McFadden Engineering Celebrates National Water Quality Month
August 10, 2026
In honor of National Water Quality Month, McFadden Engineering recognizes the importance of protecting one of our most valuable resources. We are proud to deliver environmentally sound solutions that help clients meet regulatory requirements while protecting water quality for future generations. This month, we are highlighting the services our team provides every day to protect water quality for the communities, businesses and ecosystems that depend on it.
The History of National Water Quality Month
The history of National Water Quality Month originally dates back to two U.S. congressional acts that were passed in the early 1970s to protect our water sources. Starting with the Clean Water Act that was passed in 1972, the federal government began taking steps to curb water pollution by making it illegal to dump high amounts of toxic materials into bodies of water. This set the standard for ensuring surface water was up to certain standards before being used for human consumption and recreation. In 1974, the Safe Drinking Water Act was passed to further protect the quality of groundwater and public water systems. National Water Quality Month is dedicated to making the most of the relatively small amount of fresh water we have, because having access to clean water is vital to human health, our collective agricultural needs and the needs of our environment.
Understanding Alabama’s Water Resources
Alabama’s greatest natural asset is its abundance of freshwater. Alabama has over 132,000 miles of rivers and streams and 10% of all continental U.S. freshwater flows through or starts in the state. Roughly 78% to 83% of all water withdrawn from Alabama streams is used to cool thermoelectric and nuclear power plants. Six of the 14 major rivers support commercial navigation via 16 locks and dams. Hydroelectric dams on state rivers provide about 10% of Alabama’s electricity needs.
This is where our work at McFadden Engineering comes in. Our services below reflect the day-to-day expertise our team brings to protecting Alabama’s rivers, lakes and coastal waters.
Water and Wastewater Treatment
Our team is comprised of experts in water and wastewater solutions, with a mission of delivering innovative systems to solve the most challenging problems. Our engineers assist clients in developing treatment processes to reduce contaminants in wastewater. In addition, our team is experienced in helping clients navigate the environmental regulatory permitting process including direct discharge through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), reuse permits for sustainable projects as well as other permit alternatives. The primary goal for McFadden Engineering when working with our industrial wastewater treatment clients is to streamline treatment processes to achieve full compliance. With every treatment project we undertake, we strive to remove contaminants that would otherwise be released back into the water cycle from wastewater discharges.
Water Quality and Hydraulic Modeling
McFadden Engineering has been on the leading edge of water quality modeling for more than 30 years, helping to develop some of the first water quality models used by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). Water quality modeling can be used to estimate the environmental impact of factors such as wastewater treatment plant discharges, industrial activity and commercial site development. Our engineers specialize in developing innovative water quality models and analyzing modeling results for private clients, municipalities and regulatory agencies. Utilizing our Hach® in-house laboratory equipment, results are available in a matter of hours, minimizing the time and added cost of outsourcing lab results.
Protecting Water Quality, Today and for Generations to Come
From treatment and modeling to site assessments and floodplain analysis, McFadden Engineering brings a full range of expertise to every water quality challenge our clients face. As we celebrate National Water Quality Month, we remain committed to delivering environmentally sound solutions that protect the communities, businesses and ecosystems that depend on clean, safe water. If your organization is facing a water quality challenge, our team of experienced engineers is ready to help. Contact McFadden Engineering today to learn more about our services.