Town of Spencer, MA
Tata & Howard provided construction administration services for a new 0.5 million gallon cast-in-place concrete water storage tank, booster pump station, approximately 12,600 linear feet of new 12-inch diameter water main, and miscellaneous distribution system upgrades. Construction of in-line isolation valves, removal of existing pressure-reducing valve (PRV) vaults, a new system wide SCADA system and new high lift pumps at the water treatment facility and well site were also included in Tata & Howard’s design. The purpose of this project is to separate the current single zone system into two pressure zones as required by an Administrative Consent Order from the MassDEP.
The creation of a two pressure zone system requires the replacement of the existing 200 horsepower (hp) pump at the Meadow Road Water Treatment Facility and 150 hp pump at the Cranberry Brook Well with lower head, high efficiency pumps and motors. The Meadow Road facility is the Town’s primary water supply source; therefore, changing of this pump requires coordination with the Department of Utilities and Facilities and the overall two pressure zone project construction sequencing to minimize the time this source is off-line.
Tata & Howard also verified the Town’s hydraulic model, which was used to select the best location for the new tank and select water main size for transmission and fire protection. The model was also used to determine the boundary line between the two pressure zones. A Capital Efficiency Plan™ is currently being prepared. Assistance will be provided, as needed, for public education of the project and during Town meetings. This project is being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the Massachusetts State Revolving Fund (SRF). Due to an aggressive schedule required under the funding requirements, all design; permitting associated with planning, zoning, and wetlands; and project bidding were completed and approved within a six-month period.
Tata & Howard first assisted the District with responses to the Water Supply Division Sanitary Survey and then developed alternatives for the long term plan that would address all of the deficiencies and meet compliance with the Federal and State drinking water rules.
The issues were as follows:
- Wooden roof over concrete storage tank
- Inadequate disinfection system and metering of source
- Inadequate system pressures at the highest points within the system
- Water losses
- Inadequate metering of sources of supply to the storage tank
- Inadequate distribution piping for fire flows.
The solutions developed were as follows:
- Design and installation of concrete precast cover on storage tank
- Design of new building at storage tank with flow measurement and disinfection and better storage tank access for cleaning
- Virtual abandonment of auxiliary springs and surface water emergency source
- Design of water main replacement to meet required system pressures for compliance with the drinking water standards and rules
- Locating, permitting and developing a new source of supply (well) to supplement the existing wells and virtually eliminate the old spring sources due to the potential for contamination that had occurred in the past.
- Securing the maximum amount of grant funding available to the District at 45% with the remainder a low interest loan.
Water Supply Upgrades
Canaan Fire Districts (FD) #1 and #2, Canaan, VT
Tata & Howard provided engineering services associated with water supply upgrades for Canaan FD #1 & #2. These two districts are located about 1.5 miles apart, meet monthly, and have one operator. For FD#2, located in Beecher Falls, VT, Tata & Howard completed construction of a new concrete storage tank, well upgrades, and distribution system improvements including significant replacement of pipe. Tata & Howard was able to secure a 75% grant for the project which resulted in little impact to their water rates.
Fire District #2
FD#2 has 100 customers. The issues included inadequate system pressures, inadequate storage tank, inadequate disinfection system, and leaky pipes.
Tata & Howard developed solutions that included the following:
- A new storage tank at an elevation that would eliminate all pressure issues
- Distribution piping replacement and addition of hydrants of flushing and fire protection
- Reduction in water losses allowing for reduced well pump size, resulting in lower annual power and chemical costs
Fire District #1
FD#1 has two sources of supply. One is a large spring system located in Canada which consists of ten springs connected together, all under the influence of surface water and the other is a high yielding well source in the town limits. The issues are inadequate spring source construction and ability to maintain, low system pressures across the State line (they provide water service to West Stewartstown, NH), inadequate flushing capabilities, inadequate distribution piping, high iron and manganese levels in well source, and inadequate storage tank.
