Sonic Plus Water Treatment System Restoring Water Quality in a Lake The Sonic Plus water treatment system is a proprietary, patent pending, portable standalone water treatment device that uses sonication technology to enhance water quality and reduce aquatic toxicity. This technology organically restores impacted water bodies and holds the potential of replacing the current practice of applying harmful chemical shock treatment to water. The Sonic Plus is a flow through device that recirculates water through the unit and discharges the treated water back into the soil, groundwater table or surface water body. This technology can be used to restore the water quality in lakes, streams, and ground water aquifers. During the past several years, the Sonic Plus has been demonstrated to reduce elevated levels of Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) in surface water, conserve irrigation water usage, increase crop production, enhance livestock hydration, produce more farm animal offspring, increase milk quantity and quality, and improve the overall health to livestock. Agricultural Irrigation Surface Water Treatment Our patent pending Sonic Plus technology has been proven in the agricultural industry. Our initial agricultural application installed the Sonic Plus to a center pivot irrigator to conserve water usage. While this application was successful in conserving the amount of water pumped into the soil, we discovered the system also acted as a yield-enhancer for row crops. This system is now routinely used by many row crop farmers to cut their irrigation costs, while improving their crop yield per acre. The below picture tells the Sonic Plus story. Clean water irrigation technology not only conserves water but enhances row crop yield to improve the bottom line for farmers. Agricultural Irrigation Two neighboring fields: the field in the foreground used the Sonic Plus technology on a center pivot irrigator, while the field in the background (north of the road) used a standard center pivot irrigator. Note the improved health and growth rate of the crops by using Sonic Plus water enhancement. This agricultural technology is not just limited to the row crop farmer. Our technology has also been applied to livestock production. For many years, people have looked for a more natural or organic method of livestock production. Much of this organic movement has centered around the elimination of chemicals, additives and growth hormones to livestock and their food source. However, the water or hydration of the animal has been the forgotten factor. That is until now. For three years, the Sonic Plus has been installed into the water delivery system at a local diary. This system has provided a cleaner and more healthy water source for the dairy cows and the results are nothing short of astounding. The dairy saw improved health in every measurable category, birth rate, growth rate and milk production, etc. The table and graph below depict how cleaner and healthier hydration of milk cows translates to greater profitability for the dairy. Surface Water Treatment For the past 5 years, we have been using the Sonic Plus water treatment system for the restoration of surface waters that are impaired with Cyanobacteria or blue-green algae as it is commonly referred to. The Sonic Plus treatment system is suspended in the water column, so water can be continuously pumped through the proprietary sonic tube to generate sound frequencies. These sonic frequencies enhance the water’s natural physical properties and reacts as a catalyst throughout the water column to reduce toxic levels of blue-green algae. The Sonic Plus treatment system has demonstrated a significant reduction of blue-green algae in several popular recreation lakes, private ponds and decorative fountains. In the Summer of 2016 and 2017, the Sonic Plus water treatment system was placed in operation at the outlet of Lake Crystal. Below are the before and after photos of Minneopa Falls, which is approximately 12 miles downstream from the outlet of Lake Crystal. Note, the reduction of blue-green algae and the improved water clarity of the Minnopea Falls during the Sonic Plus operation period. 2016 Crystal Lake Recap and Minneopa Falls Historically Impaired Water, Minneopa Falls Pre-Sonic Plus Water Treatment System 2014 Lake Crystal Outlet Restored Water Quality, Minneopa Falls Post-Sonic Plus Water Treatment Project 2016-2017 in Lake Crystal Outlet Today our surface water restoration work is expanding. The implementation and application of this system continues to show positive results for multiple water quality parameters with direct evidence of suppression of cynobacteria levels and improvement in desired oxygen levels. The positive results of suppression of bacteria levels and improved oxygen levels also appears to effect: a reduction of invasive species, regeneration of native plants, increase in the population of desired game fish. Continued testing seems to confirm other water quality and environmental benefits from using this groundbreaking technology.

Call us today for environmental consulting and contracting, emergency response, environmental site assessments (ESAs), tank removals and more! Click here to watch a video about our stream restoration project on the Knife River. Stream Channel Realignment Tank Removal Trout Stream Bank Stabilization Stream Channel Realignment 1/5 Click the photos to enlarge them. Environmental Troubleshooters Inc Headquarters 3825 Grand Ave Duluth, MN 55807-2850 Tel: 218-722-6013 Environmental Troubleshooters Inc Regional Office 416 Fayal Road, Ste. A Eveleth, MN 55734 Tel: 218-744-0128 Environmental Troubleshooters Inc Regional Office 3100 Courthouse Lane Eagan , MN 55121 Tel: 612-616-9244

Projects This page is currently under construction. Stay tuned for updates!

