Hedin Environmental

What Hedin Environmental does

Hedin Environmental is a privately held, founder-owned environmental consulting firm founded in 1994 by Robert S. Hedin and headquartered in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh metro). The firm specializes in mine water characterization and passive treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD), with a stated ~30-year track record designing and overseeing nature-based treatment systems for government agencies, nonprofit watershed associations, and mining companies in the U.S. and internationally. Its core technical proposition centers on passive treatment — engineered, nature-based systems (anoxic limestone drains, oxic aggregate beds, carbonation systems) that meet water quality compliance without ongoing chemical inputs, including a differentiated passive manganese treatment technology operating at pH 7 and claimed to be the only one of its kind worldwide.

The firm's service portfolio spans the full lifecycle of an AMD remediation project: pollution characterization and watershed restoration planning; passive treatment system design and construction oversight; operation and maintenance including solids management and sludge pumping; evaluation and rehabilitation of underperforming systems; reclamation design; wetland and stream delineation; permitting (e.g., Pennsylvania Chapter 105 and NPDES); and applied R&D. Notable documented installations include the Anna S Mine Passive Treatment Complex (recognized as one of the largest passive AMD treatment systems in the U.S.), the Lowber system (1,800 gallons/minute from 60 mg/L Fe to less than 2 mg/L with ~1.5 tons/day iron oxide capture), and the Babb Creek project (14 miles removed from Pennsylvania's impaired streams list in 2010). The firm markets through published academic papers, conference presentations, case studies, and professional referrals rather than intermediary channels.

Hedin Environmental operates on project-based professional services revenue (consulting, plus ongoing O&M retainers). Customer concentration is anchored in long-term relationships with Pennsylvania watershed associations (Kettle Creek, Babb Creek, Sewickley Creek) plus international hardrock mining clients across South America, Africa, and Asia. The firm is pursuing adjacent R&D around critical metal recovery (including rare earth elements) and saleable iron oxide byproducts from treatment solids, signaling potential evolution from pure consulting toward resource-recovery productization.

Name

Hedin Environmental

Legal name

Hedin Environmental

Website

https://hedinenv.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hedin Environmental is a Pennsylvania-based environmental consulting firm founded in 1994 that designs passive, nature-based acid mine drainage treatment systems for government agencies, mining companies, and nonprofit watershed associations in the U.S. and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Remediation Consulting

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Hazardous Waste Management (4955), Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Groundwater Extraction, Treatment & Discharge (Pump-and-Treat, reinjection) (BPALAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Water Resources, WASH & Integrated Water Management (BPADALAH)

Keywords

• Mine water treatment
• Passive treatment systems
• Acid mine drainage
• Watershed restoration services
• Environmental remediation consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Environmental Consulting Services: The company provides consulting services including mine water treatment system design, watershed restoration planning, permitting, and construction oversight for government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and mining companies.
2. Operation and Maintenance Services: Ongoing treatment system operation and maintenance including solids management, sludge pumping, limestone cleaning, and water sampling.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Hedin Environmental is an environmental consulting firm that designs, evaluates, and operates passive mine water treatment systems for acid mine drainage remediation and watershed restoration. Its services span system design, construction oversight, operation and maintenance, watershed assessment, reclamation design, permitting, wetland and stream delineation, and applied research, with a specialized focus on nature-based passive manganese removal.

