Environmental

AMERICEC provides professional planning, design, and construction management services in the environmental engineering field to the public and private sectors, both in the US and abroad. Our goal is to work closely with our clients to offer reliable guidance and integrated services in developing solutions that protect, preserve, and restore our natural environment and resources. We help our customers turn environmental challenges into a competitive advantage by partnering and developing innovative cost-effective solutions involving state-of-the-art techniques.

Whether the challenge is site restoration, an aquifer management program, or the design of a wastewater collection, treatment, and reuse system, the AMERICEC team prides itself on becoming partners in our customer's vision and mission and utilizing our collective extensive expertise and experience in finding process-driven solutions and designing effective, efficient, and sustainable systems.

AMERICEC and its partners have completed a widely diverse range of environmental projects, and always strive to maintain a local focus while providing world-class solutions and competitive results-oriented services.

SERVICES

  • Conservation Planning
  • Water Resources Utilization and Allocation
  • Surface and Groundwater Quantity and Quality Management
  • Hydrology and Groundwater Models and Studies
  • Water Treatment, Supply, and Distribution
  • Wastewater Collection and Conveyance
  • Wastewater Treatment and Effluent Disposal/Reuse
  • Sludge Stabilization and Disposal/Reuse
  • Stormwater Drainage and Flood Mitigation
  • Solid Waste Management, Recycling, and Utilization/Disposal
  • Irrigation Systems
  • Start-Up and Operations and Maintenance
  • Monitoring and Training
  • Value Engineering
  • Custom GIS Applications

REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS BY THE AMERICEC TEAM

 

 

United Oil – Los Angeles, CA

La Brea Gas Station - Road Improvements, Street Lighting, and Permitting

 

As of June 2007 through March 2008, AMERICEC has been providing services for the preparation of the road improvement and street lighting packages submitted to the County of Los Angeles for the upgrades at the United Oil gas station located at the intersection of La Brea and Slauson Avenues in Los Angeles.  The packages consist of all the required drawings specified in the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) issued by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works and as per the Zoning Ordinance (Title 22 of the Los Angeles County Code).

 

AMERICEC’s services covered the following tasks:

 

Reviewing the CUP requirements and preparing the necessary design drawings for the new driveways to be constructed, the existing driveways to be closed, and the new bus pad to be constructed.

Reviewing the hydrology and the hydraulic study for the gas station parcel to verify the storm drain pipe sizes and locations and means by which runoff will be discharged to the adjacent street in an approved manner.

  • Preparing the Bill of Quantities and the Bond Cost Estimate calculations.

  • Securing the approval of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the new bus stop shelter and pad.

  • Submitting the drawings to the Land Development Division (LDD) at the County of LA. 

  • Attending several plan check reviews at the LDD and staying with the process until the permit was secured.

  • Preparing a separate package for the street lighting and submitting it to the Traffic and Lighting Division.

 

Al Wasl Development - Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Sustainability Research and the Pending Saudi Building Code

 

As of November 2007, AMERICEC has been providing the Los Angeles office of ARUP North America with sustainability research services, within the Saudi Arabian context, for Al-Wasl Development in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).  Al Wasl is being planned as a US$12 billion urban community, to be developed on 1411 hectares north of Riyadh, and is the first of several projects planned by Limitless in KSA. 

 

AMERICEC is researching, assessing, and addressing various aspects of sustainability-related technologies and opportunities, in pertinent engineering disciplines, applicable to multi-family and single-family residential developments.  In addition, AMERICEC is also providing research information related to the pending Saudi Building Code (SBC).

 

Important technologies and opportunities that the research addresses include wall and roof insulation, glazing and external shade devices, HVAC systems and refrigerants, zoning and thermostats, lighting fixtures and sensors, photovoltaics and solar power, water heaters, drain recovery systems and leakage testing, plumbing and sanitary fixtures, “Energy Star” appliances, grey water and reuse, construction materials, paints, wood finishes, floor coatings, adhesives, sealants, recycling, xeriscape and irrigation, swimming pools, artificial turf, and others.

 

The pending SBC will mostly be based on the 2003 and 2006 International Codes and the three sides that will constitute the SBC “triangle” are:

 

o       Environmental Protection

o       Sustainable Construction

o       Human Health and Safety

 

A whole Section of the SBC will be devoted to Conservation of Energy and Water, and the initial adoption date for the SBC is tentatively set for later in 2008.  The SBC implementation plan is currently suggested to be in three stages over a twelve-year period.

