SDE Civil + Environmental Engineering

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SDE Civil + Environmental Engineering An innovative civil and environmental engineering and field services firm that specializes in improving the quality of our surface waters. (I/I, IDDE, CSO)

đźš˝ "PUT ME DOWN."When your dye testing location has a sense of humor, you know it's going to be a good day.For those who ...
06/18/2026

đźš˝ "PUT ME DOWN."

When your dye testing location has a sense of humor, you know it's going to be a good day.

For those who haven't spent time investigating wastewater and stormwater systems, this bright red dye is one of the most effective tools we use to trace flows, identify illicit connections, and solve infrastructure mysteries that can't be seen from the surface.

The process is straightforward: introduce a safe tracing dye, follow where it goes, and gather the information needed to understand how a system is actually functioning.

The reality of environmental engineering is that some days involve advanced data analysis, GIS mapping, and regulatory compliance. Other days involve staring into a bright red toilet while a toilet seat politely reminds you to "PUT ME DOWN."

After 34 years in this business, I can confidently say that no two days are ever the same.

🌊 The best teams aren't built only at work.Recently a group of SDE staff traded storm drains and manholes for rapids and...
06/15/2026

🌊 The best teams aren't built only at work.

Recently a group of SDE staff traded storm drains and manholes for rapids and paddles, spending their personal time tackling some white-water rafting together.

One of the things I'm most proud of is seeing the relationships our team builds outside of the office. Whether they're solving problems in the field, supporting one another on a project, or navigating a few unexpected rapids, the same qualities show up every time: trust, communication, teamwork, and a willingness to jump in.

It's great to see our staff making memories together and embracing a little adventure.

Thanks for proving that teamwork looks just as good in a raft as it does on a job site.

🔍 What do you see?👢 Behind every report is a pair of work boots.🕵️ Somewhere beneath this catch basin cover is a story.
05/30/2026

🔍 What do you see?

👢 Behind every report is a pair of work boots.

🕵️ Somewhere beneath this catch basin cover is a story.

05/30/2026

🔎Every manhole tells a story.

Before the cameras, mapping, reports, and recommendations, there’s the field work. There’s a technician lifting a cover, taking a look below ground, and gathering the information communities need to make informed infrastructure decisions.

At SDE, we’ve spent more than 25 years helping municipalities understand what’s happening beneath their streets—identifying illicit connections, tracking down sources of pollution, evaluating system conditions, and supporting regulatory compliance.

It may not be glamorous work, but it’s the foundation of cleaner waterways, healthier communities, and smarter investments in public infrastructure.

Sometimes protecting the environment starts with simply opening the lid and taking a closer look.

🛠️ Some infrastructure belongs on the endangered species list.Old combined sewer regulators like this are becoming incre...
05/06/2026

🛠️ Some infrastructure belongs on the endangered species list.

Old combined sewer regulators like this are becoming increasingly rare — legacy structures built with brick, cast iron, hydraulic logic, and craftsmanship that has quietly managed flows for decades.

As systems are separated, upgraded, and replaced, structures like these could eventually become extinct.

Until then, there are still a few of us who get excited finding one in the wild. đź‘€

🔍 Fieldwork, up close.Behind every big piece of infrastructure is a series of small, precise measurements like these one...
04/30/2026

🔍 Fieldwork, up close.

Behind every big piece of infrastructure is a series of small, precise measurements like these ones.

Out in the field, it’s not just about what you can see—it’s about verifying how systems are actually performing. Measuring depths, confirming connections, documenting conditions… this is where data becomes reality.

In this case, a simple manhole check beneath the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, an award-winning and nationally recognized structure, helps answer bigger questions about flow, capacity, and system integrity. It’s hands-on, detail-oriented work—but it’s exactly what keeps everything functioning the way it should.

It’s easy to admire the scale of infrastructure like this.

But it’s the work happening at ground level and underground that keeps it all connected.

🔧 Some infrastructure doesn’t need to be flashy to be effective.This stormwater outfall has likely been doing its job fo...
04/28/2026

🔧 Some infrastructure doesn’t need to be flashy to be effective.

This stormwater outfall has likely been doing its job for decades—quietly conveying flow, managing runoff, and protecting surrounding areas from flooding. No sensors. No automation. Just solid design and construction that has stood the test of time.

But here’s the balance we have to strike:
Aging infrastructure like this still works… until it doesn’t.

These systems weren’t designed for today’s conditions—changing land use, increased runoff, and more intense storm events. While they continue to perform, they also represent risk if we’re not paying attention.

💡 The opportunity isn’t always immediate replacement.

It’s understanding what we have, how it’s performing, and where to prioritize improvements.

Because sometimes the most reliable systems are the ones we forget about—until they fail.

🔍 Not all manholes are created equal.A closer look inside this brick structure reveals some thoughtful hydraulic design—...
04/24/2026

🔍 Not all manholes are created equal.

A closer look inside this brick structure reveals some thoughtful hydraulic design—benching that directs flow, a drop connection managing elevation changes, and multiple inverts converging within a tight footprint.

These older structures often showcase craftsmanship that still performs decades later—but they also require experience to properly interpret during inspections.

It’s easy to walk past infrastructure like this without a second thought. But understanding what’s happening below the surface is where the real work begins.

At first glance, the protruding pipe grabs your attention—but it’s not the most interesting feature in this structure.Go...
04/22/2026

At first glance, the protruding pipe grabs your attention—but it’s not the most interesting feature in this structure.

Go ahead—zoom in.

What type of structure are we looking at here?

I’ll drop the answer in the comments.

🌸 It’s hard to beat spring field days like this.Standing over an open structure, surrounded by blooming trees and quiet ...
04/20/2026

🌸 It’s hard to beat spring field days like this.

Standing over an open structure, surrounded by blooming trees and quiet neighborhoods, is a reminder of the contrast in what we do every day.

Above ground: beauty, calm, and renewal.
Below ground: complex systems, aging infrastructure, and problems you can’t see—but can’t ignore.

This is where IDDE work lives—right at that intersection.

And it matters. Because every illicit connection we find and eliminate is one less source of pollution reaching our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters—helping keep them clean and accessible for everyone to enjoy.

Not a bad office for the day.

Address

354 Merrimack Street, Suite 200
Lawrence, MA
01843

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+19789750500

Website

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