Our Practices
We develop and refine our core practices in areas where innovation can deliver exceptional value for our clients when compared to traditional approaches.
Services Overview
Geotechnical & Geological Analysis, Modeling & Engineering
Clients turn to Geosyntec’s nationally recognized geotechnical and geological engineers to develop projects and services that efficiently use geotechnically challenging sites. We apply advanced technologies and leverage our proven practice leadership to provide clients with dependable, cost-effective solutions and customized services while meeting aggressive construction schedules.
Since its founding in 1983, Geosyntec has provided high-value solutions to industrial and public sector clients in projects that include geotechnical and geo-structural aspects. Our professionals have developed capabilities and experience in the analysis, design, and constructability assessment of retaining structures, deep and shallow foundations, ground improvement, geotechnical instrumentation, construction over soft ground, and other aspects of geotechnical engineering.
Since the early 1990s, Geosyntec has provided earthquake engineering services for a wide range of critical projects around the world. Today, Geosyntec continues to advance the state of the practice in earthquake engineering.
Clients remediating groundwater face significant uncertainty addressing the complexities beneath the surface of their sites. They may have difficulty completing the characterization of the contamination or encounter challenges when implementing a remediation strategy. Often, they have been tasked by a regulatory agency to collect more data.
Whether onshore or offshore, extensive networks of pipelines, power transmission lines, and infrastructure must be built on changing and unstable geologic conditions called geohazards. Geohazards are major threats to structures, their owners, and communities.
Bridging the Gap Between Construction and Design
Geosyntec provides nationally recognized expertise and specialized geotechnical and geological engineering (geoengineering) services to evaluate and improve the design and construction engineering properties of soil and rock foundations. Our geoengineering specialists form one of the leading practices in the world. They are recognized for their ability to develop practical guidance, and efficient designs conducive to aggressive construction schedules commonly imposed by project economics.
Geosyntec has played a leading role in the development of state-of-the-art liquefaction and seismic analyses for more than 20 years and has pioneered designing economical structures that safely resist the loads caused by earthquakes.
Owners of new and existing dams, dikes, levees, and other hydraulic containment structures depend on consultants with expertise in geotechnical engineering, hydrology and hydraulics, and risk management. They need a reliable provider with a proven track record delivering a wide range of technical solutions.
Geosyntec has played a leading role in the development of state-of-the-art liquefaction and seismic analyses for over 20 years and has pioneered designing economical structures that safely resist the loads caused by earthquakes or allow for construction over soft soils.
Geosyntec provides nationally recognized expertise and specialized geotechnical and geological engineering (geoengineering) services to evaluate and improve the design and construction engineering properties of soil and rock foundations. Our geoengineering specialists form one of the leading practices in the United States. They are recognized for their ability to develop practical guidance, and efficient designs conducive to aggressive construction schedules commonly imposed by project economics.
Water & Natural Resources
Geosyntec’s water and natural resources practice is a collaborative group of nationally recognized scientists and engineers dedicated to balancing built and natural environments. Their practice specialties represent many disciplines, including geomorphology, ecology, biology, statistics, construction management, computer science, and engineering.
Businesses, agriculture clients, and municipalities need to understand and manage their rights to use water. This is especially true in the Western United States, where clients must balance future needs with changing laws and court decisions.
Geosyntec provides comprehensive water-quality permitting and receiving water-assessment services. Our services include the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting negotiations and technical support for wastewater and industrial wastewater treatment plant discharges, groundwater discharge, combined sewer overflow systems, and stormwater management.
Geosyntec provides a wide range of specialized services in the areas of water resources, water supply development, and water conservation throughout the world.
Geosyntec serves a wide range of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensees, from top-tier power providers who operate dozens of hydropower facilities, to dam owners with smaller add-ons. No matter the scale of the project, our team of engineers and geologists understand the current FERC regulations and are well versed in risk-informed decision making (RIDM).
Owners of new and existing dams, dikes, levees, and other hydraulic containment structures depend on consultants with expertise in geotechnical engineering, hydrology and hydraulics, and risk management. They need a reliable provider with a proven track record delivering a wide range of technical solutions.
