Skip to Main Content
CDM Smith logo
CDM Smith Site Logo

By the numbers

275+

reuse projects world­wide

40+

in­te­grat­ed water reuse plans de­vel­oped

2B

gallons per day (gpd) of mem­brane ca­pac­i­ty de­signed 

500

million gallons per day (mgd) of de­sali­na­tion ca­pac­i­ty de­signed.

Leading in advanced water treatment

Scientist in a lab coat examines a Petri dish in a lab environment.
Close-up of labeled valves on a panel; a person in a blue shirt is blurred in the background.
Purple pipe discharges water into a wetland pond surrounded by grasses.

Leading in advanced water treatment

Boosting supply portfolios 

Whether it’s by pioneering technologies, researching monitoring
approaches or eliminating surface water discharges through advanced reuse strategies, we’ll help you conquer regulatory, operational and communications challenges. 

Supporting industrial sustainability 

To reduce reliance on freshwater supplies and support sustainability goals, CDM Smith partners with utilities and industrial leaders to design, implement, and construct water reuse programs.

Innovating through piloting 

Piloting is critical in addressing water quality challenges and choosing treatment technologies. It improves operational processes and maximizes time and cost savings.  

Our expertise in action

Video

Pilot study at JEA Buckman

Discover the groundbreaking ozone wetland pilot study performed at JEA Buckman Water Reclamation Facility, the utility’s largest regional plant with advanced nutrient removal. CDM Smith team members Tim Rynders and Shayne Wood, who partnered with JEA on the ozone wetland pilot study, are featured in a new video presented to visitors at the Buckman facility. This video showcases the goals of the pilot study, explores innovative treatment options, and demonstrates how reclaimed water is used. It’s an engaging look at how our team is helping utilities shape the future of sustainable water management now.

Video

Palm Beach County's Green Cay Phase II Reuse Project

Video

How do you select the right treatment technology for your water reuse project?

How do you select the right treatment technology for your water reuse project? Experts Greta Zornes, Tim Rynders, and Jill Tedder discuss the many factors that go into making the right selection, and explain that there is no "one size fits all" solution when it comes to treatment technology. Understanding the bigger picture of your treatment needs and opportunities, undertaking public outreach and developing a detailed alternatives analysis are all vital. Water reuse treatment can result in some of the highest water quality, period.

Video

How does pilot testing optimize water treatment?

Pilot testing is key for water experts to experiment with treatment processes on a smaller scale before embarking on a full scale project. The option to compare different treatment processes, equipment, and efficacy during a "trial" phase is a great way for water engineers to save on resources and get creative (while getting their hands dirty, too). From potable reuse to PFAS removal, the biggest challenges in water engineering need pilot testing to achieve technical breakthroughs and create tailored solutions. Jill Tedder, environmental engineer and water reuse extraordinaire, sat down to share her piloting secrets: pushing the limits of existing technology, why piloting adds value, and what it's like to work on these projects firsthand. With nearly a decade of experience in drinking water and reuse applications, she’s a pro when it comes to designing the most complex advanced treatment facilities. Based in Denver, Colorado, Jill has a knack for uncovering the latest water treatment innovations and applying them to her studies. And to learn more about how CDM Smith and USAID have teamed up in a decades-long partnership with Jordanian stakeholders to deliver life-saving water security, read this article: https://www.cdmsmith.com/en/Client-Solutions/Projects/Jordan-Water-Infrastructure-USAID?utm_medium=video&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=wrad&utm_content=description Jordan Water Infrastructure USAID USAID and CDM Smith are securing Jordan’s water supply by making critical water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades.

Video

Horsethief Canyon Water Reclamation Facility

Located in southern California, the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District is upgrading and expanding its aging Horsethief Canyon Water Reclamation Facility through a progressive design-build contract. The goal of this project is to provide reliable and affordable service to existing customers while cost-effectively accommodating new developments in the area while also improving the quality of the effluent. This project will include membrane bioreactor (MBR) treatment, which includes membrane filtration with a biological treatment process for nutrient removal and produces a high quality effluent. The treated wastewater will then be reused for non-potable uses like irrigation of the surrounding green spaces.

