Tata & Howard provided engineering services for final design and construction documents associated with the design of a wastewater treatment facility utilizing membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology for the 50-acre Meadow Walk development at 526-528 Boston Post Road in Sudbury, Massachusetts. The site is a former Raytheon engineering and R&D facility.
National Development / Avalon Bay mixed-use residential and retail development, Boston Post Road, Sudbury, MA.
Believing the site was well-suited for mixed-use residential and retail development, Sudbury selectmen and residents voted to approve zoning and development plans proposed by National Development and Avalon Bay. The site was in development for two years and is nearing completion. The project consists of several independent components, which collectively comprise a mixed-use development with new open space, retail, and restaurants as well as walkable access to adjacent retail, office, and other services along Boston Post Road. The project also included local roadway improvements, major upgrades to the streetscape and landscaping, wastewater treatment improvements, and improved water quality.
Tata & Howard was contacted initially to prepare studies of existing conditions and proposed modifications to enhance and then upgrade the wastewater facility and disposal area on the site. Additional out-of-scope changes included value engineered alternatives and additional design services. The existing wastewater treatment facility was over 25 years old and required increased discharge limits; conversion to an MBR system to achieve higher removal of BOD, TSS, TN, turbidity, and other wastewater constituents; additional treatment redundancy; upgrades to meet current Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) guidelines; increased groundwater recharge; odor control; replacement of old infrastructure with a new pump station, gravity lines, and force main; a change to mixed land/water use to result in wastewater generation that could be more efficiently treated at the new wastewater treatment facility; and a new leaching field.
Upgrades included infrastructure and a new leaching field.
Tata & Howard developed an extensive hydraulic model of the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst campus. The model was verified under steady state and an extended period simulation (EPS) was completed. Tata & Howard conducted a hydraulic review and criticality assessment and used the results to make improvement recommendations. Tata & Howard also identified water distribution system sustainability projects for the irrigation, cooling tower makeup, and toilet flushing water.
This project included a supplemental water supply system analysis. Potential ground and surface water sources on campus, including existing and potentially new stormwater retention ponds, were evaluated for process and irrigation water. In addition, Tata & Howard created a hydraulic model of the UMass reclaimed water system.
The study also examined the effects that the proposed system improvements and interconnections would have on water quality.
Tata & Howard has prepared numerous dam emergency action plans (EAPs) for Connecticut dams in accordance with CT DEEP regulations. Between 2015 and 2017, we have completed 52 EAPs for significant and high hazard dams throughout Connecticut. Our clients have included municipalities, private dam owners, and the CT DEEP. The EAPs include the following:
Preparation of an inundation map and flood inundation summary table for the EAP based on the dam failure analysis. The inundation maps include the limits of potential flooding (LoPF), selected cross sections, estimated time to peak stage, and the water depth at selected locations within the LoPF. For dams with no dam failure analysis, Tata & Howard prepared inundation maps for a hypothetical dam failure using hydrologic routing techniques.
Preparation of a list of roads and addresses at risk and subject to flooding based on the inundation map.
Preparation of dam monitoring procedures including identifying the persons responsible as well as procedures for monitoring the dam during periods of heavy rain and runoff, or when conditions develop that warrant closer monitoring, such as increased or new seepage, cracking, settlement or sabotage. The EAP provides dam specific information to assist the dam owner or operator in determining the appropriate emergency level for the event.
Papermill Pond Dam
Preparation of a formal warning notification procedure to alert the local authority responsible for acting on a warning or determining whether to evacuate residents and businesses within the inundation area after an unusual or emergency event is detected or reported at the dam.
Preparation of notification flow charts with emergency contact information of federal, state, and local agencies that are responsible for providing emergency services. The flow charts depict the order and circumstance under which the contacts should be notified. The EAPs also include a list of other emergency services contacts, such as the National Weather Service and local media, as well as the addresses of the local emergency operations center (LEOC) and shelters available to residents during an emergency per CT DEEP requirements.
Black Pond Dam in Meriden, CT
Preparation of a termination procedure for ending monitoring and response activities once the emergency is over.
Preparation of criteria to review and update the EAP at least once every two years, or more frequently as necessary to reflect significant changes to the dam structure or downstream area, including verification of contacts in the emergency notification charts. The criteria also include guidance for the dam owner to conduct an exercise or test of the EAP concurrent with the review.
