Projects Archive - Page 13 of 16

DAF Water Treatment Facility Construction and Startup

Tata & Howard provided construction administration, resident observation, and start-up services to the Milford Water Company for the construction of the Dilla Street DAF Water Treatment Facility. The 5.2 mgd facility treats water from a combination of lake, river, and wells, utilizing dissolved air flotation (DAF) clarifiers and granular activated carbon (GAC) filters. The facility replaced the existing slow-sand and diatomaceous earth (DE) treatment previously utilized to treat the existing surface and groundwater sources, respectively. The facility was required to address and satisfy an Administrative Consent Order (ACO) issued by MassDEP.

Tata & Howard also completed design and oversight of a redundant cast-in-place chlorine contact tank, and has been contracted to provide engineering services for project review and construction oversight for the installation of raw water screens on intakes of both the lake and river sources. These improvements were mandated by MassDEP as part of the approval of the Dilla Street facility design.

Distribution System Water Quality Study, Norwich, CT

Tata & Howard, Inc. was retained by the Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) in Norwich, Connecticut to perform a distribution system water quality study to evaluate the water age, water quality, and hydraulic gradient in the Taftville/Occum Service Area. The Taftville/Occum Service Area has high water age, due primarily to the large volume of the Occum Tank. In addition, high levels of total trihalomethanes (TTHM) are observed throughout the Taftville/Occum Service Area.

This study examined the TTHM concentrations and high water age in the Taftville/Occum Service Area and presents various options to help mitigate these issues.

During the course of this study the following tasks were completed:

Updated the existing WaterGEMS hydraulic model using recent system data
Collected water distribution system data on current operating conditions,
historical and current disinfection by-product samples, water age, pressures, flows, and tank levels and supply and demand data for the entire NPU system
Conducted a gradient evaluation of the affected service area and investigated potential alternatives to improve the current conditions, including making short and long term capital improvements to provide improved tank level fluctuation and improved customer pressure ranges
Performed water age modeling of the existing service area and for potential
alternatives that improve the current conditions and graphed the results
Provided information and costs for alternatives to the tank passive mixing system
Provided recommendations for improving the service area gradient(s), water age, and water quality
To evaluate the Taftville/Occum Service Area, the entire NPU distribution system needed to be examined to determine the quality of the water as it enters the service area.

The key finding from this study related to the TTHM levels in the Taftville/Occum Service Area was that the formation potential in the effluent water from both of NPU’s surface water treatment plants was high enough for the TTHMs to exceed 80 µg/L at the entry point to the service area.

Based on this study, NPU has decided to add dissolved air flotation (DAF) to its Stony Brook water treatment plant. Tata & Howard designed the DAF system and other related improvements.

District Water Treatment Facility, Transmission Mains, and Metering Station, Mattapoisett, MA

The MRVWD water treatment facility project was designed to treat water from eight wells belonging to the Towns of Fairhaven, Marion and Mattapoisett. The MRVWD facilities also include approximately 5 miles of raw water transmission mains between the wells and the water treatment facility, finished water transmission mains from the water treatment facility to the existing town transmission mains, six new 100 HP high lift pumps and control/metering stations. The existing pump stations were upgraded to pump water to the water treatment facility but operation of the pump stations will remain the responsibility of the individual towns.

The total cost of all project components was approximately $16.5 million, which was partially funded with a low interest SRF loan. By constructing a regional facility, the towns were able to save over $4.9 million in design and construction costs in comparison to individual treatment facilities.

On-Call Water Engineering Services, Franklin, NH

Tata & Howard has been assisting the City of Franklin, New Hampshire with general water engineering services since 2009. The Tata & Howard team has managed several phases of work, including the design and construction of the water treatment plant and distribution system improvements.

The first phase was the design and construction of 2,500 linear feet of water main on Hill Road to connect a new water treatment plant to the City’s distribution system. This project also involved use of four bioretention systems to treat and manage stormwater from the roadway, and was constructed in 2010.

The second phase of our work with the City included the design and construction of two parallel 2,500 LF sections of 12-inch diameter HDPE crossings beneath the Pemigewasset River using horizontal directional drilling to transport water from the City’s Franklin Falls Well to the water treatment plant site.

Tata & Howard managed the survey and geophysical studies and prepared a Preliminary Design Report and Environmental Review documents for several phases of work. The City’s wells are surrounded by lands controlled by the US Army Corps of Engineers, which required that we complete an extensive permitting process to secure permissions for the final design of the project.

Tata & Howard completed design, construction, permitting, and funding applications for a 1,000 gallons per minute groundwater treatment plant to remove iron and manganese from three of the City’s wells. The plant has four pressure filters containing Greensand Plus media and using sodium hypochlorite for oxidation and sodium carbonate (soda ash) for pH adjustment. This plant went online July 9, 2012.

