SUSTAINABILITY

WRECO's goal is to create the foundation for environmentally responsible communities. As a certified California Green Business, WRECO implements eco-friendly business practices in all offices and develops innovative solutions to maximize preservation of the environment and minimize our project footprint. This is achieved through knowledge of regulatory requirements and standards, implementation of the latest stormwater treatment best management practices (BMP) and hydromodification innovations, and the utilization of advanced-technology solutions to address complex water quality and stormwater challenges.

RESTORING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

Project Highlight: Sabercat Creek Wetland Mitigation

This 0.4-acre wetland and 4.0-acre riparian woodland mitigation project was an opportunity to daylight approximately 140 feet of the creek channel buried underneath concrete culverts. The restoration utilized a boulder step-pool design approved by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).

INNOVATION IN ACTION

Project Highlight: Interstate 880/High Street Seismic Retrofit Project

A standard Austin Vault Sand Filter (AVSF) includes a sedimentation basin and a sand media filter placed adjacent to each other within a below-grade vault. For this seismic retrofit project, WRECO designed non-standard, above-ground AVSFs to fit in the project site — a challenge considering the freeway bents constraining the site. The innovative design had sides of equal length and featured nested chambers, with the sand media filter chamber set in the center of the sedimentation chamber. The above-ground design also eased maintenance access and reduced construction costs.

LEADERS IN LOW-IMPACT DEVELOPMENT (LID)

Project Highlight: BASMAA Urban Runoff Treatment Retrofits

WRECO worked with the Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association (BASMAA) on a pilot program to select and implement urban stormwater treatment retrofit projects that can be used to evaluate potential polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) load reductions in urban stormwater runoff to the San Francisco Bay. Designs included media filters, bioretention facilities, biofiltration swales, and tree well filters. The projects were fast-tracked to meet aggressive schedules.