McKinnon Engineering

Water and Wastewater Treatment Consulting

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    • John McKinnon, PE
  • Services
    • Process and Equipment Design
    • Client Advocacy and Consultant Oversight
    • Process Optimization
    • Troubleshooting
    • Operator Training
    • Regulatory Support
  • Case Studies
  • Testimonials
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Water and Wastewater Troubleshooting

Water and Wastewater TroubleshootingEven with the best processes, equipment, and operators, upsets or unusual events will occur.  Sometimes these episodes are the result of a string of events or contributing factors that appear to be unrelated, making it difficult for facility staff to determine the problem source.

McKinnon Engineering LLC can help you identify the cause of the problem and implement the steps necessary to correct it.

When a situation requires immediate action to mitigate a compliance risk or prevent production curtailment, we’ll help you identify and implement emergency actions while we define longer term solutions.

Our approach to problem solving begins with identifying the change that has occurred by answering a series of questions including:

  • What should the situation or condition be normally?
  • What is not as it should be?  What is different?
  • How far off of the expected condition are we?  What is the gap?
  • Where do we observe the change?
  • How did we detect the change?
  • When did it happen, or when was it noticed?
  • Did it happen suddenly or over time?
  • Do data trends reveal any gradual shifts away from normal conditions?
  • What conditions are within normal ranges or are otherwise OK?

Next, we will identify potential causes for the abnormal condition and determine whether or not resolving them would correct the abnormal condition.  Potential causes could include:

  • Out-of-range process conditions
  • Upsets, spills, or excessive loads from the manufacturing processes
  • Changes in manufacturing processes or chemicals
  • Improper process controls
  • Improper sampling or testing procedures
  • Chemical use problems
  • Equipment failures
  • Operational errors
  • Seasonal impacts

Once we evaluate the data and identify potential causes, we will determine whether or not removing the potential cause would resolve the problem by testing each potential cause one at a time.  Once we determine the true causes of the problem, we will work with your team to identify and implement short term and long term correction measures.

Following implementation of the remediation plan, we will monitor the new process to confirm that the problem has been solved completely.  If the new process solves the problem, it can become part of your normal process.  You can also share results with other company facilities to address similar issues or prevent them before they occur.

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  • Case Studies
  • Testimonials

Testimonials

John worked exceptionally well with the operations teams and has transferred much of his knowledge to build their capability and confidence.

His dedication and commitment to this project has been outstanding, and he demonstrates incredible personal flexibility to ensure a successful outcome.

To recognize John’s achievements, he was granted a “Distinguished Performance Award” in July 2013.
Tony DarnellConsumer Europe Engineering ManagerKimberly-Clark
Without John in our team, we would not have been successful. Without him, and just relying on our turnkey contractor, we would have failed complying with our environmental permit consent, and we would have been forced to restart another project just to correct vendor errors.

By having John on this project, I did save a huge amount of capital reinvestment and waste of time and efforts.
Nicolas ODENProject LeaderKimberly-Clark Europe
I worked with John McKinnon for over a year on a particularly challenging capital project and throughout that time John demonstrated an exceptionally positive and focused skill set and attitude.

John’s water and waste water expertise was paramount to identifying and addressing engineering and process issues, working with a problematic joint venture supplier and the ‘hands on’ provision of communication and training for the client’s employees.

There is no doubt that the project benefi… Read more
Ken BakerManaging Director4A Consulting Ltd

Services

  • Water and Wastewater Regulatory Support
  • Water Treatment System Operator Training
  • Water and Wastewater Troubleshooting
  • Process Optimization
  • Client Advocacy and Consultant Oversight
  • Process and Equipment Design

About McKinnon Engineering

McKinnon Engineering helps clients install and operate reliable, efficient, and effective water and wastewater treatment systems.
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Contact

John T. McKinnon, P.E. President
5456 Peachtree Blvd. #229
Atlanta, Georgia 30341
Office: 678-585-1656
Cell: 678-294-8093
Email: John@McKinnonEngineering.com

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