What Environmental Solutions AQ does

Environmental Solutions AQ, LLC (ENSOAQ) is a woman- and minority-owned environmental consulting firm founded in 2010 by Dr. Monica Rakovan and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The firm delivers comprehensive environmental services including Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessments, NEPA compliance work, hydrological and hydraulic (H&H) modeling, dam breach analysis, Nine-Element Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategy (NPS-IS) plan development, Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF) analyses, groundwater flow and contaminant transport modeling, Underground Injection Control (UIC) compliance inspection support, performance-based remediation oversight, land protection and easement services, and mineralogy/material science expert witnessing. Clients are primarily federal and state government agencies (U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Center, USEPA Region 5, Ohio Department of Natural Resources), supplemented by non-profit conservation organizations, county Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and select commercial partners across Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and New Mexico.

The firm's core technical stack centers on the GIS-based Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF), HEC-HMS and HEC-RAS modeling software, and qualitative habitat evaluation methodologies. Operational depth is evidenced by 30+ Ohio dams modeled for ODNR, 38+ ACPF models for The Nature Conservancy in the Western Lake Erie Basin, and 12 Ohio EPA-approved Nine-Element NPS-IS Plans completed since 2021. Technical capability is anchored by EPA-certified compliance inspectors and Ph.D.-level expertise in geology, hydrology, and geomorphology, supported by teaming relationships with Apex Companies, Applied Ecological Services, Davey Resource Group, and Civil and Environmental Consultants.

Revenue is generated through project-based professional services engagements under negotiated and performance-based contracts with government and commercial clients. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The firm holds Ohio MBE/EDGE, SBA 8(a), and City of Cincinnati MWBE certifications that support set-aside contract eligibility. ENSOAQ operates with a small core staff of 1-10 employees and a relationship-led, sales-driven go-to-market motion anchored by long-tenured client engagements rather than broad marketing or channel distribution.

Name

Environmental Solutions AQ

Legal name

Environmental Solutions AQ, LLC

Website

https://www.ensoaq.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Environmental Solutions AQ is a woman- and minority-owned environmental consulting firm serving federal and state agencies, conservation organizations, and commercial clients with environmental assessments, hydrological modeling, watershed management, and UIC compliance inspection across five Midwestern states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Consulting Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Compliance & Permitting (BPAHAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Site Assessment & Remediation (Phase I/II, Cleanup Oversight) (BPAHAJAC)

Keywords

• Environmental consulting services
• Watershed management
• Hydrological modeling
• Stream restoration
• Land protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Environmental Consulting Contracts: Project-based consulting engagements with government agencies (USEPA, Ohio DNR, U.S. Air Force) for environmental compliance, watershed management, and remediation services. Revenue generated through performance-based contracts and negotiated project fees.
2. Commercial Environmental Consulting Services: Environmental consulting services provided to commercial clients including Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessments, NEPA compliance work, and land protection services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Core offering

Environmental Solutions AQ is a woman- and minority-owned environmental consulting firm providing professional services in environmental assessments (Phase I/II ESA, NEPA), geology, hydrology, mineralogy, watershed management (Nine-Element NPS-IS Plans, ACPF analyses, H&H and dam breach modeling), stream and wetland restoration, UIC compliance inspection, and land protection (conservation easement services). Deliverables are produced under negotiated, project-based contracts for government agencies, conservation organizations, and commercial clients in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and New Mexico.