Video

How do membrane bioreactors clean water?

Learn how you can achieve water supply innovation through reuse and desalination: www.cdmsmith.com/reuse Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) have been used since the early 2000s in North America as a reliable wastewater treatment process that combines the benefits of secondary clarification with a high-quality tertiary filter. More recently, MBRs have been considered for potable reuse schemes replacing both the conventional secondary clarifier and the tertiary ultrafiltration (UF) membrane system used as pretreatment for reverse osmosis (RO). Anthony Zamarro has worked in membrane technologies and treatment systems for more than 20 years with a focus on MBR systems. He has experience in system design, value engineering, system startup, and process troubleshooting, and he's also been involved in the application of MBR systems for advanced treatment trains, including indirect and direct potable reuse.

Featured reuse and desalination projects


View All Water Reuse and Desalination Projects
A technician operates a large industrial reverse osmosis system with numerous pipes and gauges.
A technician operates a large industrial reverse osmosis system with numerous pipes and gauges.
Aurora, Colorado

Sustaining water supply in East Cherry Creek Valley 

Facing drought and dwindling groundwater, East Cherry Creek Valley (ECCV) looked to pioneer a high-recovery reverse osmosis (RO) system that delivers sustainable, high-quality drinking water.

View Project
A worker in a safety vest overlooks a water desalination site with mountains in the background at sunrise.
A worker in a safety vest overlooks a water desalination site with mountains in the background at sunrise.
Twentynine Palms, California

Innovative desalination for the U.S. Marine Corps

To continue meeting water demands at the U.S. Marine Corps’ largest US training facility, CDM Smith led the construction of a new reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment plant.

View Project
Industrial water treatment facility with frothy liquid and clear blue sky.
Industrial water treatment facility with frothy liquid and clear blue sky.
Caldwell, Idaho

Meeting zero liquid discharge goals for a potato processing powerhouse

A zero liquid discharge system now treats 2.3 million gallons daily at the J.R. Simplot Company, returning water to EPA standards for food production reuse.

View Project
Reverse osmosis water filtration filters
Reverse osmosis water filtration filters
Long Beach, California

Protecting California’s groundwater with replenishment

To protect groundwater, we expanded the Leo J. Vander Lans water treatment facility with the Water Replenishment District of Southern California.

View Project

Meet our water reuse and desalination leadership

Zornes_Greta_2025.jpg

Greta Zornes, Ph.D

Management Specialist

Greta draws upon over 20 years of experience in engineering and project management for the planning, design, and commissioning of water reuse and treatment facilities.

Wetterau-Greg.jpg

Greg Wetterau, PE, BCEE

Membrane Technologies Discipline Leader

Greg has been involved in the piloting, design and facility start-up for more than 60 membrane treatment facilities around the world. He specializes in system design for desalination and advanced wastewater treatment.

Tedder_Jillian_2024.jpg

Jill Tedder

Water Reuse, Southwest Discipline Leader

Jill specializes in drinking waterandreuse applications, with expertise in treatment design, pretreatment, pilot ops, feasibility studies and R&D.

Munoz_Ruben_2019.jpg

Rubén Muñoz

Desalination Discipline Leader

Rubén focuses on the design of marine works, desalination plants, hydraulic conveyance for pipelines and pumping stations, and is a leading expert in seawater RO plants.

Sheets_Johnathon_2022.jpg

John Sheets, PhD, PE

Midwest Reuse Discipline Leader

John has an array of experience in water reclamation, biosolids/bioenergy, and water reuse. He serves as a technical lead on water reclamation facility expansion projects.

Zamarro_Anthony_2022.jpg

Anthony Zamarro, PE

Membrane Bioreactors Discipline Leader

Anthony's expertise lies in membrane technology and treatment systems, system design, value engineering, system startup, and process troubleshooting.

Glowing digital envelopes on a dark background, symbolizing email communication.

Stay up to date on advanced water treatment

We're committed to strengthening water supply portfolios where they are most needed today and will be tomorrow. Opt in to our newsletter to learn more.

