By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • 0 Comments

Infrastructure Week Day 4: Wastewater

Tri-Municipal Sewer Commission Surface Aeration Basin Replacement

Wastewater is the dirty little secret no one likes to talk about. Nevertheless, managing our nation's wastewater is of the utmost importance.

No infrastructure plan is complete without wastewater management. It can impact the health of residents, strengthen or weaken the appeal of a locality, and affect the environment.

As the nation’s population continues to grow, wastewater management has become increasingly crucial. Over the next 20 years, the U.S. is expected to gain more than 56 million wastewater treatment system users. This indicates the need for wastewater infrastructure improvements.

About 14,748 wastewater treatment plants currently serve nearly 240 million Americans, or 76% of the U.S. population. In its current state, our wastewater infrastructure suffers from 23,000 to 75,000 sanitary sewer overflow events every year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These facts demonstrate the need for increased wastewater infrastructure funding.

At KC Engineering and Land Surveying, P.C. (KC), our wastewater treatment group has designed, constructed, and helped to operate over 70 facilities. We work with government, industrial, and private clients to meet a full range of wastewater related needs. We approach each project with innovative and creative expertise to deliver comprehensive engineering services that solve the most intricate wastewater challenges from concept through design, construction, and operation.

With projects like the Tri-Municipal Sewer Commission Compost Permit Renewal, Wallkill Raw Sewage Pump Replacement, and Wappingers Falls Sanitary Sewer Pipe TV Inspections, KC has helped to increase capacity and improve the performance of existing treatment facilities. KC strives to meet strict water discharge policies, conserve energy, and reduce environmental impact.

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Infrastructure Week Day 2: Water

DCWWA Shore Haven Water Pipe

Water is a vital resource, but with a rise in deteriorating infrastructure and underfunded programs like the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), we’ve run into a nationwide problem.

In recent years, we’ve witnessed water crisis on a national scale in places like Flint, Michigan, whose citizens haven’t had access to clean water in nearly four years; Texas, Florida, and especially Puerto Rico, where last year’s hurricanes damaged municipal water services; and the Southwest United States, where drought conditions continue to worsen.

Over one million miles of pipes work to deliver water around the country, most of that aging infrastructure having been laid numerous decades ago. Now more than ever, America requires government action to upgrade insufficient water infrastructure. Clean, reliable drinking water is a commodity that everyone, without exception, should have access to.

At KC Engineering and Land Surveying, P.C. (KC), our water supply group works to create sufficient, long-term resolutions to provide safe drinking water. With a group of skilled water, wastewater, civil, and environmental engineers, KC is able to provide lasting solutions to various municipalities, residential developments, and many more.

With projects like the Wallkill Water System Interconnect, Kosuga Well 7 Development, and LaGuardia Airport Trunk Main Relocation, KC continues to play a vital role in ensuring the functionality of filtration systems, water resources, and water treatment.

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • • 0 Comments

Utility Improvements Contract 3.1 Sanitary Sewer Pipe TV Inspections and Cleaning Project

As part of ongoing CWSRF improvements, KC prepared bid documents for Contract 3.1, Sanitary Sewer Pipe TV Inspections and Cleaning, and obtained the required authorizations from the NYSEFC and the Village of Wappingers Falls, led the bidding process, provided inspection services, and summarized results and recommendations in an engineering report.

The Village authorized Fred A. Cook, Jr., Inc., the Contractor, to perform Contract 3.1. The purpose of Contract 3.1 was to conduct a TV inspection of the remaining sewer pipes that have not been replaced or recently lined in order to identify optimal uses of the remaining CWSRF funds. Sewer cleaning was completed to provide access for the TV inspection. TV inspection was completed in 2017.

The Contractor provided reports and video logs of the pipeline assessment to the Village. The reports included detailed information about defects and observations witnessed during the TV video inspection, and every pipe run included a ratings summary. KC was present for the TV inspection work and watched the video footage in real time, along with the Contractor, for the purpose of assessment and coding. Coding was completed consistent with the NASSCO Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP). KC also developed an improved sewer map for Village use.

The TV inspection of the sewer pipes provided the ability to assess pipe condition and make recommendations for improvements. The results of Contract 3.1 were summarized in a report by KC. The engineering report and the detailed TV inspection report provided by the Contractor provided significant information for reference for planning of current and future capital sewer infrastructure improvements.

Collectively, the sewer improvement efforts continue to improve function of the Village of Wappingers Falls sewer system, reduce infiltration and inflow (I&I) in the sewer system and to the Tri-Municipal Sewer Plant, and extend the useful life of the sewer infrastructure.

By Evan Thomas KC'S BLOG • • • 0 Comments

Tri-Municipal Sewer Commission Pump Station Odor Control Project

KC was tasked with finding a means of resolving the issue of sewage odors being emitted outside the bar screen building at the Village of Wappingers Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant.

There are various methods of removing odors caused by wastewater from the air. KC recommended a drum-style air scrubber be installed, maintained, and operated by the plant operators. This type of system consists of an inlet, a drum containing the media with a fan, and an outlet. The media is located in the drum, and air is forced up through the media to be treated; air is then released back into the room. This system runs continuously, reducing the odor of the building should the ventilation fans need to turn on during an alarm condition.

KC reviewed the bids and is coordinating the installation and electrical work with the operators. KC is also overseeing the construction management.