Effective management of developed and undeveloped watersheds and stormwater runoff by public and private entities is a complex task from the scientific, regulatory, and policy perspectives.
Low impact development (LID) aims to mimic natural hydrology by using small-scale, decentralized techniques that infiltrate, evaporate, and transpire rainwater. The guiding principles of LID are to reduce imperviousness, disconnect imperviousness, conserve natural resources and areas, maintain natural drainage courses, and minimize clearing and grading.
The Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) process promulgated under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) calculates the monetary cost of restoring injuries to natural resources that result from releases of hazardous substances.
Geosyntec uses biological assessment and monitoring to create an accurate picture of the affected environment. Our services reliably evaluate the health of streams, rivers, lakes, and ocean environments. In addition, we can offer a less expensive alternative to complex chemical testing programs.
Recent updates to Sections 316(a) and 316(b) of the Clean Water Act regulate the use and operation of cooling water intake structures and revised national effluent limitation guidelines, significantly impacting many factory and power plant operators. The use of cooling water involves significant regulatory hurdles to address aquatic environmental impacts caused by thermal discharges and the impingement and entrainment of fish and shellfish at water intake structures.
Our clients seek a highly respected, top-tier, geoenvironmental consulting and engineering firm that works closely with public and private sector clients to address complex problems involving the environment, natural resources, and civil infrastructure. Geosyntec focuses on bringing value through technical innovation and first-rate project execution.
Geosyntec’s engineers and scientists stand among the world’s foremost experts in urban stormwater management. We are innovators who design best management practices to mitigate impacts to surface water quality, enhance water conservation strategies, and contribute to municipal water supplies.
To help clients achieve stringent water quality goals, Geosyntec provides rigorous assessment and modeling services to assess the sources and factors that affect the delivery of critical pollutants across watersheds.
Our environment is experiencing changes in climate patterns that were not anticipated by the designers of our coastal and upland surface-water water management systems.
Geosyntec, as a corporation and as individuals, was instrumental in the passage of Los Angeles County’s Measure W, the ordinance establishing the Safe Clean Water Program, through both fundraising leadership and technical support for a number of critical entities. Geosyntec maintains two permanent offices in Los Angeles County, managed and staffed by County residents and taxpayers.
Coastal & Waterfront Engineering
Marine and waterfront improvement projects are complex ventures that require sustainable surface, subsurface, and subaquatic environmental and engineering solutions. To be successful, they must navigate the changing climate and a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.
Clients turn to Geosyntec’s experts to design marina master plans and address their most complex marina and waterfront projects. Our comprehensive approach integrates marina market, business, and planning analyses with environmental studies, coastal engineering, and marina procurement expertise to produce a sustainable solution.
Coastal systems are dynamic and complex and are seriously threatened by environmental issues such as climate change. Geosyntec is dedicated to doing our part to combat these threats. We take a multidisciplinary approach to support public and private clients as they implement successful coastal restoration and protection projects.
Waterfront developers, municipalities, and others turn to Geosyntec for rigorous assessment and modeling services that support successful and resilient waterfront projects. Our coastal water resources professionals have served as the lead consultants on hundreds of projects. Additionally, we have delivered numerous services through our waterfront and coastal business groups.
Contaminated Site Assessment & Cleanup
Through our use of innovative technologies and solutions, we provide our public and private sector clients with a wide array of services to address their toughest challenges. Our contaminated site practitioners guide our clients through a specialized remediation plan, consult on regulatory strategies, and develop a comprehensive cleanup approach. We can address numerous types of media, including contaminated soils, sediments, and groundwater.
Geosyntec applies reliable and innovative approaches to contaminated media investigations and assessments. We help clients address a wide array of known and emerging contaminants in soil, sediment, and groundwater. We also conduct site evaluations and discover the sources of air emissions, subsurface vapor intrusion into buildings, and contaminants in surface waters.
Lakes, rivers, and marine environments, especially those in urban waterfront and coastal areas, often have contaminated sediment and surface water and stressed biota from decades of industrial and commercial activities.
