Improvements ensure clean water for Red Springs
Red Springs’ water treatment plant (WTP) was built in 1969. It had a 1.0 million gallons per day (MGD) capacity. The plant included one static aerator and one flash mixing basin. It also had one flocculation basin and one sedimentation basin. The plant had three pressure sand filters. The WTP was expanded to 1.5 MGD in the mid-1980s.
Aging infrastructure
While the WTP processes were effective, the Town treated water safely and met all required standards. However, the equipment showed its age at the WTP, which was more than 50 years old. This WTP is the Town’s sole, reliable source of potable water. That coupled with the fact there was only one treatment train left the Town in a precarious position. It was nearly impossible to meet water demand and perform needed maintenance/repairs.
Another significant problem: the Town estimated that close to 50% of the water from their groundwater supply wells was not being billed due to losses from several areas. These areas included WTP filter backwash, spilled water at the static aerator, losses at the sedimentation basin, unmetered use throughout Town, and leaks and water main breaks within the distribution system. This led to higher operational and maintenance costs. Furthermore, there was less revenue to pay for needed repairs and maintenance of the system.
Looking at upgrade options
Planning for upgrades to the Town’s water treatment and distribution system began in late 2017 with WithersRavenel. The plan reviewed options to replace the WTP and improve the three groundwater supply wells. It also included upgrades to the elevated tank and replacement of failing galvanized water lines in Town.
Funding through USDA-RD
WithersRavenel helped the Town apply for and receive over $9 million in USDA-RD grants and low-interest loans. This funding covered major system rehabilitation and replacement needs. The Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) was completed and funding for the project was allocated in July 2018. Design for the project began in January 2019.
Final system improvements to Red Springs Water Treatment Plant
The Town wanted to explore the option of a membrane ultrafiltration water treatment system. Design for the water treatment plant included:
- Installation of two new skid-mounted hollow fiber membrane filter assemblies (each with a capacity of 1.5 MGD for redundancy)
- One skid-mounted backwash assembly
- One skid-mounted membrane filter cleaning assembly
- Two sodium hypochlorite feed systems
- Two sodium hydroxide feed systems
- One lime storage/feed system.
System improvements
- An all-new WTP filter and chemical storage building (with space for a third membrane assembly to be added in the future)
- An all-new Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for monitoring the WTP, groundwater wells, and elevated storage tanks.
- Cleaning and sludge removal from two existing clearwells at the WTP.
- New altitude valves are planned for each of the three elevated storage tanks in Town. These valves will allow one tank to return to service. That tank was installed at a different elevation.
- A new influent and effluent meter for the WTP.
- Cleaning and rehabilitation of all three groundwater wells.
- Improvements to Well Buildings 1 and 2.
- Replacement of the building for Well 3.
- Replacement of 8,000 LF of failing 2-inch waterline with 6-inch PVC waterline.
The WithersRavenel-led project was successfully completed by Harper General Contractors in January 2022. The Town is now ready for the future with a system that is more efficient. It is easier to maintain and provides better-quality water to customers.
