Abdul Mulla-Saleh, PhD, PE, BCEE, joins SCS Engineers as a Project Director specializing in civil and environmental services for solid waste management and master planning, landfill permitting, site development, landfill expansions and closures.
“Abdul brings superior credentials to serve SCS’s clients. Our Southeastern engineering teams bring a holistic approach to solid waste management by combining field skills, advanced technology, and engineering experts to focus on sustainable solutions,” states Vice President Shane Fischer.
Dr. Mulla-Saleh is a licensed Professional Engineer in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina and a Board Certified Environmental Engineer who has supported large civil and environmental projects globally. His portfolio includes new site development and infrastructure projects, master plans for drainage and wastewater, solid waste management, hydrologic and hydraulic studies, flood control structures, pump stations, and roadways.
His successful track record includes projects in the US, where he completed environmental projects, including landfill engineering and solid waste management facilities design, sustainable waste management, including zero waste and carbon neutral concepts, and technical quality assurance.
Abdul is a published author and presents at industry and association educational events. He is a member of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the International Solid Waste Association, and the Solid Waste Association of North America. He earned his PhD in Civil Engineering at the University of South Florida; his MS in Environmental Engineering also at the University of South Florida; and his BS in Civil Engineering at the University of South Alabama.
There is a demand for qualified professionals such as Abdul, and opportunities for those just beginning their careers at SCS Engineers. Each and every team at SCS has opportunities to help protect our water, air, and land for those interested in gaining experience or sharing their expertise with industries responsible for safeguarding the environment as they deliver essential services and products.
For more information about us, please watch our video to see what you can do for your business and community. If you prefer working outdoors as part of a talented, unique team please watch this short video. No matter your job at SCS, you will make a difference!
Visit professionals from SCS Engineers and SCS Field Services at BOOTH 28 at SWANA’s 3-day Northwest Regional Symposium, April 18-20, at the Tulalip Resort Hotel in Marysville, WA. SCS Engineers and SCS Field Services are Bronze sponsors of the conference, and SCS Engineers is also a meal sponsor.
The symposium, themed “The Next Normal: The Future of Solid Waste Management,” will bring together solid waste industry professionals and students from a wide variety of specialized fields to exchange information and learn from technical experts. Hear presentations by SCS professionals, including:
The symposium program will include sessions on Organics Management Planning; Aging Transfer Facilities Planning; Waste Systems’ Financial Impacts (zero waste and funding opportunities); Emerging Landfill Industry Trends (PFAS, liner, leachate, and landfill gas); Sustainability, Recycling, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). It will also include tours of several compelling sites, plenty of networking opportunities, educational credits, exhibits, and much more!
Each spring the Evergreen (WA and MT), Beaver (OR and ID), and Pacific (BC and Yukon) chapters of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) hold this joint Northwest Symposium.
For full program details and registration information, click here
USEPA recently issued Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 15, which includes a focus on PFAS discharges from multiple categories. In conjunction with Plan 15, EPA has determined that revisions to the effluent guidelines and standards for the Landfills Category (40 CFR part 445) are warranted. See Section 6.3.3 of the Plan. Here are a few excerpts regarding landfill leachate:
Landfill leachate and wastewater treatment planning and resource information are available here.
The USEPA provides many resources for recycling in schools, but the best place to start is with your solid waste management department. Because what gets recycled is different in every locality, it can be a challenge to use some federal programs. That’s what Dane County did, and they’ve had tremendous success building a pilot program that works for the infrastructure in place and their school system.
Two parents got the process started with a cafeteria waste audit. The enthusiasm generated by the waste audit encouraged parents, custodial and school staff, and students to join forces to launch a small recycling program. The objective was to capture milk and juice cartons and paper lunch trays for recycling from the cafeteria. Putting recycling practices into
action, on consecutive days, the a single elementary school reduced the waste volume to just 13-16 bags of trash from 60 per day.
The Carton Council of North America, an industry association committed to growing carton recycling across the U.S., provided grants to the school district to help grow and expand the program. They worked closely with SCS Engineers and Sustain Dane to lead the efforts to scale up the recycling program in Wisconsin’s second-largest school district, Madison Metropolitan.
The program continues to expand with help from pilot programs in more schools, association support, and close coordination with the solid waste department and school administration. It just goes to show that community-based initiatives that foster student creativity and address a community problem do work.
Additional Resources:
Talk with SCS Engineers at Georgia Tech’s ASCE Career Fair on February 7.
The Career Fair is hosted by the Georgia Tech Chapter of the Association of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AEES).
SCS is an employee-owned, award-winning environmental engineering, consulting, and construction firm with offices nationwide. We are seeking a wide variety of dedicated, hard-working professionals with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) backgrounds.
The fair is FREE to students.
On December 24, 2022, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) published the renewed NPDES General Permit for Discharges of Stormwater Associated with Industrial Activity (PAG-03). This permit covers stormwater discharges from industrial facilities such as manufacturing facilities, landfills, scrap yards, and bus terminals.
The new permit term will cover operations from March 24, 2023 (effective date) to March 23, 2028 (expiration date). If PADEP receives an NOI by March 23, 2023, an existing PAG-03 permittee can continue to discharge under the reissued PAG-03. The application forms and instructions are available from the PADEP eLibrary.
Beginning in 2024, the due date of the Annual Report and NOI fee annual installment payment will be by March 23 each year. For existing permittees, the due date for the NOI fee installment in 2023 and the annual report covering 2022 will be May 1, 2023.
