WASTEWATER ENGINEERING SERVICES

Trotter and Associates, Inc. has the wastewater engineering expertise required to resolve the complex issues brought on by increased development, changing regulatory environment, and aging infrastructure.


TAI is one of few firms that have direct experience with the planning, design, and construction of both membrane treatment systems and biological nutrient removal. While TAI is a local firm, a number of its projects have been nationally recognized. The Algonquin 5-stage BNR facility was highlighted by the USEPA during their 2010 Nutrients Symposium. In fact, Region V of the USEPA has declared this facility a model plant for future nutrient removal facilities. Similarly, the Village of East Dundee has been highlighted during conferences as the first facility to utilize membrane reactors for WAS thickening.


Trotter and Associates, Inc. staff are heavily involved in local, state, regional, and national organizations that specialize in wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal. TAI’s staff has served in leadership roles within the Water Environment Federation and American Public Works Association. TAI’s staff is currently leading WEF’s Strategic Plan for Utility of the Future, Flushables Taskforce, and the Young Professionals Service Project. In addition, TAI is closely aligned with the academic community and the Water Environment Research Foundation which is actively pursuing the development of treatment processes for the advancement of our industry. TAI’s professionals not only give papers at conferences and lecture at universities, but actively serve on the Boards and Committees within these organizations.


TAI’s professionals are helping to shape national policy as well as advance the best technologies, operational techniques, and management strategies for collection systems, treatment facilities, and watersheds. As such, our staff is on the leading edge of pending environmental legislation and advancements that assist our clients in meeting the demands of their community.


TAI has become highly respected for successfully planning, designing, and implementing a wide range of water and wastewater infrastructure solutions. Trotter and Associates, Inc. understands that each community’s infrastructure is unique and that its design has been influenced by a variety of factors including the rate of development, regulatory issues, operational preference, as well as the preferences of prior engineering firms.


Aside from having experience with a variety of alternative solutions, TAI’s professionals have a comprehensive understanding of the building blocks essential to design wastewater infrastructure including:


  • Biological, physical, and chemical processes for removal of contaminants and nutrients.
  • Mechanical engineering for the selection, proper installation, and maintenance of systems.
  • Hydraulic engineering to ensure operation over a wide range of conditions
  • FACILITY AND MASTER PLANNING

    Facility and Master Planning


    Trotter and Associates, Inc. has developed Wastewater Facility Plans for several communities in Northern IL. Our comprehensive approach consists of evaluating existing infrastructure, working closely with the operational staff, developing specific solutions, and preparing concise reports. The final report provides the elected officials, as well as the public, an assortment of information outlining the system’s strengths, weaknesses, needs, and solutions, ultimately allowing the elected officials to make well educated decisions about future projects.


    TAI organizes Wastewater Facility Plans in a progressive format that works well with the IEPA low interest loan program. The first section provides a general introduction and historical background for the community’s wastewater system. The second section is dedicated to projecting future flow conditions based on land use as defined in a Comprehensive Plan. The third section is committed to the review of the collection system. The fourth section is dedicated to evaluation of the existing lift stations. The fifth section provides analysis of the existing treatment facility. The sixth section develops and evaluates treatment alternatives to address expansion, regulatory, and rehabilitation issues. The seventh section determines environmental impacts of the proposed improvements. The final section summarizes the recommendations, associated costs, implementation schedule, and provides suggestions for user rates and connection fees.

  • WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT DESIGN

    Wastewater Treatment Plant Design


    TAI’s wastewater treatment team is experienced in all aspects of the treatment process, including BNR treatment, anaerobic and aerobic digestion, membrane thickening, and filter press or centrifuge dewatering facilities. Trotter and Associates, Inc. even has experience with the new chlorides standards. The staff works closely not only with the client, but also with several manufacturers to fully understand the requirements of each piece of equipment. By integrating the manufacturer into the design team, each entity understands the project’s objectives and constraints. TAI’s process engineers have extensive experience in physical, biological, and chemical treatment of a variety of wastewater treatment processes.


    In addition to being well versed in design, TAI’s specialized staff also participates in technical seminars, postgraduate studies, and continuing education programs to continue to stay on the leading edge of technology and advancement of the rapidly changing wastewater industry. The Staff’s ongoing training enables TAI to make recommendations based on the most current technology – which we have found to be a clear advantage for our clients. TAI recognizes that future regulations and expansion cannot be ignored during the design process. TAI is known for demonstrating the ability to incorporate future modifications and expansions into the design.

  • LIFT STATION DESIGN

    Lift Station Design


    Trotter and Associates, Inc. is proficient in the design of new wastewater lift stations and the rehabilitation of existing pump stations. The TAI staff can assist an owner in identifying potential problems, and in the design and construction of a viable lift station solution. During the preliminary investigation, TAI’s staff will evaluate the current and future conditions and perform a site visit. The design process is performed in an iterative method to identify the most appropriate and effective solution. During the design process, TAI staff works closely with both the owner and several manufactures to fully understand the equipment capabilities. TAI is known to continue the same level of relationship with the owner and manufacturer throughout construction.

  • SANITARY SEWER DESIGN

    Sanitary Sewer Design


    The TAI staff has completed numerous collection system projects including force mains and gravity sewers. Design and construction phase engineering requires experience, attention to details and open communication with the owner to ensure that the finished product meets the owner’s expectations. The clarity and accuracy of TAI’s construction documents result in tighter bids and minimal change orders. As a result, TAI is able to assure its clients that projects will remain within budget and be completed on schedule.

