Clear Water Compliance Services Inc. has announced that is has purchased KI Environmental Services Inc., Richmond, B.C., Canada.
"Water resources in general and water quality in particular are growing concerns throughout the world," said Thomas Leggiere, chief executive officer for Clear Water, which provides high-technology storm water, industrial wastewater, groundwater and sludge dewatering treatment services. "The purchase of KI Environmental, a firm already highly respected in British Columbia for its work in protecting water quality, gives us increased expertise and technical know-how to better support growing economies and preserve natural environments."
The acquisition is timely. From 2007 to 2008, the economy in British Columbia has experienced an increase of 13,000 construction-related jobs, thanks in part to a large number of infrastructure improvement projects built in preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Over the same time period, the manufacturing sector in British Columbia added an estimated 10,000 new jobs.
Increased construction, though, means increased pollution. "Most people don't realize how much pollution happens at a construction site," said Bill Elliott, president of Clear Water. "They see the clearing of trees and brush, but they don't think about the resulting pollutants such as soil erosion and storm water runoff. Later, as pavement goes down and buildings go up, the natural flow of water through the ecosystem is further disrupted. That can lead to destroyed habitats and billions of gallons of sediment-laden runoff water that can potentially pollute nearby lakes, streams, rivers and oceans."
Canada is in the process of developing stronger environmental regulations, and the purchase of KI Environmental positions Clear Water as an established solution provider in British Columbia.