Contact Information Duluth Location 3825 Grand Avenue Duluth, MN 55807 Telephone (218) 722-6013 ​ (800) 470-3536 Submit Thanks for submitting! Eveleth Location 416 Fayal Road, Ste. A Eveleth, MN 55734 Telephone (218) 744-0128 ​ ​ Submit Thanks for submitting!

Placing Absorbant Boom Loading Stockpiled Soils Asbestos Re-Inspection – Spray-on Fireproofing Under a Drop Ceiling Placing Absorbant Boom 1/5 Services List of Environmental Services ​ ​ ​ 24-Hour Emergency Response ET is a 24-Hour emergency provider that provides consulting response and contracting services for a wide range of incidents involving releases of petroleum, PCBs, VOCs, heavy metals and asbestos. We routinely get called to mitigate releases at bulk fuel plants and terminals, gas stations, railroads, roadways, ditches and culverts, groundwater, potable water wells, lakes, rivers, wetlands, sewer systems, street vaults, greenspaces, industrial facilities, commercial buildings and homes. Read more. Site Investigation and Remediation When a leak or spill has occurred and cleanup is necessary, we have remediation experience to select the appropriate site-specific cleanup technology. For complex projects, we thoroughly evaluate site parameters and conduct feasibility studies to develop multiple remediation options based on technical and budgetary constraints. This allows you to select the remedial option to meets your needs. Read more. Due Diligence ET works with developers, attorneys, lenders and municipalities to facilitate property transactions and redevelopment of contaminated sites, including: Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) Phase I ESAs Phase II ESAs Brownfields Redevelopment Clean Up Grant Assistance and Response Action Plans (RAPs)​ Read more. Regulatory Compliance ET has developed a process for reviewing commercial and industrial facilities to better manage regulatory compliance issues. The procedure involves an in-depth review and evaluation of current permits and compliance requirements and the development of a Compliance Management Program. ET also provides compliance audits that allow facilities to check their working compliance program. Read more. Environmental Construction Services A unique advantage of selecting ET as a teammate to work on your environmental project is our Design Build expertise. Our approach to contract projects is to provide a full turn-key service that performs both the contracting and consulting work simultaneously. Our inhouse team, utilizes specialized remediation equipment operated by highly skilled and trained personnel. Read more. Industrial Services ET has an experienced industrial team of technicians that utilize specialized equipment to perform industrial cleaning, sludge removal, remedial system maintenance and waste disposal. Our industrial team is fully OSHA trained and certified in hazwoper, confined space, respiratory protection, personal protective equipment and asbestos, so we can handle complex projects safely and efficiently. Read more. Stream Restoration Wetland Consulting Hazardous/Regulated Materials Extensive logging removed riparian trees throughout many watersheds, which has led to deteriorating streambanks, a discharge of sediment and impacts to the stream channel. This continuous watershed instability negatively effects water temperature, sediment load and fish habitat. ET utilizes a restoration approach called Natural Channel Design to restore critical stream parameters. ET’s Natural Channel Design approach includes the: Read more. Wetland regulations have recently become an obstacle for many developers, realtors and property owners who want to build on their property. Many of these parcels of property were not originally designated as wetlands when the property was originally purchased. Due to the heightened importance of wetlands, many properties have been re-evaluated and are now listed as containing a considerable of wetlands and cannot be filled without a permit. The wetland services ET offers are: Read more. Before any commercial property can be redeveloped, including remodeling and/or demolition, State Law requires an Asbestos Inspection and Hazardous and Regulated Waste Assessment. ET can perform these inspections / assessments and assist the developer in determining the cost to conduct asbestos abatement and property sorting and disposal of regulated wastes. Read more. Sonic Plus Water Treatment System COVID-19/Coronavirus Disinfecting The Sonic Plus is a portable standalone water treatment device that uses proven properties of sonication technology to enhance water quality and reduce aquatic toxicity. This technology restores unhealthy water bodies organically and holds the potential of replacing the current practice of using of harmful chemicals to treat and remediate water bodies where elevated blue green algae, fecal coliform or E. coli bacteria levels exist. Read more. Employers have been shut down for several months during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the economy starts to reopen and the second wave of infections are predicted, business sanitation to keep employees and customers safe is of paramount importance to all employers. To help business through these COVID-19 issues, Environmental Troubleshooters, Inc. (ET) is available to provide COVID-19 response services. Read more.

