I was asked to write a short history of the old 70s Disciplines of my time. I am sure Gene Suhr or Fred Harem could do a much more complete job than I have. When I joined CH2M HILL in 1978, Harlan Moyer was President; Earl Reynolds was Chairman of the Board; and Holly Cornell had just completed his service as Chairman of the Board. Gene Suhr was Discipline Director for the 70s group. Archie Rice was just about to retire as the Water Discipline Director. I believe our gross fee income was about $6 million.
I developed my opinion of CH2M HILL when I was Director of Water Resource and Planning for the Denver Water Board. The firm was selected as the potable reuse project consultant for Denver Water. The project team was Gene Suhr, Carl Haman, and Holly Cornell. Holly’s daughter lived in Denver at the time, and I remember picking Holly up at the airport and dropping him off at his daughter’s house on the day of the Reuse Planning Review. After 2 years, we became good friends; and Holly’s continual interest in Denver’s potable reuse research went a long way towards CH2M HILL being selected to design the Foothills Water Treatment Plant. Designed to be an ultimate 500-mgd plant (with the first phase 150 mgd), it was one of the first large dual-media water treatment plants in the United States. Federal and state standards called for no more than 3 gallons per minute per square foot. The plant was designed for 5-6 gallons per square foot. Today, it still puts out the best water quality of Denver’s two other plants, at 6 gallons per square foot when needed.
When CH2M HILL’s Board of Directors decided to centralize the firm’s primary business location, Denver was given a close look. Much of it goes back to Holly’s and Harlan’s work on the Denver Water projects.
During my tenure as 71 Discipline Group Director, Bob Chapman and C.Y. Shieh headed up our design group and advanced the dual-media filtration process. In my opinion, Bob is still one of the best water treatment plant designers in the country.
During that time, I ran for President of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and was elected in 1981. With CH2M HILL’s great support, the AWWA Research Foundation presidency followed. Again, the firm supported my efforts. And finally, when I became involved as founder of Water For People, the firm supported my time necessary to complete the job. CH2M HILL is now the largest consulting engineering firm contributing to Water For People. Over the past 15 years, this has amounted to over $150,000. CH2M HILL employees have made major contributions to Water For People, which has completed more than 700 water projects to bring safe potable water to 14 lesser-developed countries.
I will always remember and be grateful for the personal support of Harlan and Ralph Peterson for my involvement in those causes.