STEPHEN Y. ACHEAMPONG
Las Vegas,USA
Summary
Senior hydrology and hydrogeology professional with 20 years of experience in water resource development, aqueous geochemistry, and water rights administration. Skilled in navigating regulatory reviews, providing expert testimony, and managing public sector water initiatives. Expertise in translating complex technical evidence into actionable policies, influencing permitting and stakeholder engagement across Nevada and New Mexico, while promoting sustainable water management practices.
Overview
1
1
Certification
46
46
years of professional experience
Work History
Water Resources Professional IV
Hydrology Bureau, New Mexico Office of the State Engineer
Santa Fe, New Mexico
10.2017 - 08.2025
- Led technical hydrology and water policy support for the Zuni water rights settlement involving the State of New Mexico, Pueblo of Zuni, and U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.
- Directed hydrologic and hydrogeologic analyses supporting water rights administration, compact compliance, subdivision review, basin planning, and Zuni River Basin closure guidelines.
- Produced technical memoranda, expert reports, exhibits, interrogatory responses, and hydrologic analyses that informed administrative and legal decision-making.
- Prepared written and oral testimony, scopes of work, and procedures that facilitated the Agua Pura Water Rights Administrative Hearing in Santa Fe.
- Reviewed mineral exploration and mining permit materials to evaluate water resource impacts and regulatory sufficiency for New Mexico operations.
- Supported implementation of statutes and regulations, managed contractor projects, and delivered technical information and data to agencies and the public to ensure regulatory compliance.
Water Resources Specialist Senior and Basin Manager
Office of the State Engineer
Cimarron, New Mexico
03.2015 - 10.2017
- Led strategic project management on statutes, policies, and water resources for Tucumcari and Canadian River underground water basins in Northeast New Mexico, ensuring compliance and effective resource management.
- Reviewed and evaluated water rights declarations, applications for new appropriations, transfers of water rights, replacement wells, and streamflow depletion effects to facilitate permitting processes.
- Collaborated with Environment Department, providing water quality and hydrologic expertise for Corrective Action on Cimarron River Spill near Horseshoe Mine, enhancing environmental recovery efforts.
Hydrologist II
Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA)
Las Vegas
04.2001 - 06.2014
- Led SNWA hydrologist responsible for aqueous geochemistry and water quality programs which involved the collection, interpretation and analysis of water quality data regarding hydrologic systems throughout Nevada and the Lower Colorado River Basin states for regional studies.
- Developed hydrologic and water quality programs and data collection requirements for Virgin River, enhancing regional water management from 2001 to 2006.
- Led development and implementation of field operating protocols for water quality sampling, coordinating with laboratories for analytical services and creating a comprehensive water quality database for SNWA Resources Department.
- Planned and managed the study of arsenic and bromide loading into Lake Mead from the various tributaries of Lake Mead on the Colorado River in 2002 prior to the reduction of the arsenic maximum contaminant level (MCL) from 50 to 10 μg/L by the US EPA in 2003 and the implementation of the ozonation process by SNWS as an additional barrier to the cryptosporidium pathogen.
- Served as SNWA technical representative on the Technical Review Panel for Coyote Spring Valley monitoring, management, and mitigation program, negotiating and selecting water quality parameters for monitoring.
- Provided leadership in the sampling and analysis of domestic wells on SNWA’s ranches and verified that the water quality conformed to the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
- Compiled expert reports for SNWA submitted to Nevada State Engineer and federal agencies, supporting groundwater rights hearings in 2001, 2006, and 2010.
- Examined the fate and transport of trihalomethanes in the Las Vegas Valley groundwater system in 2012 in fulfillment of the underground injection control permit by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection.
- Investigated the feasibility of artificial recharge to the groundwater system in Searchlight, Nevada using treated wastewater and treated Colorado River water in 2010.
