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Jonathan Reeve, a Senior Hydrogeologist with EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc. PBC, and a valued REGENESIS® client, is drawn to the challenge of contaminated site investigation and remediation because they are like solving a mystery, one clue at a time. He begins, “As a Hydrogeologist, I investigate all of the geologic aspects of contaminated sites, with an emphasis on groundwater movement. Groundwater is a media that is not easily observed and always represents a big puzzle at a site. Putting together the available pieces of evidence to determine the groundwater pathway from a source to a receptor can be quite challenging and gratifying.” Prior to joining EA in August of 2019, Reeve served as a Geologist for several other environmental consulting firms, managing a variety of project support services that included CERCLA site assessment, pre-project environmental assessment and permitting, beginning-to-end ex-situ environmental remediation, and other responsibilities. “Currently, I have an emphasis on abandoned mine lands, so I get to travel to some pretty unique and picturesque spots in America, which can be a lot of fun.” Deciding on a career in environmental remediation was easy for Reeve, since it combines his interest in geology with a profession that can make a positive impact on our planet. He continues, “It didn’t take long for me to learn that the environmental remediation space has plenty of interesting challenges to tackle, and it offers the added satisfaction of knowing my work is doing something beneficial for the environment.”
To prepare for a career in environmental remediation, Reeve earned his BA in Geology from Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA. He then went on to earn a MS in Geology from the University of Montana in Missoula, MT. He shares, “My master’s thesis was in Glaciology, which, while not particularly applicable to environmental consulting, did get me interested in preferential fluid flow pathways via the application of dye tracer experiments.” To stay abreast of new technology and emerging trends, Reeve routinely attends industry specific conferences and webinars. “Scientific careers demand lifelong education to stay abreast of developments,” he says, “and I’m no exception. I regularly attend conferences on remediation and investigation hosted by the Northwest Environmental Business Council and the Society of American Military Engineers and have also found the CLU-IN web series presented by the Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council and the EPA to be very informative.”
When asked what he sees the future holding for his profession, Reeve said, “Everyone is talking about emerging contaminants like PFAS being the next big environmental challenge and I certainly agree with the growing chorus that new regulations and more remediation work will occur well into the future. But I also think a more nuanced approach to remedy implementation based on using emerging technology, better tools, and enhanced data analysis will continue to be used across the board, regardless of the contaminant of concern.” He continues, “A great example of this is Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy. This way of thinking focuses on the depositional environment of a soil unit, not just its grain size. And by thinking in that framework, a good practitioner with good data can trace depositional structures and contaminant pathways across an entire site via thin transmissive zones that previously were often either missed entirely or mis-connected in classical conceptual site models.”
When it comes to working with REGENESIS, Reeve admires the company’s comprehensive scope of service. He shares, “I appreciate the full-service approach offered by REGENESIS. By having the environmental consultant provide site data to the in-house experts at REGENESIS and then collaboratively designing the implementation of the remediation, it ensures that the remediation design incorporates the expertise of those who know how the product behaves and reacts better than anyone else. In addition, their design and implementation teams are very customer-oriented, taking ownership of all implementation coordination and immediately addressing the myriad of expected and unexpected tasks associated with any remedy implementation.” With regard to specific REGENESIS product usage, PlumeStop®, S-MicroZVI®, 3-D Microemulsion®, and BDI® Plus have all been deployed with successful results, with each playing a role in helping to generate successful outcomes for EA’s clients. Reeve continues, “Our company’s core purpose is ‘to improve the quality of the environment in which we live, one project at a time.’ As a PBC (Public Benefit Corporation) we are focused on improving the environment, and going about the business of improving the environment in a way that reflects our core values; one example of such being the continued implementation of sustainable business practices. To achieve that goal and meet future challenges, our business needs to have a track record of consistent delivery of successful projects, thus the initial focus on the individual project in our core purpose.” When asked what he enjoys most about his work, Reeve quickly points to his love of the outdoors. He continues, “It’s hard not to smile when you get to a beautiful remote mine site in the mountains! But the most rewarding aspect of the job is definitely fixing any solvable environmental problem, and ending the day knowing you made the world a slightly better place than it was yesterday.” And the most challenging aspect of his job? “Definitely multitasking. As consultants, we always have multiple irons in the fire at all times, and we are rightfully expected to be the expert on every project we are involved in, while simultaneously executing the administrative and operational aspects.”
Outside of work, Reeve enjoys the great outdoors in and around the Seattle area, where he lives with his wife and two young sons. His favorite activities include skiing and mountaineering. “I am an avid skier and mountaineer, sometimes even combining the two in a niche sport called ski mountaineering. I also tinker with older vehicles, trying to keep them on the road.” He also finds time to volunteer by helping to remove invasive plant species and dumped trash from a city greenbelt, as well as joining neighborhood cleanup teams. He shares, “EA actually supports volunteer work as part of its PBC commitment to being responsible community members, which has been a fantastic opportunity.”
REGENESIS is proud to have Jonathan Reeve, Senior Hydrogeologist with EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc. PBC, as a valued client and partner in environmental remediation, and appreciates his specialized approach and dedication in providing successful remediation outcomes for REGENESIS and its clients.
