HDR/EES enlisted for AwwaRF lead study; employee wins national honor

BELLEVUE, WA, Oct. 25, 2004 -- The AWWA Research Foundation (AwwaRF), with support from 21 participating utilities and other entities, has commissioned an HDR/EES-led team to conduct a study of the effects that various lead bearing plumbing components have on compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule.

The Lead and Copper Rule requires utilities to optimize corrosion control and if appropriate, treat source water, deliver public education and replace lead service lines to reduce lead in drinking water.

The stated goal of the three-year research project is "To research and quantify the contribution of lead service lines, utility-owned inline devices, and customer-owned plumbing fixtures to Lead and Copper Rule compliance issues." HDR/EES will lead a team that includes Trussell Technologies, University of Cincinnati, Thames Water and Process Research Solutions LLC. The final report is scheduled to be made available for publication in November 2007.

The goal of the research is to develop guidelines that will be immediately useful for AwwaRF members, regulators, manufacturers and suppliers of water system and consumer plumbing components. Key research issues include LCR compliance, partial vs. full replacement of lead service lines, lead scale formation and solubility, corrosion treatment techniques and conflicting rules related to corrosion treatment and disinfection by-products, among others.

HDR woman wins national honor
In other news, HDR's Carmen Abad-Fitts was picked to receive a National Women of Color Technology Award for her accomplishments in advancing technology and science. Abad-Fitts is the assistant department manager for HDR's San Antonio office.

She's a recipient of the "All Star" award, a category that honors accomplished women of color who have demonstrated excellence as role models and leaders throughout their careers and continue to shape the course of business and technology.

The awards, sponsored by Career Communications Group, will be presented Oct. 28¿30 during the eighth annual National Women of Color Technology Awards Conference in Atlanta. The conference supports and recognizes minority women in technology careers and connects them with mentors and employers to help launch or re-energize their careers.

About HDR
HDR (www.hdrinc.com) is an architectural, engineering and consulting firm that excels at complex projects and solving challenges for clients. More than 3,600 employee-owners, including architects, engineers, consultants, scientists, planners and construction managers, in over 100 locations worldwide, pool their strengths to provide solutions beyond the scope of traditional A/E/C firms. HDR is Number 18 on Engineering News-Record magazine's Top 500 Design Firms overall rankings for 2004, and Number 10 in water. Economic and Engineering Services, Inc. (EES) was founded in 1978 and joined the HDR network in 2004.

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