Benjamin Klaus, P.E. Email & Phone Number

Des Moines, Ia, Us

St. Paul, Minnesota, Us

As a Water/Wastewater Engineer, I have taken part in evaluating community potable water and sewer systems in preparation for rehabilitation, repair, or replacement. I have designed a replacement for a section of water main outside a water treatment plant with significant static and dynamic pressures, a section of water main in a downtown area that crosses multiple LUST sites (leaking underground storage tanks), written multiple Preliminary Engineering Reports detailing community sanitary sewer issues and possible solutions, designed a third lagoon cell for a city to comply with IDNR requirements. In addition, I have acted as an inspector on construction projects to ensure proper adherence to the plans and specifications, and to be the point of contact between the contractors, SEH, and the City.

Dallas, Texas, Us

In my time at AECOM, I've worked on a variety of projects both in and out of the office. In the field, I've performed site investigation activities at old rail yards, industrial sites, and residential areas near such sites. I've collected groundwater, soil, and vapor samples and have used the results to help make cleanup decisions. Notably, I helped delineate a chlorinated solvent plume in a Minneapolis suburb and oversaw the installation of vapor mitigation systems for similarly contaminated sites throughout the Minneapolis metro area.In the office, I have worked with AutoCAD and ArcGIS to create figures and site maps. I've assisted in writing reports and compiling and formatting tables. I helped design a retrofit for a stormwater treatment system at a rail yard. The existing system was undersized, causing flooding, as well as aging which caused it to start missing the TSS discharge limits. Our new tank utilized the existing infrastructure and connect to a newly installed lift station, equalization basin, and treatment tank prior to being discharged.

Working for the water plant, I perform the testing and maintenance of the chilled water system for campus. This involves laboratory testing for concentrations of chemicals which protect the system by inhibiting rust or preventing bacterial growth. Maintaining this system protects the multi-million dollar investment the University has made to supply campus with air conditioning during summer.

Des Moines, Iowa, Us

Through the DNR's P2 (Pollution Prevention) program, I was assigned to the 3M plant in Knoxville, IA to reduce the amount of solid waste being sent to landfill. As a way to accomplish this, I was to look at the processes used in manufacturing their products and find ways to reduce the waste on the floor. 3M is already an efficient company, so little could be done during the actual production phase, but there were options during waste disposal. Certain materials were being sent to landfill when they could be used for fuel in a waste to energy incinerator, and some materials being burned could actually be recycled. By identifying these sources, I was able to reduce the material sent to landfill by 14% and save nearly $90,000 annually.