Lessons Learned from Groundwater Modeling to Support Engineered Solutions for Post-Excavation CCR Basin Water Management

For CCR basins constructed in steam valleys in the southeastern United States and planned for closure by excavation, post-closure groundwater control is often required. Numerical simulations suggest that groundwater elevations may intersect planned final grades, creating uncertainties in future groundwater-surface water interactions and requiring proactive engineered solutions supported by a solid understanding of complex geology and hydrology.

This presentation reviews lessons learned from recent projects in the Carolina Piedmont, emphasizing targeted field data collection, conceptual site model (CSM) development, and iterative numerical modeling to guide closure design. High-quality water level and flow data are critical for defensible hydrologic analysis. Case studies show how heterogeneous and transient site conditions, such as shallow bedrock, uncertain historical channel geometry, evolving basin conditions, and water management, affect groundwater responses, reinforcing the need for a well-defined CSM to support reliable model predictions.

Water budget analysis links field data, modeling, and design by quantifying surface and groundwater contributions, evaluating storm and recharge variability, and identifying controlling factors in model calibration. Catchment basin delineation is critical, as the magnitude of inflow directly affects drainage sizing and long-term performance. Integrating those insights into groundwater models improves accuracy when evaluating closure elements such as groundwater collection systems, stormwater channels, sumps, soil backfill quantities, and performance goals.

By comparing results across multiple projects, this presentation highlights recurring challenges, strategies to reduce uncertainties, and practical considerations in developing effective, regulator-ready engineered designs. These lessons can help streamline future monitoring, design, permitting, and performance evaluation for CCR basin closure across the region.

A Cost-Effective, Low-Impact Remedial Approach for Metals: Utilizing Phyto-Enhancement to Accelerate pH Adjustment of Shallow Groundwater

Thomas Colton, P.E., and Jerry Wylie, P.G., will present a unique remediation strategy that accelerates natural attenuation processes. The approach employs pH adjustment of groundwater using agricultural lime coupled with the use of daikon radish to augment lime contact time and to increase depth of soil augmentation. This method is designed to be a more sustainable, less resource-intensive, and less technically challenging remedial alternative with lower estimated overall costs.

The primary corrective action—source removal—has been completed. However, the oxidation of residual sulfide-bearing minerals has resulted in persistent low-pH groundwater, which increases the solubility and mobility of metal constituents of interests (COIs). While long-term natural attenuation is expected, low-pH conditions could persist for decades; therefore, an evaluation of remedial options was completed to accelerate COI attenuation mechanisms.

The selected remedy is the application of agricultural lime (CaCO₃) to the shallow subsurface to increase pH and buffering capacity in groundwater and unsaturated soil, thereby decreasing COI mobility and concentrations. Application dosage rates and details were developed following a baseline evaluation and analysis of subsurface soil conditions.

Although infiltrating rainwater will naturally carry the higher-pH water deeper into the water-bearing unit, SynTerra developed a simple, low-cost enhancement using daikon radish root channels (phyto-enhancement) to accelerate lime movement into the groundwater. This enhancement is expected to expedite the buffering capacity of the water-bearing unit and the time needed to decrease COI mobility. A robust monitoring well program is already established to track performance. The final assessment design, site characterization results, and lime application calculations will be presented, along with initial observations from the novel pilot study. 

Fully custom GIS tool helps land management firms navigate complex challenges

SynTerra’s latest project for a conservation land management firm involves digitizing and georeferencing physical maps into an interactive ArcGIS Online tool and augmenting those maps with layers of essential data such as property boundaries, infrastructure details, and environmental features. SynTerra will also integrate freshly captured aerial imagery and LIDAR data obtained through advanced drone technology.

This comprehensive GIS platform is designed to facilitate efficient and informed decision making for future master planning and land management of our clients’ holdings. By integrating historical data, applicable GIS layers, and cutting-edge technology, our fully custom tool empowers our conservation land management clients to navigate complex challenges and embark on new development projects with precision and confidence.

Business executive Travis Waters is SynTerra’s new president.

Posted July 14, 2022

GREENVILLE, SC — SynTerra Corp., a science and engineering consulting firm, announced today that Travis Waters is the company’s new president.

SynTerra has made significant efforts to streamline business operations over the past couple of years. Today, the firm has approximately 100 employees and five offices in three states with the ability to serve clients nationwide.