Working with public- and private-sector clients, Geosyntec provides award-winning redevelopment strategies for brownfield sites worldwide. From site identification, investigation, and remediation to design, permitting, and construction management, we provide the services necessary to redevelop an environmentally impacted property to an end use that meets environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder needs. We employ appropriate and efficient geotechnical engineering and environmental remediation services to solve our clients’ brownfield redevelopment challenges.
New and expanded federal, state, and international regulations regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are coming into force around the world. In the United States, industrial and manufacturing clients who use or make PFAS need to understand and comply with complex new reporting required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA’s) Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
PFAS are challenging contaminants because most PFAS constituents cannot be detected using conventional analytical techniques. Remediation options that may address one PFAS constituent may not work for others, and only partial treatment may be achievable. Byproducts of treatment may not be detected and thus their risk is unknown. Risk-based standards for PFAS in soil and water are extremely low.
When a site involves volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in soil or groundwater, those chemicals can volatilize and migrate into nearby buildings presenting a health hazard to those inside. Not only that, but most buildings also contain other sources of volatile contaminants that are related to ongoing operations or consumer products. Because the same chemicals can be present in the subsurface, in chemicals used on-site, and in other products, investigation and mitigation can become complicated.
Developing an accurate conceptual site model (CSM) is paramount to understanding and interpreting contaminant fate and transport in the subsurface. One of the main reasons that site remediation fails or produces less than optimal outcomes is a reliance on an overly simplified CSM.
Geosyntec’s expertise in efficient site characterization, including sites that exhibit complex groundwater-flow regimes, has distinguished our firm as a leader in groundwater assessment and groundwater remediation. Our practitioners address a broad suite of contaminants, including metals, chlorinated organic chemicals, petroleum hydrocarbons, and emerging contaminants, and use award-winning, technology-based remediation strategies that are often first-to-field. Many of our hydrogeologists specialize in modeling the fate and transport of contaminants through the most difficult types of media, including fractured and karst bedrock.
Geosyntec is a recognized leader in waste containment facility permitting and design. From concept to implementation, we assist our clients in achieving efficient, safe, and secure containment of their regulated wastes that require land disposal.
Government regulations for air quality and emissions continue to rapidly evolve. Companies must understand, plan for, and adhere to rapidly changing requirements including monitoring, testing, emissions control, recordkeeping, and reporting.
Drawing on decades of experience in chemistry, biochemistry, ecology, and biology, our engineers and scientists conduct field and laboratory investigations to identify or characterize biological and chemical challenges impacting soil, sediment, groundwater, surface water, and waste.
Hydrogeological characterization and fate and transport modeling affects the performance of any remediation technology deployed at a site. To effectively remediate a site and optimize the use of time and resources, contamination must be sufficiently characterized using sound judgment to interpret available data. By delineating and understanding the geology and hydrogeology, our experts design strong conceptual site models, remediate groundwater, and employ beneficial reuse of sediments.
Geosyntec is a preferred partner for innovative, cost-effective, and successful remediation solutions because we approach each project with technical expertise and creativity. For every client, we develop a clear understanding of how to achieve best-value outcomes using the most appropriate technologies and management strategies for individual projects.
Commercial manufacturers, specialty chemical firms, and industry and legal-sector clients often face a complicated mix of constituents at their sites. They need to understand the implications of cumulative exposures across multiple pathways, often for multiple populations. In addition, they may be facing uncertainties associated with emerging constituents, which are often not yet well understood.
Understanding how water interacts with the surface and subsurface environment at any contaminated location is critical to designing innovative and cost-effective remediation systems and site-management strategies.
Geosyntec is a reliable partner for creative, cost-effective and successful bioremediation solutions because we approach remediation with an environmental management perspective. For each client, we develop a clear understanding of how to achieve best-value outcomes using the most appropriate technologies and environmental management strategies for each project.
Geosyntec provides practical solutions and a clear vision for environmental remediation that exceed client expectations and help them earn regulatory approval of the solutions they deploy.
