Practice Areas
Resilience and Vulnerability Assessment
Sustainable Systems LLC - Consulting (SSC) has led and participated as a team member for vulnerability assessments and risk and resilience assessment for large and mid-size municipal water systems. We are familiar with the hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) method and its application to water reuse treatment. Methods include hazard identification, failure mode identification, detection via monitoring systems, and failure response. We have developed and update emergency response plans for drinking water municipalities.
Water Reuse and Efficiency
We have led a team of experts to develop resilience design guidelines for direct potable reuse water treatment systems. We has led a panel of experts to speak to the USGBC Illinois Chapter on water efficient landscape and storwaterwater reuse. As part of new site development, she performed feasibility assessment for stormwater management strategies such as zero runoff have direct application to water efficient landscaping concepts such as rain gardens. By integrating concepts in stormwater management and water efficient landscaping, stormwater pollution can be treated by infiltration, and stormwater can be used to recharge aquifers, and peak summer water usage associated with lawn watering can be reduced. We have developed stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPP) for sites ranging from industries including army reserve bases, power plants, and various industrial manufacturing sites.
Sustainability
We employ life cycle assessment and triple bottom line (people, planet, profit) accounting methods and their application to alternatives evaluation. We have assisted in the evaluation of decentralized domestic wastewater treatment systems for moderate population densities in areas without existing municipal sewer infrastructure. Decentralized water treatment system considered included drip irrigation, wetlands treatment systems, and package biological wastewater treatment systems. Our LEED accredited professional specialize in building design and construction (BD+C) supporting LEED credits for Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, and Indoor Air Quality.
Water Infrastructure Planning & Feasibility Assessment
SSC has assisted municipal utilities in the study of biofilm accumulation in drinking water distribution systems and correlation growth to systems parameters including, modeled water age, pipe material, and water quality. We have performed alternatives evaluations of water management options for large municipal combined sewer overflow (CSO) systems including stream bank naturalization and constructed landscape features such as bioswales and wetland. We utilized GIS and distribution system hydraulic modeling software (modeling performed by others) such as MWHSoft InfoWater to support planning, assessment, and management activities.
Research
Dr. Waller has conducted research in drinking water distribution system biofilms and disinfection of pathogens. She has also worked to develop molecular biology-based DNA microarrays that may be used to detection pathogens in drinking water distribution systems in the near future. She has worked with Water Research Foundation as both a researcher and as a member of a Project Advisory Committee (PAC). She has ongoing work as a Principal Investigator (PI) with WateReuse Foundation.
Sustainable Systems LLC - Consulting (SSC) has led and participated as a team member for vulnerability assessments and risk and resilience assessment for large and mid-size municipal water systems. We are familiar with the hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) method and its application to water reuse treatment. Methods include hazard identification, failure mode identification, detection via monitoring systems, and failure response. We have developed and update emergency response plans for drinking water municipalities.
Water Reuse and Efficiency
We have led a team of experts to develop resilience design guidelines for direct potable reuse water treatment systems. We has led a panel of experts to speak to the USGBC Illinois Chapter on water efficient landscape and storwaterwater reuse. As part of new site development, she performed feasibility assessment for stormwater management strategies such as zero runoff have direct application to water efficient landscaping concepts such as rain gardens. By integrating concepts in stormwater management and water efficient landscaping, stormwater pollution can be treated by infiltration, and stormwater can be used to recharge aquifers, and peak summer water usage associated with lawn watering can be reduced. We have developed stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPP) for sites ranging from industries including army reserve bases, power plants, and various industrial manufacturing sites.
Sustainability
We employ life cycle assessment and triple bottom line (people, planet, profit) accounting methods and their application to alternatives evaluation. We have assisted in the evaluation of decentralized domestic wastewater treatment systems for moderate population densities in areas without existing municipal sewer infrastructure. Decentralized water treatment system considered included drip irrigation, wetlands treatment systems, and package biological wastewater treatment systems. Our LEED accredited professional specialize in building design and construction (BD+C) supporting LEED credits for Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, and Indoor Air Quality.
Water Infrastructure Planning & Feasibility Assessment
SSC has assisted municipal utilities in the study of biofilm accumulation in drinking water distribution systems and correlation growth to systems parameters including, modeled water age, pipe material, and water quality. We have performed alternatives evaluations of water management options for large municipal combined sewer overflow (CSO) systems including stream bank naturalization and constructed landscape features such as bioswales and wetland. We utilized GIS and distribution system hydraulic modeling software (modeling performed by others) such as MWHSoft InfoWater to support planning, assessment, and management activities.
Research
Dr. Waller has conducted research in drinking water distribution system biofilms and disinfection of pathogens. She has also worked to develop molecular biology-based DNA microarrays that may be used to detection pathogens in drinking water distribution systems in the near future. She has worked with Water Research Foundation as both a researcher and as a member of a Project Advisory Committee (PAC). She has ongoing work as a Principal Investigator (PI) with WateReuse Foundation.