Octoraro Treatment Plant Projects: Clean Drinking Water Today and
Tomorrow
Octoraro Treatment Plant Projects to Begin in Spring 2006
Construction is
expected to begin in spring 2006 on two projects in CWA’s 10-year
capital improvement plan for the Octoraro Treatment Plant and the
Susquehanna Pumping Station. Each project has several components. At
the Octoraro Treatment Plant, along with other
enhancements to the treatment process we will be installing
a blend tank that will produce a homogeneous mix of the
waters from the Octoraro Reservoir and the Susquehanna
River, allowing for more efficient treatment. At the
Susquehanna Pumping Station, we are installing a fourth pump
and motor with variable flow capability. This will allow us
greater flexibility in transferring water to the Octoraro
Treatment Plant, reducing pumping costs and improving
treatment efficiency. We anticipate that these initial
projects will be completed in the early to middle part of
2007, at an estimated total cost of $7.4 million.
These
projects are based on a comprehensive review of the
Treatment Plant that was completed in 2004. Once these
initial projects are completed, the schedule for the other
recommendations of the 2004 study will be evaluated and
implemented. The projected total cost of the Plant’s capital
improvement program is approximately $48 million.
Chlorine Scrubber Project Completed
Construction of a chlorine scrubber system at the
Octoraro Treatment Plant was completed in May 2005 as
part of the Authority’s existing improvement program for
the Treatment Plant. This safety enhancement will
contain and neutralize the potentially hazardous
condition that could result in the unlikely event that a
chlorine cylinder were damaged or malfunctioned. CWA has
used chlorination to disinfect finished water at the
Octoraro Treatment Plant since 1951. Proper management
of this key element in our treatment process is
essential to ensure safety. The project cost was
$370,000.
Tainter Gate Bulkhead Under Construction
In September 2005, construction began on a
floating bulkhead that will enable the Authority
to fully inspect, refurbish, and maintain the
Tainter gates on the dam at
our Octoraro
Reservoir. The contractor is fabricating the
bulkhead to
the gates’ exact dimensions.
Each Tainter
the gates’ exact dimensions.
Each Tainter gate is 44 feet wide by 30 feet
high and is supported by concrete abutment walls
and a common concrete center pier. The function
of the gates is to contain and control the water
flow from the Octoraro Reservoir. The gates are
normally in a closed position and are primarily
operated during flood events. A propane-fueled
engine and auxiliary electric generator are
available as standby power sources.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
requires all owners of dams with Tainter gates
in the United States to assess the gates’
structural soundness and correct any
deficiencies.
An underwater survey of the Tainter gates was
completed in October 2005, and the majority of
the rehabilitation work will take place in 2006,
after the bulkhead is delivered. The bulkhead
will be launched onto the reservoir, where it
will be sunk upstream of the gates to enable the
gates
to be de-watered and work to proceed.
Steel plates will be welded on the sides of the Tainter gate beams to satisfy FERC requirements.
At the same time, the lifting chains will be
replaced and the upstream faces of the gates
recoated. We estimate that the project will be
completed in
April 2007 at a total cost of $1.5
million.
The Authority will also use the bulkhead to test
the gates every 5 to 10 years with a full
30-foot opening, as required by FERC.
East Marlborough System
Improvements: Better Services for More Customers
In 2005, the Authority continued a
multiphase expansion and reinforcement
project to tie together two existing
distribution systems in East Marlborough
Township, Chester County. The project
will enhance reliability for our
customers in this area. Phases 2 and 3
of this project were completed in 2005,
providing service to existing homes. In
September 2005, the Distribution
Department began Phase 4 of the project,
which involves installation of an
additional 2,850 feet of 8-inch-diameter
water main. Phase 4 will be completed in
2005, at an estimated cost of $142,000.
The Authority will add approximately 85
new customers by the completion of Phase
4.
