Emergency Storm Culvert Replacement - Schererville, IN (2007)

The Town of Schererville hired NIES Engineering to design a replacement for a stormwater culvert crossing at Sunset Blvd.

A 36" reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) and 30" corrugated metal pipe (CMP) were originally used to cross the road and were starting to cause problems. The 30" CMP had been rusting and had contributed to several sink holes in the street.

The design required the removal of the culverts and replacement with three 36" high density polyethylene (HDPE) culverts, sized to meet a 100 yr. storm event.

It was originally intended that the project would commence in the fall of 2007. However, on August 30, 2007, the roadway collapsed from the failure of the 30" CMP. The road was immediately closed and emergency repair began.

NIES Engineering negotiated annual service contracts with sub-contractors - saving the client money and ensuring a rapid construction schedule. Work commenced immediately with NIES Engineering providing oversight as well as survey staking services when needed.

The culverts were replaced within two weeks and the road bed was raised to prevent flooding during heavy storm events. In addition, concrete curb and gutter was installed to channel the road runoff, the entire job site was repaved and sod was installed.

Key Points

• Rapid Deployment
• Cost Effective
• Cooperation

Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades - Town of Schererville, Indiana

Due to sustained population growth that was not expected to subside in the near future, the Town of Schererville
found themselves needing a wastewater treatment plant upgrade. More specifically, the plant required an upgrade of the screening, grit and raw sewage pumping facilities.

NIES Engineering was brought in to develop a strategy for the most cost effective and rapid path to achieve the necessary plant improvements. A detailed preliminary design report was submitted for fast track final design by another firm. NIES then administered the construction phase of the 78 million gallon per day (MGD) peak flow capacity facility upgrades.

Features of the installed upgrades included: Two new 39 MGD mechanical fine screens with screening washers and compaction; a new centrifugal grit collector with grit washing and dewatering; a new higher capacity Parshall flume flow meter; and major renovations of the Raw Sewage Pumping Station with new pumps, controls, adjustable speed drives and new standby diesel generator.

The project was substantially complete in 2011. The Town of Schererville now has one less obstacle to stand in the way of their continued growth.

Key Points

• Fast Track Design
• Resource Pooling
• Increased Capacity
• Efficiency

Fuel Tank Replacement and Refueling Facility - Town of Schererville, Indiana

The Town of Schererville wanted to centralize refueling of their extensive fleet of vehicles to their Public Works Facilities. A second goal for the Town was to remove existing underground fuel storage tanks at their adjacent Wastewater Treatment Plant.

NIES Engineering assisted the Town of Schererville in implementing an effective and environmentally sound program for achieving these requirements. Design and construction services were provided for these projects which included installation of two 10,000 Gallon Fueling Tanks, Dispensers, Pumps, Safety Monitoring Equipment and Site Restoration.

The new fueling facility, located at the Schererville Public Works Department, is now used by all town vehicles including Public Works, Wastewater Department, Police and Administration. Centralization of fueling allows the Town to more easily monitor and track their fuel consumption.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehab - Shorewood Utilities, IN (2005)

NIES Engineering, Inc. has served the Shorewood Utilities water and wastewater operations with planning studies, operational consulting, design engineering and construction services. The Shorewood wastewater treatment plant was originally constructed using three steel package plants. Two of the plants were over 20 years old, and in need of extensive tank repair.

NIES Engineering developed cost effective structural systems to repair the tanks and prepare them for future service. Applying a cathodic protection system further extended the useful service life after repainting had been completed. Excess energy usage for aeration was identified during the planning study. The existing coarse bubble diffusers were providing sufficient mixing but suffered from poor oxygen transfer efficiency.

NIES Engineering prepared plans and specifications for retrofitting all three aeration tanks with membrane type fine bubble diffusers. With appropriate blower modifications the new diffusers will pay for themselves in approximately three years. A similar retrofit for the remaining aeration tank and the aerobic digesters is now being undertaken.

Shorewood Utilities has benefited from the involvement of NIES Engineering through improved efficiency, extended life cycle, and lower cost of ownership.

Key Points

• Long-Term Planning
• Cost Effective Design