* What: Sustainable water management systems that reduce pollution from stormwater runoff

* Company: AquaShield Inc.

* Location: 2733B Kanasita Drive, Hixson

* How it's green: Focusing on water quality, AquaShield's water management systems treat stormwater runoff before it reaches rivers or streams, said general manager Eric Rominger. "It's green in the fact that the water quality improves before it ends up in the river," he said. All systems are engineered and built in a location close to the job site, reducing oil needed to transport the parts. The systems collect rainwater in underground water recovery units that separate pollutants from the water, remove fine sediment and pathogens, and then store the water for future use. Potential uses for the harvested rainwater include irrigation, cooling, industrial processes or for toilet flushing.

* How long will it last: The systems are designed to last more than 50 years, Rominger said.

* Why do it this way?: Rominger said it comes down to being economical and providing customers a sensible solution for their stormwater problems. Since the systems are installed in an underground retention tank as opposed to a detention pond, usable land space is freed up while also effectively treating stormwater runoff. At its company headquarters in Hixson, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-inspired building uses the systems to collect 13,000 gallons of rainwater in its underground unit.

* Is environmentalism an essential part of the business and why?: "It's a big part of what we do," Rominger said. "The whole idea is to keep our rivers, waters, streams clean ... and the only way to do that is to clean up one inflow at a time."