Initial Water Quality Evaluation
In 2018, knowing that their water had issues with aesthetics—color and taste—GHID asked J-U-B to help evaluate the costs and feasibility of improving both. J-U-B prepared a study that examined the water quality at each of the District’s wells, how to improve the quality, and ultimately, the most comprehensive and cost-effective approach to increasing the District’s water supply. The final element of the study was a phased plan, developed in partnership with GHID, to improve the District’s water quality and supply.
Designing the Rushton Groundwater Treatment Plant
In 2020, GHID retained J-U-B to provide design services for the new Rushton Groundwater Treatment Plant with the following goals in mind: energy efficiency, meet water quality goals by oxidizing ammonia and removing manganese, maintain or increase storage capacity, optimize life-cycle costs, and simplify maintenance. J-U-B has helped GHID, who serves primarily West Valley City, Utah, holistically evaluate their water system to determine tie-in locations and analyze and reconfigure the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) site for ease of operation and maintenance of all infrastructure, including the new WTP. This water treatment facility reduces iron and manganese and provides ammonia oxidation while preserving the chlorine residual. The plant combines water from three wells and treats up to 6,000 gpm. The treatment processes employed are oxidation, filtration with greensand type media, and disinfection. Funding was provided by the State Revolving Fund loan program.
Well #12 Upgrades and Site Improvements
Upgrades at the District’s Well #12 also occurred as part of this project. Upgrades included replacing the onsite sodium hypochlorite generation system with a new, larger system, replacing the existing well pump and motor with a larger horsepower motor in order to match the pressures from the other well water coming into the site, and replacing the oil-lube pumps with water-lube pumps. It also included upsizing the generator serving the facilities and the electrical. The other work included a massive re-design of the overall site including shifting the roadway, re-working the drainage, landscaping and re-doing the fencing and gates. The owners of adjacent properties were engaged as part of the process.
Transmission Line Modifications and Cost-Saving Design
The project also included transitioning a transmission line into a raw water transmission line to convey well water to the WTP. J-U-B has designed a 1,200-foot interconnect to fill the gap where the transmission line had formerly been. The new 12-inch transmission line is in a busy, utility-filled UDOT roadway corridor. A water modeling effort early on in the design showed alternative options to planned interconnections at Redwood Road and Decker Lake Drive on 3100 South that would be easier to construct and maintain, thus saving the District money in both the short-term and long-term.
