Small-to-Midsize Municipalities Archives

Iron and Manganese Removal in West Brookfield, MA

The West Brookfield Water Department (WBWD) is taking an important step toward improving drinking water quality and protecting public health with planned upgrades to the Leland Road Pump Station. The project will introduce new treatment to remove iron and manganese from the town’s groundwater supply, helping ensure compliance with regulatory standards while improving the overall quality and reliability of drinking water for the community.

Tata & Howard has been contracted to provide design, permitting, and bidding services for the project, which will add a new filtration facility at the Leland Road well site.

Addressing Iron and Manganese

WBWD’s water system relies on five groundwater wells that serve approximately 2,555 residents. Well 01G supplies the Ware Point Road Treatment Facility, while Wells 03G through 06G feed the Leland Road Pump Station before entering the town’s distribution system. Currently, the Leland Road Pump Station provides chemical treatment using potassium hydroxide for pH adjustment and calcium hypochlorite tablets for oxidation and disinfection. However, the facility does not include filtration treatment.

Recent water quality monitoring has shown increasing levels of iron and manganese in several of the wells serving the Leland Road facility. Iron concentrations have exceeded the Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL) of 0.3 milligrams per liter (mg/L), while manganese concentrations have consistently exceeded the SMCL of 0.05 mg/L.

Additionally, manganese has exceeded the health advisory of 0.3 mg/L. As a result, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is requiring the Town to install a treatment system to address iron and manganese levels.

Why Manganese Removal Is Important

Iron and manganese are naturally occurring elements often found in groundwater. While they are traditionally classified as secondary contaminants, manganese is increasingly recognized as an emerging contaminant with potential health implications.

Research has shown that prolonged exposure to elevated manganese levels may impact neurological development, particularly in infants and young children. For this reason, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established a lifetime health advisory of 0.3 mg/L for manganese.

Addressing these contaminants will not only improve the appearance and taste of the town’s drinking water but also ensure compliance with evolving health guidance and regulatory requirements.

A Treatment Solution for the Future

To address these water quality challenges, WBWD plans to install a GreensandPlus™ pressure filtration system at the Leland Road Pump Station. This technology is widely used for removing iron and manganese from groundwater supplies.

The new treatment facility will be housed in a separate building constructed adjacent to the existing pump station. The building will include three 7-foot diameter GreensandPlus™ filter vessels designed to treat water from Wells 03G through 06G.

Additional upgrades will include improvements to chemical feed systems, well pump upgrades, and enhancements to the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for improved monitoring and operational control.

Pilot testing previously conducted for the site demonstrated that GreensandPlus™ filtration can reliably reduce iron and manganese concentrations to below treatment goals of 0.1 mg/L for iron and 0.025 mg/L for manganese, providing a long-term solution for maintaining water quality.

Funding Support Makes the Project Possible

For a small community like West Brookfield, major infrastructure investments can be difficult to fund through local water rates alone. The Leland Road Pump Station upgrade is estimated to cost approximately $6.24 million, a significant investment for a system with only about 1,000 water customers.

The Town is receiving important financial assistance to help make the project possible. The project will receive funding through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) program, which provides low-interest loans to communities for critical water infrastructure projects. The loan is expected to carry a two percent interest rate with potential principal forgiveness, reducing the financial burden on the community.

In addition, the project has secured $1 million in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) funding, as well as a $500,000 Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) grant to support the treatment improvements.

Financial assistance of this kind is essential for small water systems. As noted by the Town, without additional funding beyond the basic SRF loan, the cost of constructing the treatment facility would place a significant strain on the water department’s budget and could require major water rate increases.

Protecting West Brookfield’s Water Supply

Once completed, the Leland Road Pump Station upgrade will significantly improve drinking water quality for West Brookfield residents by removing iron and manganese and ensuring compliance with state guidelines. More importantly, the project will provide the community with a long-term solution that strengthens the reliability and safety of its drinking water system for years to come.

Emergency Response Plan in Action at Cherry Valley & Rochdale Water District

While Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) are mandated by the EPA for most water supplies, the reality is that an ERP is a critical component whether mandated or not. The goal of an ERP is to guide and assist a water utility through emergencies, natural disasters, and articulated terrorist acts, and the intent is to present a methodical, sequential process to identify, investigate, and respond to an emergency.

