan Ave
Howell, MI 48843
5:30 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. - Cocktail Reception
6:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. – Dinner
7:15 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Presentation Followed by Questions
A Great Big Thank You to our Event Sponsors!
If you are interested in being a sponsor contact admin@mcdahome.org or sign up through the online registration form.
A Great Big Thank You to our Student Sponsor!
All attendees must pay at time of registration. Absolutely No Refunds after March 26th. Limit of 10 free student attendees. First come first served basis. All students are expected to let MAEP know if you can not make it so another student can be added from the waiting list.
