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VERTEX has Experts that Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk.

Unlike others, VERTEX provides forensic consulting alongside traditional AEC services which allows for a 360 degree view of your project.

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Our forensics experts work alongside AEC specialists which enhances our skills and bolsters the credibility of our expert consultants.

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VERTEX delivers innovative solutions on complex projects globally.

Since 1995, VERTEX has completed over 90,000 projects.

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Stay current with our industry experts as they share their insights and knowledge on the built environment.

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VERTEX is looking for talented individuals to join a highly technical team of forensic consultants, design engineers, construction managers, and environmental scientists.

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Have a question or want to speak with a technical professional?

VERTEX is a multi-discipline firm with global coverage. Our international network of resources enables us to provide multi-national clients with the most qualified local professionals who understand the culture, language, and regulatory framework.

Call Us: 888.298.5162

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Call us at 888.298.5162.

Environmental Contamination vs. Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit Compliance

VERTEX was retained by an international property and casualty insurance carrier to assist them in their review and technical evaluation of a claim from an insured that operates a food waste recycling and cogeneration power facility in New Jersey. The claim pertained to alleged violations of the facility’s wastewater discharge permit for biological oxygen demand (BOD) levels and solids content.

The claimant was an adjacent public sewerage utility to which the insured’s facility discharged wastewater following treatment in their three 1.1M-gallon anaerobic digester tanks. The digester tanks had begun experiencing subsidence shortly after installation which affected the performance of the tanks’ agitators (mixers) and in turn resulted in the elevated BOD and solids content in the discharge despite the tanks being operated at 70% of normal capacity due to the ongoing subsidence and concerns regarding the structural integrity of the tanks if operated at full capacity.

The claimed damages related to operational impacts of the insured’s discharge on the sewer utility’s own digester tank, which required major servicing, the costs incurred by the insured for installation of a new treatment system as rectification of the tank subsidence problem was going to require an extended period of time (up to a year), and associated lost revenue due to having to operate the facility at greatly reduced capacity.

VERTEX review identified several potential avenues for subrogation with regard to the settling of the tanks (the ultimate cause of the discharge permit violation), including the general contractor, tank installation contractor, and geotechnical contractor. VERTEX also concluded that no release of a contaminant to the subsurface environment had occurred and that no environmental impacts requiring remediation by a regulatory authority resulted from the settling of the tanks or the discharge permit exceedances.

To learn more about VERTEX’s Forensic Consulting services or to speak with an Expert, call 888.298.5162 or submit an inquiry.

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