2009-10-15
Gilbane Breaks Ground for Phase I of Norwalk Wastewater Treatment Plant
Glastonbury, CT –The Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) for the City of Norwalk held a groundbreaking ceremony for its $37 million – Phase 1 Upgrade to the Wastewater Treatment Plant on October 15, 2009. When fully completed, the Norwalk WPCF will be a leader in the State of Connecticut’s goal of improving the quality of Long Island Sound through the substantial reduction in the discharge of harmful nutrients and improved water quality.
Mayor Richard A. Moccia opened the ceremony, stating, “This facility is the first phase of a multi-year project to upgrade our wastewater treatment plant.”
“This is an increase in our pretreatment capacity of over 3 times what we currently have available and significantly improves our ability to treat wastewater during wet weather events” said Darren Oustafine, WPCA Chairman. “Although our plant runs exceptionally and well below permit limits, we – as a board and in partnership with our city staff - are continually seeking ways to improve this treatment plant’s operation.”
“We are excited to be a part of this project, which will improve the City of Norwalk’s water treatment capabilities,” said Steven Kononchik, vice president of Gilbane Building Company. “The results of the project will also support sustainable initiatives that are critical to the Long Island Sound.”
Collectively referred to as the plant’s “headworks”, this phase includes main lift pumping and grit and screens removal to treat a peak flow of up to 90 million gallons per day. The new facility will also provide improved treatment for the extraneous flow the plant receives during wet weather events. A major highlight of the project will be the construction of a 25-foot+ deep structure supported by hundreds of concrete piles in complex soil conditions. The project also includes a number of “green” initiatives including premium efficiency motors, high efficiency fluorescent lighting, a building structure that will meet or exceed the current insulation requirements set forth by the Connecticut State Building Code, and an innovative “Solarwall” that will use solar energy to reduce the building’s heating requirements.
The project has been a collaborative effort through the design process and will continue through construction. Gilbane Building Company (Glastonbury, CT) is providing construction management services, and Camp Dresser & McKee is the engineer.
This upgrade is being financed through the State of Connecticut’s Clean Water Fund. The City of Norwalk will receive over $14 million in grants and almost $22 million in low-interest loans for its construction.