The operation of expensive remediation systems, sometimes for decades, is often the result of heterogenous or fine-grained geology, fractured bedrock, restrictive criteria that are regulated down to the part per trillion level, and contaminant mass that is caught up in fine-grain soil making painfully-slow diffusion the primary mass transfer mechanism.
Geosyntec provides treatability testing services to support a wide variety of environmental remediation projects around the world. The results of our studies and pilot tests provide important, actionable data about environmental challenges presented by contaminated soil, sediment, groundwater, surface water, and waste.
Geosyntec’s secure Data Clearinghouse allows custom visualization and reporting of data in Electronic Data Deliverables and data entered into forms or spreadsheets.
Infrastructure Planning, Engineering & Design
As a core service area within our firm, we provide civil planning, engineering, and design services to help our clients address their infrastructure development, restoration, improvement, and revitalization projects. Our civil planning, engineering, and design practice is a foundational element of our firm’s holistic approach to our firm’s business in infrastructure development, safety, and reliability. Our practitioners have designed, constructed, and managed hundreds of infrastructure projects at sites of all sizes throughout the world.
Working with public- and private-sector clients, Geosyntec provides award-winning redevelopment strategies for brownfield sites worldwide. From site identification, investigation, and remediation to design, permitting, and construction management, we provide the services necessary to redevelop an environmentally impacted property to an end use that meets environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder needs. We employ appropriate and efficient geotechnical engineering and environmental remediation services to solve our clients’ brownfield redevelopment challenges.
Constructed wetlands have shown great promise treating a variety of constituents in wastewater and groundwater impacted by ammonia, BOD, COD, iron, phosphorous, volatiles, and other contaminants.
Geosyntec’s engineers and scientists aid many clients in the decommissioning and remediation of power plants, refineries, military facilities, NASA storage and assembly areas, and chemical manufacturing and distribution facilities.
As the size and complexity of our clients’ most challenging environmental and infrastructure projects have grown, so has Geosyntec’s ability to deliver solutions through specialized process engineering services.As the size and complexity of our clients’ most challenging environmental and infrastructure projects have grown, so has Geosyntec’s ability to deliver solutions through specialized process engineering services.As the size and complexity of our clients’ most challenging environmental and infrastructure projects have grown, so has Geosyntec’s ability to deliver solutions through specialized process engineering services.
Owners of new and existing dams, dikes, levees, and other hydraulic containment structures depend on consultants with expertise in geotechnical engineering, hydrology and hydraulics, and risk management. They need a reliable provider with a proven track record delivering a wide range of technical solutions.
A significant component of Geosyntec’s landfill engineering practice is the management of landfill gas and compliance with air quality standards. Our expertise with landfill gas is built upon a legacy of being a recognized leader helping our clients achieve safe, secure containment of regulated wastes since our founding in 1983.
A significant component of Geosyntec’s landfill engineering practice is the management of landfill gas and compliance with air quality standards. Our expertise with landfill gas management services is built upon our legacy of being a recognized leader in helping our clients achieve safe, secure containment of regulated wastes since our founding in 1983.
Geosyntec’s practitioners work with regulators and stakeholders to develop solutions for a range of radiological challenges, including waste management and disposal, waste packaging and transportation, facility decontamination and decommissioning (D&D), and environmental restoration for government and private clients. Our established credibility with regulators contributes to securing the approvals needed to move demanding projects forward in a timely manner.
Geosyntec engineers and scientists offer decades of experience in the design, construction, and long-term maintenance of waste containment and processing facilities, including central operations where commingled or source-separated recyclables are processed mechanically or manually to meet market specifications for sale.
Geosyntec is a recognized leader in helping our clients achieve safe, secure containment of their regulated wastes requiring land disposal. We provide engineering and related services for siting, permitting, design, construction management/quality assurance, environmental monitoring, and closure/post-closure care.
Geosyntec provides a wide range of specialized services in the areas of water resources, water supply development, and water conservation throughout the world.
The ability to develop and enhance sustainable water resources while balancing the benefits to human populations and water-dependent ecosystems represents one of the more critical issues facing communities across the globe.
Information Management & Geospatial Data Services
Today’s challenges in natural and engineered environments often require the collection, validation, organization, visualization, and analysis of large amounts of data from diverse sources. Geosyntec specializes in developing systems that turn data into information.