Sign Up

Top water reuse & desalination resources

Workers in safety vests installing large membrane bioreactor filters at a treatment plant.
Insight

Potable reuse applications for membrane bioreactors

Anthony Zamarro, MBR discipline leader, explains using MBRs for potable reuse, functionality and effectiveness, and leveraging them to expand supply portfolios in areas of water scarcity.
Read More
Aerial view of a large data center complex with cooling towers emitting steam.
Insight

How data centers and municipalities can collaborate on water sourcing

Read More
Panoramic view of Hoover Dam towers and reservoir with low water levels, surrounded by arid mountains under a blue sky.
Insight

How do environmental crises shape sustainable water management strategies?

Read More
A water filtration system with multiple vertical filters under a metal roofed structure.
Insight

Mastering the municipal reuse master planning process

Read More
City skyline view across a calm river, with tree branches framing the scene.
Insight

Key drivers of reuse in "water rich" regions

Read More

Explore water reuse and desalination webinars

View All Webinars
Rows of cylindrical pipes with gray curved lines and red valves, suggesting an industrial or water treatment setting. The image conveys precision and complexity.
Webinar

Unlocking over 90% high recovery reverse osmosis for reuse and desalination

This webinar will provide the tools necessary to identify not only if high recovery systems are right for your system, but which technologies could be the best fit.
Watch On-Demand
Close-up of multiple vertical tan cylindrical filtration tubes connected at the top by dark fittings and blue piping, likely part of an industrial water treatment or filtration system.
Webinar

Addressing water supply gaps: Tailoring a reuse master plan

Explore how communities and organizations can evaluate both non-potable and potable reuse options within the context of reuse master planning in this 1-hour webinar.
Watch On-Demand
A worker in a hard hat and high-visibility vest walks through an industrial facility with rows of large pipes. The setting is orderly and focused.
Webinar

The rise of desalination

Learn how reverse osmosis can be used to solve water quality and supply issues in this 1-hour webinar.
Watch On-Demand

Related practices

View All Practices
Multiple water treatment pools under a clear blue sky.

Water Reuse

Water reuse is the future of water supply. CDM Smith is committed to strengthening water supply portfolios where they are most needed today and will be tomorrow.
Aerial view of two circular water treatment tanks with blue metal structures.

Water Reclamation

Whether your goal is to meet your permit conditions or to build a net-zero facility, we’ll work with you to find the right solutions.
Bubbles rising underwater against a blue background.

Drinking Water

Whether your goals are to unlock new sources, enhance the quality and reliability of the supplies you have or upgrade the technologies you use, we can help you achieve water supply innovation.
Water splash among spring grass with sunlight in background.

One Water

CDM Smith has been a leader in One Water for more than two decades, developing integrated water resources strategies and advancing projects that enhance our communities and protect the natural World. 
Flowing water in a brightly lit industrial channel with orange railings and overhead lights.

Conveyance

Whether you’re concerned about keeping existing water conveyance assets healthy or building new ones, we’re here to help you find the answers you need.
Close-up of a muddy excavator track on a construction site with another blurred excavator in the background.

Remediation

We restore environments and protect communities by delivering innovative, science-based solutions that reduce risk and lifecycle costs. Using advanced technologies and adaptive strategies, we help clients achieve resilient, long-term results.

Ready to take the next steps?

We love collaborating with passionate individuals and organizations. If you want to talk about potential projects, reach out to our experts. If you're interested in joining our team, check our careers page for open positions or internships.

Talk to an ExpertExplore Careers
CDM Smith logo

Let’s Build Something Together

Have a project in mind or want to stay in the loop? Reach out to our team or subscribe to get the latest updates from our work.
Contact UsSubscribe

World Headquarters

75 State Street
Suite 701
Boston, MA 02109 USA
What We Do
  • Markets
  • Practices
  • Priorities
  • Projects
  • Innovation and Technologies
Who We Are
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Cultural Threads Blog
  • Find Us
  • News
Resources
  • Insights
  • Subcontracting
  • Webinars
  • Legal & Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • Accommodation Request
  • California Privacy Rights
  • Contract Vehicles
CDM Smith™ | CDM™ | WILBUR SMITH™
© 2026 CDM Smith. All rights reserved.