New Collaboration to Focus on Cutting-Edge Research in Water Resource Solutions
GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – STV, a leading professional services firm that plans, designs and manages infrastructure projects across North America, today announced a new partnership with The Water Tower, a first-of-its-kind global hub for water and wastewater innovation in Gwinnett County, Georgia.
The Water Tower brings together researchers, private companies and other water-related organizations to solve critical, real-world water and environmental challenges. As a sustaining partner, STV will now contribute its expertise gained from advising, planning, designing, engineering and delivering significant water infrastructure projects across North America. Chris Haney, president of the national water operating group at STV, also serves as a member on The Water Tower’s Research Advisory Board, helping guide the organization’s research agenda and project priorities.
“STV is thrilled to partner with The Water Tower because protecting our world’s most important natural resource is not just our passion, it’s our responsibility,” said Haney. “Our partnership with The Water Tower will foster more innovation for our clients, develop new career pathways for the next generation of water engineers and, ultimately, help deliver better, safer, future-focused water infrastructure to all our communities across the nation.”
STV has three local offices in Georgia, including one in Duluth, Gwinnett County. The firm has a proven track record of developing and implementing integrated management strategies for water and wastewater treatment projects across the United States, including the award-winning Vista Ridge Regional Supply Project in San Antonio, Texas; the Little Sugar Creek Tributary Sewer Project in Charlotte, North Carolina; the Walnut Hill Pump Station in Dallas, Texas; the Owasso Wastewater Treatment Plant in Owasso, Oklahoma; and the Red Hook Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility in New York City. In addition to water, STV’s infrastructure expertise spans multiple market sectors, including transportation, healthcare, aviation and others.
“We’re thrilled at the opportunity to work with STV and the potential offered by our new partnership,” said Melissa Meeker, Chief Executive Officer, The Water Tower. “STV’s extensive experience in water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure will add value to our initiatives and the utilities who benefit from them.”
The Water Tower serves as an intersection for water industry transformation. Its campus in Buford, Georgia, is home to hands-on and classroom training, R&D resources, laboratories and demonstration spaces with access to live water systems. Events and programs are designed for diverse participation and include K-12 education, workforce development, leadership training, industry upskilling, tours, networking opportunities and more.
In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency awarded The Water Tower Institute $1.94 million to develop a Water Workforce Training and Recruitment Hub. With utility, academic and nonprofit organizations, The Water Tower Institute will develop and launch internship and post-secondary bridge programs to increase the number of certified water operators.