The SynTerra Board of Directors searched nationwide for top-tier candidates who shared the same vision and values as the company. “I am both humbled and excited about the opportunity to help this great organization further expand and grow to become the premier environmental and engineering consulting firm in the Southeast,” said Waters.

Waters, who has led companies in sales, marketing, and business operations for the past 20 years, is experienced in attracting new business segments and negotiating strategic contracts. Waters has managed multimillion-dollar global accounts and has developed key business verticals with revenue exceeding $900 million. Waters also brings an entrepreneurial spirit; he has succeeded in several business ventures of his own.

Waters has given back to his community over the years through volunteer work. He served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation and volunteered as a driver for Meals on Wheels America.

Founded in 1992, SynTerra is employee‐owned. SynTerra engineers, geologists, scientists, and data professionals help clients meet business objectives and address technical challenges. Clients include manufacturers, mining operations, utilities, pulp and paper companies, developers, and government agencies. Capabilities include environmental consulting, water and wastewater design, civil engineering design, air and wetlands permitting, surveying and drone applications, and more. Headquartered in Greenville, SC, SynTerra also has offices in Cary, NC, Charlotte, NC, Lexington, KY, and Pikeville, KY. Learn more about SynTerra at www.synterracorp.com.

Get the report — Coal Combustion Residuals: Environmental Risk and Remedy

ABSTRACT: Coal combustion residuals (CCR), commonly known as coal ash, are created when coal is burned by power plants to produce electricity. Coal ash is one of the largest types of industrial waste generated in the United States, with several sites in the Carolinas having coal ash impoundments and landfills. Coal ash can contain constituents like mercury, selenium, and arsenic. Without proper management, these constituents can contaminate waterways, groundwater, drinking water, and air.

The EPA finalized national regulations to provide a comprehensive set of requirements for the safe disposal of CCR from coal-fired power plants. The federal CCR Rule establishes technical requirements for CCR landfills and surface impoundments, and it addresses risks from coal ash disposal, e.g., leaking of contaminants into groundwater, blowing of contaminants into air as dust, and the possible failure of coal ash surface impoundments. This rule also supports the responsible recycling of CCRs by distinguishing safe, beneficial use from disposal.

This presentation will provide an overview of the federal CCR rule and associated state regulations, and it outlines many of the CCR compliance activities we are conducting at current and former coal-fired power plants. Activities include comprehensive site assessments focused on groundwater flow characterization and the nature and extent of coal ash constituents occurring in groundwater, soil, surface water, and sediments. Based on the comprehensive site assessments, corrective action plans have been developed in coordination with the state regulatory agencies. Corrective action plans were based in part on human health and ecological risk assessments that determined whether the occurrence of specific coal ash constituents necessitates remedy.


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Health and safety practices for the cold holiday season

Posted December 29, 2020

Cold fronts have recently swept across the United States, reminding us that it is winter. While the colder months can bring a lot of wonderful moments, such as cozy fires, or maybe some snow days, it does bring some dangers.

There are a few areas where we can practice caution while at work or while we work at home:

• Driving in inclement weather
• Traveling during the holidays
• Testing for carbon monoxide

Driving 

Before driving, clear all of the ice or snow off of your windshield.

During this time of year, temperature drops and earlier sunsets can lead to hazardous driving conditions in some cases. Cold weather precipitation such as snow, ice, and sleet can compile on roadways.

Prepare your car for winter weather by testing your battery. Most auto store chains can help check this for you and prevent a dead battery. It is also a great time to check your tire pressure, wiper blades, and cooling system. Keep your gas tank full if you are expecting a storm in the area.

Once you are ready to hit the road, make sure you can see from your mirrors or cameras and remove and debris like dirt and ice. If the conditions are poor on the road, give yourself extra room between cars, avoid cruise control, and avoid quick acceleration or deceleration.

If you do not need to travel, staying home is always a good option. If you have to leave your home, sharing travel plans can be an extra layer of safety.

Traveling

If you are traveling for the holidays, being prepared for what to expect on the road can make the experience much more enjoyable. According to the National Safety Council, traveling by car during the holidays has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation based on fatalities per passenger mile.

A focused and well-rested driver is a safe driver. Stay off cellular devices so you can focus on the road and other drivers. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination so you are not rushing or making quick driving decisions.

Make sure everyone in the vehicle is wearing a seat belt. If you are attending a celebration, always designate a sober driver.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can lead to an unexpected illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 400 people in the United States die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning every year. Symptoms can mimic the flu and can include headaches, dizziness, weakness, or confusion.