In a data-driven world, clients must make sense of vast amounts of information. They seek out Geosyntec to turn data into actionable insights.
Large data sets pose unique challenges, often complicating decision-making regarding environmental and geotechnical projects. Geosyntec embraces these challenges, using data science and machine learning to explore and make sense of statistically sound data and help clients reduce risk and make smarter decisions.
To address environmental, engineering, and regulatory complexities, clients and practitioners must quickly build accurate understandings of site conditions and communicate about them.
Paper field forms and maps can be messy, are prone to loss, and must be entered manually when staff return to the office. Clients seek out Geosyntec for sophisticated yet easy-to-use tools that speed data collection, lower costs, and increase efficiency throughout the life of their projects.
To complement a wide range of civil, structural, and geotechnical engineering services, Geosyntec creates, deploys, and monitors automated data acquisition system (ADAS) installations. In so doing, we give clients the tools they need to build smarter, more efficient projects.
Clients managing construction projects with deep foundations and other significant geotechnical considerations need specialized support to interpret large amounts of data, quickly communicate findings, meet project specifications, and inform contractors.
Clients seek out Geosyntec to collect, provide, and analyze comprehensive and accurate data from large and often inaccessible areas. To support them, we use technologies including drones, InSAR data, LiDAR processing, bathymetry, and satellite imagery to expeditiously and cost-effectively collect better data while minimizing risk.
Environmental Planning & Management
Geosyntec’s environmental management team builds compliance solutions, distinguishes between potential and actual environmental risks, and develops strategies to decrease energy and water utilization.
The microbial world is critical for life on earth, providing many benefits to humankind. Yet it can also cause great suffering and economic damage. Geosyntec is committed to applying its scientific and engineering acumen to help our clients navigate challenges posed by harmful microorganisms.
Companies and municipalities seeking state and federal grants and tax credits for environmental projects face a challenging path to funding. While there are many opportunities in the United States, often for sustainability and decarbonization, funding applications can be intricate and complex and require both extensive technical detail and clear communication.
For decades, global chemical control and downstream product regulations, bans, restrictions, and reporting obligations have proliferated, creating major challenges for multinational corporations (MNCs).
Geosyntec provides a diverse portfolio of services to our public and private clients to improve their environmental and financial performance, manage risk, and reduce environmental liabilities consistent with their financial and stewardship goals.
Whether it’s due to customer, shareholder, or regulator-requirements, transitional workforce challenges, or some other reason, organizations are seeking to develop, implement, maintain, and improve upon their systems for environmental, safety and health, and sustainability management. Limited resources and management system expertise within the organizations can be a road block.
Municipal and private clients turn to Geosyntec to solve complex problems involving a wide array of solid waste management issues. We guide clients through the technical, regulatory, and public relations aspects of municipal solid waste, construction and demolition waste, nonhazardous industrial solid waste, hazardous waste, and other waste classes.
It can be a challenge for owners of facilities that use hazardous chemicals that need to address process safety to understand the nuances of legal requirements, to meet requirements, and to conduct necessary periodic activities internally without assistance. Many facility owners do not have internal resources qualified to address the safety of their highly hazardous chemical processes without assistance.
A company’s desire to provide a safe and healthy work environment for their employees, coupled with the desire to reduce risk and reach internal safety targets and goals, requires safety and health expertise to develop a robust safety program and culture. In developing the safety program and safety culture, a company can find itself needing some outside expertise to help solve problems.
Geosyntec provides quality assessment services to aid building owners, employers, and government agencies as they identify, diagnose, and solve occupant health problems associated with the built environment.
Transactional Due Diligence & Consultation
The role of environmental due diligence during merger, divestiture, and acquisition (MD&A) activities has evolved significantly since the early years of conducting straightforward Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) for the purpose of identifying potential environmental concerns.
Investors and consumers increasingly demand companies improve their operations as measured by Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards. Purposeful ESG and sustainability programs demonstrate to stakeholders a company’s commitment to operate responsibly in everything they do. A tailored ESG strategy can mitigate business risks, leverage opportunities, and drive long-term business value.