Wetland Consulting Wetland regulations have recently become an obstacle for many developers, realtors and property owners who want to build on their property. Many of these parcels of property were not originally designated as wetlands when the property was originally purchased. Due to the heightened importance of wetlands, many properties have been re-evaluated and are now listed as containing considerable number of wetlands and cannot be filled without a permit. The wetland services ET offers are: Wetland Assessment Wetland Delineation Wetland Permitting Wetland Sequencing (Avoidance, Minimization and Replacement) Wetland Mitigation Plan Development Violation Compliance Wetland Construction Wetland Delineation Wetland Mitigation ET can assist the property owner by acting as an impartial third party for delineating the location, size and type of the wetlands on your property. Once the wetlands are delineated, a site map and final report are compiled outlining the vegetation type, soil classification, and groundwater depth discovered at the site. The report is reviewed with the client and options are presented which may allow the client to complete the project as inexpensively as possible. ​ Classifying Soils If wetlands impacts are necessary to complete the project, ET can assist client’s wetland sequencing and mitigation. This wetland mitigation process provides a replacement plan that locates suitable property for wetland replacement or a wetland mitigation bank in your Service Area. We also work closely with the state and local agencies to create a comfortable working relationship to streamline the review and approval projects, so the projects get permitted in a timely manner. Replacement Wetland, Year 1

Environmental, Health and Safety Regulatory Compliance Environmental, Health and Safety Regulatory Compliance ET has developed a process for reviewing commercial and industrial facilities to manage their regulatory compliance issues. The procedure involves an in-depth evaluation of current permits and compliance requirements and though review of their compliance management program. ET also provides compliance audits that allow facilities to check their working compliance program. These audits provide recommendations on how to improve current compliance practices and how to implement new programs that may be necessary. Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) Compliance Spill Response Planning Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) Health and Safety Services Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) Compliance Aboveground Storage Tank regulations are currently being enforced by the EPA that require most AST owners with an excess of 1,320 gallons of combined oil storage to have a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) plan. This plan examines the AST system piping, secondary containment, loading and unloading areas, facility drainage, surface water receptors, spill history, site security and training. After the site-specific SPCC plan is developed, a registered professional engineer is required to certify the plan. ET has the experience to tailor your SPCC plan to efficiently bring your AST/UST system to compliance. Upgrading a Petroleum Bulk Plant Facility Response Plan (FRP) and Emergency Response Spill Planning A Facility Response Plan and Emergency Response Spill Plan (Spill Plans) is required by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. United States Coast Guard (USGS) administered these regulations when there are fuel transfers from shore to vessels. The Spill Plans must be specific to the Company’s operation, include how to transfer fuel over water and a contingency plan in the event a release should occur during fuel transferring activities. Ore Boat Fuel Delivery Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) / National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits A SWPPP is designed to reduce contaminants from entering storm water and to eliminate their discharge off-site or into surface waters. The SWPPP consists of evaluating potential source of contamination, site discharges to storm water systems, establishing Best Management Procedures (BMPs) to reduce adverse impacts to storm water, eliminating improper connections to storm water systems, reducing run-on from off-site areas and minimizing the amount of pollutants in storm water. A SWPPP consists of planning and organizing a pollution prevention team, conducting a site assessment to determine if storm water pollution sources are present and/or discharging off-site, identifying BMPs to reduce storm water pollution and discharge, implementing BMPs and SWPPP evaluation. We also work with your staff and provide training to minimize or eliminate storm water pollution and off-site discharge. Storm Water Discharge Pipe Health and Safety Services Customized OSHA Compliance Programs OSHA Compliance Management Record Keeping Employee Training OSHA Inspection Support OSHA's visibility has increased in recent years. This increased visibility has brought forth more regulations, an increased number of citations and an increased dollar amount per citation. Environmental Troubleshooters, Inc. offers a comprehensive OSHA compliance service to reduce injuries, illnesses and citations. Our OSHA service starts with interviewing the employer, conducting a facility walk-through and inspecting records to determine if compliance deficiencies exist. The identified compliance deficiencies are then ranked and a workplan for compliance is developed. The client can then choose the best compliance option for their business. Once a compliance option is selected, ET will implement and maintain the OSHA programs you have chosen on a routine basis. Our OSHA service provides all the necessary written plans, inventory forms and training record forms. Some of the compliance programs we offer include Employee Right-To-Know, Compressed Gas, Lockout/Tagout, Hearing Conservation, Confined Spaces, Chemical Hygiene, AWAIR, Personal Protective Equipment, Respiratory Protection, Emergency Planning, Ergonomics, Bloodborne Pathogens, Forklift Safety, Crane Safety, Machine Operator Safety, Driver Safety and an OSHA Compliance Checklist. Environmental Troubleshooters, Inc. also provides OSHA inspection support services. We are onsite for the investigation, discuss any deficiencies with OSHA and the Employer, meet with the Employer’s Attorney, create a schedule to bring the Workplace back into compliance and create the necessary plan and training revisions to ensure deficiencies do not reoccur. Lockout/Tagout Kit

