Forcemain River Crossing - New Buffalo, MI

The City of New Buffalo, Michigan, hired NIES Engineering to identify the best method of replacing a 4” cast iron forcemain that crossed the Galien River at the marina entrance and under the bridge that carries the bulk of the marina traffic.

NIES Engineering designed the new crossing line using directional drilling, rather than open cut construction. Due to the close proximity of a 12” watermain the job involved the replacement of both utility lines.

Construction was completed within 4 weeks with minimal site disturbance and no obstruction to river traffic.

Key Points

• Minimum Disruption
• Rapid Response

Harbor Point Lift Station - New Buffalo, Michigan

The existing 4" cast iron forcemain from Harbor Point Lift Station at its crossing of the Galien River required replacement. Due to the nature of the site, alongside a twenty foot high approach fill for the bridge over the river that included a great deal of landscaping and a boat marina with retaining walls and sidewalks, horizontal directional drilling rather than open cut construction was proposed.

NIES Engineering designed the new crossing line. It was determined that the existing twelve inch watermain in the same location was too close to the sewer line to satisfy environmental requirements, and in addition was found to be only four feet under water when it should have been four feet under river bottom! Consequently, it too was replaced.

The work was started in the spring of 2001 and both lines, 800 feet of 4" Sewer Forcemain, and 900 feet of 12" watermain were installed in four weeks time, with very little site disturbance and no obstruction to river traffic exiting the marina going to Lake Michigan.

HNA Modeling

NIES Engineering, Inc. uses Bentley Systems WaterGEMS Hydraulic Network Analysis (HNA) software to analyze current and proposed conditions within water distribution systems. Using this software, we can determine what effect changes to a municipal water distribution will have on the system as a whole. A water system can be evaluated to find bottlenecks which reduce flow and pressure to the system users. In some cases, a simple increase in water main size can greatly improve service for convenience and more importantly improve fire flow for the safety of the community at large. Determinations can be made whether additional storage and/or pressure boosting facilities are required to serve additional users of the utility. Proposed water transmission and distribution mains are also sized with the HNA software to determine proper capacities before construction begins.

This means that our clients can get fast answers to many questions related to their water system; what effect will a new demand at the northwest corner have on available downtown fire protection? Can we accommodate a new industrial development or subdivision?


NIES has experience taking over existing HNA models, creating new models from existing atlas and google maps data and creating new models from our own survey of every valve and hydrant in the system.

Whether you need to resolve distribution system problems, plan for future demands, or introduce new components to your system, NIES has the Hydraulic Network Analysis experience you need.

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