ERPs are divided into two categories: Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) and Incident Specific Emergency Action Plans (ISEAPs). EAPs are broken down into five levels of emergency:

Level I – Routine
Level II – Minor
Level III – Major
Level IV – Natural Disaster
Level V – Nuclear Disaster / Terrorist Threat

ISEAPs are designed to “RIP and RUN,” outlining a specific action plan response:

Description of the event
Facilities affected
Initial notifications
Response actions
Follow-up actions

Water District Background

Cherry Valley & Rochdale Water District (CVRWD) is in the Town of Leicester, Massachusetts. It was originated by a Legislative Act in 1910 and the current population served is 3,700. It is staffed by three operators who also act as a superintendent, clerk, and treasurer. The District receives water from Worcester, MA via an automated interconnection and an 8” transmission main supplying Cherry Valley service area and maintaining operational levels in Cherry Valley storage tanks. Water is conveyed through 8-inch transmission mains from the booster pump station to supply the Rochdale service area and to sustain operational levels in the Greenville water storage tank.

While the transmission main route through the Cherry Valley service area is mainly public roads, most of the transmission mains servicing the Rochdale service area are through wetlands.

The Incident

The CVRWD suffered an incident on Sunday, October 27 in which the District’s ERP came into effect. At 3:30am, the On-Call Operator received a Low Water Storage Tank Alarm at the Greenville Water Tank. The Operator immediately notified the Superintendent. They compared SCADA trends of Greenville and Cherry Valley Tanks to confirm the alarm was for the Greenville Tank and that normal operational levels remained at the Cherry Valley Tank. At this point, they believed there was a leak in the Rochdale service area.

Sunday, October 27, 3:30am: Response and Notifications

Performed leak detection survey from booster pump station towards Rochdale service area, sounding a combination of hydrants and gate valves
Sounded triple gate just prior to the transmission main reentering the wetland and got a hit
Superintendent called first of the emergency contractors, Hydra Tech, to respond and stage at the Town’s Highway Department
Contacted Prowler Leak Detection Services to conduct a survey to pinpoint the leak
Continued to monitor the Greenville Tank level to confirm that Rochdale service area maintained positive pressure
Worked to pinpoint the leak while the Superintendent expanded the notifications
Superintendent of the Leicester Water Supply District (LWSD) discussed establishing a hydrant-to-hydrant (H-T-H) interconnection
Contacted the Town of Leicester Emergency Manager with regard to the evacuation of a Critical Care Facility and Dialysis Facility
Notified Leicester Fire Department to let them know that they had no use of hydrants in the Rochdale service area
Contacted Leicester DPW for permission to use the highway yard to stage equipment
Contacted EJ Prescott to deliver 300 feet of 2-inch water service line for H-T-H interconnection
Contacted Leicester Con Com and explained the emergency and the need to enter wetlands to repair transmission main; permission was granted and they prepared to deliver the Emergency Certificate on Monday, October 28
Superintendent contacted additional contractors to support operations

Sunday, October 27, 12:30pm: Wetland Road Construction

Began constructing road into wetlands to access leak
Road construction consisted of placement of 5’ x 18’ swamp mats which were covered with trap rock to allow construction equipment to build a 600-foot access road to leak location
Construction crews worked through the night to complete the road

Sunday, October 27, 1pm: Interconnection/Notification

Prior to activating H-T-H interconnection, contacted MassDEP (left message)
Activated H-T-H interconnection
Secured police detail to detour traffic
(2-inch water line temporarily ran on top of pavement through intersection)
Met with Emergency Manager and Deputy Fire Chief
Issued a reverse 911 to all three water districts advising of emergency and urging residents to conserve water
MassDEP called at 7pm, provided update, and agreed to call for another update the following morning (Monday)
Leak detection and road building ongoing with difficulty pinpointing leak; believed the leak was further into the wetland than originally expected
Correlation and road building went on through the night and into the next day
Even with H-T-H interconnection, Greenville Tank dropped to an uncomfortable operational level

Monday, October 28: Tanker Shuttle

T&H assisted with response and bulk tanker shuttle to fill the Greenville Tank
Calls to tanker companies posted on the MassDEP approved list resulted in securing three tankers from two companies
Booster pumping system had to be developed to fill Greenville Tank
Contacted Rain-for–Rent for a 21,000-gallon transfer tank, pump, generator and 4-inch quick connect hose which allowed for two tankers to off-load into the transfer tank at the same time
First day, two tankers operated 2pm-9pm
Tankers refilled using designated hydrant in Cherry Valley service area and unloaded at Greenville Tank
While tanker shuttle was in operation, MassDEP required bacteria and HPC samples from all approved coliform sample sites
District required to maintain a 1.0 ppm chlorine residual at the tank during tanker shuttle
Emergency light towers provided by Paxton and Holden Fire and Leicester Police Department
Tanker shuttle ran for 3.5 days and delivered ~300,000 gal of water to Greenville Tank

Tuesday, October 29, 12am: Repair/Return to Normal

Leak located, excavated, and repaired
Transmission main remained isolated and a tap was installed to allow for the addition of a sodium hypochlorite dosage of 300 mg/l
Dosage remained in contact for 24 hours
Main was flushed, water dechlorinated and sampled when achieved residual of 0.5 mg/l
Samples collected and analyzed for bacteria and HPC
All samples passed

Conclusion

The transmission main was back in service at 7:00am on November 1, and the total cost of the repair was $253,000.