Hazardous/Regulated Materials Before any building can be redeveloped, including remodeling or demolished, an Asbestos Inspection and Hazardous and Regulated Waste Assessment must be conducted. ET can perform these inspections / assessments and assist the developer in determining the cost to conduct abatement. Asbestos Consulting Lead Based Paint Inspection Regulated Waste Asbestos Consulting ET’s asbestos services consist of inspecting, bulk sampling, patching and repairing, abatement designing, abatement monitoring, air sampling, employee training and record keeping. Our asbestos inspection services consist of 6-month periodic surveillances, annual damage assessments, accessible asbestos inspection and bulk sampling and demolition asbestos inspection and bulk sampling. All asbestos bulk samples are analyzed by an independent laboratory to avoid any conflicts of interest with the analysis. Asbestos abatement projects are designed using detailed work specifications. Each asbestos abatement project is bid out to obtain the best price for our clients. Our industrial hygienists closely oversee work practices to ensure proper removal procedures are followed. All projects are closely air monitored to ensure adjacent areas are not contaminated during abatement and abated spaces are cleared and safe to reoccupy. Asbestos Re-Inspection – Spray-on Fireproofing Under a Drop Ceiling Lead Based paint Inspection ET can assist clients by determining if a lead paint hazard exists in your building, facility or structure. We conduct lead inspections and collect samples to determine if a lead hazard is present and to what extent. If lead levels are above action level, we assist clients and contractors to comply with the lead in paint standards, so the project can move forward. Sampling Lead Based Paint with an XRF Regulated Waste Regulated wastes typically include commercial or household products that contain regulated chemicals, heavy metal containing products, treated woods, light ballasts, electronics, and white goods and must be removed and disposed of prior to demolition of a building. Commonly, observed regulated waste include household chemicals, paints, florescent light tubes, florescent light ballasts, lead acid batteries, mercury thermostats, green treated or creosote treated wood and electronic. ET assists clients by performing a pre-demolition assessment to determine if these and other hazardous/regulated products exist in a building. We compiled a list of observed wastes and remove the items from service. Finally, we look for recycling option to minimize disposal charges. Hazardous Waste

Industrial Services ET has an experienced industrial team of technicians that utilize specialized equipment to perform industrial cleaning, sludge removal, remedial system maintenance and waste disposal. Our industrial team is fully OSHA trained and certified in hazwoper, confined space, respiratory protection, personal protective equipment and asbestos, so we can handle complex projects safely and efficiently. Tank Cleaning Vacuum Truck Pumping Demolition Industrial Cleaning Tank Cleaning Vacuum Truck Pumping, Water Transportation and Disposal Spraying down Demolition Materials Released PCB containing Transformer Fluid