Warming your car in your garage might be convenient, but is incredibly dangerous as it creates a build-up of carbon monoxide. Do not run a car in a garage that is connected to your home, even if the garage door is open.

Heating your home with a gas oven, flameless chemical heater, or a generator can also produce fatal levels of carbon monoxide. A space heater, wood fireplace, or even a community assistance program can help if you need additional heat.

Carbon monoxide detectors are also available and can be quickly installed in your home or workplace. These detectors, which work similarly to fire detectors, are relatively inexpensive and can quickly detect and alert you so everyone in the building can step outside for fresh air. If the alarm does go off and someone is experiencing symptoms, call 911 and do not reenter the home. If no symptoms are experienced, call a professional to check the space.

SynTerra professionals hope you have a happy and healthy holiday and that these tips can be useful throughout winter. Please contact Paul Tarquinio for further assistance regarding health and safety topics. Our experts can assist individuals or teams with safety programs, hazard assessments, PPE selection, or general training.

Get the report — Taste and Odor Control in Source Water for the Anderson Regional Joint Water System

ABSTRACT: The Anderson Regional Joint Water System (ARJWS) has experienced intermittent taste and odor problems in raw and finished water from the treatment plant on the Six and Twenty Creek arm of Hartwell Lake, Anderson, South Carolina, making it difficult or impossible to provide the quality drinking water (odor-free) that customers expect. An adaptive management strategy was implemented that began with identifying the source of taste and odor problems as terpene alcohols [2-methylisoboneol (MIB) and geosmin] produced by benthic algae (e.g. blue-green algae and diatoms).

With MIB concentrations reaching more than 2,000 parts per trillion in Hartwell Lake in the summer of 2014, an immediate algaecide application plan was developed based on results from a laboratory study of responses of taste- and odor-producing algae to candidate algaecides. A peroxide formulation algaecide and a chelated copper formulation algaecide (both registered for application to drinking water by the U.S. EPA) were applied to the bottom 2 feet of the water column.

Approximately 160 acres of the Hartwell Lake littoral zone (from the water line to the 25-ft. depth contour) and 4 acres around the ARJWS water intake structure were treated. Pre- and post-treatment concentrations of copper were measured in water near the intake and in the areas of algaecide application. By seven days after treatment, total copper concentrations returned to background concentrations (20.6 µg Cu/L) at the water intake. The peroxide-based algaecide was applied to 4 acres around the water intake structure. The degradation products of this algaecide when applied to water are oxygen and water. Prior to treatment, hydrogen peroxide was not detected in the treatment area. Fourteen hours after application, hydrogen peroxide concentrations ranged from 2.7 to 3.7 mg/L and by three days after treatment, hydrogen peroxide was not detected. MIB and geosmin concentrations declined significantly in the raw water after the algaecide applications. Pre-treatment MIB concentrations ranged from 102 to 106 ng/L, and declined to 14 ng/L twelve days after treatment. Geosmin decreased from 14 ng/L prior to treatment to 5 ng/L twelve days after treatment.

To refine plans for future algaecide applications (e.g., 2015), results were supplemented with a regimen of toxicity tests of water and sediments using sensitive, sentinel fish and invertebrate species to establish margins of safety for non-target species potentially exposed to algaecides. In addition, a hydrological study of the watershed above the ARJWS intake structure was conducted to help identify specific taste and odor source areas and hydraulic time of travel. A refined management strategy was implemented beginning in May 2015, targeting specific areas of the lake with prescribed algaecide applications. Since initiating 2015 algaecide applications, taste and odor has been controlled in ARJWS source water while protecting valued Hartwell Lake aquatic resources.


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Phytoremediation: Planting trees that absorb contaminated water

Phytoremediation employs natural technology by planting trees that absorb contaminated water, drawing toxic constituents out of the groundwater and associated soil and into the rhizosphere (area of soil and microorganisms that surround the main root ball). The trees are unharmed by the contaminants.

When it comes to groundwater treatment, there are a few basic treatment options. One method of treatment requires the installation of extraction wells, which draws out the contaminated groundwater to be treated. Another method uses chemicals injected into the groundwater to treat the contamination. A more recently developed biological method uses trees in a treatment option referred to as phytoremediation. Phytoremediation employs natural technology by planting trees that utilize the contaminated water, thereby treating the groundwater.