Preparation of aerial, location, and watershed maps for the dam.
In November 2015, Tata & Howard provided peer review on work that had been completed at a former lumber mill, and all documentation that had been prepared to date was reviewed. The primary concern was an area where pressure treated lumber had been stored, as the lumber was treated with chromated copper arsenate and the residual arsenic concentrations in soil were very high. The previous recommendation was to put a deed restriction (specifically, an Activity and Use Limitation or AUL) on the area to limit the exposure. Because the planned future use for the property is to convert the existing mill building into residential condominiums, this approach was inadequate. In an effort to find a more suitable solution, T&H obtained and analyzed additional soil samples from this area and found that less than 200 cubic yards had been affected. The contaminated soil can be removed for under $30,000 and will bring residual concentrations below that allowed for residential use.
Because the mill is located on a brook, a filing with the local Conservation Commission was required. T&H suggested that, due to the limited work being done and the fact that the affected area is separated from the brook by a retaining wall, an Abbreviated Notice of Intent (ANOI) would be sufficient. The Conservation Commission agreed, and the ANOI was approved at a Public Hearing. T&H is currently in the process of preparing a Release Abatement Measure (RAM) Plan, which must be submitted to the MassDEP prior to excavation.
During the first onsite project meeting, T&H noticed a dam located in front of the mill building which the client acknowledged was out of compliance and would likely result in financial penalties. T&H contacted the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and requested an extension for the completion of the dam inspection, assuring DCR that the inspection would be completed in a timely manner. DCR agreed to waive the penalties, and the inspection report was completed in January 2016.
CHALLENGE: Lead contaminated soil at site in Franklin, MA
CLIENT: Private client in Franklin, Massachusetts
PROJECT: Brownfield remediation
THE CHALLENGE: The Town of Franklin, MA planned to develop a site to be used by the Parks & Recreation Department. However, several potential environmental concerns were identified at the site.
THE SOLUTION: Based on information provided by the Town, Tata & Howard performed subsurface evaluation services to assess the potential presence of oil and hazardous material in soil and groundwater at the site, including the following:
Evaluated the site and found contaminated fill material under the building;
Evaluated the significance of our findings with respect to Massachusetts General Law c.21E and the Massachusetts Contingency Plan 310 CMR 40.0000; and
Prepared a Subsurface Evaluation Report for the site, which included a summary of activities performed, site figures and data tables, and conclusions and recommendations.
T&H then coordinated the removal of the lead contaminated soil, which contained hundreds of battery casings. The soil was treated onsite to stabilize the leachable lead, then transported to the Turnkey Landfill in Rochester, NH for disposal.
PROGRESS: Since it has been remediated and the Brownfield is now a Greenfield, the Town has purchased the site and begun renovating for future use as an indoor recreation facility. T&H filed a Permanent Solution report with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) in October 2015.
CHALLENGE: Mission Critical Storage Tanks, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, LA
State-of-the-art SLVHCS in New Orleans, LA, is on track for silver LEED certification
CLIENT: NBBJ, Columbus, Ohio
PROJECT: Mission critical storage tank systems for Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (SLVHCS)
THE CHALLENGE: SLVHCS is the successor to the VA Medical Center, which was decimated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The new hospital requirements included green building practices and resiliency during natural disasters, including the ability to remain operational for at least five days with enough provisions and accommodations for up to 1,000 staff and patients in case of a major disaster.
The atrium of SLVHCS
THE SOLUTION: Tata & Howard provided design and construction administration services on specific components of the mission critical storage tanks, which include a domestic water tank, sewage holding tank, cooling tower process and bleed water tank, and fire protection water tank. Our design of specific components of the mission critical tanks included coating, waterproofing, mixing, pumping, bacteria control, odor control, venting, piping to five feet outside the tanks, and instrumentation and control. Specific design elements for resiliency and green design included the following:
Domestic Water Tank system instrumentation/controls include storage tank level measurement and control of inlet/outlet valves. The system also includes ultraviolet disinfection of all potable water pumped from the storage tank into the hospital.
