Quality of Life Engineering Award goes to H2M Team for Birches/Continental Villas Subdivision project

H2M architects + engineers, working for Nassau County Department of Public Works, and teaming with the Town of Oyster Bay, DeBruin Engineering, Bove Industries, Philip Ross Industries and Wire to Water, Inc. completed the design and construction of the wastewater conveyance system for the Birches/Continental Villas Subdivision in Locust Valley, Long Island and was honored with this year's American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Long Island Branch Quality of Life Award. Each year, the ASCE Long Island Branch recognizes projects that significantly contribute to society and life on Long Island. Jason Chen, president of ASCE Long Island Branch 2011-2012 presented the award at an Annual Awards & Dinner at the Westbury Manor in Westbury. Accepting the award on behalf of the team was Shila Shah-Gavnoudias, PE, commissioner of the Nassau County DPW. The award-winning project is the Sewage Pump Station/Force Main Design that replaced the on-site sanitary sewage system at the Birches/Continental Villas Subdivision in Locust Valley for each home in the more than 60-lot subdivision. The system will also allow the future connection of an additional 120 homes. Wastewater is conveyed from the pump station through the force main to the Glen Cove sewerage system. The environmental benefits of constructing the Locust Valley Sewage Pump Station included the elimination of residential septic system sewage discharge to groundwater near wetlands and elimination of a chlorinated wastewater point source release to Mill Neck Creek. During construction, less than 10% of the total roadway was disturbed from the drilling and installation method used. The pump station did not have the stigma to the community compared to the initially proposed sewage treatment plant. Exterior finishes and landscaping layouts were developed jointly with local residents. Two methods of odor control have been provided due to the proximity of the pump station to adjoining homes. 1,000 s/f of a permeable reinforced concrete grid paver has been installed to reduce runoff. The wastewater conveyance was started up and fully operational in April 2011. The project improved the quality of life for the subdivision residents. H2M architects + engineers is made up of more than 250 architects, engineers (civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, environmental), planners, designers, inspectors, surveyors and scientists who work hand-in-hand with our clients on Long Island, in New York and New Jersey, developing sustainable solutions for buildings and infrastructure. For nearly 80 years the H2M team has been at the forefront of industry technologies, market trends and policy changes to better serve our clients. H2M is one of the most respected professional consulting firms in the Northeast andremains committed to achieving goals in step with the market and in harmony with the environment. Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) represents more than 140,000 members of the civil engineering profession worldwide and is America's oldest national engineering society. ASCE'smission is to provide essential value to its members and partners, advance civil engineering, and serve the public good. In carrying out that mission, ASCEadvances technology, encourages lifelong learning, promotes professionalism and the profession, develops civil engineer leaders, advocates infrastructure and environmental stewardship.