Water Treatment Plant Upgrades City of New Buffalo, MI
Project Partners: City of New Buffalo Water Department; Four Winds Casino, Pokagon Band of Potawotomi Indians; Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ); and Berrien County Board of Public Works.
“NIES exceeded expectations, providing deliverables on a tight schedule...the key to obtaining ARRA funding and achieving all of our project goals.” Ken Anderson, Water Plant Superintendent.
After securing an agreement to provide the local Four Winds Casino an allotment of up to 375,000 gallons of water each day, the City of New Buffalo needed to increase the capacity of its water treatment plant. In order to reliably meet this additional water demand and bring the 40-year old facility into compliance with current State regulations, the City would need to make several major improvements. The City retained NIES Engineering, Inc. to prepare a Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF) Project Plan for the proposed plant improvements. NIES Engineering submitted the Project Plan to the State of Michigan and began engineering design work immediately thereafter.
After fast track design and bidding, bids were received for construction later that year. NIES Engineering worked closely with project partners to meet the expedited schedule necessary to qualify for $1,060,000 in grant funding through the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The casino owners - the Pokagon Band of Potawotomi Indians - provided an additional $900,000 in funding for the Water Treatment Plant Upgrade Project.
We increased the water plant capacity from 2 million gallons per day (MGD) to 2.5 MGD by adding tube settlers inside the two existing sedimentation basins, a third gravity sand filter, a fourth high service pump with variable frequency drive and a new filter control system. The disinfection process was improved with the addition of a chlorine gas scrubber for increased safety and a UV disinfection system as a secondary barrier to pathogens. The plant's expanded operations were accommodated with a new dual use building addition that provides a new general office and much improved laboratory; a filter building expansion; a 30-ft x 40-ft equipment storage building and a larger, 350kW standby power engine-generator. In addition, the existing process equipment, piping and 300,000 gallon finished water ground storage tank were rehabilitated and repainted further extending their useful life.
With funds from outside sources the City of New Buffalo has benefited from increased water plant capacity, improved working facilities and very welcome equipment overhaul. The local Casino has benefited from a long term and secure solution to their water needs.
Key Points
- American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funding
- Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF) Funding
- Increased Treatment Capacity
- UV Disinfection System
