National American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) recognizes Cumberland firm’s collaboration with 2026 National Recognition Award
CUMBERLAND, ME – The American Council of Engineering Companies has recognized Sevee & Maher Engineers, Inc. (SME), of Cumberland, for exemplary work on a project to remediate an abandoned municipal airport site and provide stormwater and water supply solutions for Estabrook’s Farms & Greenhouse’s newly-constructed commercial greenhouse facility. Following recognition by the Maine Chapter of the ACEC in 2025, SME received a 2026 National Recognition Award Engineering Excellence Award (EEA) for the firm’s performance as consultant for the State-of-the-Art Greenhouse project in Pownal, Maine.
SME accepted the award at the ACEC’s 2026 EEA Gala Dinner & Awards at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington D.C. on May 5.
In addition to Estabrook’s, SME also partnered with CWS Architects (Scarborough), A.H. Grover, Storey Brothers Excavating, ErfGoed, and Eason Horticulture Resources to bring the project to fruition.
Decades of airport operations left the site environmentally constrained, with oil‑impacted soils, hazardous materials, and abandoned equipment preventing reuse. SME’s Site Investigation and Remediation Team addressed these challenges through targeted soil remediation and careful management of historical debris, restoring the property while protecting Chandler Brook and surrounding wetlands.
With the site remediated, SME’s Civil Engineering and Permitting and Water Supply teams designed an integrated water management system to support long‑term sustainability. The system includes a two‑million‑gallon irrigation pond designed for drought resilience and a multi‑source supply blending Chandler Brook withdrawals with rainwater harvested from greenhouse roofs. The rainwater harvesting system alone is projected to contribute 1.6 million gallons each year from the rainfall collected on the greenhouse roof.
A recirculating greenhouse irrigation system further reduces water demand, helping safeguard local water resources during extended drought periods.
“This effort reflects SME’s focus on solutions that serve our clients and the community—reducing pressure on local water resources, protecting sensitive environments, and helping drive economic opportunity,” said Dan Diffin, P.E., Vice President and Senior Civil Engineer at SME.
About SME
Founded in 1985, Sevee & Maher Engineers is a 130+ member engineering and environmental consulting firm headquartered in Cumberland, Maine, with regional offices in Bangor, Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, and New Jersey. More information is available at sme-engineers.com
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Photo 1: Stormwater Management System at Estabrook’s Pownal, Maine greenhouse facility
Photo 2: Irrigation Pond at Estabrook’s Pownal, Maine greenhouse facility
Photo 3: Estabrook’s Pownal, Maine greenhouse facility
Photo 4: Storage Tanks at Estabrook’s Pownal, Maine greenhouse facility