Air Quality Management & Air Pollution Control
Government regulations for air quality and emissions continue to rapidly evolve. Companies must understand, plan for, and adhere to rapidly changing requirements including monitoring, testing, emissions control, record keeping, and reporting.
Navigating the global energy transition to renewable and sustainable energy sources will be crucial to the long-term success of organizations. Clients across industries and sectors face significant challenges as they address and mitigate risks associated with climate change, explore opportunities to reduce emissions and fossil fuel consumption, and integrate into new energy networks.
Navigating climate change risks is increasingly critical for businesses worldwide. These include two distinct kinds of risk: those associated with transitioning to a lower-carbon economy and the physical risks of a changing climate.
Under many jurisdictions, facility owners are required to evaluate potential offsite air quality impacts to gain regulatory approvals. Our clients need consultants with experience running air dispersion models. These models use mathematical algorithms to characterize atmospheric processes, to understand how pollutants disperse, and to predict ambient concentrations of air contaminants.
Geosyntec’s air quality clients need services for emission control, device conceptual design and selection, feasibility, monitoring, evaluation, and optimization for their facilities.
Government regulations are constantly evolving. Air quality and emission standards require companies to plan for and demonstrate ongoing compliance with monitoring, testing, emissions control, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements.
Geosyntec helps clients determine performance and the cost of air pollution control techniques. These techniques are designed to reduce or eliminate emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and regulated air toxics from industrial and commercial sources.
Environmental, Social & Governance
Government regulations for air quality and emissions continue to rapidly evolve. Companies must understand, plan for, and adhere to rapidly changing requirements including monitoring, testing, emissions control, record keeping, and reporting.
Navigating the global energy transition to renewable and sustainable energy sources will be crucial to the long-term success of organizations. Clients across industries and sectors face significant challenges as they address and mitigate risks associated with climate change, explore opportunities to reduce emissions and fossil fuel consumption, and integrate into new energy networks.
Navigating climate change risks is increasingly critical for businesses worldwide. These include two distinct kinds of risk: those associated with transitioning to a lower-carbon economy and the physical risks of a changing climate.
As global demand for sustainable and affordable energy grows, industries and organizations are shifting to renewable or low-carbon energy sources and evaluating their existing energy systems.
A significant component of Geosyntec’s landfill engineering practice is the management of landfill gas and compliance with air quality standards. Our expertise with landfill gas management services is built upon our legacy of being a recognized leader in helping our clients achieve safe, secure containment of regulated wastes since our founding in 1983.
Our clients understand environmental and occupational safety and health risk management is a vital component of maintaining overall operational excellence.
Life cycle assessment (LCA) explores the environmental impacts of products, processes, and policies. In some cases, stakeholders use results from these studies to inform decisions, while in other cases, the results are used to qualify for government incentives, identify decarbonization opportunities, or meet certain standards such as low-carbon fuel standards. Emerging global, federal, and regional regulations require LCAs be performed, bringing additional attention to LCA practice, especially as it relates to decarbonization and carbon intensity.
Risk Assessment & Applied Toxicology
Commercial manufacturers, specialty chemical firms, and industry and legal-sector clients often face a complicated mix of constituents at their sites. They need to understand the implications of cumulative exposures across multiple pathways, often for multiple populations. In addition, they may be facing uncertainties associated with emerging constituents, which are often not yet well understood.
Geosyntec applies reliable and innovative approaches to contaminated media investigations and assessments. We help clients address a wide array of known and emerging contaminants in soil, sediment, and groundwater. We also conduct site evaluations and discover the sources of air emissions, subsurface vapor intrusion into buildings, and contaminants in surface waters.
Vapor intrusion or background sources?
Wildfire Services
Geosyntec’s experience-built approach to addressing post-fire conditions is widely valued by municipalities, federal and state agencies, and local stakeholders. We develop and implement emergency mitigation measures to reduce impacts to homes, infrastructure, and communities. In addition, we characterize and monitor the removal of ash and debris to reduce public-health hazards and protect water quality.
