ISG Water Solutions Team Amplifies Resources, Adds Strategic Talent

ISG, a professional design and engineering firm that is 100% owned by employees, recently expanded its Water Solutions Group by welcoming long-time Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) leader Julie Sievers. Ready to embark on this new endeavor with ISG as Senior Water Specialist, Julie will complement a seasoned group of professionals, including internationally recognized Water Solutions Group Leader and Associate Principal, Uma Vempati, PE, PMP, ENV SP, Iowa project leader and Associate Principal, Tom Grafft, and many others within the firm of 315+ professionals.

ISG has been active in the implementation of water solutions projects across the Midwest and in Iowa, championing innovative and customized water and wastewater treatment technologies and solutions, as well as unique project delivery methods and critical operator services. ISG Water Solutions Group Leader, Uma, also recently traveled to Mumbai, India, to speak at the AWWA-India Conference & Exhibition (AICE) and World Bank Group Utility Management Workshop, where he discussed sustainability in water reclamation and operations technology, respectively.

“One major issue in the water industry, which is not bound by state lines, is the impact of a retiring workforce and major need for operator training, especially in smaller communities,” states Tom. “Julie will be able to work with water/wastewater treatment plant personnel and other partners across the Midwest, and our Water Solutions Group looks forward to building upon her impressive expertise.”

In addition to training operators of water/wastewater treatment plants, Julie will guide both private and public partners in maximizing value at their facilities. While Julie has a deep understanding of water/wastewater facilities, overall operator services, and ways to optimize existing plants, her experience is vast and stretches across multiple markets and service areas. She has a passion for operations, conservation, and actions that not only reduce operational and maintenance costs but also provide alternatives that positively impact natural resources. Julie also serves on various statewide and industry committees with deep connections to regulatory agencies. Such roles have allowed her to serve as a trusted advisor on critical industry topics.

“It’s exciting to have someone so well respected across the board—regulators, engineers, communities, and more—joining the ISG team,” states Uma. “Her vast experience at the IDNR will help streamline and minimize the steps clients need to go through on the way to completing their projects. Her knowledge of the best practices for reporting, adapting to new regulation changes, and identifying capital improvements are second to none.”

Julie will be presenting on a variety of topics this spring, including surface water, manganese compliance, and ammonia impacts on disinfection, at the Iowa Rural Water Association (IRWA) Annual Conference, Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU) Spring Conference, and an American Water Works Association (AWWA) Short Course.

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About ISG
ISG, a 100 percent ESOP firm, has a rich history, which extends over 46 years, of building trusting relationships with clients, stakeholders, and the community. As a full-service architecture, engineering, environmental, and planning firm with 315+ professionals in offices throughout Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota, ISG provides exceptional services, strategies, and guidance to a wide range of markets nationwide. ISG fosters strong collaboration between all firm disciplines, providing clients a diverse knowledge base, high level of creativity, and broad perspective. In addition to awards noted above, ISG was named among the 100 fastest growing firms, best places to work for, and market excellence leader in the United States by Zweig Group, recognized as a Top 500 Design Firm by Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine, and has earned spots on numerous Top Workplace and project recognition lists. To learn more about ISG, visit ISGInc.com.