Client: Brookville Municipal Authority, Jefferson County, PA
Year Completed: 2011
Project Cost: $12,500,000
The Brookville Municipal Authority selected Gwin, Dobson & Foreman to design a new water treatment plant for its North Fork Creek reservoir source. The new 1.5 MGD plant is technologically advanced and highly reliable.
The original Brookville plant was constructed in 1911. In recent years, the plant experienced difficulty in meeting newer water quality requirements for pathogen reduction, particle removal, disinfection byproducts and algae control. Based on extensive pilot testing, GD&F designed a membrane filtration system with sedimentation and ultraviolet disinfection to comply with the Stage 2-DBP and LT2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rules.
The $12.5 million project included the following unique elements:
- New reinforced concrete intake structure including two 12-inch diameter intake screens (with air purge system), two 50 HP, 1,565 GPM vertical turbine, raw water pumps and wet well.
- Fully integrated flocculation and sedimentation system for pretreatment of reservoir water. Coagulation and oxidation processes are designed for full system redundancy at a peak hydraulic rate of 2.25 MGD.
- Rapid mixing by static helicoidal mixing elements, flocculation by mechanical mixers (axial flow, hydrofoil type), baffled inlet and rectangular sedimentation tanks with mechanical sludge collectors.
- Membrane Filtration (MF) System consists of Pall Corporation ARIA Model AP-6 membrane cartridge technology (3 skids, 1.0 MGD each). The microfiltration (MF) system achieves 6-log removal of protozoans with finish water turbidity of 0.01-0.02 NTU and 95% MF recovery.
- An extensive chemical feed system (sodium permanganate, SternPAC, gas chlorine, caustic soda, corrosion inhibitor, soda ash, powdered activated carbon, fluoride), baffled clearwell (sized for 3-log inactivation), filtrate waste storage/recycle tank, sludge drying beds, finish water pumping (centrifugal) and constructed wetlands for clarification of system wastewater. Ultraviolet disinfection system for pathogen deactivation and DBP control. Finish water pumps consist of two (2) 100 HP, 1,565 GPM vertical turbine, finish water pumps.
- Development of new groundwater sources (480 GPM) for use as a supplemental water supply during drought conditions.
- Design of control building including chemical feed and storage systems, mechanical and process piping systems, MF “clean-in-place” chemical cleaning system, hot-water boiler system (for MF make-up cleaning water), control room/laboratory, conference rooms, garage and offices.
- Sophisticated computer instrumentation, control and monitoring system for MF and plant operation.
- Electrical work, lighting systems, power wiring and telemetry system. The existing 500 KW emergency generator was relocated from the existing plant. A new primary power source was extended to the site.
- The project was financed by a low interest Pennvest loan and a grant from the PA H₂O program. GD&F provided all planning, design and construction phase services for the project.
Although one of the most advanced plants in the region, the microfiltration system is one of the easiest to operate and maintain. Labor time at the plant has decreased dramatically due to the ease of operation and ability to function in either a “batch” or “continuous” operating mode.