CH2M HILL research project wins IWA Project Innovation Award

Denver — The International Water Association (IWA) announced the 2014 Project Innovation Award (PIA) winners during the Singapore International Water Week, held June 1-5 in Singapore. CH2M HILL’s Sewer Corrosion and Odour Research, or SCORe, project was selected as the recipient of the PIA for the Asia Pacific Region.

The SCORe project was completed in conjunction with an on-going Water Environment Research Federation (WERF) ventilation research program. The project helps to maximize the service life of sewer networks in a proactive approach by providing utilities with a better understanding of in-sewer processes that lead to sewer corrosion and odor issues — a widespread concern, especially in regions with warm climates.

Due to the complexity of monitoring in-sewer processes, identifying an optimal solution for corrosion and odor management is a challenge; nevertheless, this issue is one that plagues the water industry and the SCORe project aims to address this gap. Delivered jointly by CH2M HILL and the Advanced Water Management Centre of the University of Queensland, an internationally recognized center of excellence in innovative water technology and management, the project adds to the industry’s understanding of corrosion and odor management and provides tools and technologies to help the water industry better manage, plan and allocate funds for sewer networks.

The SCORe modeling tool determines both natural and forced ventilation in sewers which can be used to quantify the amount of ventilation needed to prevent odors and corrosion. Additionally, the project’s guidance documents help with gathering accurate field data and enable improved designs of sewer system gas phase and treatment systems for greater optimization and cost-savings.

“SCORe demonstrates the significance of developing an effective strategy for the mitigation of corrosion and odor problems in wastewater collection systems,” said Jay Witherspoon, CH2M HILL Senior Fellow Technologist. “Taking a proactive approach to managing sewer networks enables utilities to balance costs with benefits both in savings and non-economic considerations to support strategic decisions.”