Water Treatment Plant Modifications with SCADA - City of La Porte, IN

The water distribution system of La Porte, Indiana, consists of two treatment plants, three elevated tanks, and seven wells. The goal for NIES Engineering, Inc. was to allow the operators of the main treatment plant to see and control all aspects of the system from their desktop computers. The approach adopted by NIES Engineering, Inc. was to develop a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) solution around non-proprietary software and equipment.

A comprehensive input - output list was generated that could describe every process within the system in terms of the type of signal generated by an event or required for action. This I/O list formed the basis of the plans and specifications. Radios were designed to communicate between the remote sites through a central repeater radio mounted on an elevated tank. The radio system is capable of scanning all sites and updating all values every minute.

The completed system can run in automatic mode, where high service pumps and well pumps are turned off and on based on the height of water in the elevated tanks, and the depth of water in the plant clearwells. The operator can also run the system manually, turning pumps off and on from the computer with the click of a mouse. Alarms are generated if any parameter falls outside of pre-determined setpoints, and reports are generated automatically on a daily and monthly basis.

The SCADA system gives the City of La Porte greater control over their water system, and better information regarding the use of this resource.

Key Points

• Improved Control
• Enhanced Reporting
• Remote Control

Water System Improvement Project - Camp Summit, City of La Porte, IN

Project Partners: City of La Porte Water Works, City of La Porte Board of Public Works and Safety, Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC), Indiana Finance Authority (IFA).

“I am extremely pleased by the success of this project and all of the future opportunities it allows for Camp Summit, the residents of Johnson Road and the many others it impacts” Blair Milo, Mayor - City of La Porte.

High mineral content in the drinking water from on-site wells had been a long standing issue for the IDOC Facility at Camp Summit in La Porte County. NIES Engineering worked closely with the project Partners to design, secure funding and oversee bidding and construction for this extensive project. The solution that we presented involved securing State Revolving Loan Funding to construct a booster pump station, install 10,000 feet of 12-inch ductile iron water main, and provide modifications to IDOC's 50,000 gallon elevated tank. Once complete, the system was taken over by the City Water Department, relieving IDOC of this unwelcome chore.

A 65 ft increase in grade elevation and an elevated tank at the far end of the system presented a hydraulic challenge that we resolved by proposing a package booster station. The station was configured with flexibility in mind. It has pumps sized for various current demands and spare capacity for future expansion. The station also includes a 125kw natural gas fueled, standby power generator, chlorine chemical feed room and SCADA system improvements for monitoring and control from the City's Water Treatment Plant. The station was designed with siding and roofing materials selected for compatibility with existing Church architecture. This was an important feature and helped to secure this location for the station installation.

Our design of nearly two miles of water mains included easement acquisitions, open cut construction, directional drilling where appropriate and a 24-inch casing bore under the Indiana Toll Road. The water main was designed to allow for future expansion and included taps for the many residents living on Johnson Road. Rehabilitation of IDOC's aging 50,000 gallon elevated tank included draining, cleaning, and touchup painting; safety equipment modifications including guard rails and new platforms; and updating of electrical and cathodic protection systems.

IDOC is now able to leave water treatment and supply to the professionals and focus on what they do best. The City of La Porte now has almost two miles of new water main that opens up a large area for potential economic development.

Key Points

• Secured State Funding
• 10,000FT New Water Main
• New Booster Station
• Toll Road Bore & Jack
• Elevated Tank Rehabilitation

Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades - City of La Porte, Indiana

As part of a long-term solids removal program, the City of La Porte required planning and a preliminary design for new raw sewage and grit removal facilities.

The City of La Porte has a combined sewer system which necessitated separate screening facilities be provided for the combined sewer flow of over 100 million gallons per day (MGD) and the plant influent flow of 16 MGD. The mechanically cleaned fine screens interfaced with the existing coarse screen and included screenings washing and compaction. The centrifugal grit collection system also included grit washing and dewatering.

The new facilities were designed to interface with the existing facilities within a very limited site space with significant hydraulic profile constraint. The design incorporated a sequence of construction which allowed continuous screening and grit operations during construction.

Key Points

• Constricted Space
• Increased Capacity
• Efficiency

Apple Valley Manufactured Housing - Town of Lowell, IN

NIES Engineering, Inc. first started working with Robert Rainsberger on the development of Apple Valley Manufactured Housing Park ten years ago. A strong working relationship has developed over the years, with NIES Engineering participating in every aspect of growth.

Specifically, NIES Engineering has been involved with the planning, design and construction of new water supply and wastewater facilities, as well as planning design and permitting of an extension to the park with duplex units. More recently, NIES Engineering has helped with an extension of the park utilities to an adjacent commercial area, including filings with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission for revised rates and an extension to the utility Certificated Area.

NIES Engineering has established itself as a genuine one-stop-shop for land developers in Indiana and Illinois. Our Professional Engineers are licensed in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois and our Professional Surveyors are licensed in Indiana and Illinois.

Our staff of experienced engineers and technicians can help guide clients through the often complex zoning process, maintaining full ordinance compliance with all affected communities. We also have extensive experience designing and providing construction services for manufactured housing park water, wastewater and drainage projects. To reinforce our land development capability we consistently adopt new technology as it becomes available.

We use state-of-the-art Global Positioning System (GPS) survey equipment and the latest versions of AutoDesk AutoCAD, MAP, and Civil 3D civil engineering software for all projects involving surveying, site layout and computer aided design.

In our experience, using the latest equipment and software shrinks project timelines, and helps us to leverage our capabilities to the maximum benefit of our clients.

Key Points

• Planning
• Design
• Construction