 

Brentwood Country Club and Golf Course – Los Angeles, CA

Civil and Drainage Design, Surveying, and Permitting

 

As of September 2007, AMERICEC has been providing the Brentwood Country Club (BCC) in Los Angeles with civil engineering and stormwater drainage design services, surveying services, and assistance in the pertinent drainage-related permitting requirements for BCC’s most recent design project that involves major renovations and additions to the pool, pool infrastructure, pool decks, and adjacent facilities including the tennis shop, veranda, a new elevator for the handicapped, retaining walls, and planters.

 

AMERICEC’s services covered the following tasks:

 

o        Participating in meetings and site visits with the Client and the Architect to discuss scope and assess requirements.

o        Reviewing as-built and survey and video inspection information provided by the BCC on the old drainage network currently serving the pool area.

o        Reviewing the approved geotechnical report and its pertinent recommendations.

o        Preparing a design concept and developing a preliminary schematic of a proposed drainage network to serve the renovated pool and other facilities, whereby stormwater runoff will flow by gravity to an existing catch basin in the BCC Golf Course and from there to the selected approved ultimate discharge point.

o        Surveying and mapping the corridor along the route of the proposed gravity drainage lines to define surface topography and depths.

o        Reviewing information on existing utilities along/across the corridor of the proposed route.

o        Researching the “Navigate LA” website to identify the existing City and County drainage networks across the Golf Course and in nearby San Vicente Boulevard and Montana Avenue. 

o        Inspecting the drainage network in the Golf Course with the BCC maintenance staff.

o        Addressing the requirements of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) as they relate to grading and stormwater drainage.

o        Meeting with the LADBS plan checkers and securing LADBS’ official permitting approval on the proposed drainage plan for the renovated pool and vicinity, through the Golf Course, and with ultimate discharge into the County drainage line in Montana Avenue. 

 

Preparing and submitting the detailed design package for the drainage network including the overall plan, plans and profiles of the proposed drainage lines, and typical details, notes, and specifications.

 

Currently AMERICEC is assisting as required in construction administration services and in issues related to pool filter backwash discharges.

 

Lukowski Residence on Graciosa Drive  – Los Angeles, CA

Civil and Drainage Design and Permitting

 

In November and December 2007, AMERICEC provided Black Rock Design in Santa Monica with civil engineering and stormwater drainage design services, and assistance in the pertinent drainage-related permitting requirements, for the Lukowski Residence upgrade project on Graciosa Drive in Los Angeles.

 

AMERICEC’s services covered the following tasks:

  • Reviewing and discussing the requirements of the Grading Pre-Inspection report (GPI) as well as the conditions and requirements precedent to issuing a permit as they apply to site grading and drainage.

  • Participating in meetings and site visits with the Client and the Architect to discuss scope, assess requirements, and take the necessary photographs.

  • Reviewing the architectural plans and the grading plan for additions and alterations to the residence.

  • Reviewing the rolling topography of the site with its appreciable fall at about 1:1 slope, and determining the low points on the site, how stormwater runoff will drain, and the natural ultimate discharge location.

  • Reviewing the approved geotechnical report and its pertinent recommendations.

  • Assessing what has been completed in terms of drainage design and what still remains to be done to complete the design of the proposed drainage network.

  • Preparing a design concept and developing a preliminary schematic of a proposed drainage network to serve the sloping area behind the west retaining wall as well as the western half of the site between the house and the west retaining wall.

  • Reviewing information on existing utilities along/across the corridor of the proposed route.

  • Preparing and submitting the detailed design package for the drainage network including the overall plan and typical details, notes, and specifications.  The design included a swale and a sub-drain behind the west retaining wall, the necessary collection appurtenances, and the drainage lines connecting to the public drainage network in Canyon Heights Lane north of the property.

  • Following up as required until the permit was secured.

Walter N. Marks, Inc. – Culver City, CA

Helms Bakery Complex East Venice Parking Lot Project - Stormwater Drainage Facilities Design and Permitting Services

 

From May through September 2007, AMERICEC provided Walter N. Marks Inc. with stormwater drainage facilities design for the proposed redevelopment of their East Venice commercial parking lot in Culver City, with a total area of about 47,000 sq. ft., at the intersection of Venice Boulevard and Helms Avenue.   The project included preparing the required report, calculations, and the design of a drainage system that incorporated sheet flow, the necessary piping, inlets and outlets, a dry well as a stormwater mitigation measure utilizing the Rainstore3 System to ensure compliance with the Standard Urban Stormwater Mitigation Plan (SUSMP) as a requirement of the Development Planning Program for Los Angeles County MS4 permit, and ultimate discharge to the adjacent catch basins connected to the City drainage network.

