a history of engineering excellence
1950’s
In the 1950's, the firm became involved in provincially-funded water and sewage systems, urban land development projects and major infrastructure projects initiated to serve the new Metropolitan Toronto. RVA also had our first involvement in tunnel design during this decade, which has become part of our core strength. Notable projects included the Baker Downs activated sludge sewage treatment plant, the Humber River channelization, and sewer tunnels at Wilket Creek and Highway 401.
1960’s
RVA's involvement in larger and more complex works projects proved the firm had a solid municipal consulting practice. Major projects included the original development of the York University site at the Keele and Finch campus, the Dawes Road Bridge, the Finch Avenue trunk watermain, and the development of a trunk sewer collection and treatment system for the City of Welland. A branch office was established in Welland. The number of staff grew to over 60, and in 1964 the firm became officially known as R.V. Anderson Associates Limited.
1970’s
Rodney Anderson retired in 1974, when Ken Hyde was appointed president of the firm. RVA continued working in infrastructure and land development projects that served Toronto's surrounding (and rapidly growing) municipalities. The firm was retained to plan and engineer major wastewater collection and transmission projects for the new City of Thunder Bay. By the end of 1977, RVA had over 135 staff.
1980’s
RVA expanded our offices in the Ontario market through the acquisition of Dennis Consultants in Sudbury, the creation of an Ottawa office and through a partnership with Touchie Engineering of Moncton, New Brunswick for design and construction a new wastewater collection and treatment system in Moncton. RVA was honored with two national design awards for the high-profile relocation of Toronto's John Street Water Pumping Station in clearing the site for SkyDome. In 1989, Ken Morrison succeeded Ken Hyde as president of the firm.
1990’s
In addition to traditional infrastructure engineering work, RVA began to develop new technological capabilities in the telecommunications sector. RVA was the lead engineering firm for Ledcor/360networks for development of a 17,000 km fibre optic network in Canada, and parts of the USA. Anderson Operations Inc. was established in 1990 to provide water and wastewater operations services.
The firm also broadened its geographical reach, by providing operational improvement strategies for Mumbai's (Bombay) wastewater treatment systems, and was contracted to operate and maintain the Vapi Common Effluent Treatment Plant in India. In 1994, a new regional office was established in London, Ontario, and the acquisition of Touchie Engineering in Moncton secured the firm's presence in the Maritimes.
2000’s
As a recognized leader in the field of water supply and water treatment, RVA was retained by the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) to quickly address the water contamination issues arising in Walkerton in 2000.
The firm complemented its infrastructure operation capabilities, with management services focused on infrastructure asset management, competitiveness in the delivery of public works programs, and private sector participation initiatives.
In 2004, RVA acquired Hydro-Com Technologies of New Brunswick, expanding the firm's expertise in hydrotechnical engineering, as well as its position in the Eastern Canadian marketplace.
Today, our clients benefit from our continued goal to deliver a more comprehensive menu of services in a number of strategic and technical business areas. This “vertical integration” of services is intended to assist clients in dealing with the broad range of challenges, issues and problems facing their organizations in rapidly changing business and public works environments.
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