There were some lessons learned from CVRWD’s emergency that the District plans to address for greater efficiency in the future:

Design and install fixed piped interconnection between LWSD and CVRWD for future use instead of the H-T-H connection
If necessary, start the Tanker Shuttle sooner
Evaluate options for replacement of 8-inch transmission main from the Booster Pump Station to the Greenville Tank; select best option, design, secure funding, bid, and replace

All in all, the District’s ERP provided the roadmap for a rapid response, clear notification system, and timely repair.

Need help creating or updating your ERP or RRA? We can help! Contact us today.

Well Field PFAS and PCE/TCE Removal, Danbury, CT

Tata & Howard is providing design and bidding of a treatment system for PFAS and PCE/TCE removal from three groundwater wells at the Kenosia Well Field.

PCE/TCE treatment includes using two 37 ‘H air stripping tower which will discharge into the new aerator wet well. Water will then be conveyed from the wet well to the four 12’W granular activated carbon vessels for PFAS treatment. Treated water will be pumped to the West Lake Reservoir for additional treatment.

The project also includes site work, electrical, HVAC and rehabilitation of the three existing groundwater wells.

Capital Efficiency Plan and Asset Management, Shrewsbury, MA

Tata & Howard has been providing engineering services for the Town of Shrewsbury since 2001. In 2014, Tata & Howard provided engineering services associated with the completion of a Capital Efficiency Plan. The hydraulic model was used to identify hydraulic deficiencies, critical customers were identified by the Town through a series of workshops held with utility staff, and the criteria combined with an asset management rating system were used to prioritize improvements to the distribution system.

The topography of the system causes many areas to have very high or very low pressures. In addition to prioritizing water main improvements, the study evaluated areas that should be incorporated into different service areas in order to reduce or increase pressures as needed.

As a result of the 2014 CEP and Asset Management Plan, the Town of Shrewsbury has been able to successfully utilize their budget in the most effective manner, prioritizing critical components and maintaining safe, clean drinking water for their residents. Additional services related to the CEP included a water distribution system study, hydraulic model update, water audit, and alternate water supply study.

Since the completion of the CEP, improvements and upgrades have included a booster pump station, water storage tank, replacement wells, a unidirectional flushing plan, a new water treatment plant for manganese removal, and a PFAS pilot study and design of a PFAS water treatment plant.

Leverett, MA Water Mains

Tata & Howard was retained by the Town of Leverett for design and permitting engineering services to expand the Amherst water distribution system into the Town of Leverett. The project involved the extension of the existing 8-inch water main in East Leverett Road, approximately 1.8 miles, to provide service to homes at the intersection of Cushman Road and Teawaddle Hill Road in Leverett with wells that have been contaminated by the Town of Leverett Landfill.

Tata & Howard reviewed available data with the Town for use in this project including existing GIS mapping, existing utilities, Town specification standards for materials and products, and boiler plate specification sections. Base plans for the project were developed utilizing the Town’s GIS data.

Borings were completed along the project route to determine existing soil conditions and the extent of rock/ledge, if any. In addition, soil borings assisted in determining the amount of needed polyethylene wrapping of the new ductile iron water main due to corrosive soils.

The design included the installation of water service connections to existing homes within the project area from the water main up to and including the curb stop at the property line. New hydrants were spaced every 500 feet and in-line gate valves were spaced no more than 1,000 feet apart. Surface preparation included temporary trench pavement and permanent trench pavement in accordance with the Town of Amherst and Town of Leverett standards. The draft design plans and specifications underwent a series of internal reviews for quality control. Tata & Howard provided the Amherst Public Works with a 50% and 90% draft for review prior to finalizing the project documents.

Sewer Feasibility Study and Sewer System Design — New Fairfield, CT

Tata & Howard completed a Sewer Feasibility Study for the Town of New Fairfield, CT to determine the feasibility of developing a sewer service area for the Town of New Fairfield town center/business district, municipal town buildings and schools, and other properties within the proposed sewer service area as well as transporting the wastewater to the City of Danbury’s Wastewater Treatment Facility. The assessment included an estimate of projected flows for all properties within the planned service area and a comparison of total estimated flows to available capacity at the Danbury Wastewater Treatment facility. Design concept plans for the planned sewer service area included determination of collection system sewers and pump station locations. Part of the study included an evaluation of potential routes for transporting flows from the Fairfield Town Center service area to the City of Danbury collection system for treatment.