Tata & Howard provided design services for the construction of a new prestressed concrete tank at the site of an existing tank. The existing tank was in poor condition and due to the site characteristics, it was determined that construction of the new tank on the existing foundation of the old tank would be the best option. A second tank on the site was demolished in 2013 and a new prestressed concrete tank will be constructed in its place.

Tata & Howard also conducted a full water system analysis for the City of Franklin, New Hampshire by utilizing our proprietary Capital Efficiency Plan™ methodology. Our CEP involved creating a model of all water infrastructure in the City including sources, pump stations, treatment facilities, storage facilities, transmission, and distribution lines. Using our GIS modeling software, the system was calibrated based on fire flows in an attempt to accurately replicate the existing system. We then pinpointed deficiencies within the system based on a custom rating scale given to multiple criteria such as age, break history, material type, criticality and size. Recommendations were made for improvements in order of need. The study renewed both above ground and below ground assets. Funding for this study was in part from an Asset Management Planning Grant from NHDES.

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Hospital Water Audit, Framingham, MA

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 including: toilet, faucet, shower, cooling units, and more. 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.

Progressive Cavity Pump Stations, Ludlow, VT

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.

Replacement Wells, Ayer, MA

Grove Pond Replacement Wells No. 1 and No. 2
Grove Pond Well No. 3
Spectacle Pond Replacement Wells No. 1 and No. 2
Department of Public Works, Ayer, Massachusetts

Tata & Howard has been providing engineering services to the Town of Ayer for their water supply sources. Our work has included permitting and design of replacement wells at the Grove Pond Well site, development of a new source at the Grove Pond site, and replacement wells at the Spectacle Pond Well site. Due to elevated concentrations of iron and manganese at both sites, the intent of the replacement well program was to regain lost capacity of the existing sources and reduce the frequency of rehabilitation of the existing sources. All the replacement wells with the exception the replacement wells at Spectacle Pond Well No. 2 were single gravel packed replacement wells. Due to Zone I ownership issues, Spectacle Pond Well No. 2 is being replaced with three 16” x 10” gravel packed wells in a wellfield configuration. Each replacement well project initiated with test well exploratory programs to identify the potential location, yield, and water quality. With the Spectacle Pond Well No. 2 Replacement Well, we met with MassDEP to discuss the concept, duration of the pump test, and monitoring requirements prior to submittal of the pump test proposal.

Our scope of services for the replacement well and new source projects included test well exploration programs, permitting with the Ayer Conservation Commission and Nature Heritage and Endangered Species Program, MassDevelopment for the Grove Pond Wells, Water Management Act (WMA) program for the third well at Grove Pond, conductance of pump tests, preparation of pump tests reports in accordance with MassDEP requirements, design of the necessary infrastructure and production wells to connect the existing wells to the influent main into the existing respective water treatment facilities, construction and post construction services.

Satellite and Replacement Wells, Shrewsbury, MA

Tata & Howard has been providing engineering services to the Town of Shrewsbury for their water supply sources. Our work has included permitting and design of satellite and replacement wells for the Home Farm Wells No. 6-1 and No. 6-2, Sewell Well No. 5 and Lambert Well No. 3-1. The intent of these projects was to regain lost capacity of the existing sources.

Home Farm Well No. 6-1 was constructed in 1974. The approved withdrawal rate from Home Farm Well No. 6.1 is 4.32 mgd. Despite rehabilitation efforts, the capacity of Well No. 6-1 has significantly decreased over time. In 2003, a gravel packed replacement well (Well No. 6-3) was constructed and permitted to replace a portion of the flows from the existing Well No. 6-1 to meet the demands of the system and to better manage their sources. In 2011, a gravel packed replacement well (Well No. 6-4) was constructed and permitted to replace a portion of the flows from the existing Well No. 6-1 and 6-3. By dividing the approved withdrawal rate of Well No. 6-1 between the existing well and the replacement wells, the water velocities have decreased and the efficiency of the wells increased. The depths of the three wells range from 70 to 90 feet and the pump capacity for the wells are 1,051 gpm for Well 6-1, 700 gpm for Well 6-3, and 1,000 gpm for Well 6-4.

The approved withdrawal rate from Lambert Well No. 3-1 is 0.75 mgd. The permitted withdrawal could not be attained because the existing well screen failed. Installation of a gravel packed replacement well in 2015 (Lambert Well No. 3-3) removed the threat of problems associated with the collapsed screen. The original well was abandoned. Lambert Well No. 3-3 is approximately 40 feet deep and has a pump capacity of 525 gpm.

