"Environmentally Speaking" - A Gannett Fleming E-newsletter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

>Background

>Solution

>Did You Know?

 

 

Combining History With High-Tech:
The Highland Park Microfiltration Plant

 

 

 

 

Changes in drinking water regulations 
required Pennsylvania public water suppliers
to cover, abandon or otherwise protect open potable water reservoirs. 

Membrane Filtration Advantages:

»Reliable/proven technology.

»Cost-effective.

»Requires minimum site area.

»Can be housed in attractive buildings.

»Can be pre-purchased to accelerate the project schedule.

 

 

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<Plant membrane racks and piping.

 

 

 

 

An extensive membrane filtration pilot test program was executed to prequalify membrane equipment manufacturers to bid on the project.

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Background

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) owns and operates a 120-million gallon open reservoir known as Highland Reservoir No. 1, which needed to be brought into compliance with applicable regulations.

Gannett Fleming was selected to study the options for meeting those regulations, which included covering the reservoir or replacing it with storage tanks to prevent contamination. 

Located in Highland Park, the reservoir is a popular recreational site; consequently, the community was strongly against modifying its appearance. Because of the intense public and political opposition, PWSA was forced to pursue an alternative, lower-impact solution.

 Solution

The Project Team identified post treatment with membrane filters as the best overall solution.  This is the first time in history that membrane filtration was used as an alternative to modifying an open reservoir.

Innovative engineering was used to design the 20-million gallon per day membrane filtration plant that would treat the stored reservoir water prior to distribution. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

^ The microfiltration plant is housed in a relatively small and attractive building that integrates well with the park atmosphere. Designed with Victorian style architecture, the building integrates well with the surrounding neighborhood.

The community was pleased that their park was preserved, while their water was protected from contamination.

Contact Rulison Evans for more information.  Be sure to check back next issue for more on this exciting project.