Douglas R. Brown, PE, BCEE

“Complex projects require the effort of dozens of people filling multiple roles; success requires understanding your role and supporting the team,” says senior environmental engineer Doug Brown.

Known as a nationally recognized designer of innovative reverse osmosis systems, Doug also has experience in designing treatment plants and associated infrastructure using a wide variety of technologies including large microfiltration systems, ion exchange, conventional coagulation and filtration, reverse osmosis, activated carbon, and advanced oxidation.

“Projects that have addressed a significant health risk for the community are a source of pride for me,” Doug says of his work. “One that stands out is a small community of 12,000 people north of Denver which had high levels of nitrates in the groundwater and was under a compliance order to distribute bottled water until the nitrates could be reduced. CDM Smith showed how RO technology we recently used for similar projects in California could reduce nitrate and hardness more cost effectively than other conventional approaches. We developed an innovative approach to pilot testing, and the town approved bonds to finance the project. We were able to distribute safe and aesthetically pleasing drinking water without a significant increase in water rates.”

Doug says that it’s this opportunity to forge new paths in water treatment that gets him most excited. “I’m inspired to identify creative solutions to the engineering challenges inherent in today’s complex infrastructure projects.”