February, 2008

Nutrient Removal Process Upgrades

In accordance with DEQ requirements, the Service Authority is required to meet new nutrient removal requirements at each of its significant (defined as permitted to treat more than 500,000 gallons per day) wastewater treatment plants.  This includes the Stuarts Draft, Fishersville, Middle River, and Weyers Cave plants.  In November 2005, the Service Authority hired Black & Veatch Corporation (Gaithersburg, MD) to perform the required studies for each of the four facilities.  These studies have been completed for Fishersville, Middle River, and Stuarts Draft WWTP's.  The Weyers Cave study will be completed in the coming months.  Final designs are complete for Fishersville and Middle River.

The Fishersville WWTP project consists of expansion to 4MGD and conversion to ENR.  The work includes construction of the following facilities:  Headworks Modifications, Pretreatment Complex, BNR Basins, Aeration Blowers, Secondary Clarification Equipment, Filter Complex, Aerobic Digesters, UV Facility, Chemical Feed Facilities, Carbon Source storage, and Dewatering Building.  The current contract price is $23,877,721 and the Substantial Completion date is October 3, 2009.

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April, 2008

HARRISTON WATER STORAGE TANK

The Harriston Water Storage Tank replaces an existing 5,000-gallon hydropneumatic tank and 25,000-gallon storage tank and well house with an elevated storage tank and new piping.  These tanks were part of the inherited system that was built in the 1970s and were in poor physical condition and did not provide a reliable means of fire protection.  The new tank is 150-feet high and is a 300,000-gallon and is a glass fused to steel tank on top of the concrete pedestal.  The water storage volume was evaluated to ensure that the Virginia Department of Health criteria were met, which require at least ½ day of storage for each connection, and that adequate volume is available for fire protection in the service area.  Construction of the new 300,000-gallon tank started in July 2007.  Mid-Atlantic Storage Systems of Washington, OH was awarded the project. 

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February, 2007

Public Use Site at the Landfill

In an effort to better serve the customers of the Augusta Regional Landfill, it is proposed to expand the Public Use Site at the landfill. Anyone who has used the landfill in the past year, especially on Saturdays, has most likely experienced the long lines and time delays to use the Public Use Site. In an effort to correct this problem, the landfill staff, as a temporary measure, has created a staging area for those going to the Public Use Site. The placement of traffic cones has redirected the traffic and prevented “back up” onto the scales. Plans are currently being reviewed to make the site more user friendly. The proposed new site will add an additional 2 compactor boxes and 4 open top containers. There are also plans to add an additional scales room & to utilize both sets of scales when there is a traffic backup.

Update: Design plans have been finalized and construction should start  by early spring and completion by early fall.

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Verona Water Storage Tank

The Verona Water Storage Tank is a 500,000 gallon welded steel tank that was originally constructed in 1966.  Over its 41 year life, the tank suffered some damage as the ground under the tank settled and was also in need of interior and exterior maintenance.  Replacement of the tank was ultimately determined to be more cost effective than repair.  In 2004, the Service Authority completed an evaluation of the tank’s service area, which primarily includes Verona west of Route 11, along with the Route 262/254 corridor extending eastward out to the Barren Ridge area. 

The study identified a new tank site just north of the existing location that would slightly improve system pressures.  Additionally, the water storage volume was evaluated to ensure that the Virginia Department of Health criteria were met, which require at least ½ day of storage for each connection, and that adequate volume is available for fire protection in the service area.  Adequate water storage to provide some additional time for maintenance personnel to respond to pump outages or other issues that can occur was also included.  The study showed that 500,000 gallons was still an adequate volume to meet these needs for approximately the next 20 years depending on growth rates.  Future planning includes a second tank that will provide for growth and provide a better way to take either of the tanks to be taken off-line for maintenance. 

Construction of the new 500,000 gallon tank started in September 2007.  Littleton & Associates, Inc. of Covington, VA was awarded the project.  The tank will be a 500,000 gallon prestressed concrete tank, which is being constructed by subcontractor, the Crom Corporation.