Business Details
43 Years
experience
Civil & Environmental Engineering Experts in Point Richmond
Questa Engineering was founded in 1983 as a California corporation with offices in Point Richmond, Petaluma, and Berkeley. Our firm specializes in civil, environmental, and water resources engineering, planning, and landscape architecture. We provide comprehensive services including stream restoration, wetlands management, geotechnical investigations, and wastewater system design. Our multidisciplinary team includes registered civil engineers, engineering geologists, hydrologists, and landscape architects with decades of combined experience. We prioritize sustainable solutions that balance technical excellence with environmental stewardship. Our approach emphasizes principal-level project management and close client collaboration to address complex regulatory and technical challenges.We hold a California General Engineering Contractor license (Number 948253) and have completed award-winning projects in habitat restoration and waterway management. Our international humanitarian work applies innovative technologies like biosand filters and plastic waste repurposing to address global water and sanitation needs. We maintain rigorous quality standards through in-house surveying, environmental analysis, and construction oversight. Our commitment to community extends to educational programs and partnerships with organizations like Engineers Without Borders.
Services
Waterway Restoration
Environmental Planning
Geotechnical Services
Wastewater Systems
CEQA/NEPA Permitting
International Humanitarian Projects
Landscape Architecture
Stormwater Management
Habitat Enhancement
Construction Management
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- We have 40+ years of experience in water resource engineering since 1983
- Our multidisciplinary team includes registered engineers and geologists
- We pioneered biotechnical bank stabilization and fish passage solutions
- We implement innovative technologies like biosand filters and plavel systems
- Our projects have received multiple design awards for environmental excellence
What people say
Technical expertise
Sustainable solutions
Award-winning projects
Regulatory compliance
Community impact
Services
Waterway Restoration
Our waterway restoration services integrate hydraulic analysis, geomorphic evaluation, and biotechnical stabilization techniques. We specialize in fish passage barrier removal, natural channel design, and wetland enhancement projects that restore ecological function while addressing flood control needs. With decades of experience in California's diverse environments, we deliver sustainable solutions that balance habitat requirements with infrastructure demands.
Geotechnical Services
We provide comprehensive geotechnical investigations including slope stability analysis, liquefaction studies, and hazardous materials assessments. Our team conducts subsurface drainage design and construction observation for foundations, retaining walls, and infrastructure projects. We address seismic risks and geological hazards through tailored solutions that ensure structural integrity in California's active geological environment.
Wastewater Systems
Our wastewater services cover onsite system design, percolation testing, and regulatory compliance for residential and commercial clients. We develop mound systems, spray irrigation, and evaporation ponds while emphasizing groundwater protection. Our engineers provide construction management and monitoring for both small-scale septic systems and large community wastewater treatment facilities across California.
Environmental Permitting
We navigate environmental regulations through CEQA/NEPA compliance, including initial studies and environmental impact reports. Our team secures permits from agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers and Regional Water Quality Control Board. We coordinate mitigation plans and monitoring programs to ensure projects meet federal and state environmental standards.
International Humanitarian Projects
We implement sustainable water and sanitation solutions in developing regions through partnerships with NGOs. Our innovations include biosand filtration systems and plastic waste repurposing (plavel) for drainage applications. We've completed projects in Fiji, Kenya, and Mexico, focusing on community training and locally maintainable infrastructure that addresses both water scarcity and environmental pollution.
People
Norman Hantzsche
Principal Engineer
With over 35 years of experience, Norman leads our international humanitarian projects. He developed Fiji's school biosand filter program and pioneered plavel technology for sustainable drainage systems. His expertise in water resource management combines technical innovation with community engagement.
Questions
What engineering services does Questa offer?
We provide civil, environmental, and water resources engineering including stream restoration, geotechnical assessments, wastewater systems, and CEQA/NEPA compliance across California and internationally.
Do you handle both public and private projects?
Yes, we serve government agencies, municipalities, developers, and NGOs with solutions ranging from municipal infrastructure to rural water systems.
What makes your waterway restoration unique?
Our approach combines hydraulic modeling, geomorphic analysis, and biotechnical stabilization to create ecologically functional systems that address both habitat needs and flood control requirements.
How do you address geotechnical risks?
We conduct comprehensive subsurface investigations, slope stability analyses, and seismic evaluations to develop site-specific solutions that ensure long-term structural integrity in challenging geological conditions.
What international projects have you completed?
Our humanitarian work includes biosand filter programs in Fiji, wastewater recycling systems in Kenya, and plastic waste repurposing projects in Mexico that improve sanitation while addressing environmental pollution.
Can you assist with environmental permitting?
Yes, we manage CEQA/NEPA compliance, prepare environmental impact reports, and coordinate agency permitting for projects requiring regulatory approvals at federal, state, and local levels.