Adjunct Faculty
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV
09.2006 - 08.2012
- Supervised graduate student research that impacted rural water supply in Ghana and Nevada and participated on thesis committees.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Staff Hydrogeologist
Broadbent & Associates, Inc.
Henderson, Nevada
05.2000 - 04.2001
- Evaluated and assessed water resources to support sustainable domestic and industrial use.
- Sited and oversaw the drilling of monitoring wells for soil and groundwater sampling for environmental investigations.
- Assisted in the operation and maintenance of soil and groundwater remediation systems in the Greater Las Vegas Area.
- Assisted in operation and maintenance of soil and groundwater remediation systems, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations in the Greater Las Vegas Area.
Consulting Hydrogeologist
Summit Envirosolutions, Inc.
Reno, Nevada
01.1997 - 12.1999
- Reviewed and evaluated project proposals and reports in water resources and environmental site assessment, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
- Collaborated with planning engineers to assess facility requirements for new developments using GIS techniques, enhancing project planning accuracy.
- Conducted baseline surveys and environmental investigations to remediate arsenic-contaminated groundwater, ensuring safe water supply for affected communities.
Consulting Faculty
Keck Geology Consortium Project
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
06.1999 - 07.1999
- Instructed students on installing data loggers for rain gauges and pressure transducers and analyzed hydrologic and nutrient budgets at Baker Woodlands Environmental Research Site and Mill River Watershed.
- Trained students in augur drilling, well installation, and laboratory measurement of nutrients and water quality parameters, enhancing their practical skills.
- Conducted training for students in augur drilling and well installation and the measurement of nutrients (nitrate and phosphate) and other water quality parameters (pH, specific conductance, temperature and dissolved oxygen) in the laboratory.
- Guided students in assessing land use impact on water quality in Mill River watershed, fostering critical thinking and research skills.
Associate Faculty
Feather River College
Quincy, California
01.1997 - 05.1997
- Instructed Water Quality Monitoring course for second year students, covering water resources, data management, groundwater, and surface water sampling and analysis, enhancing students' practical understanding of environmental monitoring.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Desert Research Institute
Reno
08.1996 - 01.1997
- Analyzed groundwater velocities and paleohydrology at southern Nevada National Security Site using groundwater and geochemical modeling and environmental isotopes techniques to enhance understanding of regional hydrological processes.
- Designed and executed experiments to investigate environmental impacts on ecosystems.
- Analyzed data using statistical software to derive actionable insights for research projects.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to enhance research methodologies and outcomes.
Graduate Research Associate
Desert Research Institute
Reno
08.1992 - 08.1996
- Co-principal investigator for the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation on a $1.4m groundwater resources development in Ghana, West Africa.
- Led collaboration with colleagues and partners in USA and Ghana on research for sustainable groundwater resource development for rural water supply using GIS and remote sensing techniques for site selection.
- Investigated geochemical evolution and trace element geochemistry of groundwater in siliciclastic sedimentary basin, applying aqueous geochemistry and isotopic techniques.
Graduate Research Assistant
Desert Research Institute
Las Vegas
01.1990 - 08.1992
- Prepared water, soil, and wood shaving samples for vacuum extraction and analyzed stable isotopic composition using mass spectrometers.
- Led investigations into relationships among water bodies in Great Basin National Park, Nevada, utilizing chemical and isotopic techniques.
- Participated in water resources and environmental assignments across multiple locations in Nevada.
Assistant Research Officer
Water Resources Research Institute
Accra, Ghana
06.1986 - 12.1989
- Conducted groundwater exploration using surface geophysical techniques. using surface geophysical techniques.
- Oversaw siting, design, and supervision of drilling operations for 40+ water supply, industrial, and monitoring wells using rotary drilling rig.
- Performed aquifer tests to evaluate and report on water quantity and quality.
Geological Engineer Trainee
Jaworzno Coal Mining Company
Jaworzno, Poland
07.1981 - 09.1981
- Monitored geophones and collected rock and water samples to support geological analysis.