The solutions include the following:
- Elimination of the spring sources due to Canadian border issues and high cost for upgrading the springs and connection piping
- Installation of filtration system to meet the standards for FE and MN
- Construction of new larger water storage tank
- Development of a second emergency supply
- Improvements to distribution piping
In addition, we completed a feasibility study.
Aquarion Water Company
Areas of service: Oxford, Millbury, Hingham and Hull, MA and Hampton, NH
Tata & Howard has been providing general engineering services to the Aquarion Water Company in Massachusetts and New Hampshire for the last five years. Our work has included the design of water mains and storage tanks, new source development, replacement well designs, hydraulic studies and Capital Efficiency Plans™.
As of 2019, We have completed or are currently completing Capital Efficiency Plans™ for each of the systems in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Within the two states, Aquarion Water Company operates a total of approximately 430 miles of water main. Completion of the Capital Efficiency Plans™ has provided Aquarion with a basis for improvements throughout each of the systems. The analysis not only reviewed hydraulic considerations but included a detailed analysis of assets and critical components. By utilizing this approach, Aquarion Water Company was able to spend money effectively on upgrades to the system.
For example, as part of a hydraulic evaluation, it was recommended that Aquarion replace the water main on Mill Road to meet fire flow requirements in the eastern part of the system. After consideration of the age, material, and break history of the surrounding water mains, it was determined that from a capital efficiency standpoint, replacement of the water main on Pine Road would benefit Aquarion more than replacement of the water main on Mill Road.
The water main on Pine Road had reportedly experienced numerous breaks and would eventually require replacement in the near future. Installation of the water main on Pine Road allowed the Aquarion Water Company to meet the needed fire flow requirement, eliminate a problematic water main, and reduce the overall capital cost. All the studies included an analysis of the existing supplies versus the estimated future demands as well as storage capacity. The Hingham/Hull Water Distribution System Study included an analysis of potential water supply sources. Tata & Howard evaluated the potential of connecting to MWRA, buying water from Cohasset and drilling new wells within the Town. All options included potential costs for engineering, permitting and construction.
Tata & Howard completed a storage evaluation for the Hingham and Hull water systems. The purpose of the evaluation was to determine if the Strawberry Hill Tank was needed. Following a tank inspection, the tank was determined to be structurally deficient and needed substantial work to improve the integrity of the elevated tank. The Strawberry Hill Tank had a capacity of 0.51 million gallons and had an overflow elevation that was approximately 20 feet lower than the Turkey Hill Tank located in the same service area. The water in the Strawberry Hill Tank did not fluctuate and caused concern for contaminated water. Based on a storage evaluation and hydraulic analysis, it was determined that the Strawberry Hill Tank was not needed. The Aquarion Water Company subsequently removed the tank from the system.
Tata & Howard provided engineering services for a water main, pump station, and storage tank for Athol Economic Development. The project specifically included the design of a new booster pump station with a chlorine injection system, emergency generator, SCADA, approximately 3,800 linear feet of 12-inch diameter water main, and a new 210,000 gallon elevated water storage tank on Templeton Road. This project is an extension to the existing water distribution system and was designed to serve an area of commercial development, including a Market Basket, along Route 2A.
Tata & Howard provided evaluation, planning, funding assistance, design, and construction phase engineering services for an upgrade to the 30-year old 0.750 MGD Extended Aeration Activated Sludge Treatment facility including conversion to Anoxic/Oxic activated sludge process to allow more operations’ flexibility, reduce construction and annual O&M costs, and prepare for potential nutrient removal. Improvements consisted of the construction of four anoxic basins and four oxic basins, replacement of clarifiers, addition of five blowers, new electrical and control building, new heating system, new influent pumps, headworks influent screen followed by grit removal, centrifuge for sludge dewatering and post sludge dry storage building for the Class A Sludge. The project was funded by a USDA Rural Development loan and grant.
