Expert Services

Hopkins Expert Services provides strategic consulting, litigation support, and expert witness testimony in water contamination cases. With three decades of experience, I offer specialized expertise that addresses the gap between regulatory compliance and health-based standards.

When contamination exceeds Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) but remains below regulatory limits (MCLs), most experts measure damages from the regulatory violation. This leaves millions of dollars on the table.

I provide analysis and expert testimony based on health-protective standards, enabling plaintiff's firms to pursue full compensation for harm to water supplies.

Services Include:

- MCLG-based damages calculations and expert reports

- Treatment technology evaluation and cost reasonableness opinions

- Safe Drinking Water Act compliance and regulatory interpretation

- Rebuttal reports addressing defense damages theories

- Case evaluation and strategic consulting

- Deposition and trial testimony

Representative Matters:

Expert testimony and litigation management in cases involving PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, MTBE, PCE, and other contaminants, resulting in settlements and judgments exceeding $280 million.

Investor-owned utilities and public water systems face a strategic challenge: treating water to health-protective standards (MCLGs) requires capital investment, but uncertainty about regulatory approval and cost recovery creates hesitation.

I provide strategic consulting and expert testimony to help utilities justify MCLG-level treatment programs, secure PSC approval for rate base inclusion, and pursue cost recovery from polluters.

Services Include:

- Strategic consulting for utilities considering MCLG-level treatment programs

- Expert analysis and testimony on treatment technology, costs, and operational feasibility

- PSC rate case testimony on prudence and cost-effectiveness

- Litigation strategy for polluter cost recovery

- Customer communication strategies demonstrating value proposition

- Legislative and regulatory policy guidance

The Business Case:

MCLG-level treatment programs generate a substantially larger rate base and long-term returns compared to minimal MCL compliance, while maximizing public health protection and demonstrating utility commitment to safe water. They also maximize business enterprise value.

Beyond litigation and rate case support, I provide strategic consulting to water utilities on operational, regulatory, and infrastructure matters, including:

- Water distribution system planning and evaluation

- Infrastructure project assessment and negotiations

- Legislative and regulatory policy analysis

- Expert consultation on emerging contaminants and other contaminants of concern

- Inter-utility agreements and service area coordination

- Strategic planning for contamination response

- Training and education on Safe Drinking Water Act compliance

- Regulatory compliance and enforcement matters