“Planning is the most important aspect of any public works project.”
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Ames, Iowa, Water Treatment Plant Improvements
The Challenge:
The work addressed some of the following questions:
- How much water does the City need to be able to provide for customers in the coming years? Are the recent demand projections reasonable and defensible?
- How will the projected demands affect the timing of infrastructure needs of the water system, and how will conservation measures affect the timing of needed improvements?
- What is the true capability of the existing treatment plant to meet the quantity and quality needs for the utility going forward; can facility deficiencies be remedied; and, if so, how?
- How can the City best supply the quantity and quality demands of their customers in coming years in the most cost-effective manner considering existing plant upgrades or expansions, and phased replacement or complete replacement options?
FOX Solution:
FOX recently completed an Infrastructure and Capacity Needs Assessment at this 1920’s plant. The impact of incorporating significant new facilities into the current water system and phased development of future water system improvements was carefully considered. The planning and design of the various components of this project must provide for the facilities to mesh with all future alternatives under consideration to the maximum extent possible.
Results/Benefits:
As a result of the FOX analysis, the City of Ames accepted the recommendation to develop a new 15 million-gallon-per-day lime softening plant at a new site near the existing plant. Work is beginning now on preliminary design aspects of the new facility, which is expected to cost about $40 million.