ABL Environmental Consultants Limited is a Canadian engineering firm which provides specialized services in water and wastewater treatment process design, and plant operations. Our unique company focus, together with the dedication and commitment of our staff, distinguishes us from other firms offering services in this field. Design engineers maintain certification as water and wastewater treatment plant operators, adding an operational perspective to each job, whether it involves an existing plant audit or new plant design. In-house laboratory benchscale or on-site pilot facilities are also offered to investigate the treatability of water and wastewater, with professional evaluation of results. Flow monitoring and process sampling are conducted to characterize hydraulic and organic loads.

By continually researching evolving technologies and adapting them to new applications, ABL designers are well prepared for the challenges of meeting increasingly stringent regulatory criteria with cost-effective, innovative solutions tailored to each client's specific needs. We have been retained to investigate, design, commission and operate water and wastewater treatment plants for commercial, industrial and government clients. Our team approach and recommendations for process changes or plant upgrades have frequently resulted in significant cost savings for our clients.

Company Background

ABL Environmental Consultants Limited was formed in 1994 by a collaboration between three senior environmental engineers, all with many years of prior experience in the water and wastewater treatment industry. Thomas P. Austin, M.Sc., P.Eng has been ABL's President, with John C. Lam, P.Eng, as Vice President, from the company's inception. Both have conducted university seminars on Wastewater Treatment Technologies and are recognized specialists in this field. Gordon F. Balcombe, M.A.Sc., P.Eng, with a strong background in hydraulic structures, is ABL's third managing Director.

While ABL's initial focus was to provide clients with the specialized hands-on attention to process design and operation that was not offered by the larger engineering firms, the company has over the years developed a broader range of services and products related to water and wastewater treatment. ABL has ongoing professional associations with other specialized firms offering geotechnical, electrical, structural and mechanical engineering, architectural, oceanographic or construction services. We have a proven record in successful multidisciplinary projects, and can offer a full service package in response to client needs.

Management Profiles

Thomas P. Austin, M.Sc., P.Eng., President of ABL, is a senior engineer and certified Class II Wastewater Treatment Operator. Tom has investigated and designed a wide range of wastewater treatment plant technologies, including rotating biological contactors (RBC's), lagoons, trickling filters, activated sludge and sequencing batch reactor (SBR) systems in capacities to 5.4 MGD. He has experience in pilot and benchscale investigations of both aerobic and anaerobic systems. He was lead investigator for the treatability studies and lead designer for the anaerobic hybrid reactors treating leachate at the Highway 101 Landfill in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This system won an ACEC engineering award of merit in the 1988 national competition.

John C. Lam, P.Eng., Vice President, is a senior engineer with solid credentials in wastewater, water and leachate treatment, and landfill gas facilities. He has been process engineer for water treatment facilities for several communities in Nova Scotia and for wastewater treatment facilities ranging in size to 8 MGD. He has been involved in virtually all types of wastewater treatment technologies across Canada, including design of the largest tertiary activated sludge treatment plant in Atlantic Canada, and SBR, RBC, fixed film reactor, aerated and anaerobic lagoons, wetlands treatment, recirculating sand filter and on-site septic systems. John has been responsible for numerous construction projects and is conversant in the administration of construction contracts.

Gordon F. Balcombe, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., has extensive experience in developing pilot scale treatment studies leading to full scale implementation. He has valuable hands-on experience in the commissioning, operation and troubleshooting of a variety of treatment plants and processes, and is a certified Class I Water Treatment Plant Operator. Gordon is experienced in physical/chemical methods of treatment and is lead designer of the dissolved air flotation system marketed by Rawdon Technologies Limited.

BL Environmental Consultants Limited is an environmental and municipal engineering firm specializing in water and wastewater systems, treatment process design, and plant operations. Check on the links for more information or case studies of representative projects.

ABL Environmental offers services in the following areas:

Wastewater Collection & Treatment

Wastewater Treatment Services - including predesign and design studies, bench and pilot treatability studies, process design, complete treatment plant design, wastewater collection and pumping, sludge management and disposal; residuals, biogas and biosolids management; industrial, commercial and municipal wastewaters.


Water Treatment & Distribution

Water Treatment Services- including predesign and design studies, bench and pilot treatability studies, process design, complete treatment plant design, water distribution, storage and pumping, water treatment plant sludge management and disposal.


Plant Operations & Optimization

Plant Operations - including contract operations, supervisory services, operator training, preparation of operations manuals for water and wastewater plants; plant audits and troubleshooting of process problems including monitoring and reporting; also offering laboratory facilities for rapid and accurate determination of monitoring and operational parameters including microscopy, respirometry, BOD, SS, and COD, with professional evaluation of results.


Bench & Pilot Testing

To establish design parameters, prove design concepts or optimize existing plant operations for water and wastewater treatment facilities; ABL conducts benchscale testing in our laboratory facilities and has fully automated pilot plant equipment to enable field testing of design concepts; design of pilot facilities and pilot studies.

Solid Waste Management

Solid Waste- integrated management studies, waste audits, operational audits, recycling evaluations, design of processing and disposal facilities including composting, landfills, and recycling centres, evaluation of disposal alternatives and reuse.

Impact Assessment

Including receiving environment evaluations and investigations, biological and physical compliance monitoring, modelling, peer review services, public participation and education.


Municipal Infrastructure Engineering

For water, stormwater and sewer services including predesign and design studies and design through to construction services.


Construction Administration & Project Management

Complete tendering, contract administration and inspection services from tendering to completion of warranty period.

Design Build & Turnkey Projects

Complete services to meet the specific needs of our clients; unique and innovative designs; project approvals and financing.

Innovative & Alternate Technologies

Innovative and Alternative Technologies - ABL has assisted in the research and development of products for other manufacturers and developed our own product lines, with innovations reducing costs and improving treatment efficiencies.