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. 

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

Grafton Water District, Trinity Avenue Well Site and Pump Station

Tata & Howard provided engineering services for permitting, design, and bidding of the Trinity Avenue Pump Station at the Trinity Avenue Wellfield (new source) and provided assistance with permitting, design, and reporting to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) for the proposed Trinity Avenue Well site. 

The property was owned by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW), and the Grafton Water District swapped land with the DFW to obtain ownership and control of the Trinity Avenue site. Test wells were installed and short-term pump tests were completed on each of the wells. Based on the results of the tests, it was recommended to install a three well configuration of 18-inch x 12-inch gravel packed wells resulting in approximately 840 gallons per minute (gpm). The work under this contract included the completion of the Request for Site Exam and Pump Test Proposal for submission to MassDEP, installation and development of three (3) 18” x 12” gravel packed wells and pitless adapters, installation and development of approximately five 2-1/2” diameter observation wells, installation of two staff gages and piezometers, performing a five-day pump test, and collection and analysis of water quality.

The project also included an evaluation of alternatives for the access road including installation of a bridge or an open bottomed culvert, and Tata & Howard assisted with the preparation of permanent easements for the installation of utilities and roadway to the well site. In addition, Tata & Howard prepared and submitted an NOI to the Grafon Conservation Commission.

Design included double wythe block and interior concrete painted block with wood truss roof and asphaltic shingles. Security included chain link fence, gates, locks, intrusion alarms, and lighting. Tata & Howard also assisted with the coordination of the installation of three-phase power to site. Chemical feed at the station includes KOH for pH adjustment and chlorine gas for disinfection. Standby power was included in an outdoor enclosure. The design also included 900 feet of new 12-inch water main for 4-log removal.

Tata & Howard also provided construction administration and resident observation services.

Water Infrastructure and Conservation Adjustment (WICA) Water Mains, Hazardville, CT

Tata & Howard provided design, bidding, and construction administration services for approximately 2,600 linear feet of new water main in Enfield, CT.

Approximately 500 linear feet of existing 10-inch asbestos cement water main on Hazard Avenue was replaced with new 12-inch HDPE water main. This water main crosses a ConnDOT 48-inch culvert and the replacement was completed using horizonal directional drilling. Approximately 2,100 linear feet of existing 2-inch steel and 6-inch asbestos cement water main was replaced with new 8-inch ductile iron water main. Wetlands permitting and coordination with the ConnDOT were required to cross the existing 48-inch culvert on Hazard Avenue.

Bidding services and construction administration services with full-time resident project representation and site visits were also provided.

Bargh Replacement Raw Water Pipeline, CT

Tata & Howard was retained by Aquarion Water Company of CT for the Bargh Replacement Raw Water Pipeline Project. The project consisted of assisting Aquarion Water Company of CT with sizing a new diversion pipeline from the Bargh Raw Water Pumping Station in to the Putnam Reservoir, both in Greenwich, CT, preparing design plans and specifications for the new 24-inch water main, assisting Aquarion with permit acquisition for the project, and performing field testing to identify the ledge profile along the main.

Construction administration and resident observation services were also performed. Stake out the pipeline, review clearing limits with Contractor, Landscape Architect, Arborist, Stamford and Greenwich, observe CCTV storm drain inspections, accompany Contractor and subs on pre-blast surveys and document, and arrange for Archeologist to delineate sensitive areas to protect.

Raw water pipes
Culvert in Greenwich, CT

New Hampton Road Water Main Project

Tata & Howard completed design, funding, and construction phase services in the City of Franklin, NH for the $3.5M New Hampton Road Water Main Project. The new 16-inch and 12-inch ductile iron water mains replaced a 1940s era unlined cast iron water main (approximately 14,000 linear feet) with a history of main breaks and extends over three miles from the Babbitt Road Booster Station to the Sanbornton Wellfield.

The water main was identified as a priority in the 2016 Capital Efficiency Plan prepared by Tata & Howard and will provide improved water quality, distribution pressure, and fire protection.

Tata & Howard assisted the City with maximizing the NHDES SRF Loan with the City’s paving program funds to fully reconstruct 9,000 linear feet of New Hampton Road as part of the project.

Falmouth Main Street Water Main Construction

Tata & Howard was contracted to provide design, construction administration and resident observation for the installation of 18,000 linear feet (approximately 3.5 miles) of 16-inch ductile iron water main in Falmouth, MA. Water main replacement will be in Main Street and Route 28. That is, from the intersection of West Main Street and Locust Street, to the intersection of Teaticket Highway and Oxbow Road

New water main will be replacing the town’s 10-inch cast iron water pipes that were originally installed in 1898. Falmouth’s 121-year-old water infrastructure has stood strong for more than a century; however, it has become clear that it’s nearing the end of its useful life and approaching the age at which it needs to be replaced. Evidence of this can be seen in the three water main breaks that have occurred since August of 2018. In addition, the original water main is hydraulically deficient and needs to be up-sized to meet the increasing demands in the system.

