Underground Stormwater Detention - Town of Highland, IN

The Town's Ellendale Subdivision had experienced frequent storm water problems for more than two decades. With heavy rains, water would pond in the streets to a depth of 18-inches, overflow into front yards and threaten home flooding in a large portion of the Subdivision.

The Highland Sanitary Board of Commissioners asked NIES Engineering, Inc. to provide an effective solution. Initial investigations confirmed that the addition of large commercial developments upstream of the Subdivision and inadequate existing storm sewer capacity were the two main challenges. One possible solution was to construct relief sewers to divert excess storm water rapidly to other trunk sewers. However, there was no guarantee that this action would not create flooding problems elsewhere.

NIES Engineering recommended a solution that involved construction of an HDPE pipe system under the parking lot of the Town's Markley Park. The system provided 2.0 Acre-feet of detention storage for excess storm water, with gradual release back to the existing storm sewer system after the rainfall event. The Town became the first municipality in the United States to utilize this type of "bundled" pipe system developed by Advanced Drainage Systems. Known as the Storm Compressor™, this design incorporates long lateral runs of 42-inch pipe positioned right next to each other, with 10-inch diameter pipe nested in the upper and lower haunch areas between the laterals. The whole system is then wrapped with a geogrid for lateral support, and a non-woven geotextile is added as a filter.

There is less excavation and backfill required since the system fits in a smaller footprint than the typical "Traditional" pipe system with laterals located 2 feet apart. This resulted in a project cost savings of about $30,000.

Key Points

• Rapid Response
• Cost Effective Design
• State-of-the-Art Solutions

Recirculating Sand Filter Treatment Village of Essex, Illinois

The Village of Essex in western Kankakee County, Illinois, is a community of around 600 people that has experienced consistent growth over the last 60 years with a recent upsurge. The Village has been faced with a long-running challenge when trying to satisfy community sewage needs. The sandy soil and high water table restrict the siting of septic sewer systems, but a new sewer system with treatment plant seemed too expensive.

NIES Engineering, Inc. was called upon to help the Village identify and implement a solution that would fulfill the Village needs, and remain affordable. NIES Engineering initially prepared a Facility Plan that fully addressed the financial, technical and environmental issues involved.

After considering several treatment options the decision was made to select a recirculating sand filter system. The collection system option chosen was the septic tank effluent system (STEP). This type of equipment has been successfully used since the early 1970's to handle modest sanitary volumes where conditions are not suitable for conventional septic systems. The NPDES Permit was applied for and approved for Public Notice by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

With a realistic and attainable Facility Plan in place, the Village was in a position to successfully apply for state grants and low interest loans including an Unsewered Community Grant and a State Revolving Fund Loan.

Gateway Manufactured Housing - Frankfort, IL

The 120-acre park was designed and constructed in 3 phases.

NIES was brought in to provide engineering assistance for the second and third phases. We were responsible for planning, permitting, design, and construction staking after we replaced the original consultant.

NIES Engineering met the challenge of local opposition to the proposed development with persistence and a thorough understanding of relevant zoning and permitting requirements. We were also able to resolve design errors made during the first phase of development and bring the project to a successful conclusion.

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. 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 GPS survey equipment and the latest versions of AutoDesk 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

• One Stop Shop
• Latest Technology

Booster Pump Station - Town of Griffith, IN (2002)

When the Town of Griffith, Indiana, decided to find a new supply of Lake Michigan water, a fast track project commenced that called for innovation, timeliness and above all - teamwork.

NIES Engineering, Inc. was brought in to evaluate the feasibility of bringing water to Griffith from the City of Hammond Water Distribution System. Both distribution systems were subjected to detailed hydraulic analysis. This computer modeling indicated that Hammond could adequately supply Griffth's needs with a booster pumping station.

With an extremely pressing timeline NIES Engineering began design work for 7,000 feet of 24-inch water main, a system of supervisory control and data acquisition controls (SCADA) and a package pumping station. The factory built pumping station was constructed, delivered and installed in 26 weeks.

NIES staff worked closely with the supplier to expedite the reviews, inspection and testing. Some reviews were conducted at the manufacturing facility to save time. The pumping and metering station was designed to allow future addition of a booster chlorination facility. A standby generator was provided for the pumps and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) were provided at critical elevated tanks to provide the maximum in pumping and control system reliability.

Upon installation the highly automated pumping and metering station performed as designed. Startup was accomplished without disruption of service to Griffith's customers. The flexibility designed into the adjustable speed controls allowed operation to be tailored to meet Griffith's goals of minimizing the pressure on sensitive older mains, while maintaining the elevated and ground storage tanks at adequate levels.

Key Points

• Rapid Deployment
• Teamwork
• Continuous Supply