Facility and Master Planning

Trotter and Associates, Inc. has developed Wastewater Facility Plans for several communities in Northern IL. Our comprehensive approach consists of evaluating existing infrastructure, working closely with the operational staff, developing specific solutions, and preparing concise reports. The final report provides the elected officials, as well as the public, an assortment of information outlining the system’s strengths, weaknesses, needs, and solutions, ultimately allowing the elected officials to make well educated decisions about future projects.


TAI organizes Wastewater Facility Plans in a progressive format that works well with the IEPA low interest loan program. The first section provides a general introduction and historical background for the community’s wastewater system. The second section is dedicated to projecting future flow conditions based on land use as defined in a Comprehensive Plan. The third section is committed to the review of the collection system. The fourth section is dedicated to evaluation of the existing lift stations. The fifth section provides analysis of the existing treatment facility. The sixth section develops and evaluates treatment alternatives to address expansion, regulatory, and rehabilitation issues. The seventh section determines environmental impacts of the proposed improvements. The final section summarizes the recommendations, associated costs, implementation schedule, and provides suggestions for user rates and connection fees.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Design

TAI’s wastewater treatment team is experienced in all aspects of the treatment process, including BNR treatment, anaerobic and aerobic digestion, membrane thickening, and filter press or centrifuge dewatering facilities. Trotter and Associates, Inc. even has experience with the new chlorides standards. The staff works closely not only with the client, but also with several manufacturers to fully understand the requirements of each piece of equipment. By integrating the manufacturer into the design team, each entity understands the project’s objectives and constraints. TAI’s process engineers have extensive experience in physical, biological, and chemical treatment of a variety of wastewater treatment processes.


In addition to being well versed in design, TAI’s specialized staff also participates in technical seminars, postgraduate studies, and continuing education programs to continue to stay on the leading edge of technology and advancement of the rapidly changing wastewater industry. The Staff’s ongoing training enables TAI to make recommendations based on the most current technology – which we have found to be a clear advantage for our clients. TAI recognizes that future regulations and expansion cannot be ignored during the design process. TAI is known for demonstrating the ability to incorporate future modifications and expansions into the design.

Lift Station Design

Trotter and Associates, Inc. is proficient in the design of new wastewater lift stations and the rehabilitation of existing pump stations. The TAI staff can assist an owner in identifying potential problems, and in the design and construction of a viable lift station solution. During the preliminary investigation, TAI’s staff will evaluate the current and future conditions and perform a site visit. The design process is performed in an iterative method to identify the most appropriate and effective solution. During the design process, TAI staff works closely with both the owner and several manufactures to fully understand the equipment capabilities. TAI is known to continue the same level of relationship with the owner and manufacturer throughout construction.



Sanitary Sewer Design

The TAI staff has completed numerous collection system projects including force mains and gravity sewers. Design and construction phase engineering requires experience, attention to details and open communication with the owner to ensure that the finished product meets the owner’s expectations. The clarity and accuracy of TAI’s construction documents result in tighter bids and minimal change orders. As a result, TAI is able to assure its clients that projects will remain within budget and be completed on schedule.


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RELATED PROJECTS

By Mark Dupree February 19, 2026
Trotter and Associates, Inc. is partnering with the Village of Sussex, Wisconsin, on the 2025 WPCF Improvements Project, which aims to modernize critical systems at the wastewater treatment facility. Upgrades to screening, filtration, and aeration equipment are being implemented to enhance facility operations and maintenance.  With the hard work and coordinated efforts of Sabel Mechanical LLC and Pieper Electric, Inc., the project is expected to be completed on time.
By Heidi Patla February 3, 2026
The $1.36 million Village of Algonquin Braewood Lift Station Rehabilitation project is complete. Delivered in collaboration with the Village of Algonquin and Dahme Mechanical Industries, Inc., the project was completed on schedule and within 1.4% of the original construction contract amount. Following a 2022 condition assessment by Trotter and Associates, Inc. (TAI), improvements were identified to increase lift station and force main capacity. The force main replacement was completed in 2024, followed by lift station rehabilitation and system integration. Improvements included upsized pumps, VFDs, and piping; replacement of the grinder, flow meter, and odor-control equipment; electrical and HVAC upgrades; and connection to the new 16-inch force main. Station capacity increased from 1,500 GPM to 5,000 GPM, supporting future Village development. 
By Mark Dupree October 21, 2025
Trotter and Associates, Inc. (TAI) is collaborating with the City of Plano to assess the performance and capacity of their 2.44 MGD Biological Nutrient Removal Facility with aerobic digestion. As part of the evaluation, TAI addresses a key challenge: the City’s septic receiving station, which handles up to 10,000 gallons of septage per day during peak season. The additional solids load affects the facility’s overall capacity, especially in the aerobic digester. Our team is performing influent sampling and utilizing BioWin modeling to gain a thorough understanding of the facility’s operational dynamics. TAI is also developing an updated Basis of Design to reflect the impact of the septage receiving station, helping to determine the aerobic digester's remaining capacity. The result will guide recommendations for improvements to the solids handling system, ensuring long-term efficiency and performance, which is critical to infrastructure, and optimizing the wastewater treatment processes. 
September 9, 2025
The Janak and Weck subdivisions, located in the Village of Algonquin, are older subdivisions within the municipality. The Village is looking to provide residents with long-term sustainable solutions to update its existing aging water and sewer infrastructure. To achieve this goal, the Trotter team is preparing a feasibility study that outlines the best options for improving the infrastructure in these subdivisions. One of the main components will be assessing whether to rehabilitate the existing rear-yard sanitary sewers or to replace the sewers within the right-of-way in front of the properties. Once the study is completed, the Village will have the data needed to make an informed decision that results in the most cost-effective, sustainable infrastructure plan for this area. 
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