Construction began at the beginning of April and continued up until Memorial Day of this year. Construction was limited to off season times due to the heavy tourist months in Cape Cod. Project completion was in the spring of 2021.


Chamberlain Highway Receives New Water Main Connections

The Chamberlain Highway in Meridan, Connecticut has 536 linear feet of new 16-inch ductile iron main and two new fire hydrants. After Tata & Howard completed several test pits to verify connection locations at each end of the new main, construction work started on May 3, 2018 with the installation of a 16” x 16” tapping sleeve and valve at the north end of the project. This existing water main at the north end connection was originally installed in 1894.

Chamberlain West Main

Work progressed south until the new main was approximately 50 feet away from the other connection point in West Main Street. Connections to the existing main in West Main Street was performed over a 36-hour period due to the complexity and amount of utilities around the service connection, including a live 24-inch water main five feet away and multiple telephone conduits located 6 inches above the replaced main. Tata & Howard personnel on site at all times to observe that work was in performed in accordance to the plans and specifications.

Following the completion of the Chamberlain Highway water infrastructure improvement project, work to replace two water mains on the state-owned bridge crossing Sodom Brook in Meridan will begin.

Wiscasset Completes Capital Efficiency Plan™ Infrastructure Improvements

The Wiscasset Water District (WWD) completed its final phase of water main replacements for the Town of Wiscasset, ME. In 2007, Wiscasset, a rural coastal town in Maine, embarked on a long-awaited infrastructure improvement program to replace the Town’s century-old waterlines. The Wiscasset Water District, engaged Tata & Howard’s services in 2010, to prepare a Capital Efficiency Plan™ (CEP), to identify areas to the Town’s water distribution system needing rehabilitation, repair, and/or replacement.

The Capital Efficiency Plan™ report which included hydraulic modeling, system criticality, and an asset management plan, provided the Utility with a database and Geographic Information System (GIS) representation for each pipe segment within their underground piping system. The CEP report also prioritized the water distribution system piping improvements and provided estimated costs to replace or rehabilitate the water mains.

In response to the CEP™ findings, the Wiscasset Water District retained the services of Tata & Howard, to perform design, bidding, construction administration, and resident project representation services for a series of water main projects.

Wiscasset Main Street

Phased over 10 years, the plan included replacing 33,150 feet of 12-inch and 8-inch piping, installation of a water storage tank mixer, SCADA upgrades, and office landscaping improvements.

The final phase of water main replacements is scheduled to be completed during the summer of 2018 and will fulfill all the Priority I water main improvements identified in the 2010 CEP™ report. The projects were funded in part by a combination of USDA Rural Development grants (6 total) and loans (7 total), as well as coordination with the Maine Department of Transportation and Rural Development.

The final phase of water main replacements that was completed during the summer of 2018 fulfilled all the Priority I water main improvements identified in the 2010 CEP™ report. The projects were funded in part by a combination of USDA Rural Development grants (6 total) and loans (7 total), as well as coordination with the Maine Department of Transportation and Rural Development.

Water Main in Palmer, MA, funded by a CDBG

Tata & Howard provided design of 1,400 linear feet of 12-inch diameter water main on Griffin Street, High Street, and Stewart Street. Work included the preparation of design plans and specifications, hydraulic modeling to determine main size, and letter and cost estimate to the Palmer Community Development Department. Tata & Howard also provided construction administration and resident observation services. The project was funded by a USDA Rural Development Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

 

Water Treatment Facility, Water Mains, and River Crossing Horizontal Directional Drilling

directional-drilling

Tata & Howard provided design and construction services for the construction of a 1.44 mgd water treatment facility. The water treatment facility consists of a concrete block masonry building housing filtration equipment, a laboratory and office space, and associated piping, instrumentation and controls. Building components including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services were incorporated in the facility. Other work included, but is not necessarily limited to, site work, exterior piping systems, and electrical work at an existing well pump station.

rock-drill-rig

Tata & Howard also provided design and construction services for the installation of approximately 5,000 linear feet of new 12-inch high-density polyethylene (HDPE) water main (two parallel pipes at 2,500 linear feet, each) via directional drilling beneath the Pemigewasset River, connecting the City’s Franklin Falls Well Site and the City’s Acme Well Site.

Tata & Howard provided design and construction services for the installation of approximately 2,655 linear feet of 12-inch diameter Class 52 ductile iron water main, water services, and associated valves, fittings, and hydrants on Hill Road (New Hampshire Route 3A) and a service road connecting Hill Road to the City’s Acme Well site; approximately 4,000 linear feet of 12-inch water main, water services, and associated valves, fittings, and hydrants on Lawndale Avenue, Webster Lake Road, and Kimball Street; approximately 3,200 linear feet along Lawndale Avenue; 1,200 linear feet along Webster Lake Road; and 600 linear feet along Kimball Street.  The work also included pavement restoration on Lawndale Avenue, Webster Lake Road, and Kimball Street.

The project was funded by NHDES and the USDA Rural Development office.