Analytical requirements for monitoring stormwater discharges are established in an appendix to the General Permit for each industrial sector. A monitoring requirement for Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorous was added to each Appendix. Other changes made are to monitoring and Benchmark Value parameters for individual sectors. Target Quantitation Limits (TQLs) are established for analytical parameters, and permittees must use labs that can meet the TQLs to comply.
The new permit increases response levels for continual exceedances of Benchmark Values, concentrations of pollutants that serve as a threshold for evaluating whether site Best Management Practices effectively control stormwater pollution. Two or more consecutive monitoring period exceedances of Benchmark Values trigger the requirement to develop and submit a corrective action plan, implement additional controls, or apply for an individual permit if notified by PADEP.
Monitoring under the renewed permit commences with the July 1 – December 31, 2023 monitoring period. Until July 1, 2023, permittees should continue monitoring for parameters in their existing General Permit.
These are not the only changes made to the General Permit. Please contact for updates in other states or commonwealths and Denise Wessels at (610) 382-3050 if you need help preparing the NOI to reapply for the permit or to maintain compliance with permit terms in Pennsylvania.
SPECIAL SESSION: Panel Discussion – How to Write a Good Geomembrane Spec
Organized by: FGI
Tuesday, Feb. 7th 1:30 – 3:00 pm
Join Panelists: Edward Silva, Ray Peebles, Neil Nowak, and Patrick Elliott with Moderator Timothy Stark leading this discussion on the importance of writing a good geomembrane specification and not using an old specification that may or may not be for the type of geomembrane intended for the current project. In particular, the panelists will discuss the most important parameters of a geomembrane specification for a particular application, such as functionality, longevity, and constructability.
Some of the important parameters to consider when preparing a specification may include: chemical resistance, ability to accommodate differential settlement, dimensional stability to control wrinkles, ability to factory fabricate large panels to reduce field time and exposure, and seam strengths but properties should be keyed to the application of the geomembrane. For example, if there are concerns about subgrade compaction, specifying a material with higher multiaxial elongation properties may be desirable.
It is also important that engineers understand that most material types can have very different properties, and it is important that designers select an appropriate geomembrane to meet project requirements. This will help avoid confusion or blended specifications. Finally, the importance of specifying relevant and consistent properties, e.g., long-term durability in terms of plasticizer retention instead of OIT values for a PVC geomembrane. Afterward, the panelists will answer your questions about writing a good geomembrane specification.
What is your title at SCS Engineers? Please briefly describe your responsibilities.
My title at SCS is “Regional Manager,” specifically Regional Manager of the Southern Coastal Region for Field Services OM&M. The Southeast Region was recently subdivided, and I am responsible for Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. My primary responsibilities include employee development, business growth and expansion, client relations, and asset management.
Why did you come to work here? What attracted you to SCS?
In 2007 I was looking for a career change. I was searching for a field where hard work and dedication would yield opportunities and a place where my work makes a difference. SCS presented me with an opportunity to do just that. I get to work every day with an amazing group of people on projects that protect and improve our environment.
What is your favorite part of working at SCS?
The overall work environment is my favorite part of working at SCS. SCS has created an environment where employees can succeed and are rewarded for hard work and contributions to client success. We openly share Ideas and information amongst the team, and the concept of “Our success is driven by client success” is visible in everything we do.
What has your career path been at SCS?
My career path at SCS is similar to many of the people I work with. I started with SCS in 2007 as an entry-level employee in the field. SCS provided me with the resources and guidance necessary to learn our craft; then, I was challenged to do it well. Over the past 15-plus years, I have been given opportunities and rewarded when I succeed. Working my way through the ranks has been rewarding and allowed me to appreciate all aspects of our work.
What do you look for when you are hiring in the field?
When hiring for field positions, humility, honesty, and drive are the most important traits. If a prospective employee has the attitude of wanting to learn and understanding it will take effort and time to become truly proficient, we have a winning combination. SCS has the resources and training programs to develop its employees continually. Finding people that enjoy developing and the challenges that come with it is key to our continued success.
What are your favorite hobbies outside of SCS?
Outside of SCS, I enjoy my time with my family. My daughter and I share enjoyment in golf and get to spend time together on the course. My immediate family also enjoys traveling to explore new places and visiting our extended family.
Interview with Lindsay Evans.
On January 11, 2023, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency posted the General NPDES Permit for Industrial Storm Water Discharges (NPDES Permit No. ILR00) for public review and comment.
Please note that numerous modifications and additions are proposed for Attachment 1 of the NPDES Permit No. ILR00. The Attachment was just made public by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. We are preparing a summary of the changes associated with each subsector.
Modifications and added parts or sections are summarized below:
All comments on the draft permit and requests for a public hearing must be received by the IEPA no later than February 11, 2023.
Our team of Storm Water professionals in Illinois includes Spencer LaBelle and Scott Knoepke, who are ready to answer your NPDES Permit questions and discuss how the proposed modifications to the permit may impact your operation.
The California Gold Rush Chapter of SWANA is hosting its annual Western Regional Symposium and Tradeshow April 3-6, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency in Monterey, CA.
The conference is titled “Navigating Our Future: from Waste to Resources” and will cover a myriad of topics on waste management, including regulatory issues, health & safety, compliance, procurement, monitoring and enforcement, and more.
Several SCS professionals are presenting at the conference, including
Click for conference agenda and other details and registration information.
We hope to see you there!
