Spartanburg, SC

Ardurra (fka Constantine Engineering) was part of the Design-Build team which implemented $30 million in improvements at the 64-MGD R.B. Simms Water Treatment Plant for the Spartanburg Water System (SWS) in South Carolina. Originally constructed in 1926, the Simms WTP provides potable water to most of the Spartanburg service area.

The overall goals of the improvement program were to improve operational reliability and flexibility, increase capacity, and ensure future regulatory compliance. The scope of the project included: replacing the raw water intake bar screen; structurally and mechanically rehabilitating sedimentation and flocculation basis, installing a new decant pump station to greatly reduce the amount of water conveyed to the thickeners during washdown cycles; installing more efficient filter backwash pumps; constructing a new post-mix basin to allow for common injection point of chemicals, constructing a new 2.5-million gallon clearwell, and installing a new high service pump station (4 pumps rated for 22-MGD at 304-ft TDH).

The current storage capacity of the WTP was inadequate to meet water quality requirements for chlorine contact time, while providing operating flexibility without the use of the detention time in the filters. As part of the upgrade, cell curtains were added to the existing clearwells to reduce short circuiting and improve system performance. Upon completion of construction, a complete CT study was conducted to certify the chlorine contact time. The study required sampling at numerous locations due to the three (3) sedimentation trains and the multiple piping routes to the filters.

The high service pump station was designed to provide continuous flow capability from approximately 11 MGD to 64 MGD utilizing VFD’s with three primary pumps, and one standby pump. Vertical turbine pumps installed into steel cans was the preferred alternative due to hydraulic and ground elevations within the site. Using this arrangement allows complete draining of the tanks without building a separate wetwell. Hydraulic modeling of the discharge was conducted to evaluate surge pressures along the multiple high service discharge lines. Several of the high service lines have been in service since the original plant construction and it was imperative to ensure reduced surge pressures. Final design included installing a surge relief valve.

The Carolinas Associated General Contractors bestowed the 2013 Pinnacle Award, the most prestigious recognition in the Carolinas construction industry, for "Best Utility Project" to Spartanburg Water for improvements at the Simms Water Treatment Plants. In addition, the 2014 Design-Build Institute of America Southeast Project of the Year was awarded for the R.B. Simms WTP Design-Build Improvements.

Project Highlights:

• $30 million in improvements at the 64-MGD R.B. Simms Water Treatment Plant
• Improved operational reliability and flexibility
• Increased capacity
• Ensured future regulatory compliance
• Awarded the Carolinas AGC 2013 Pinnacle Award
• Awarded the 2014 DBIA Southeast Project of the Year