Andrew Hellebust, M.S.E., P.Eng.
Andrew Hellebust, President and Senior Engineer at Rivercourt Engineering, is a recognized expert in the reuse of wastewater effluent, natural biological treatments and constructed wetland design in small, communal systems. He studied chemical engineering at the University of Toronto, did research work in microbiology at Princeton University, and holds a Masters Degree of Science in Engineering. For over 20 years, Andrew has been designing on-site and distributed water infrastructures ranging from non-potable urban water systems to advanced wastewater treatment systems for remote sites. He also provides environmental assessments for soil contamination, as well as spill clean ups and remediation.
Andrew is a leader in non-potable and on-site sewage code regulations, serving with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA B128 committee on non-potable water systems), the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO technical subcommittee on Reclaimed Water Conservation Systems) and the Ontario MMAH Building Materials Evaluation Commission (BMEC). He has been the main designer for Aqua Treatment Technologies, an installer of constructed wetlands, and is Senior Engineer at Canadian Shield Consultants who are active in northern Ontario water, wastewater and hazardous materials projects. Andrew has also acted as a Research Associate with Fleming College's Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment, and has been a speaker and teacher at various academic institutions, including The University of Toronto. Andrew's own home design project won The Canada Green Building Council Award in 2015.
Long-term goals of his designs include providing water services with lower greenhouse gas emissions, maintaining a high capacity of water for ecological services within watersheds in terms of quality and availability, and optimizing nutrient and resource recovery and reuse to build soil, sequester carbon and make food production sustainable.
Andrew believes that, by practising sustainable design, every building or community project is an opportunity to provide clean energy and water, support nutrient cycles and maintain year round local food growth – for the benefit of healing the environment and the habitat for all life.
Greg Allen, B.A.Sc., P.Eng.
Greg Allen has been one of the primary proponents and most passionate advocates of sustainable design for over 40 years. He has recognized the need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels since the 1970's and has since been a fearless voice for change. Not only has Greg been a pioneer in the area of renewable energy, but his ability to creatively envision how humanity must adapt to our changing climate has led to many award-winning and groundbreaking achievements:
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Design of homes for the 1st NRCan Advanced House Project in which energy consumption was reduced by 2/3
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Established Canada's 1st solar collector manufacturing operation, which was the first to design and produce solar energy equipment
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Co-design of the 1st Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV)
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Implementation of the Deep Lake Water Cooling System, which uses Lake Ontario as a cooling resource for many of downtown Toronto's office buildings
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Design of an off-grid, energy efficient building at the Boyne River Ecology Centre, which the Toronto District School Board uses to teach renewable energy
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Founded the Renewable Energy Co-operative Movement, which pioneered the use of wind turbines
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Co-founded the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association with Rivercourt General Manager Kevin Best, which led to the creation of The Green Energy Act
Greg's work is critically acclaimed and has received awards such as:
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The 2008 Green Toronto Award for Leadership
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The 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award for green building design
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Service to the Environment Award from the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects
Professionally, Greg has acted as a Sustainable Design Strategist at HOK, President of Allen-Drerup-White Ltd. and as founding Senior Associate of Sustainable EDGE Ltd.
He now brings his illustrious background as a designer, builder, community planner, inventor, researcher, manufacturer, policy adviser, university-level teacher, community activist and environmental consultant to Rivercourt Engineering as Senior Associate. Greg hopes to impart his knowledge, to teach, to inspire, and to be part of a team that is working to make a difference.
Janet Dea
Janet is responsible for Rivercourt’s financial and business operations working closely with the president on strategic planning and new initiatives. With degrees from Yale and McGill Janet was a professional opera singer and vocal teacher before pivoting into the sustainable design world. She is thrilled to bring her entrepreneurial energy and creativity to Rivercourt’s mission.
Eric Rozema M.Sc.
Eric studied at the University of Guelph earning a Bachelor of Science with a major in Environmental biology and then a Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences. Eric's thesis research evaluated the potential of using wetland plants to improve the treatment of greenhouse wastewater in constructed treatment wetlands, specifically focusing on the removal of contaminants that prohibited reuse. He has published multiple papers based on his thesis research as well as on constructed wetland performance in cold climates. Eric has experience working on the treatment of wastewater in several industries: landfills, wineries, breweries, vegetable farms, and greenhouses. Much of his experience has involved the use of constructed treatment wetlands and other biological systems. Eric is interested in sustainable water management, green technology, and environmental conservation.
Mariko Uda
Mariko is an eco-author, speaker, and community activist. She self-published a simple and fun picture book on Toronto's water, energy & waste systems. She has lectured at the University of Toronto and at local schools, and is involved in a number of community activities including Green Neighbours 21 and the City of Toronto's 3Rs Ambassador Program. For information on Mariko’s current initiatives, speaking events and this book, please visit www.ecomariko.com.
Mariko Uda has a broad technical background in biology & chemistry (B.Sc., University of Waterloo), civil engineering (B.A.Sc. and Ph.D, University of Toronto), and architecture (certificate, Ryerson University). During her civil engineering graduate degree, she helped the Toronto Region and Conservation Authority develop a costing tool for local low-impact development stormwater management practices and researched how to design sustainable and resilient neighbourhoods taking into account future risks including climate change.
Mariko has served as an environmental specialist and technical writer for Ontario Power Generation and as an assistant to architects at Stevens Burgess Architects. At Rivercourt, she has assisted with the design of on-site sewage, stormwater, and rainwater harvesting systems.
Janice Levangie MaSc, P.Eng.
Janice completed her Bachelor of Engineering at Dalhousie University and MaSc in Environmental Engineering and International Development at the University of Guelph. Her master’s research took an inter-disciplinary approach to examine drinking water risk assessment in First Nations communities, engaging end users such as water operators and public health officers. She has worked in the environmental field for over ten years with a variety of organizations, including consulting firms, government, not-for-profit and academia. Janice's experience in small-scale, rural and agricultural wastewater and water systems involves research, monitoring and data analysis to generate solutions and communicate options with a diverse range of stakeholders. She finds great satisfaction in developing an ongoing dialogue with clients such as agri-food producers or community groups to share knowledge and together build sustainable solutions for their water/environment issues.
Janice is drawn towards the connection between our communities and our natural environment. She volunteers with local community groups such as her children's school advisory council. She also enjoys being outside to garden, cycle, and otherwise explore the world with her young family.