Water Supply

Madison St. Water Main Replacement

gzadan — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 21:04:32 +0000

Madison St. Water Main Replacement gzadan Mon, 03/02/2020 - 16:04

Challenge

The Wrentham Water Department required the replacement of two existing 12-inch dead end watermains with a new 16-inch loop through Madison Street. The purpose of this project was to increase fire flows and provide redundancy throughout the water distribution system. Despite the critical nature of this watermain loop, the project had never been attempted because of ledge outcrops found at the center of Madison Street. GZA was asked to design the installation of a 16-inch reinforcing watermain along the entire length of Madison Street from East St (Rt. 106) to Washington St (Rt. 1) for a total length of 8,940 feet. In addition to the watermain loop design the water department also required full-depth road reconstruction with modernized stormwater management.

Solution

GZA designed the new 16-inch watermain and service connections to minimize service interruptions and maintain fire flow to existing commercial and residential properties. New stormwater features such as bioswales and regrading were implemented at various locations along Madison Street to promote improved drainage under the Massachusetts Stormwater Standards. GZA successfully fast-tracked the completion of construction documents and the bid phase in a timely manner such that the project was able to meet the Water Department’s scheduling needs.

GZA provided construction administration and full-time resident project representation for the duration of the construction phase. GZA’s close coordination with the Contractor and rigorous trench and traffic safety protocols were instrumental to the success of the construction phase. The project is currently under construction and on schedule with a completion date anticipated for Fall 2020.

Benefit

GZA’s successful execution of the Madison Street watermain loop delivered one of the most important projects to the Wrentham Water Department in recent years.

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Fast-tracked project
Critical reinforcing main
Stormwater management
Full-depth road reconstruction
Timely bidding
Safety considerations
On-time completion
Service interruptions minimized

Massachusetts

Water

Water Resources

Development and Permitting of Artificial Recharge System �� Spruce Hole Aquifer, University of New Hampshire/Town of Durham, NH

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 19:50:38 +0000

Development and Permitting of Artificial Recharge System �� Spruce Hole Aquifer, University of New Hampshire/Town of Durham, NH Anonymous Thu, 09/26/2019 - 15:50

Challenge

Artificial recharge basins enhance aquifer productivity and protect the environment. A groundwater production well using Artificial Recharge was developed by EGGI in the Spruce Hole Aquifer to meet peak water supply demands of the UNH/Durham Water System during late summer and fall periods. The client desired to increase the productivity of their production well from 200 gpm (288,000 gpd) to as much as 1,000,000 gpd while at the same time protect existing water resources and natural habitats.

Solution

Two artificial recharge basins were developed proximal to the Production ��Ϸ��ll and tested to allow the UNH/Durham Water System to increase the total annual withdrawal of groundwater from the aquifer; meet peak water supply demands for longer time periods; and reduce potential impacts of groundwater withdrawals on existing water resources (including nearby domestic wells and wetlands and spring flows).

Benefit

The construction of artificial recharge basins within the Spruce Hole Aquifer started to increase the productivity of the UNH/Durham’s new production well by an estimated 525 gpm. Analytical and numerical models of the Spruce Hole Aquifer indicate that 725 gpm (1,044,000 gpd) of groundwater can now be withdrawn from the well/aquifer during peak water use periods. This project led the state of New Hampshire to promulgate new regulations and guidelines regarding Artificial Recharge projects in the State. They used this project as the sole basis for developing an AR regulatory permitting process.

The benefits of using Artificial Recharge has allowed the UNH/Durham water system to maximize its capital investment in the development of the new groundwater source, protect existing water resources, and potentially eliminate the need for further groundwater development in the future.

This project was awarded the 2017 Water Sustainability Award issued by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

Insights

Groundwater Exploration and Development
Numerical Modeling of Groundwater Flow Paths
Permitting of Artificial Recharge
Enhanced Groundwater production from 288,000 gpd to 1,000,000 gpd

New Hampshire

Route 1 Reinforcing Water Main

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 19:29:22 +0000

Route 1 Reinforcing Water Main Anonymous Tue, 09/24/2019 - 15:29

Challenge

When the Wrentham water distribution system required improvements to provide fire flow to an area targeted for economic development, GZA was asked to design the installation of 5,500 feet of 12-inch reinforcing main. Timing was critical to support a planned development project and to meet the requirements of the State MassWorks Grant, which funded the work.

Solution

GZA designed the new main to minimize service interruptions and maintain fire flow to existing commercial properties. The design included directional drilling design and permitting by the MassDOT, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and a local conservation commission. The project was fast-tracked through MassDOT permitting by separating the work into two parts. Permitting for the challenging, proposed directional drilling of a watermain sleeve under a box culvert advanced under one permit track that the team anticipated would involve a lengthier review, while construction permitting of the majority of the project was presented on another track which the team correctly surmised would be approved more quickly, allowing a significant portion of the work to advance more expeditiously.