Site Investigation and Remediation Site Investigation Remediation Site Investigation Environmental Troubleshooters Inc. has a team of environmental scientists, geologists, and environmental professionals who have extensive experience designing work plans to investigate the release of hazardous chemicals and petroleum product. Our work plans determine the sampling strategy and drilling location/depth to adequately identify and delineate the magnitude and extent of a release. Our sampling strategies are based on our previous investigation knowledge and experience and we follow EPA requirements or state-specific guidance documents. Once a work plan is approved, we clear public and private utilities and advance soil borings, soil gas borings, sub-slab vapor points, test pits and/or utilize other investigative technologies (e.g. LIF borings, magnetometer surveys, etc.). Our standard soil sampling strategy includes collection of continuous sample cores to ensure no soil horizon is missed, and the use of dual-tube push probe sampling to provide accurate, discrete samples. ET personnel also have experience overseeing rotosonic, mud rotary, air rotary and bedrock coring drilling techniques. Borehole soil samples are typically collected at the highest photoionization detector (PID) value, highest x-ray fluorimeter (XRF) value, ground water table and/or bottom of the boring. Borehole water samples are typically collected using temporary wells to allow for sufficient ground water recharge providing adequate water volume for sample collection. Should permanent monitoring well be necessary, ET personnel install the wells according to state code with screened intervals in the saturated zone and adequate screen length to account for water table fluctuation when investigating petroleum or most-dissolved phase contaminants in shallow, unconfined aquifers. Deeper monitoring wells designed to assess dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPL) are installed with submerged screens. ET follows strict boring and monitoring well decontamination procedures to ensure no cross-contamination exists during drilling and sample collection. Hollow Stem Auger Drilling in a Tank Containment Remediation When a leak or spill has occurred and cleanup is necessary, we have remediation experience to select the appropriate site-specific cleanup technology. For complex projects, we thoroughly evaluate site parameters and conduct feasibility studies to develop multiple remediation options based on technical and budgetary constraints. This allows you to select the remedial option to meet your needs. ET personnel have extensive experience with the most common remediation options which typically include excavation and/or vacuum pump truck extraction of fuel and contaminated groundwater. Excavation may be required to address recent leaks/spills, during tank removal, and/or to address surface contamination which poses a direct contact and runoff risk. Soil disposal options include composting/biopiling, thermal treatment, asphalt batch incorporation, landspreading/land treatment, stabilization, and landfilling. ET projects have included complex excavations near utility lines, building footings and within buildings. With the more recent establishment of vapor intrusion (VI) standards for residential and industrial/commercial buildings, the requirement for vapor mitigation in these structures is becoming more common. ET is a licensed vapor mitigation contractor and ET personnel have extensive experience installing effective sub-slab vapor mitigation systems. Suction pits are drilled through the slab floor and a vacuum is applied initially with a shop vac. Vacuum field extension is measured using a micromanometer and vapor pins installed through the slab in strategic locations. Permanent vacuum lines are then installed and connected to a radon-type blower. In some cases, remedial systems are the most effective cleanup technology. We have experience with multi-phase extraction, soil vapor extraction, air sparging, bioventing, and other remedial system technologies. ET has designed, installed and successfully operated remedial systems targeting petroleum and chlorinated solvent releases. To ensure we have selected the best approach we optimize our system design using advanced computer modeling and pilot testing. ET personnel have installed/operated remedial systems for emergency response work and standard remedial work at gas stations, industrial and commercial sites, and are familiar with permitting, air emission and water discharge requirements. Environmental Troubleshooters Inc. also has extensive remedial experience with bioremediation via compound injection, which may include oxygen-release compounds, emulsified vegetable oils, bacteria inocculum, and various other solutions. In some cases, bioremediation may involve application of bacteria directly to spill areas. ET personnel have also conducted projects where multiple injection points over large industrial and military projects are required, with use of temporary tanks, dosing pumps and injection via push probe and other technologies. SVE Pilot System

Awards 2013 Minnesota Brownfields ReScape Award ​ Economic Impact Project of the Year ​ Canal Park Brewing Brownfields Redevelopment Project 2015 ReScape Community Impact Award ​ Economic Impact Project of the Year ​ Steve O'Neil Apartments Brownfields Redevelopment Project

ET in the News Restoring Glory: Knife River Facelift Advances More Soil Issues found at Proposed Morgan Park Construction Site Bad News for Grand Marais Wetland Restoration Project Click any of the blue buttons and scroll down to read news articles that highlight our company. Redevelopment's Environmental Work Along the Knife River, Kevin Bovee waded through the waist-high ferns along the riverbank and stopped at the water's edge. ​ Across the narrow stream, a good jumper could clear it in a single bound, a wall of bare clay reached high above the river. ​ ​ Grease Ooozes into Harbor Analysis has uncovered additional contamination and soil issues on a 15-acre Morgan Park site where Ikonics Corp., a maker of image technologies, hopes to build a new production facility. ​ Craig Wilson, owner of Environmental Troubleshooters, said his Duluth-based firm has identified a few "hot spots" containing heavy metals and petroleum products on the property that was formerly home to Atlas Cement. ​ ​ Major Gasoline Leak in Ely An idea brought forth by David Demmer of Cook County Planning & Zoning to restore a portion of the Grand Marais Recreational Park to its original wetlands state received blowback after an environmental engineer reviewed the almost two-acre site and found quite a few problems with it. ​ ​ Power Plant Demolition Grand Marais Power Plant Hundreds of gallons of used kitchen grease oozed into the Duluth storm sewer system after Monday's accident downtown, and some of the grease flowed into Lake Superior, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said Wednesday. ​ ​ A gasoline leak, originating from a broken underground feed line at the Holiday Station on Sheridan Street, led to thousands of gallons of gasoline leaking into the city's sanitary and storm sewer system earlier this week. ​ ​ The Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission began demolition of the old power plant near Grand Marais Recreation Park campground last week. Edwin E. Thoreson, Inc. is performing the demolition for an estimated $38,000. The PUC worked with Environmental Troubleshooters, Inc. on some environmental cleanup inside the facility before the demolition began ​ ​ Back to the top Back to the top Back to the top Back to the top Back to the top Back to the top