NSI Statement of Qualifications Print-ready PDF

Natural Systems International, INC (NSI) is a Santa Fe firm founded in 1989 with the goal of applying low cost, energy efficient natural systems to the problems of wastewater and storm water treatment and reuse, as well as septage and sludge. NSI provides comprehensive specialized engineering services in the area of biological wastewater treatment systems, using the natural ecologies of ponds (wastewater lagoons), marshes (constructed wetlands), prairies, grasslands (land application/irrigation), and woodlands and forests (irrigation). As part of storm water management, we can provide grading and drainage engineering design, and we can also design water supply systems. With associates in Boston, MA, Columbus, OH, Atlanta, GA, and San Ramon, CA, NSI is able to provide personal service to our clients throughout the United States.

Because of the exploding interest in the field and our proven experience, NSI has undertaken natural treatment projects in 40 states, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, the Bahamas, Fiji, China, Afghanistan, and Australia. We have had the opportunity to work with many Native Americans tribes including the Shoshone, the Arapaho, the Navajo, the Lakota Sioux, and the Tesuque Pueblo. Our primary focus is providing engineering and construction administration services to small communities (< 50,000 people) for regional decentralized wastewater treatment systems, stormwater treatment systems, wastewater and stormwater reuse systems, and watershed and riparian restoration projects. We often participate in an integrated design process with other design professionals, allowing us to achieve significant savings for our clients by integrating building, siting and landscape design with stormwater management, wastewater collection, treatment and reuse.

Our firm is proud of our accomplishments, and boasts a rare depth and diverse range of experience that equals or exceeds even the largest national engineering firms. Since 1989, NSI has designed, developed studies, specified and observed construction on more than 500 constructed wetlands projects varying in size from 450 gallons per day (gpd) to 1.1 million gpd. We have firmly established our reputation for innovation and excellence with state and local regulatory agencies throughout the United States. Placing extra emphasis on both creativity and economics, NSI specializes in the implementation of natural treatment system designs using native plant species to treat municipal, commercial, residential, industrial, and agricultural wastewater, as well as mine tailings, landfill leachate, storm run-off, septage, and sludge.

We are in constant communication with other leading experts in the field, and are often asked to provide assistance to the environmental regulatory community in the development of guidelines for the design and permitting of various constructed wetland wastewater treatment systems. With other experts, we are quite literally “writing the book” for the foundation of a new environmental remediation industry. Our work has been featured on a PBS documentary, in the New York Times and on ABC World News Tonight’s “American Agenda”. Two of the founders, Campbell and Ogden, have written a textbook titled “Constructed Wetlands in the Sustainable Landscape” that was published by John Wiley and Sons.

NSI has been a leader in the design of wastewater and storm water reuse projects for the Federal Government, municipalities, developments, commercial facilities, and single residences. NSI was the first firm to have total reuse projects (for irrigation and/or flushing w.c.’s) in New Mexico, Nevada, New Jersey, Washington D.C., and Virginia. NSI has been the engineering firm on many LEED projects that involved varying degrees of reuse of both wastewater and storm water. NSI was the lead firm on a storm water treatment and reuse system that resulted in the creation of a 21.5-acre riparian corridor, habitat and wildlife sanctuary in Nevada.

The principals of the firm are experienced in water supply and water planning issues. Most of NSI’s clients are small communities (< 50,000 people), industrial facilities, and developers (up to 53,000 homes) who require a responsive firm capable of quickly executing a project and obtaining the necessary permits.

NSI takes pride in providing our clients with innovative, cost effective, state-of-the-art engineering services. Our group is a multi-disciplinary association of professionals who are experienced in the planning, design and construction of natural treatment systems for the treatment of:

· Municipal and Residential Wastewater Treatment
· Unincorporated Subdivisions Wastewater
· Industrial and Mine Wastewater Treatment
· Agriculture Wastewater Treatment
· Wastewater Reuse and Recycling
· Stormwater Treatment and Reuse
· Stormwater Grading and Drainage
· Septage and Sludge
· Riparian Restoration and Protection
· Landfill Leachate

The full-time staff of NSI consists of registered professional engineers (representing over 40 years of project experience), a senior engineering technician, an environmental/landscape designer, CAD drafting and engineering technicians, and full office support staff. NSI recognizes the strengths provided by regional experience and often consults with regional wetlands experts concerning specific opportunities and limitations that may exist at any particular location.

NSI currently offers the following services to our Clients:

–Feasibility Studies and Water Master Planning Studies.

–Design of Natural Treatment Systems including multiple uses such as irrigation, wildlife habitat, nature study areas, and parks.

–Preparation of Engineering and Landscape Specifications and Plans necessary for the construction of a natural treatment system.

–Project Management / Training and Supervision of Operators.

–Construction Management and Observation.

–Customized Site Integration.

In addition, the principals have extensive backgrounds in public meetings and hearings involving
projects that they have managed.