Estimated project budgetary costs for the sewer service area collection system, pump stations, and transport to the City of Danbury along with a phasing and implementation plan were included in the final draft report to the Town of New Fairfield.

Throughout the course of the project, a number of meetings with the Town were held to obtain Town input and comments including one meeting at the completion of the initial assessment phase, one meeting at the completion of the concept design phase, and a series of meetings and presentations at Town Selectboard meetings to obtain public input during the roll out of the final report.

Tata & Howard provided preliminary and final design of 2.7 miles of gravity sewers, one main pump station, four remote, submersible pump stations, 2.3 miles of force mains, , and 4,000 linear feet of low pressure sewer. The project also includes identifying easements, land acquisition plans, preparation of permitting, and bidding assistance.

Preliminary design included survey, soil borings, preparation of base mapping, identification of utility requirements, a radio path survey and an opinion of probable cost.

Final design development includes final design of the main pump station, remote pump stations, gravity sewers, force main, and low-pressure sewers for connection to the City of Danbury collection system including site plans, profiles of force main and gravity sewers, pump station structures and chambers, electrical and controls, emergency generators, odor control, erosion and control plans, etc. Also includes design of the main pump station building designed to match the local aesthetic and mask it as a non-utility structure.

Construction Documents will be prepared by phasing construction under four contracts:

Year 1 – Phase 1: Main Pump Station and force main for connection to the Danbury System and Collection System for the Town Center and commercial district (Sewer Sheds 2 [commercial],
4, 5 and 8);
Year 2 – Phase 2: Collection System connecting schools, police, and fire facilities (Sewer Sheds 1 and 2 [residential]);
Year 3 – Phase 3: Additional Collection System connecting additional commercial properties, The Birches 55+ community, The Woods at Dunham Pond 55+ community, The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, and potential future land development along Route 37 (Sewer Sheds 3, 6, and 7).

Barnstable, MA Maher WTP Upgrades

Photo courtesy of Waterline Industries Corporation

Tata & Howard provided engineering services for a completion of a pilot test proposal, pilot testing, and pilot test report to evaluate the use of granular activated carbon (GAC) to treat PFOS/PFOA, advanced oxidation to treat 1,4 dioxane, and LayneOx and greensand pressure filtration to remove iron and manganese from the source waters (Well No. 1, Well No. 2, and Well No. 3) at the existing Maher Water Treatment Plant. Pilot testing was performed, submitted, and approved by MassDEP in July 2017. The pilot test report was prepared and submitted in January 2018 to MassDEP.

Tata & Howard also provided engineering design, permitting, bidding, and construction services for the expansion of the existing Maher Water Treatment Plant. Upgrades include a new 90’ x 90’ pre-engineered metal building, GAC treatment, chemical feed upgrades, electrical upgrades at the existing plant including a new stand-by generator, and miscellaneous piping and site work. The new carbon filtration building include granular activated carbon (GAC) filters designed to remove PFAS. In addition to PFAS, the facility will include treatment processes to treat 1,4 dioxane and iron and manganese in the drinking water.

This project involved Massachusetts public construction laws and procedures.

Paxton, MA Stormwater Pipe Infrastructure

Tata & Howard provided engineering services for the design for approximately 7,000 linear feet of stormwater pipe to replace existing pipe on West Street from Pleasant Street to Mill Street in Paxton, Massachusetts.

A qualified subconsultant was retained by Tata & Howard for a topographical and planimetric survey including 2-foot contours, existing structures and utilities, existing utility easements, limits of right of ways, and other features of the work area. Tata & Howard prepared the design plan with profile views and technical specifications for construction of the project in three separate phases, as follows:

Approximately 2,300 linear feet of stormwater drain on West Street from Pleasant Street to Shanandoah Drive;
Approximately 1,700 linear feet of stormwater drain from Shanandoah Drive to Holbrook Lane; and
Approximately 3,000 linear feet of stormwater drain from Holbrook Lane to Mill Street.

Three separate bid documents were prepared to bid the project in the three separate phases.

The proposed stormwater drain pipe and mitigation measures were incorporated into the Notice of Intent that was completed for the concurrent water main replacement on West Street. The proposed stormwater drain pipe was incorporated into the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) permit for work within the state highway layout that was completed concurrently for the water main replacement on West Street.