SynTerra has used phytoremediation to treat contaminated groundwater since 2001.  One example is a confidential project in the state of North Carolina. A portion of land that sloped toward a nearby creek had contaminated groundwater, and instead of installing costly machinery, SynTerra chose to plant five tracks of hybrid poplar saplings. The roots of the hybrid poplars were treated with an inoculant to stimulate healthy growth before being planted into trenches.
The process behind phytoremediation is simple, as it follows the natural processes of biology. The deep-reaching roots of trees are ideal for extending to the groundwater. The trees “drink” the contaminated groundwater as they would any other water source, drawing the toxic constituents out of the groundwater as well as associated soil and into the rhizosphere (area of soil and microorganisms that surround the main root ball). Although the trees absorb the groundwater, they are unharmed by the contaminants.

In the first three weeks at the site, the hybrid poplar saplings had put on healthy foliage; in eight weeks, they had grown to approximately 5 feet; at 15 months, the saplings towered at 15-17 feet and the tract of land had become a full-fledged grove. Sixteen years after first planting hybrid poplars at the site, the phytoremediation site is still active and efficiently treating contaminated groundwater.

There are multiple methods of measuring the efficacy of phytoremediation, such as monitoring the actual growth of the trees, as well as taking sap flow measurements. Tests conducted on the groundwater surrounding the hybrid poplar tree stands as a testament that the trees are indeed treating and processing the contaminants.

Phytoremediation is not only an effective method of groundwater treatment—it’s a responsible method. Planting a grove of trees instead of installing large mechanical pumps is not only aesthetically pleasing, but far less expensive, not to mention environmentally friendly. Additionally, phytoremediation presents a long-term solution that becomes more effective as the trees continue to grow. Phytoremediation ought to be a top consideration for environmentally and financially conscious companies when choosing groundwater treatment options.

Before you dig in, get the scoop on overindulgence.

Posted November 16, 2020

This year, Thanksgiving will be different. Make no mistake about that. Instead of large family gatherings, some will be opting for more intimate affairs, while others may choose to stay huddled at home. Regardless of what you do this Thanksgiving, we hope that the holiday marks a bright spot in 2020.

However, there is a fine line between celebrating and overindulging. For this month’s Health and Safety feature, we’ve put together a guide that will help you make smart choices.

Here are our tips:

Breakfast is your buddy: Whoever coined the phrase, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” clearly didn’t have Thanksgiving Day in mind. However, it’s in your best interest to start the day with a few bites if you don’t want to overindulge. In other words, eat a small, healthy breakfast and give your body a little fuel, so you aren’t full-on famished when you step up to the table and embark on a four-helpings dive into turkey, stuffing, gravy, and the casserole triumvirate of Turkey Day: green bean, sweet potato, and broccoli.

Take a walk before you feast … and after: A little exercise every day does the body good, whether you’re getting in your steps or hitting the trails on a mountain bike. Thanksgiving is no different. A bit of exercise before and after your big meal will reduce the fat in your blood and help keep your blood sugar from spiking, according to ABC News. A bit of post-meal physical activity may also prevent you from taking the infamous – or is that celebrated? – Thanksgiving Day nap. (P.S. You can still take one. You just won’t have to.)

Find ways to sidestep salt: The American Heart Association wants you to have a great Turkey Day. And they want you to have another great one next year and the year after that and the year after that. To help make that happen, AHA has put together a few heart-healthy tips for Thanksgiving Day, Thanksgiving Night, and Post-Thanksgiving Day dining:

1. Chose herbs and spices over salt to add flavor.
2. Use vinegar, citrus, or dried fruit to brighten up dishes.
3. If you can’t make your own broth, buy prepackaged low-sodium broth.
4. Canned beans are loaded with salt, so rinse them off before using. (On a related note: Stick with the homemade dishes. Premade dishes are often loaded with salt, sugar, or fat.)

Dr. Smaller Portions — or How I learned to love vegetables: Between all the meats, sweets, and stick-to-your-ribs eats, it’s easy to load up on the A-Ticket dishes. But if you start off with the veg-heavy sides and follow up with smaller portions of the fattier, saltier, gravy-covered items, you’re less likely to overindulge.

Stay hydrated: Water is your friend. Make sure you drink it.

Reason No. 1: Your body sometimes mistakes the need for water as a need to eat more. Reason No. 2: Water helps you digest your food. Oh … and go easy on the hard stuff. But you already know that.

