The Town of Bethel, CT faced a challenge when water supply increase was needed for a low-pressure area in Town. The Bethel Public Utility Commission (PUC) was able to plan for and complete projects to address this challenge by identifying and prioritizing their water system needs in a 20-year Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) developed by Wright-Pierce. The PUC also developed a user fee rate structure to support funding needs coupled with DWSRF funding in the form of a low interest loan and grants. As a part of the Town’s CIP, Bethel PUC recently completed two water pump station projects and a water main extension to supply water to the area of Town in need.
Hoyt’s Hill Pump Station Upgrade
Water pump stations come in different sizes and architecture. Bethel’s Hoyt’s Hill Pump Station received a full makeover in curb appeal, functionality, reliability, redundancy and safety. Prior to the upgrade, the Hoyt’s Hill pump station was located in an underground concrete vault. Process piping, valves and appurtenances in the station were more than 55 years old. The station’s process and electrical equipment was located in a damp pump room below grade. The station is adjacent to an existing 150,000-gallon underground water storage tank. Inspection identified that the mixing in the tank was inadequate and compromised water quality. Wright-Pierce designed upgrades to the station which included: civil, process, building, electrical, HVAC, SCADA and installation of a new mixing system in the storage tank. The process improvements included new booster pumps and high flow pumps for fire protection.
Briar Cliff Pump Station
Bethel’s residents in the Briar Cliff and Long Meadow Road area experienced low pressures under normal system operation. To address this issue, a booster pump station was designed that would increase system pressures in this area. The project included development of a new pressure zone and a water main extension to customers on Long Meadow Road. Service population projections were developed, as well as a hydraulic analysis, to aid in the design of a new pump station and water main extension. Bethel had a limited easement area for the proposed pump station that could not accommodate a building structure. A can-style vertical booster pumping system was designed that provided construction cost savings and fit on the existing “postage stamp” size Town owned easement.
The new pump stations provide increased system pressures and reliability for Bethel residents and construction cost savings for the Town of Bethel. Bethel received State funding (25% grant and low interest loan) for both projects from the Connecticut Department of Public Health Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
If you have questions or comments related to this Wright-Pierce project or would like to learn more, please contact us today.