GZA provided construction administration and full-time resident project representation during the construction phase. GZA’s close coordination with MassDOT and rigorous trench and traffic safety protocols were instrumental to the success of the construction phase. The project was completed below budget. GZA was subsequently retained to provide additional engineering services for 8,400 feet of 16-inch reinforcing water main to interconnect with the Route 1 water main.

Benefit

GZA’s completion of this fast-tracked project on time and below budget was critical to promoting economic development and improved fire flow along Route 1.

Insights

Fast-tracked project
Critical reinforcing main
Directional drilling
Timely permitting
Safety considerations
On-time and below-budget completion
Service interruptions minimized
Funded by State MassWorks grant

Massachusetts

Government

Water

Geotechnical Engineering Services

Construction Management

Water Resources

Water Tank Rehabilitation & Appurtenant Work

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 19:25:20 +0000

Water Tank Rehabilitation & Appurtenant Work Anonymous Tue, 09/24/2019 - 15:25

Challenge

The six-million-gallon capacity Oak Hill tank is critical to meeting peak demands and fire flows in the Attleboro water system. When its original coating systems failed, resulting in corrosion and metal loss, and thermal stratification in the tank threatened water quality, GZA provided concept to start-up engineering services to address these issues and maintain the tank’s compliance with regulatory standards for finished water storage.

Solution

GZA’s engineering services included designing the full coating rehabilitation; retrofitting the tank for access and climbing safety; modifying the overflow system for MassDEP compliance; and removing and re-galvanizing ladders, railings and platforms. GZA oversaw the contractor’s operations during construction. GZA structural engineers also reviewed and approved the contractor’s design and welding procedures for of a temporary door sheet in the tank shell, reinforced by steel beams, to facilitate installation of a hydrodynamic tank mixing system within the tank. This innovative approach also expedited the interior surface preparation and coating application by enabling the use of aerial lifts inside the tank. Exterior coating removal was expedited by using robotic vacuum blasting followed by vapor blasting in remaining areas. Minor modifications to venting, safety systems and overflow piping were also completed at two additional City-owned tanks.

Benefit

The Oak Hill tank is now protected by high-performance coating systems, and Oak Hill and two additional tanks were brought into compliance with the State’s safety and sanitary standards. The work at Oak Hill tank and the two others was completed below budget.

Insights

Innovative coating removal processes
High-performance coating systems applied
New exterior accessories for safety and MassDEP compliance
Tank mixing system installed
New tank-mounted instrumentation cabinet
Work completed below contract bid price

Massachusetts

Water

EHS Regulatory Compliance

Water Resources

Construction Management

Luther’s Reservoir Dam & Pumping Station Rehabilitation

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 13:48:07 +0000

Luther’s Reservoir Dam & Pumping Station Rehabilitation Anonymous Mon, 09/23/2019 - 09:48

Challenge

The Luther’s Reservoir Dam and Pumping Station are critical to the water supply system for the City of Attleboro. When the dam was deemed to be in poor condition and the pumping station found to be in need of modernization, GZA was retained to provide comprehensive dam safety and water supply engineering services to rehabilitate the dam, pumping station, and related elements.

Solution

GZA designed, permitted, and oversaw construction of the rehabilitation of the Luther’s Reservoir Dam including hydrologic and hydraulic assessment and modeling; design of repairs to the embankment, spillway, crest/bascule and sluice gates, an access footbridge, and dike; preparation of multiple permit applications; and construction observation. GZA’s design and complete replacement of the existing bascule gate at the primary spillway provides the Attleboro Water Department with vastly improved control over water levels during normal operation as well as during floods. Simultaneous with the dam repair project, GZA also designed and oversaw the complete rehabilitation of the associated water supply pumping station, from new wiring to a new roof, new variable frequency drive pumping units and motors, and installation of an auxiliary generator.

Benefit

GZA provided a full range of dam and water supply engineering and permitting services to address deficiencies and identify opportunities for improvements at the Luther’s Reservoir Dam and pumping station, rehabilitating and repairing myriad elements of the system to reliably and safely serve the City of Attleboro’s water needs well into the future.

Insights

HEC-HMS modeling of SDF
Earthen dam rehabilitation
New bascule gate
New pumps transfer water between reservoirs
New pumping station electrical / mechanical/architectural systems
Extensive permitting

Massachusetts

Water

Government

Dams, Levees, and Hydropower

Land Use and Environmental Planning

Construction Management

Site / Civil Engineering & Design

Water Resources