FPUA WTP Stripping Tower Rehabilitation

Provide engineering and construction services for the rehabilitation of four stripping towers. The scope of work includes:

  • Painting, fiberglass repairs, and replacement of tower media.
  • Repairing tower internals (screens, trays, joints).
  • Removing tower instrumentation and replacing inlet, outlet, and cleaning connection valves and cam locks.
  • Replacing air release valves and piping located under the concrete slab.
  • Installing maintenance ladders.
  • Other work includes: Painting the interior of two above-grade clearwells on the north side of the stripping towers and installing maintenance ladders, one for each.
Project Achievements / Benefits
    • Preliminary and final designs were submitted on time with minor comments from the client.
    • Successfully put the 4 stripping towers back into service as scheduled, with no issues during the replacement and repair work. The client is satisfied with the final results.
    • The project was completed on schedule, with seamless coordination between the design and construction teams, ensuring smooth execution.
    • Improvements were made to the water treatment process, ensuring continuous operation during construction. All necessary submittals were completed and approved on time.
    • Utilized the $50k allowance to address additional requirements outside of the original contract scope.

     

    • Highlights
    • The stripping towers, made of fiberglass (FRP), were installed around 1989 and had not been rehabilitated since that time.
    • FPUA did not have the original drawings, but we contacted the original vendor (Industrial Plastic Systems) and obtained the original drawings. This allowed us to confirm the media requirements per tower before purchasing materials.
    • Maintained good communication with the client, providing fast responses to their concerns. For example, when FPUA questioned the painting of the towers, we quickly addressed it.

     

    • Benefits
    • The stripping towers were restored to their original condition, improving water treatment efficiency. As water passes through the air-stripping towers, oxidized minerals and biological growth accumulate on the media. Over time, this fouls the media, reducing its performance and capacity, and increasing pressure within the towers. The rehabilitation work addressed these issues, optimizing the system's performance.
Project Timeframe
  • Duration: 1.4 years.
  • Completion: April 2025.
Project Cost Estimate

Total: $1,353,940.67 + 50k allowance

Client

Keith Stephens

Fort Pierce Utilities Authority

715 S. 25th Street

Fort Pierce, FL 34947

Phone: (772) 466-1600

Expertise

Tower Rehabilitation