Optimum Solutions
PIEs key objective is to provide the optimum solution for the client whether it is a new effluent treatment system or designing a sustainability programme.. Even if the client is happy immediately after implementation, if the solution is not long term, appropriate and practical, the client is dissappointed and PIE does not get the repeat business it thrives on.

Services
PIE believes that the UKs best environmental expertise is in the hands of individuals. It is often this excellence that has enabled them to become independent of large organisations, even though the large organisations still deploy them as their staff. The principals at PIE have been in a similar position and have their own network of indpendent experts in a wide range of areas. Since they are not "employees", overheads are low enabling PIEto offer premium environmental services, at home and abroad at reasonable rates. Key areas include:

• Waste Audits • Waste Minimisation • IPPC • Environmental Management • ISO14000/EMS • System Optimisation/ Improvements • Plant Modification and Upgrades • Environmental Risk/Assessment

Problem Definition
Without defining the problem successfully, any solution is bound to fail or to be temporary at best. In the case of Effluent Treatment, we are often called in to fix something another company had already been charged with fixing but failed. Almost always the problem was not sufficiently defined.

PIEs approach is to undertake a comprehensive Waste Audit which includes:

• on-site evaluation of all waste streams • waste minimisation as the first objective • interaction with all Stakeholders (EA etc.) • preliminary advice on alternatives

This is usually closely followed by a Treatability Study if little is known about the waste stream or if it is variable in nature. This can be undertaken by PIE but it is often more convenient for this to be directed by PIE staff at the clients site. This has the further advantage of being close to the waste being generated with fewer anlaytical errors attributable to transportation delays:

• evaluation of waste biodegradability • waste treatment alternatives assessed at lab scale • optimisation of waste treatment process • design parameters determined

Once the waste has been defined and the alternatives assessed at lab or pilot scale if necessary PIE can provide Plant Selection and Advice. With information on the latest technologies PIE staff can rapdily determine the best options providing with a list of advantages and disadvantages for each. Working with the client the best solution can be determined based on the unique characteristics of the waste, the site, the clients budget and expansion plans. PIE can act as an advisor on alternative suppliers and processes or, where apporpriate, can offer a separate system, either as a turnkey process or based on the clients existing equipment and capabilities (using existing tanks, or the capabilities of in-house expertise etc.). PIE can even operate the plant if this is wanted:

• location and introduction to contractors • full advice on technical requirements and specification documents • review of proposals from contractors • turn-key or joint system design and contruction