Don’t beat yourself up: This is Thanksgiving, and we’re all expected to splurge a little. That’s kind of the point. So, if you break your diet, just relax. This is a once-a-year experience. And most of all, be thankful.

SynTerra is serious about the safety of individuals and teams. If you need assistance with the various components of a safe workplace (safety programs, hazard assessments, PPE selection, or training), contact Paul Tarquinio to see how SynTerra can help.

SynTerra HR generalist Maris Lawyer wins prestigious book award

By Chris Haire (Posted November 6, 2020)

During Maris Lawyer’s senior year, the Anderson University student was introduced to a forgotten bit of American history from the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Maris Lawyer’s novel, “The Blue Line Down,” will be published in 2021.

It was a time of unions and union busters. It was a time of tears and triumph, bloodshed and brotherhood. It was the time of the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency, a privately owned quasi-police force charged with keeping unionized coal miners in line, sometimes by violent means.

Fortunately, those days are long behind us now, and the relationships between miners and their employers today is one of mutual respect, teamwork, and a common goal to work hard and do their best.

When Lawyer first learned of the Baldwin-Felts in an Appalachian Literature class, she had to know more about them. The end result: Lawyer’s debut novel, “The Blue Line Down,” which was selected by the South Carolina Arts Commission, Hub City Press, the College of Charleston, the S.C. State Library, and S.C. Humanities as the winner of the 2020 S.C. Novel Prize.

“I had never heard of the Baldwin-Felts before, and the more I learned, the more shocking it seemed that they weren’t featured in any American History courses I had taken,” says Lawyer, an HR generalist at the Greenville, S.C.-headquartered science and engineering firm SynTerra. “A desire to bring exposure to these characters in history and also explore the struggles of the Appalachian region eventually came together to create ‘The Blue Line Down.’ ”

In some ways, the need to write about that long-ago era, the Baldwin-Felts, and the struggle of the miners of West Virginia was personal.

Lawyer says, “Although we don’t have coal mining here in southern Appalachia, my great-grandparents worked in the textile mills of this region and grew up in similar circumstances. I can remember my great-grandmother talking about coming home with cotton fluff stuck to her hair and clothes, and, up to a certain point, they earned company scrip for wages instead of actual money. It’s not hard to connect the dots and see how these conditions echo all the way down the Appalachian region.”

“The Blue Line Down” tells the story of Jude Washer, a Baldwin-Felts agent who was raised in a mine camp himself. Over the course of the novel, Jude’s concerns about the often-brutal and occasionally lethal tactics of the Baldwin-Felts grow, and he flees the group, with the so-called detective agency not far behind him.

“When I created Jude, I knew he was going to be a flawed character — he had to be if he was going to be a Baldwin-Felts agent,” Lawyer says. “Right from the opening chapter, you see that Jude fails to do the right thing when it’s most needed from him.”

She adds, “Morality sometimes isn’t just a matter of benevolence versus malice; sometimes it’s a question of whether you will take the right action when it’s needed. For most of us, that’s an uncomfortable question to answer, and I think that’s what ultimately — hopefully — makes Jude sympathetic underneath his flaws.”

Stephanie Powell Watts, the judge of the S.C. Novel Prize and the award-winning author of “We Are Taking Only What We Need” and “No One is Coming to Save Us,” noted the relevance of “The Blue Line Down” to audiences today — as well as the work’s attempt to tell a significant part of history.

“Readers are always looking for the topic that both feels familiar until we scratch the surface a little and realize we know almost nothing about it,” Watts says. “In the clear light of the present, movements, protests, and even revolutions of the past can seem obvious and inevitable. History loves to condense the story, connecting dots to make the narrative cohere. However, there is turmoil, angst, and great human suffering in between those dots.”

She adds, “This story shows us how a decent enough person might be compelled to aid and abet bullies and killers. The story also shows us the main character’s remarkable path to possible redemption.”

Kate McMullen, assistant director at the Hub City Writers Project in Spartanburg, S.C., had a similar reaction. “It’s hard not to read the current state of the country into everything I read nowadays, but I hope readers come away with an understanding of how hard it is to go against the mold once you’ve made choices that have backed you into a corner you realize you don’t want to be in,” McMullen says. “Jude’s story is, in fact, pretty remarkable — it’s very hard to tell yourself that you were wrong and even harder to try and make a change.”

“The Blue Line Down” will be published in 2021 by Hub City Press of Spartanburg.