Product overview

Environmental Solutions AQ (ENSOAQ) is a woman- and minority-owned environmental consulting firm providing comprehensive services in environmental assessments, geology, hydrology, mineralogy, and land protection. The company's offerings are organized as a portfolio of interconnected service lines rather than a unified software platform. Core services include Modeling Services (ACPF, H&H), Hydrology & Watershed Management (Nine-Element NPS-IS Plans), Environmental Assessments (Phase I/II ESA, NEPA), Environmental Management (UIC Program Support, MIT witnessing, compliance inspection, permitting), Land Protection (easement services), and Mineralogy/Material Science (forensic/expert witnessing). The firm also provides specialized Dam Breach Modeling and Performance-Based Remediation Support for government clients. These services are delivered across Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and New Mexico.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Environmental Consulting Services Comprehensive environmental consulting covering environmental assessments, geology, hydrology, mineralogy, and land protection. Includes Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessments, NEPA compliance work, mechanical integrity testing witnessing, permitting, remedial investigations, and long-term monitoring for government, commercial, and non-profit clients in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and New Mexico.
• Hydrology and Watershed Management Services Watershed management services including Nine-Element NPS-IS Plan development, stream restoration, floodplain study and modeling, dam breach modeling, runoff response modeling, GIS/Geospatial applications, watershed action plans/TMDL, stormwater management, and habitat assessment and restoration. Delivered to government agencies, conservation districts, and non-profit conservation organizations.
• Modeling Services (ACPF, H&H, Groundwater) Modeling services including Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF) analyses, Hydrologic and Hydraulic (H&H) Modeling using HEC-HMS and HEC-RAS, and groundwater flow and contaminant transport modeling. Used for watershed management, dam breach analysis, floodplain studies, runoff response, and contamination site assessments.
• Land Protection Services Conservation easement services including easement applications (agricultural and conservation easements), easement acquisition assessment, due diligence, title encumbrances, property baseline documentation, drafting conservation easements, coordination of easement closing, property monitoring, grant proposal preparation, and community engagement.
• Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program Support USEPA Region 5 compliance inspection program support under the Safe Drinking Water Act Underground Injection Control, including mechanical integrity testing witnessing for Class I, II, III, V, and VI wells, and compliance inspections including visual inspection, interview, and report preparation.
• H&H and Dam Breach Modeling Hydrological and hydraulic modeling services for Ohio Department of Natural Resources Class I large dams, using HEC-HMS and HEC-RAS modeling tools, including dam breach analysis, floodplain studies, emergency action plans, and operations, maintenance, and inspection plans preparation. ENSOAQ has completed H&H and dam breach modeling for 30 dams throughout Ohio under a statewide task order.
• Performance-Based Remediation Support Environmental remediation support services for U.S. Department of Defense Region 5, including soil, groundwater, and surface water investigations, sampling and monitoring, data evaluation, remedial investigation/feasibility studies, and oversight of remediation at former Air Force bases.
• Mineralogy and Material Science Services Forensic and environmental mineralogy services including data analysis and expert witnessing for environmental compliance and litigation support.
• Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF) Analyses GIS-based agricultural watershed management service providing high-resolution data analysis to recommend and prioritize conservation practice implementation. ENSOAQ has completed 38+ ACPF models in the Western Lake Erie Basin of Ohio and additional models in Indiana and Illinois.
• Nine-Element Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategies (NPS-IS) Plan Development Ohio EPA-approved watershed planning documents developed using ACPF methodology for agricultural watersheds. ENSOAQ has completed Twelve NPS-IS Plans including Aukerman Creek, Beal's Run-Indian Creek, Price's Creek, Howard Creek-Dry Fork, Paddys Run, Headwaters Twin Creek, Millers Fork, Swamp Creek, Headwaters Wolf Creek, North Branch Wolf Creek, Dry Run-Wolf Creek, and Cotton Run-Four Mile Creek.
• Environmental Site Assessments (Phase I/II ESA and NEPA) Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessments for property due diligence and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance documentation, including soils and groundwater investigations and Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) assessments for commercial clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 feet of streambank restoration completed, preventing approximately 3,000 pounds of nutrients and 150 tons of sediment from reaching downstream waterways