 

AMERICEC’s services covered the following tasks:

  • Reviewing information provided by the Client and Culver City and collected during site visits.

  • Reviewing the existing drainage conditions and discussing prevalent soil characteristics with the Client and the Manufacturer of the Rainstore3 tanks. 

  • Developing a comprehensive engineering solution for the parking lot’s stormwater drainage in accordance with City requirements.

  • Designing and sizing the piping, inlets, and outlets, sizing and incorporating the Rainstore3 system as a stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP), and providing the necessary redundancy and bypass capabilities related to the Rainstore3 maintenance requirements.

  • Submitting the drawings, notes, and specifications.

  • Assisting the Client as needed in obtaining the related permit.

Los Angeles City College – Los Angeles, CA

Campus-Wide Infrastructure Utilities (Water, Fire Service, Sewerage, Drainage, and Gas) – B-Permit Services

 

From January through May 2007, and in addition to the design services that we provided for the civil infrastructure utilities (water, fire service, wasterwater, stormwater, and gas networks) at Los Angeles City College (LACC), AMERICEC prepared the required “B-Permit” package for the proposed sewer and storm drain connections to the respective main sewer and storm drain lines in Vermont Avenue adjacent to the LACC Campus.  The package consisted of a Hydraulic Study and all the Drawings necessary per the requirements of the LA City Bureau of Engineering (BOE). 

 

On this civil infrastructure utilities design project, AMERICEC was a sub-consultant to ARUP North America.  ARUP, operating out of their Los Angeles office, were the prime and their portion of the work covered the central plant and hot and chilled water lines, as well as the electrical and telecommunication utilities.

 

AMERICEC’s services covered the following tasks:

  • Researching the most recent “B-Permit” requirements.

  • Acquiring the necessary data on public utilities in Vermont Avenue from the LA City GIS website and from utility departments and providers, and reviewing the acquired data.

  • Performing site visits to double check the reviewed data on utilities in Vermont Avenue.

  • Attending meetings with representatives of the LA Bureau of Engineering (BOE), the Client, ARUP, and the construction contractor, for discussions and coordination as necessary during the preparation of the documents.  

  • Preparing the “B-Permit” Drawings which covered all the necessary notes and conditions and included plans and profiles for:

  • The connections of two proposed 8-inch sewer laterals from the Campus to the 8-inch sewer main in Vermont via two proposed manholes.

  • The connection of a proposed 24-inch storm drain lateral from the Campus to the 54-inch main storm drain in Vermont via a new manhole.
     

  • Preparing the Hydraulic Study which comprised a stormwater assessment report, design calculations, and the necessary graphs, maps, and criteria used in preparing the calculations.

  • Preparing the Bill of Quantities.

  • Submitting the “B-Permit” documents to the BOE.  

  • Attending several plan check reviews at the BOE and staying with the process until the “B-Permit” was secured.

Los Angeles City College – Los Angeles, CA

Campus-Wide Infrastructure Utilities (Water, Fire Service, Sewerage, Drainage, and Gas) – Engineering Design Services and Construction Administration Support Services

 

From February 2006 through December 2007, AMERICEC provided preliminary and detailed engineering design services, and construction support services, for the civil infrastructure utilities (water, fire service, wasterwater, stormwater, and gas networks) at Los Angeles City College (LACC), under the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Bond Program, and in support of the new facilities as well as the upgrades and renovations defined in LACC’s approved Masterplan.

 

On this project, AMERICEC was a sub-consultant to ARUP North America.  ARUP, operating out of their Los Angeles office, were the prime and their portion of the work covered the central plant and hot and chilled water lines, as well as the electrical and telecommunication utilities.

 

AMERICEC’s services covered the following tasks:

  • Participating in meetings and site visits with the Client, other campus consultants, and construction contractors to review network conditions, coordinate the design of the various networks, make field observations, discuss and define scopes, assess requirements, evaluate findings, decide on appropriate actions, and monitor progress.

  • Assisting in the documentation of meeting/site visit proceedings and action items.

  • Reviewing the topography of the Campus and its vicinity to make sure that the various networks are designed in a manner compatible with the natural topography of the site.