Product overview

Hedin Environmental is an environmental consulting firm founded in 1994, specializing in mine water characterization and passive treatment solutions. The company offers a comprehensive suite of engineering and consulting services centered on passive treatment system design, operation, and maintenance for acid mine drainage and watershed restoration. Their portfolio includes Passive Treatment System Design, Treatment System Operation & Maintenance, System Evaluation, Pollution Characterization & Watershed Restoration Planning, Reclamation Design, Wetland and Stream Delineation, and Permitting services. A key specialization is Passive Manganese Treatment using nature-based oxic aggregate bed technology. The company serves mining clients, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations across the US and internationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Passive Treatment System Design Design and construction oversight of new passive treatment systems and rehabilitation of underperforming systems for mine water treatment, including anoxic limestone drains, oxic aggregate beds, and carbonation treatment technologies. Intended for government agencies, mining companies, and watershed associations.
• Treatment System Operation & Maintenance Ongoing services including solids management, sludge pumping, limestone cleaning, organic substrate replacement, and water sampling for passive treatment systems. Intended for operators of installed passive mine water treatment systems.
• Evaluation of Existing Treatment Systems Diagnosis of problems with existing treatment systems and preparation of rehabilitation plans, ranging from routine vegetation control to full redesign. Intended for owners and operators of mine water treatment systems.
• Pollution Characterization & Watershed Restoration Planning Watershed restoration plans that identify impairment sources, quantify pollution loading, and identify treatment strategies to restore watersheds affected by mine drainage. Intended for nonprofit watershed associations and government agencies.
• Reclamation Design Design and construction oversight of reclamation projects to physically and chemically stabilize mine wastes. Intended for mining companies, government agencies, and conservation organizations.
• Wetland and Stream Delineation Wetland and stream delineations conducted in accordance with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers standards for projects of any size. Intended for clients requiring regulatory delineation support for project permitting.
• Permitting Preparation of Chapter 105 Water Obstruction permits, Chapter 102 NPDES permits for stormwater, and associated site design and erosion control documentation. Intended for mining operators and developers needing Pennsylvania environmental permits.
• Passive Manganese Treatment Nature-based solutions for manganese removal from mine water, achieving compliance down to 0.1 mg/L at pH 7 without added chemicals, using oxic aggregate bed technology. Intended for mining companies and watershed restoration clients facing manganese contamination from tailings and waste rock storage facilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14 miles of Babb Creek removed from Pennsylvania's impaired streams list in 2010
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 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

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Babb Creek Watershed AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership since 2002 for mine water treatment projects including assessment of existing systems, rehabilitation planning, and design of new treatment systems. The Anna S Mine passive treatment complex was designed through this collaboration and is recognized as one of the largest and most successful passive AMD treatment systems in the US.
• Sewickley Creek Watershed AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for passive treatment system design, permitting, and construction oversight for the Marchand Mine in Lowber, Pennsylvania. The treatment system treats approximately 1,800 gallons per minute of mine water.
• Kettle Creek Watershed AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership since 2000 for Twomile Run watershed restoration including mine drainage assessments, master restoration planning, and technical management of all mine drainage treatment projects. Eight passive treatment systems were designed and constructed through this collaboration.
• Trout UnlimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Twomile Run watershed restoration, a tributary to Kettle Creek, working to restore coldwater stream habitat affected by acid mine drainage.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Tetra Tech: A large global environmental and engineering consulting firm with a dedicated mining and water practice that performs AMD and mine water treatment work. Competes with Hedin on larger government and international mining engagements where scale and breadth matter.
• GHD: GHD is a global engineering and environmental consulting firm with mining water management and remediation capabilities. It competes with Hedin in international markets and shares overlap on passive and active mine water treatment design.
• Stantec: Stantec's environmental services practice includes mine water management, watershed restoration, and remediation design for both public and mining clients. It is a comparable provider of mine water and AMD consulting services, particularly on larger programs.
• Golder Associates (now part of WSP): Golder was a global leader in mining environmental consulting with deep AMD and mine water treatment practices, now integrated into WSP. It competes with Hedin for international hardrock mining remediation engagements and shares the same client base of mining companies and regulators.
• Arcadis: Arcadis provides environmental consulting and engineering services to mining and public-sector clients globally, including site remediation and water treatment. Comparable as a broad incumbent competing in the same mine water compliance and watershed restoration space.
• SLR Consulting: SLR provides environmental and advisory services to the mining sector globally, including mine water management and remediation planning. It is comparable to Hedin as a competitor for international hardrock mining compliance and remediation work.
• AECOM: AECOM's environment practice delivers mine remediation, water treatment, and watershed restoration services to government and industrial clients. Comparable to Hedin as a large-scale competitor for federal/state AMD and abandoned mine land contracts.

Direct peers

• Clearwater Consultants: A specialized firm focused on passive treatment of mine drainage and acid mine drainage, particularly in coal mining regions. It is a direct niche peer to Hedin, working on similar passive treatment system design and watershed restoration projects.
• Knight Piésold: A specialized mining engineering and environmental consulting firm that designs tailings, water management, and mine closure solutions for mining clients worldwide. Comparable to Hedin in serving hardrock miners on water treatment and post-closure cost reduction.

Regional players

• Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) partner consultancies: A range of smaller regional engineering consultancies in the Ohio River Valley and Appalachian coal basins that compete for watershed association, AML, and state-level mine water remediation contracts. They are comparable to Hedin on local, watershed-scale AMD work but lack its international and hardrock reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hedin-environmental-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Hedin Environmental