- Conducted geological surveys to assess mineral resources and site viability.
- Developed and implemented strategies for sustainable mining practices.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to optimize extraction processes.
Mining Engineer Intern
Tarkwa Goldfields Limited
Tarkwa, Ghana
07.1979 - 09.1979
- Assisted in drilling and underground mapping of the ore body.
- Led design and implementation of mining plans to optimize resource extraction.
- Conducted geological surveys to assess mineral deposits and evaluate site potential.
- Developed and maintained safety protocols, ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
Education
Ph.D. - Hydrology/Hydrogeology
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno01-1996
M.S. - Geoscience (Hydrogeology)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Las Vegas01-1992
B.Sc. - Geological Engineering
Kwame Nkrumah Univ. of Science and Technology
Kumasi, Ghana01-1984
Skills
- Water rights administration
- Technical communication
- Friendly, positive attitude
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer service
- Water quality assessment
- Groundwater modeling
Certification
Certified Environmental Manager, State of Nevada – Expired 2023
ADDITIONAL TRAINING
- Isotopic & Hydrogeological Characterization of fractured Rock settings: Current and Novel Approaches, National Groundwater Association, Baltimore, Maryland 2005
- Short course in Principles and Applications of Modeling Chemical Reactions in Groundwater, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado, Golden, USA 1993
GRADUATE COMMITTEE SERVICE
- Melanie Lynn Krautstrunk, M S. Geoscience 2012
- Thesis title: An estimate of groundwater recharge in the Nabogo River Basin, Ghana, using water table fluctuation method and chloride mass balance
- Jeffrie L. Pompeo, M.S. Water Resources Management 2008
- Thesis title: Surface water interaction with the flood plain in the lower Virgin River, Clark County, Nevada
SELECTED FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS
Graduate Students Association Grant, University of Nevada, Reno 1994 & 1995, Dirk Doorenbos Award in Hydrology/Hydrogeology for best student paper University of Nevada, Reno 1993, Academic Achievement Award for 2nd best M.S. Thesis in Water Resources American Water Works Association, USA 1993, Academic Merit Award University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA 1992, George Burke Maxey Fellowship in Hydrology/Hydrogeology for best research proposal, University and Community College System of Nevada 1991, Lily and Wing Fong Scholarship in Geoscience University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA 1991, Graduate Students Association Grant, University of Nevada, Las Vegas 1991, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Fellowship in Isotope Hydrology International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria 1989
Timeline
Water Resources Professional IV
Hydrology Bureau, New Mexico Office of the State Engineer
10.2017 - 08.2025
Water Resources Specialist Senior and Basin Manager
Office of the State Engineer
03.2015 - 10.2017
Adjunct Faculty
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
09.2006 - 08.2012
Hydrologist II
Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA)
04.2001 - 06.2014
Staff Hydrogeologist
Broadbent & Associates, Inc.
05.2000 - 04.2001
Consulting Faculty
Keck Geology Consortium Project
06.1999 - 07.1999
Consulting Hydrogeologist
Summit Envirosolutions, Inc.
01.1997 - 12.1999
Associate Faculty
Feather River College
01.1997 - 05.1997
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Desert Research Institute
08.1996 - 01.1997
Graduate Research Associate
Desert Research Institute
08.1992 - 08.1996
Graduate Research Assistant
Desert Research Institute
01.1990 - 08.1992
Assistant Research Officer
Water Resources Research Institute
06.1986 - 12.1989
Geological Engineer Trainee
Jaworzno Coal Mining Company
07.1981 - 09.1981
Mining Engineer Intern
Tarkwa Goldfields Limited
07.1979 - 09.1979
B.Sc. - Geological Engineering
Kwame Nkrumah Univ. of Science and Technology
M.S. - Geoscience (Hydrogeology)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Ph.D. - Hydrology/Hydrogeology
University of Nevada, Reno