  • Reviewing as-built and survey drawings and potholing and inspection video information on the existing networks serving the Campus.

  • Reviewing the approved geotechnical report and pertinent recommendations.

  • Preparing complete schematic designs (SD), design development documents (DD), and construction documents (CD), including plans, profiles, details, specifications and quantities, for the new civil infrastructure networks comprising about 8500 ft. of water and fire service pipes, 7000 ft. of sewer pipes, 6000 ft. of storm drains, and 2500 ft. of gas pipes, along with their appurtenances and their connections to the adjacent streets, to serve the Campus over the design period.

  • Making recommendations related to demolition/abandonment of existing networks.

  • Preparing preliminary construction cost estimates at SD and further refining and detailing the cost estimates at DD and CD.

  • Developing the design in two Phases. Phase 1, covering the Northeast Quadrant of the Campus, was given priority because of the design and construction of three new facilities in that Quadrant namely the MLK Library, the CDC Building, and the Sci-Tech Building. 

  • Coordinating, where applicable, in relation to common utility corridors (water, fire service, sewer, stormwater, gas, electrical, communications, and all pertinent appurtenances) in light of code requirements related to spacing and depths.

  • Participating in regular internal coordination and QA/QC sessions.

  • Participating in a value engineering workshop and incorporating agreed upon recommendations.

  • Reviewing and discussing the Department of State Architect (DSA) and the CPMT constructability review comments, preparing responses to them, and incorporating them as necessary.

  • Providing construction administration support services, as requested, including making site observations during construction, reviewing RFIs and RFCs and providing responses and comments, attending coordination meetings, and providing survey checks.

  • Participating in a partnering workshop for all parties involved in design, construction, and construction management activities, and implementing agreed upon recommendations.

Sacred Heart Schools – Atherton, California

Assessment, Planning, Design, Permitting, and Construction of Sewerage Networks - Advisory Services and Assistance

 

As of September 2005 AMERICEC has been providing Sacred Heart Schools (SHS) in Atherton, California with civil engineering consulting and advisory services and assistance in the assessment, planning, design, permitting, and construction of the sewer networks and appurtenances to properly serve the various facilities on the SHS Campus including all existing buildings, upgrades and expansions, as well as new and proposed facilities.

 

AMERICEC’s services covered the following tasks:

  • Participating in meetings and site visits with the Client, consultants, and construction contractors to review network conditions, make field observations, identify problems and causes, discuss and define scopes, assess requirements, evaluate findings, decide on appropriate actions, and monitor progress.

  • Assisting in the documentation of meeting/site visit proceedings and action items.

  • Reviewing the topography of the Campus and its vicinity to make sure that gravity sewers are designed in a manner compatible with the natural topography of the site.

  • Reviewing as-built and survey drawings and potholing and inspection video information on the sewerage networks serving the Campus.

  • Reviewing the approved geotechnical report and pertinent recommendations.

  • Arriving at a consensus related to demolition/abandonment of existing networks, design and construction of new networks, and upgrades and renovations where and as necessary.

  • Reviewing and providing comments on and revisions to proposals, preliminary and final reports, assessments, planning considerations and recommendations, designs and surveys, and construction packages including specifications, quantities, and general conditions of contract.  Such reviews included problem areas, design concepts and criteria, code requirements, alternatives, calculations, proposed routes and appurtenances, utility relocations, construction cost estimates, and the selection of the most cost-effective recommendations, alternatives, and solutions.

  • Assisting in securing permits from the West Bay Sanitary District (WBSD) and the Town of Atherton. This was done through participating in meetings and coordinating with the WBSD and the Town to discuss design, construction, permitting, inspection, and approval requirements for connecting to the public sewer network adjacent to the Campus and for properly safe-guarding and maintaining all trees on Campus.

  • Assisting in screening, interviewing, evaluating, and pre-qualifying construction contractors, and issuing bid invitations.

  • Assisting in reviewing construction agreements with their support legal requirements and documents, schedules, and addenda.

  • Assisting in construction bid reviews, extensions and analyses of bids, tabulation of bid results, selection of the most cost-effective bidders, awards, and in attending pre-construction meetings and observing project site staking.

  • Assisting in inspecting and monitoring construction activities, assessing progress, reviewing and responding to requests for information, reviewing and commenting on shop drawings, bulletins issued for field-related revisions, and project change orders, trouble-shooting, making sure that the design is properly adhered to, recommending corrective action as necessary, reviewing payment certificates, and preparing punch lists.

