Chatham’s Water Pollution Control facilities will be receiving more than $2.2 in upgrades during the next few months.
Municipla officials say the Chatham Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) at 100 Irwin St. will be the site of two major projects and in addition, changes will be made to two pumping stations.
The $500,000 Headworks Ventilation and Electrical Upgrades project at Chatham WPCP was designed by CH2M with construction to be completed by Westhoek Construction Ltd. The Headworks Facility was designed in 1991 and has been in service since 1993 without major modifications or upgrades.
The Screen Room ventilation system and electrical system require upgrades to achieve compliance with current building and electrical codes as well as improve the ambient working environment for operations staff. The upgrades include HVAC and electrical modifications and minor architectural additions. Project completion date is scheduled for October 2017.
Electrical Upgrades at Chatham WPCP are being designed by Stantec. This $1.1 M project includes a new electrical substation and replacement of an existing aging motor control centre which powers the WPCP Raw Sewage Pump Station.
Included in this project will be the design and replacement of the primary and secondary power feeders, step-down transformers at the plant substation, and the Raw Water Pump Station motor control centre. Completion of this project is expected to be January 2018.
Chatham Pump Station 1, located at 55 Van Allen Street was constructed in 1963 and requires equipment upgrades. The equipment being replaced includes two 25hp centrifugal pumps, as well as all interior piping and valves. The project also includes painting the interior and exterior of the structure. Completion of this project is scheduled for December 2017.
Chatham Pump Station 5, located at King and Second Street in front of Fire Station #1 poses an obstacle for Fire Services when the station needs maintenance. The pump station was originally constructed in 1963 and will be relocated to one of two proposed locations with an updated design methodology which meets current engineering design practices. R C Spencer Engineering will complete design by December 2017.
Tim Sunderland, General Manager of the Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission, said the projects are a mix between design/build and engineering.
“Pollution control is a vital part of our infrastructure and is in constant use,” he said in a press release.
“The existing facilities have served us well but changes in technology and general wear and tear require upgrades.”
The 2016 Federal Budget established a Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF) for immediate improvements to water and wastewater infrastructure.
The Federal Government’s contribution is 50% of the eligible project costs, with the Province contributing 25% and the remaining 25% to be met by CK PUC.
These projects are 4 of 12 such projects throughout the Municipality that fit the CWWF requirements.
Of the $9.2 M in total project costs, the Federal/Provincial contribution is $6.9 M.
– Photo credit: Aaron Hall