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Miami Conservancy DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership on stream and wetland restoration projects. Miami Conservancy District has also funded ENSOAQ to perform multiple ACPF analyses for NPS-IS plans in the Great Miami River watershed of southwest Ohio.
• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to perform Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF) analyses. ENSOAQ completed 38 ACPF models for The Nature Conservancy in the Western Lake Erie Basin of Ohio, with additional ACPF work completed in Indiana and Illinois.
• Three Valley Conservation TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership on wetland and stream restoration projects, including Indian Creek restoration. Three Valley Conservation Trust has recognized ENSOAQ for exceptional expertise and professionalism in project execution.
• Preble Soil and Water Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContracted ENSOAQ to develop Nine-Element NPS-IS plan for Aukerman Creek watershed. Preble SWCD has provided positive feedback on ENSOAQ's work and enthusiasm.
• Montgomery Soil and Water Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContracted ENSOAQ to develop Nine-Element NPS-IS plan as part of the first such plan approved by Ohio EPA in the Great Miami River Watershed.
• Five Rivers MetroParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContracted ENSOAQ to develop Nine-Element NPS-IS plan for watersheds in the Dayton metropolitan area.
• Apex CompaniesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeaming partner on environmental projects. Apex Companies Division Manager has provided testimonial praising ENSOAQ's exceptional work and attention to detail.
• Davey Resource GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner on stream and wetland restoration projects.
• Civil and Environmental ConsultantsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner on stream and wetland restoration projects.
• Miami University Institute for the Environment and SustainabilityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner with historical connection through founder Dr. Rakovan's prior role as Deputy Director. Continued collaboration on conservation projects and private landowners.
• US EPAcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVickie Kniss provides US EPA contract support. ENSOAQ staff serve as EPA-certified inspectors supporting USEPA Region 5's UIC compliance inspection program since 2017.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Apex Companies: ENSOAQ already partners with Apex Companies on stream restoration and environmental projects. Apex provides comparable Phase I/II ESA, NEPA, and water resources consulting to government and commercial clients across the Midwest.
• Applied Ecological Services: ENSOAQ is a documented teaming partner with Applied Ecological Services on environmental projects. AES provides comparable wetland/stream restoration, ecological consulting, and watershed planning services, overlapping directly with ENSOAQ's core service portfolio.
• Davey Resource Group: ENSOAQ partners with Davey Resource Group on stream and wetland restoration projects. Davey Resource Group provides directly comparable environmental consulting, watershed management, and ecosystem restoration services to government and conservation clients.
• Civil and Environmental Consultants: ENSOAQ collaborates with Civil and Environmental Consultants on stream and wetland restoration. CEC provides directly overlapping environmental site assessment, remediation, and water resources services across the Midwest.
• Hull & Associates: Ohio-based environmental and geotechnical consulting firm providing directly comparable Phase I/II ESA, remediation, water resources, and ecological services — overlapping with ENSOAQ on core offerings in the Ohio/Midwest market.

Broad incumbents

• AECOM: Global EHS and infrastructure consulting firm offering environmental site assessment, remediation, water resources, and compliance services at a much larger scale. AECOM competes with ENSOAQ on federal contracts (Air Force, EPA) and would be a prime or competitor on larger task orders.
• Tetra Tech: Global environmental consulting firm with deep federal contracting footprint including EPA, DOD, and state agency work. Tetra Tech offers overlapping H&H modeling, watershed management, and environmental compliance services and competes for many of the same federal task orders as ENSOAQ.
• Arcadis: International design and environmental consultancy with significant water resources and environmental remediation practice. Arcadis competes with ENSOAQ on larger federal/state environmental contracts and would typically be the prime on engagements where ENSOAQ might serve as sub.
• Brown and Caldwell: Environmental engineering and consulting firm specializing in water and environmental infrastructure for public-sector clients. Comparable in regulatory compliance, watershed management, and EPA-facing work to ENSOAQ's core practice.
• Stantec: Global environmental and infrastructure consultancy with extensive North American water resources and environmental site assessment practice. Stantec routinely competes for the same federal, state, and municipal environmental contracts that ENSOAQ serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Environmental Solutions AQ