Home Farm Well No. 6-2 was constructed in 1990 to a depth of 106 feet. The approved withdrawal rate from Home Farm Well No. 6-2 is 3.02 mgd. Despite rehabilitation efforts, the capacity of Well No. 6-2 has significantly decreased. In 2018, a gravel packed replacement well (Well No. 6-5) was constructed and permitted to replace the flow from the existing Well No. 6-2 to meet the demands of the system and to better manage their sources. Due to the proximity of Well No. 6-2 and Well No. 6-5, Well No. 2 was disconnected and was operated as an emergency supply only. In 2021, an additional replacement well (Well No. 6-6) was constructed to meet the demands of the system and better manage their sources. By dividing the approved withdrawal rate of Well No. 6-2 between the two replacement wells, the water velocities have decreased and the efficiency of the wells increased. Well No. 6-5 is approximately 110 feet deep and has a pump capacity of 2,100 gpm. Well No. 6-6 is approximately 90 feet deep and has a pump capacity of 1,275 gpm.

Sewell Well No. 5 is a gravel packed well constructed to replace the previously abandoned Sewell Well No. 5. The approved withdrawal rate from Sewell Well No. 5 is 0.68 mgd. The well is approximately 63 feet deep and has a pump capacity of 480 gpm.

The Home Farm replacement well projects required permitting with the Shrewsbury Conservation Commission. The Sewell Well 5 replacement well project required a Water Management Act Amendment and an Interbasin Transfer Act Request for Determination of Applicability through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs Water Resources Commission . Each of the replacement well projects required permitting with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, preparation of bid documents for the installation of gravel packed production wells and pump test, completion of a 24 hour, 48 hour or 5 day pump test with water quality analysis, preparation of pump test reports, design of necessary infrastructure including submersible pumps, variable frequency drives (VFDs) and piping to connect to the existing water treatment facility.

Service Area Improvements Study; 50-Year Population and Water Use Study; Capital Efficiency Plan™, SCCRWA

Tata & Howard provided engineering services and completed numerous studies for the South Central Regional Water Authority (SCCRWA) headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut, serving 17 Cities and Towns and serving a population of over 400,000 people. Phase 1 of the New Haven Service Area Improvements Study was completed in 2009. The purpose of the study was to determine the lowest cost set of recommended capital and operational improvements to incorporate additional service areas into the New Haven Service Area. Our services included evaluating potential improvements to the distribution system to meet SCCRWA’s pressure, tank fluctuation, and fire flow criteria, and recommending a conceptual baseline solution, which was optimized during Phase 2 of the study. Phase 3, which completed the study, included a Preliminary Design Report with our final recommendations.

A 50-Year Population and Water Use Study was completed for SCCRWA in 2009. The study examined trends in water use and population growth in each of the towns and service areas served by SCCRWA and projected future water use for average day, maximum day, and maximum month demand throughout the distribution system. The projections were completed in accordance with guidelines from the Connecticut Department of Public Health and were involved in SCCRWA’s 2009 water supply plan.

In 2008, SCCRWA purchased a water distribution system with approximately 125 miles of water mains and customers located in Ansonia, Derby and Seymour, Connecticut. Tata & Howard was contracted to complete a Capital Efficiency Plan™ of the new system. Our services included updating and verifying the existing hydraulic model, evaluating the condition of the existing distribution system infrastructure to determine the adequacy of meeting present and future demands, calculating needed storage requirements, assess and prioritizing system improvements, reviewing and evaluating typical fire flows throughout the system, creating a pipe asset management rating system, and recommending improvements to the distribution system. Following the success of this effort, Tata & Howard completed Capital Efficiency Plans for the
remainder of the distribution system in 2011 and 2012.

Standpipe Rehabilitation, Oak Bluffs, MA

Oak Bluffs Water District, Oak Bluffs, MA

Tata & Howard has provided engineering consulting services for the design, Contract Document preparation, and bid assistance to the Oak Bluffs Water District for the interior and exterior standpipe rehabilitation of the Alpine Avenue Standpipe. We are currently providing construction administration services for the rehabilitation project.

The standpipe has a capacity of 2.0 million gallon and is a welded steel standpipe constructed in 1983. Additional work included removal of a telemetry building attached to the standpipe and design of a precast concrete building to house a tank level transmitter and communications equipment. The standpipe houses cellular carrier equipment and other communications equipment that was considered throughout the design. The Oak Bluffs water system maintains only one water storage tank. To provide adequate storage throughout the completion of the rehabilitation project an interconnection with Edgartown was opened.

Tata & Howard, Inc. coordinated the interconnection opening with the Oak Bluffs Water District, the Edgartown Water Department, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Oak Bluffs is a community that experiences significant demand increases throughout the summer months, therefore there was a very short window for project completion because the limiting weather conditions and increased summer demands. The project is currently on schedule and within budget.

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