Sewage Holding Tank is waterproof and its control system to provide automated response to an event using electrically actuated valves that direct the sewage from the gravity system to the holding tank. After the event, the system will turn the pumps on and transfer the sewage to the City’s system. A water spray system will automatically wash down the empty tank.
Cooling Tower Make-up Water Tank is waterproof and its control system design provides electrically actuated valves to receive rainwater from the building roof drains, condensate from the buildings, and potable water from the City’s water system. The Cooling Tower Make-up system instrumentation/controls include tank level measurement and control of inlet/outlet valves.
Cooling Tower Bleedwater Tank is waterproof and its control systems design provides electrically actuated valves to accept water from the cooling towers, recycles water to the cooling towers, and pumps it into the municipal sewer system. The Cooling Tower Bleedwater Tank system instrumentation/controls will include tank level measurement and control of inlet/outlet valves.
Fire Protection Water Tank is waterproof and its control system design provides electrically actuated valves to automate control of receipt of water from the CEP/Warehouse roof drains and the City’s water system.
The instrumentation and controls for all of the above elements are capable of communicating with the facility ‘s SCADA system.
PROGRESS: The new state-of-the-art facility opened on August 1, 2015, and the building is on track to receive LEED silver certification. For comprehensive information on the new hospital, please click here.
Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) Assessment, Franklin, MA
Tata & Howard performed a Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) Assessment in Franklin, Massachusetts. The assessment included passive soil gas sampling at the Site and abutting properties to identify possible sources of chlorinated volatile organic compounds and further evaluate the approximate horizontal extent of these compounds. We then evaluated the laboratory data to identify potential additional source areas and estimated the extent of contaminants detected by the passive soil gas samples. In addition, we created plume maps for each of the contaminants that were detected, and provided a summary and opinion letter with recommendations.
Standpipe Rehabilitation, University of Southern Maine | Gorham, ME
Tata & Howard provided engineering services to the University of Southern Maine related to the interior and exterior rehabilitation of a welded steel water storage tank. The standpipe was constructed in the 1950’s and is approximately 30 feet in diameter and 105 feet tall with a capacity of 0.55 million gallons. The scope of services included preparing Contract Documents for the cleaning, interior abrasive blasting, exterior pressure washing, and interior and exterior coating application. The project also included coordination with two cellular companies and incorporation of corresponding design considerations into the Contract Documents. Additional design considerations included providing the USM logo on the tank exterior, repairing foundation cracks and gaps, extending the overflow pipe and installing a flapper, screen, and concrete splash pad, providing safety climb system for exterior access ladder, replacing the roof vent, and installing a new roof access hatch. Tata & Howard provided bid assistance, construction administration services, and full time construction observation. Since the standpipe is located on a college campus, the time frame for completion was limited to summer break, but the standpipe rehabilitation project was completed within budget and on schedule.
Tata & Howard conducted a hospital water audit for the MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham, Massachusetts. The project was divided into two phases. The first phase involved data collection and a review of all water use devices at the MetroWest Medical Center (MWMC) campus. Inventory of all items was taken over a two day period. Items were categorized by their use: toilet, faucet, shower, cooling units, etc. Tata & Howard performed an analysis of the water and dollar savings if the older models were replaced by newer, more efficient models. This analysis did not take into consideration the usage per day of the fixtures.
The second phase of the project included a cost/benefit analysis for replacing each fixture throughout the hospital. Usage was estimated for each fixture throughout the hospital and a payback period was calculated based on replacing the fixture with a like modeled unit that meets the EPA’s minimum water efficiency standards. A six year Prioritization Plan was then completed for the campus. Using a budget of approximately $5,000 per year, an annual savings of approximately $29,000 per year is expected upon completion of the six year plan. Savings could increase if more efficient fixtures are purchased instead of standard efficiency units. In addition to the Prioritization Plan, the MWMC was provided a spreadsheet detailing their fixtures throughout the campus which can be updated when an item is replaced.
For more information on water audits, please click here.
Tata & Howard team members designed two high head progressive cavity pump stations for the Jackson Gore expansion project at Okemo Mountain. Each pump station was designed to fit in with the landscape and each had muffin monster grinders in front of the triplex pump arrangement. All process piping was stainless steel.
Environmental Services and Dam Inspection in MA