  • Coordinating, where applicable, in relation to common utility corridors (water, fire service, sewer, stormwater, irrigation, gas, electrical, communications, and appurtenances) in light of code requirements related to spacing and depths.

  • Reviewing and commenting on the as-built drawings prepared by the construction contractors.

Northern and Southern Area Oil Operations Wastewater Treatment Study – Saudi Aramco

Assisted in the evaluation of several existing onshore and offshore Saudi Aramco facilities, located in the Northern and Southern Areas of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, for treatment and disposal of three types of wastewater namely sanitary wastewater, oily wastewater, and surface drainage. 

For the smaller facilities at 41 on-shore sites in the Southern Area, soil data was reviewed and analyzed, and spreadsheets were developed to assist in the design of mound systems, conventional leach fields, evapotranspiration systems, evaporation ponds, and facultative ponds.  For the five larger on-shore facilities in the Northern Area, package treatment plants were recommended rather than septic tanks, as those facilities specifically required oily water handling solutions. The team prepared process flow diagrams to describe existing conditions and proposed solutions. Recommendations were made for required improvements.

The study also included an assessment and a discussion of the appropriate environmentally acceptable solutions for “scraped water” treatment and disposal based on specialized technical expertise.


Engineering Evaluation Study, Spent Caustic Disposal – Saudi Aramco

Investigated thoroughly the universal problem of spent caustic disposal facing the refining and petrochemical industry in general, and six of Saudi ARAMCO’s refineries and gas plants in particular. The team examined previous studies, evaluated new alternatives and solutions, and prepared the approach for further assessment and implementation.


Wastewater and Stormwater Master Plan, USAID – Gaza City

Served as senior designer to develop an inception report and preliminary scenarios for the USAID-funded wastewater and stormwater master plan for the City of Gaza, and provided coordination with government and donor agencies. Participated in the characterization of the existing systems and assisted in the performance of an environmental impact assessment of the proposed alternatives. Also participated in the analyses and design of wastewater and stormwater sewers, alternative water supply systems, stormwater detention facilities, and the rehabilitation and expansion of the secondary wastewater treatment plants.


Saudi ARAMCO Wastewater Treatment Plants – Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

Participated in all phases of feasibility studies, planning, preliminary and final designs, construction support, and O&M Manuals for several secondary and tertiary wastewater treatment plants serving various ARAMCO communities and facilities in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. 


Groundwater Investigation, Abandoned Wastewater Disposal Site – Saudi Aramco

Provided specialized consulting technical expertise to evaluate the potential for groundwater contamination from an abandoned waste disposal site. Specific tasks included determining the need for and type of geophysical investigations, assisting in performing appropriate geophysical investigations, advising on the overall plan, and reviewing and interpreting the investigation results.


Preliminary Design, Hazardous Chemicals Disposal Facility – Saudi Aramco

Participated in a five-month program to develop a proposal/ preliminary design for a number of processes to render various hazardous chemicals safe, and/or safely dispose of a wide range of hazardous chemicals in an environmentally acceptable manner. This included provisions for supporting utilities, vehicles, storage, loading, administrative building, and testing facilities.


Value Engineering Study, Dhahran Wastewater Treatment Facility – Saudi Aramco

Participated in a five-member value engineering team that evaluated and reported on the preliminary engineering design of a secondary and tertiary wastewater treatment facility, and the tertiary effluent reuse facilities for the community landscape irrigation. Determined cost effectiveness, environmental impacts, and cost reduction measures.


Value Engineering Study, Hawiyah Gas Development Infrastructure – Saudi Aramco

 Participated in a nine-member value engineering team. Evaluated and reported on the preliminary engineering design of the industrial support facilities to determine cost effectiveness, environmental impacts, and measures of reducing costs while maintaining value.


Value Engineering Study, Shaybah Oil Field Development Project – Saudi Aramco

Represented Saudi ARAMCO as infrastructure coordinator on a value engineering study during the preliminary design of an oil field development project. Evaluated and reported on the preliminary engineering design of the facilities to determine cost effectiveness, environmental impacts, and measures of reducing costs while maintaining value.


Lebanon Staged Wastewater Plan Feasibility Study – Lebanon

Assisted in the development of the feasibility study for the Lebanon Staged Wastewater Plan, utilizing GIS technology.