Tata & Howard prepared and submitted an estimate of probable construction cost for the stormwater drain pipe at the 75% and final stage of completion to assist the Owner in obtaining Town funding.

Everett, MA Lead Service Line Replacement

Tata & Howard assisted the City of Everett, MA with their Lead Service Replacement Project from 2018-2024. Phases 1 and 2 included replacement or material confirmation of approximately 580 services between spring 2019 and fall 2022. Phase 3 of the project addressed an additional 300 services. Tata & Howard provided design, construction administration, and resident project representative services for all three phases of the project.

Design services included attending the kickoff meeting with City and reviewing existing information including tie-cards, the City’s existing GIS database that includes service material, and the City’s master list of services with service material. Each service was field verified to confirm exterior conditions. Each design phase included completion of 50% and 95% design documents, preparation of probable cost estimates, preparation of bid documents and coordination with purchasing agent, attending meetings with City, and providing recommendation to award contract to the lowest qualified bidder.

Construction Administration services for each phase included attendance at progress meetings and site visits, review of submittals, request for information, and purchasing change orders and payment applications. As-built record tie-cards were completed for each address and the master inventory of service material was updated as construction on each phase progressed.

Resident Project Representation services included full time on-site observation during construction, reviewing schedules, serving as Engineers’ liaison with Contractor, completing reports, reviewing pay apps, and issuing certification of substantial completion.

HVWP Water Distribution and Storage Improvement Project

Background

Hooksett Village Water Precinct (HVWP) Phase I Water Distribution and Storage Improvement Project is the first of three major drinking water components of the RTIA Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District economic development initiative sponsored by the Town of Hooksett. The project consisted of the construction of 1,800 linear feet of distribution system improvements in the Vista Drive area, a new 0.40 million gallon capacity glass-fused-to-steel tank, and 350 linear feet of associated transmission main from Daniel Webster Highway to Main Street.

The Precinct has been partnering with the Town, Sewer Commission, local businesses, committees, residents and area developers to encourage TIF-based infrastructure projects. TIF can be used to fund improvements that benefit the whole community by attracting new development, revitalizing blight, and/or enacting quality of life projects. This can significantly expand the tax base and provide more or easier access to services for residents with less financial impact.

Project Details

Hydraulic modeling studies completed in 2020 as part of the Precinct’s asset management program showed that distribution improvements were needed in the Vista Drive area to relieve a bottleneck that was critically restricting flow from the existing Quarry Tank and nearby wells. The Vista Drive area water main replacement/extension was listed as a Top Priority in the Precinct’s March 2021 Asset Management Plan Update. This area is the closest and primary source of water and fire protection for the TIF District, and a direct connection to the area is imperative to efficiently transmit water to the TIF District.

The Thompson Comer Tank is critical to water system hydraulics, not only for fire flow purposes but also for redundancy, emergency resiliency, and operational flexibility. It is inextricably linked to the operation of the Quarry Tank and the TIF District. Unfortunately, it had deteriorated to the point where it needed replacement. The new, slightly larger capacity replacement tank allowed the Quarry Tank to be taken offline as needed for O&M or emergencies; provide backup storage for the TIF district; allow the Quarry Tank to operate at 100% capacity; and improve overall energy efficiency by increasing off-peak operations.

Replacement of the existing Thompson Corner Tank also served as the permanent action plan to address a Significant Deficiency outlined by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) in October 2020. The deficiency identified was severe deterioration of the coating on the inside and outside of the tank. NHDES required that funding be authorized by March 2022 and a tank construction contract be awarded by October 2022.

The cost to replace the Thompson Corner tank and install the Vista Drive area water main and associated transmission main was $2,464,000 and was funded by 2021-22 NH Drinking Water & Groundwater Trust Fund (DWGTF) and NHDES American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds.

And the Winner Is…

Each fall, the Granite State Rural Water Association holds a drinking water taste test at its Annual Operator Field Day and Exhibit. In fall 2024, just after the completion of the project, HVWP had the honor of winning the contest!

Since Hooksett Village Water Precinct won the water taste test contest at Granite State Rural Water Association Operator Field Day this fall, they were able to represent New Hampshire in the National Rural Water Association’s The Great American Water Taste Test, where they won second place out of 43 systems in the National Rural Water Association’s “The Great American Water Taste Test” in Washington D. C. in February 2025. Mike Heidorn, P.G., Superintendent, represented HVWP and accepted the award.

We are very proud of the collaboration and efforts of both HVWP and the Tata & Howard team for the incredible success of our partnership.

Markets: Small-to-Midsize Municipalities